Knowledge Weighs Nothing

Seeds 101: A Round-Up Of Our Shorter Seed Posts

Seeds

Survival Seed Vault – Heirloom Emergency Survival Seeds – 20 Easy-to-grow Varieties

Could you feed your family from your garden if you *had* to? What if you simply decided you wanted to?

This emergency survival seed vault was created to serve that very purpose. With a large selection, this seed bank contains 20 varieties of easy-to-grow heirloom vegetable seeds. All seeds are packaged in jumbo-sized triple-layered foil packets. These packets have built in zip-lock, so they can be resealed once opened. Detailed planting, harvesting, and seed saving instructions are included!

  • Survival Garden Seeds Hermetically Stored For Greater Shelf Life
  • Heirloom Seeds Are Open Pollinated & 100% Non-GMO
  • Survival Seeds May Be Planted, Harvested, and Replanted Endlessly
  • Manufacturer Has Signed Safe Seed Pledge
  • Waterproof Emergency Seed Supply

Get it here: Survival Seed Vault – Heirloom Emergency Survival Seeds – 20 Easy-to-grow Varieties

Seed Saving 101 (FREE 30 Page Guide)

seedsaving

If you grow your own fruit and vegetables, I think saving seeds from successful crops is a no-brainer. It saves you money, allows you to be self-sufficient and it enables you to replant varieties which have already proven themselves to crop well and resist disease.  It just makes sense!

A lot of the time, seed saving is pretty simple – beans, for example, couldn’t be easier.  Just leave them on the plants until the pods start to shrivel and dry out; then just pop off the beans and store them somewhere dry until replanting. Things like carrots, cauliflower and cabbages are not quite as straightforward, but again, once you know how it is relatively simple.

Below is a link to download a FREE 30 page PDF guide from the Seed Alliance. It is a very detailed guide that covers everything you need to know about saving seeds for the most commonly grown plants. I highly recommend you download it and print it out. When you click on the link, it will open the PDF guide your browser. To save it, just right-click on the first page and choose ‘Save As’.

Seed Saving 101 (FREE 30 Page Guide)

(Photo from: Seed Alliance)

List Of 100+ Heirloom, Non-GMO & Organic Seed Companies

List-Of-Heirloom-Seed-Suppliers (1)

We all (should) know the benefits and advantages to using heirloom, non-GMO and organic seeds. Simply put, they are as nature intended and when you work with nature, rather than against it, you get the best long-term results…

There are currently 100+ heirloom, non-GMO and organic seed companies listed now, mainly across the US, Canada, UK/Ireland and Australia.  There are a few others elsewhere, but these are the main locations.

What I particularly like about this list, is that it is largely made up of small independent seed suppliers, rather than the huge seed/gardening companies.  Personally, I would much rather spend my money with a small, family run, ethical business, rather than a huge faceless international corporation. Check out the list and bookmark a few suppliers for next year’s seeds.

List Of 85+ Heirloom, Non-GMO & Organic Seed Companies

(Photo from: Off The Grid)

Seeds Explained: Heirloom, Hybrid, GMO (Includes Pros & Cons Of Each)

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When did choosing and purchasing fruit and vegetable seeds get so complicated?

Years ago seeds were just seeds and you purchased what the store had in stock.  These days you have heirloom, hybrid and GMO seeds to choose from…

If you are confused by all the terms, this great infographic from Dr J Renae Norton will help you make the right choice.

(Graphic from: Eating Disorder Pro)

A Prepper’s & Homesteader’s Guide to Buying Seeds

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It’s getting to that planning and planting time again and many folks are buying and planting seeds.

The things is, which seeds should you purchase? Organic, heirloom, hybrid or those cheap ones from the $1 store?  Well, it largely depends on your values/beliefs, your requirements, and your budget.

From a prepper, homestead and self-sufficient point of view, you will likely be interested in seed saving, that is – you harvest some of the seeds from this year’s crops for planting the following year.  To do this effectively you need to invest in the right seeds, to begin with.  Seed saving will save you money and enable you to be more self-sufficient in the longer term, so it is worth paying a little extra for these seeds now.

Jennifer from ‘Are We Crazy Or What’ has written a great guide on buying seeds, which breaks down the different kinds of seeds and the benefits of each.  It’s a great read, especially if you are going to be buying some seeds soon.

The “Dirt” on Seeds: A Prepper’s Guide to Buying Seeds

(Photo from: Are We Crazy Or What)

When To Plant Vegetable Seeds (2 EXCELLENT Printable Charts)

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rootsnursery-germinate
Knowing when to plant seeds is crucial to successful germination and healthy plants.

