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Three field guides worth bookmarking — canning times, cellar storage, and safe cooking temps.
| Food | Pressure | Pint |
|---|---|---|
| Green beans | 10 lb | 20m |
| Corn | 10 lb | 55m |
| Tomatoes | water bath | 35m |
USDA/NCHFP processing times & pressures for common foods.
View full chart →| Item | Store | Keeps |
|---|---|---|
| Onions | cool, dry | 9 mo |
| Potatoes | cellar | 4–6 mo |
| Apples | cellar | 6 mo |
How long fruit & veg keep in the cellar, fridge and freezer.
View full chart → Network| Doneness | Target |
|---|---|
| Rare | 125–130°F |
| Medium-rare | 130–135°F |
| Well-done | 160°F+ |
Safe pull temps for steak & burgers, from Popular BBQ.
View full chart →Reader Favorites
As late September homesteading tasks kick into high gear, the calendar flips to late September 2025, with autumn’s golden glow lighting up your homestead amid urgent, rewarding energy. If you’re like the thousands of homesteaders buzzing on social media right now (think epic harvest hauls and frantic winter prep posts), you’re knee-deep in the…
Top 10 Off-Grid Homesteading Skills for Self-Sufficient Living in 2026 Master off-grid homesteading 2026 with 10 essential skills for self-sufficient living, from water management to biogas production. These skills empower you to thrive independently, whether on a rural homestead or in an emergency. Reflecting 2026 trends like sustainable practices and renewable energy, this guide ensures…
If your veggie patch could talk, it would probably say, “Hey, can I get a blanket over here?” That’s basically what mulch is — a cozy cover for your soil that keeps it comfy, nourished, and protected. Whether you’re growing tomatoes, carrots, or enough zucchini to feed the whole neighborhood, the right mulch can make…
Late June brings a vibrant harvest to your homestead garden, perfect for firing up a homestead BBQ. Romaine lettuce, green beans, radishes, and peas are at their peak, ready to shine in outdoor dishes that celebrate self-sufficiency. This article shares three unique recipes, each using a different cooking method—grilling, smoking, and griddle-searing—to make the most…
Top Homesteading Trends in 2026: What’s Buzzing in the Community Hey there, homesteaders and curious folks! If you’re wondering what’s got the homesteading community all fired up in 2026, you’re in the right place. Homesteading is more than just a lifestyle—it’s a movement toward sustainable living, self-reliance, and a deeper connection with the land…
Hey homesteaders! If you’re living that off-grid, close-to-nature life, you’ve probably dealt with your fair share of critters. But there’s one tiny troublemaker you might not think about often: Hantavirus, and how to prevent it while homesteading. In this post, we’ll explore why this virus is a concern for homesteaders and provide practical Hantavirus prevention…
Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are a homesteader’s dream—vibrant, hardy, and incredibly versatile. If you want to grow sunflowers on your homestead, you’re in for a treat! These towering beauties with their cheerful blooms don’t just add a pop of color; they also provide seeds for snacking, oil production, and livestock feed. Plus, they attract pollinators to…
Homesteaders can easily render beef tallow at home, turning beef fat from suet or trimmings into a versatile, shelf-stable cooking fat. This traditional process aligns with the self-sufficient, zero-waste ethos of homesteading, using byproducts from cattle you raise or source locally. Beyond cooking, beef tallow shines in soap-making, candles, balms, lotions, and even leather conditioning….
Want to roll out the red carpet for deer and make your backyard their five-star dining spot? A deer food plot might be your ticket. Essentially, it’s a cultivated patch of land designed to attract deer with tasty, nutritious forage. Whether you’re a hunter or just love watching wildlife, this guide will walk you through…
You think you’re ready to ditch the modern world for going off-grid and create a life of pure, unadulterated freedom? Welcome to the world of going off-grid, where your biggest daily decision might just be whether to use the compost toilet or the great outdoors.
By attending these events, homesteaders not only enjoy the spectacle but also strengthen their ties to the broader agricultural and rural community.
This root vegetable not only thrives in a variety of climates but also offers flexibility in planting methods.