I don’t know about you, but I am always eager to get sowing seeds indoors this time of year. Trouble is I always sow too many and too soon. They shoot up in the seed trays indoors and they are ready to be transplanted outdoors in no time. Problem is – it is still too cold outdoors to plant them out…

These two charts have been created by the lovely folks at Roots Nursery and I don’t need to tell you how useful the charts will be. If you are like me you’ll have them printed out in no time.

Do me a favour, though – if you like these charts as much as me, head over to the Roots Nursery Facebook page and ‘Like’ their Facebook page as way of a Thank You!

The Storage Life of Seeds

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Now is a good time to get out your seeds and take a look at the dates and storage conditions. If you are prepping, you may have stockpiled a mass of seeds but are those seeds still good to use?

Seeds of plants have different shelf lives which evolved under the conditions of the origination of the plant species. The seed coat that protects the seed also determines the length of time that the seed germ can stay alive and any conditions that must be met to stimulate germination.

The Storage Life of Seeds

(Picture Credit: garlandcannon)

5 Advantages Of Starting Seeds Indoors

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It’s getting to that time of year again when we are starting to think about planting, but you have to be so careful planting early, heavy rain, late snow, and frost can all spell disaster for germinating seeds and seedlings. Starting your seeds off indoors can give you a good head-start on the season, whilst also ensuring your plants aren’t at the mercy of early spring weather.

When starting seeds off indoors, the main thing you have to do is harden them off before planting outside. You can’t just move the plants from a heated environment and then put them straight outside in the cold. There has to be a period of adjustment for the plant, where you can place them outdoors during the daytime for a few days and bring them in overnight.  This way, when you do finally plant them out, it won’t be quite the shock to the system.

If you want to read more about starting seeds off early indoors, the Prep-Blog has written and article on the 5 advantages of doing so.

5 Advantages Of Starting Seeds Indoors

How to Sprout Seeds for Super Quick, Super Nutrition

The nutritious value of sprouts is nothing short of amazing. All sprouts contain a higher concentration of vitamins, minerals, proteins, enzymes, anti-oxidants and trace minerals  than when the plant is fully matured. When you add to this the fact they can be grown in a jar anywhere and they are ready to eat in 3-5 days, they are a no-brainer for preppers.

MRSs and tinned goods will keep you alive but you will not be in the best shape without getting some fresh fruit and vegetables into your diet as well.  Sprouting seeds are excellent for this as there are many varieties with different nutritional properties. Personally, I don’t feel sprouting seeds can be overlooked when it comes to prepping and self-sufficiency.

See:  How To Make Fresh Sprouts With Sprouting Seed

Build A Back Saving PVC Corn, Bean, Seed Planter

cornplanter

Do you know what, I am not even 40 yet and already my back already protests after a short while of bending over planting seeds/beans etc, so God knows the problems this must cause for folks in their 50s, 60s, 70s etc, and others with back and joint conditions such as arthritis.

I have not looked properly, but I don’t recall ever seeing a device like this planter in stores or advertised on the TV. This is surprising as it is immediately obvious that a great many gardeners would benefit from it. Anway, even if you can purchase them, there is not need as below is a tutorial from ‘Sensible Survival’ showing how to make your own back saving seed planter from PVC pipe.

How To Build A Back Saving PVC Corn, Bean, Seed Planter

(Image from: Sensible Survival)

Filed Under: Food & Water, General Prepping, Growing your Own, Homesteading, Self-Sufficiency

Pressure Cooker Still – How To Make One!

DIY pressure cook still

There are typically two things you can do with a pressure cooker still – distil alcohol and make moonshine etc, or to purify unclean or salty water to make it safe for drinking. The purpose of this post is to focus on the latter!

When used to purify salty seawater, once the heat is applied, water vapour is produced, the water vapour escapes and condenses in the copper pipe, before running out into the bucket. The salt is left behind in the pressure cooker, with the water in the bucket now being salt-free, and safe to drink.

Basically, the tutorial below demonstrates that several meters of copper tubing, a 5-gallon bucket and a pressure cooker equal a fully functioning pressure cooker still.  If you live by the coast or an unclean water source, build one of these and you’ll always have emergency water for you and your family to drink. This method could also be adapted to work outdoors over a campfire or portable gas camp stove.

If you are prepping for an SHTF total collapse, building a simple pressure cooker still like this makes a lot of sense. It provides a method to purify all water sources and it gives you the means to distil alcohol, which can be used for consumption, medical use and bartering.

How To Make A Still With A Pressure Cooker

(Photo from: lemonie via Instructables)

Filed Under: A.K.W.N, DIY, General Prepping, Homesteading, Self-Sufficiency

How To Grow Fruits All-Year Round in Your Backyard

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Due to its many health advantages, having at least one serving of fruit during every meal is a must. However, not a lot of people have the access to fresh fruits every single day, all throughout the year.

Many believe that tending to a fruit garden helps provide all the fresh fruits you and your family need plus more. For one, growing fruits in the backyard gives you more control over the chemicals that touch your produce so you know that the one that gets into your table is safe. In addition, growing a garden also encourages more physical activity in one’s daily routine.

Fortunately, it isn’t as intimidating to grow backyard fruit trees and plants as what most people would think. In fact, you can grow them even with limited space, time or energy. Pots and vertical spaces can become your best friend and, once established, these plants should start providing a bountiful harvest every year.
So, how do you start with growing a fruit garden?

The best thing to do is to first figure out which fruit would grow best in the region you are in. Some plants could only tolerate certain types of climate and soil. There is even a best season to grow them although many can survive the winter months as long as they are wrapped or kept indoors. Knowing how much sunlight they need (full sun or partial shade) is also important in making sure that your plants grow well.

Beyond growing fruits, a good farmer should also know how to store their harvest properly so they can last long. Of course, it is great to share or even sell the produce but, for personal consumption, the guide below will tell you how long some fruits last inside a refrigerator or a freezer.

See? Planting fruits does not have to be that hard. As long as you have the right knowledge, starting your garden should be a breeze.

How to grow fruit all year round

How to grow fruit all year round by team at Happy to Survive.

Lisa Farland is a content writer in Happy to Survive – a blog that will help you thrive and survive, and offers articles about preparedness, and off-the-grid, self-reliant living. Lisa is an avid minimalist camper, prepper and survivalist.

Filed Under: Growing your Own, Homesteading, Self-Sufficiency

How To Get Rid Of Aphids On Plants Naturally & Organically

How to get rid of aphids organically

You’ve spent countless hours tirelessly tending to your garden. As spring approaches and your hard work pays off in brilliant blooms and luscious fruit, you begin to notice something sinister. What was once thriving, healthy plants are now giving way to the damages of an unknown source. Leaves turn yellow and foliage begins to adopt a strange, sticky substance. In all likelihood, you’re dealing with an aphid infestation.

Every gardener, either casual or professional, must hold a solid understanding of aphids. If unchecked, these tiny insects can completely destroy a once thriving garden. Stop wasting time, and the health of your plants. Continue reading to uncover vital information about aphids and how to get rid of aphids without the use of toxic, chemically-charged pesticides.

What Are Aphids? An Overview of These Annoying Pests

Aphids are officially defined as being soft-bodied insects identified by their long slender mouths. Their mouths are specially designed to penetrate the most tender parts of plants, such as stems and leaves, and suck out its fluids. Unfortunately, almost every plant species is vulnerable to one or more aphid species. Although there are many different type of aphids, the methods used to get rid of aphids is relatively universal.

The Physical Appearance of Aphids

Looking closely at an aphid, you’d notice it features a pear-shaped body highlighted by an antennae and long legs. Its coloration can vary from red, black, brown, yellow or green. The coloration of an aphid is based upon its species and the type of plant it feeds on. Several aphid species feature a woolly or waxy appearance. This appearance is due to a unique substance it secretes over the surface of its body.

In general, adult aphids are wingless insects; however, there are some species that feature small wings. The winged variety are typically found during spring and fall months. While it’s possible find only one or two aphids, the majority of these insects travel in dense colonies. These gatherings of aphids are generally found on the leaves and stems of plants, which make identifying them much easier than single bugs. A great way to identify an aphid is to disturb the plant. Unlike other pests, such as leafhoppers, aphids tend to stay still when disturbed, which actually makes it easier to remove or kill the aphids.

Life cycle of an aphidLife cycle of an aphid

The Life Cycle of an Aphid

Aphids produce many generations throughout a single year. Female aphids give birth to live offspring. The average female aphid can produce up to 12 newborns each day – all without mating. This asexual reproduction can result in a massive colony in a relative short amount of time. Aphid nymps molt, or shed their skin, four times before reaching adulthood. Unlike other pests, there is no pupal stage. In some species, the aphids produce an egg after mating. This occurs during late fall. Its purpose is to ensure the species survives during the harsh winter months as the shell provides extra insulation. These eggs are generally laid on perennial plants to survive the winter.

During warmer months, the molting stages are swift. In general, a nymph can pass through the four molting phases within seven to eight days. Since each adult aphid can produce an average of 80 nymphs within a week or so, aphid populations can swiftly grow out-of-control. This can be a serious problem for gardens and farms.

Damage Caused by Aphids

If you have low to moderate aphid populations in your garden, the damage caused to plants will likely go unnoticed. However, when a population grows large, the damage can be widespread and serious. Because both nymphs and adults feed on the juices of plants, the entire plant can be damaged by their presence. The most notable damage will be on new growth.

If you’re trying to determine whether or not your plants are being attacked by these creatures, check for the following:

  • Misshapen, stunted or yellowing leaves. If you notice this in your garden, make sure to check on the underside of leaves. This is where the majority of aphids hide.
  • Check the surface of leaves. A common sign of an aphid infestation is a film of sticky residue. This is caused by aphids sucking sap out of the plant. The waste of aphids, known as honeydew, is a sugary liquid. This secretion often attracts other insects, such as ants. Therefore, check plants to see if there’s an unusual amount of insect activity on or around its stem and leaves.
  • Check the branches and leaves of plants for a fungal growth. This growth, known as sooty mold, is a byproduct of the aphid secretions. When present, the leaves and branches of plants will appear black or discolored.
  • Review the shape and size of fruits and flowers. As an aphid feeds on these portions of a plant, their presence can cause the flowers and fruits of plants to become distorted.

Aphid infestationAphid infestation

The Results of Aphid Infestations

Because of the wide array of aphids, the results of an infestation can vary from plant-to-plant. Regardless of what species is attacking your garden, their presence always results in deteroration of plant health and vitality. The following are the most common results of an active aphid infestation:

  • As an aphid sucks the juices out of a plant, they are doing more than stealing its vitality. These creatures can be carriers to any virus the host plant may currently have. Therefore, when an aphid moves onto another plant, these viruses may be transmitted. Unfortunately, it only takes one aphid to transmit plant viruses. The resulting damage from a plant virus can be far more damaging than the results of an aphid infestation. This is a major concern for many gardeners, as an entire crop can be ruined by disease due to aphids.
  • As an infestation continues, the entire plant can stop growing. This can occur on almost any plant, such as zucchini, tomatoes, and pumpkins. Once the plant stops growing, and its leaves turn yellow, the yield will be significantly diminished.
  • In the most serious cases, aphids can attack plant roots. When this occurs, the entire plant may shrivel up and die. New growth and young plants are especially vulnerable to an aphid infestation. Therefore, you must enhance your focus on these plants.

How To Get Rid of Aphids: 10 Organic, All-Natural Aphid Treatments

For years, gardeners and farmers turned to chemically-rich pesticides to control aphid infestations. While this may have killed off these pests, it also damages the environment and can even alter the health of your plants. Because of this, turning to all-natural aphid control options is the recommended choice.

The following 10 all-natural aphid control measures are some of the most effective ways to eliminate these pests without harming your plants or the environment. Use a combination of several methods to ensure your plants remain healthy and aphid-free. You may also want to check out our post on companion plants too.

Method #1 | Physically Removing Aphids By Hand

As mentioned earlier, aphids tend to remain in place when disturbed. Therefore, it’s quite easy to simply remove these pests by hand. Put on a pair of gardening gloves. Inspect the entire plant, specifically the underside of leaves. If you spot an aphid, simply pinch it with your fingers and place in a plastic bag. Continue each day to keep an aphid infestation under control without the use of pesticides.

Method #2 | Repel Aphids With Neem Oil

Dilute pure neem oil in water and pour into a spray bottle. Thoroughly spray each plant, making sure to focus on areas where aphids enjoy hiding. The compounds within neem oil act as natural aphid repellents. This oil also repels other pests, such as cabbage worms, beetles, caterpillars and ants. Another added bonus: neem oil can also ward off a variety of fungal strains known to infect plants.

Method #3 | Kill Aphids With This Herbal Pesticide Treatment

In a small spray bottle, pour equal amounts of rosemary oil, clove oil, peppermint oil and thyme essential oil. Fill the rest of the bottle with water and shake well. Thoroughly spray an entire plant that’s infested with aphids. The active compounds within these essential oils kill adult aphids, nymphs and eggs. It also acts as a general insect repellent without damaging the integrity of your plants. However, always dilute these oils before applying. Non-diluted essential oils can burn delicate plants.

How to get rid of aphids with your garden hoseBlast aphids with a hose

Method #4 | Blast Aphids WIth A Garden Hose

Perhaps one of the easiest – and most efficient – ways to eliminate aphids from your plants is by simply spraying them with water. With a standard garden hose, thoroughly spray each plant. Make sure to pay special attention to the underside of leaves and to its stalk. It’s important to note that this method can damage young plants and new growth. However, in adult plants, it’s a safe way to eliminate aphids without the use of pesticides. In order for this method to remain effective, you must repeat on a regular basis.

Method #5 | How To Kill Aphids With Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth is an effective natural remedy for aphids. Spray your plants with water, then follow this by dusting a light coating of diatomaceous earth directly to plants. Make sure to apply this powder on the underside of leaves and along the base of plants. The compounds in D.E. penetrate the shell of aphids and dehydrate the bugs from the inside-out. As many farmers and gardeners already know, this is perhaps one of the most effective all-natural aphid control methods.

Get rid of aphids with lacewingsAphid control with Lacewings

Method #6 | Lacewing Insects Love Eating Aphids

If you’re looking for a unique way to control aphids, then you may want to fight insects with insects. Lacewings have a unique appetite for aphids. These helpful insects aren’t harmful to your plants, but can offer great relief. You may purchase lacewing insects from many gardening supply stores. Place these eggs around plants and watch the aphid population soon go extinct.

Method #7 | Grow Aphid-Resistant Plants

Growing plants, such as catnip, oregano or garlic can be an effective means of work warding off aphids. The scent these plants give off are offensive to aphids. Many gardeners find entire infestations are warded off by simply growing these plants near other plants. You can also plant other herbs, such as clover, mint, dill and fennel.

Method #8 | Plant Onions in Garden

Growing onions near your garden naturally repel aphids. These insects dislike organic compounds, such as those found by onions. By growing onions within your garden, you’ll effectively discourage aphids from growing in and around your plants.

Method #9 | How To Kill Aphids With This Homemade Aphid Spray

If you need a powerful way to eliminate an entire aphid infestation, but wish to avoid chemical pesticides, create the following homemade spray. Its compounds effectively kill aphids.

    • Warm 1 liter of water and pour into a spray bottle.
    • Add a 1/8 of a teaspoon of gelatin into the bottle.
    • Add 1/8 teaspoon of ground ginger.
    • Thoroughly shake the bottle.
    • Spray this mixture around the leave and stalks of plants.
    • Repeat every other day until you see the aphids completely disappear.

How to kill aphids with garlic sprayKill Aphids with garlic spray

Method #10 | Aphids Hate Garlic: Make This Garlic Spray

While planting garlic is a great way to ward off aphids, sometimes this isn’t enough. By making a homemade garlic spray, you can effectively thwart an aphid infestation. To make this spray, bring 5 cups of water to a rolling boil. Crush 5 cloves of garlic and add to the boiling water. Cover and allow the water to steep for 10 minutes. Remove the lead and allow the water to cool. Pour in a spray bottle, including the garlic cloves. Thoroughly spray each plant, making sure to pay attention to the underside of leaves and along the stalk. It’s best to do this in the evening before sunset.

(Images from: Alvesgaspar, Charlesjsharp, Pollinator & Lee Kindness )

Filed Under: A.K.W.N, General, Growing your Own, Homesteading, Natural Pest Control, Self-Sufficiency

The Rocket Stove Post: 6 & A Half DIY Tutorials With Videos

Simple brick rocket stoveVery simple brick rocket stove

As you’ve arrived here, you will likely be well aware of the benefits of rocket stoves. If not, the bottom line is rocket stoves are extremely efficient stoves to cook with. They generate a huge amount of heat and require substantially less fuel to run. More heat from less fuel makes building a rocket stove an excellent option for anyone living off-the-grid, or for people that are concerned with emergency preparedness.

It seems that not a day goes by without a new DIY rocket stove tutorial appearing online. There are literally 100s of tutorials and videos! So, with so many about… How do you know where to look, and which rocket stoves to build? Well, within this guide you’ll find six (and a helpful half!) of the most popular rocket stoves you can make, complete with videos and written instructions.

Tutorial One: Tin Can Rocket Stove


Let’s start off with a fun tutorial that will come in handy should you ever find yourself somewhere unexpected with only a tin can and a few bits and pieces to cook with.

What you’ll need

  • A can with a lid
  • 2 large cans (theses should be of the 28 oz variety)
  • A spare can
  • A little insulation (your loft won’t miss it!)
  • Tin snips (for cutting your cans and keeping those digits safe for the construction, cooking and eating stages!)
  • A marker pen to mark the cans and where you should be cutting them
  • A wire hanger (which makes the handle)
  • High heat spray paint (if you want to go all out)

Cooking on a tin can: Step by Step

Step One – Mark and cut the centre hole within the large can

You should use the lid from the smaller of the cans to do this, placing the hole with its bottom edge around 5cm from the bottom of the larger can.

Once done, you can go ahead and cut the hole out (be sure to remember your goggles and gloves for safety). Once the hole is cut, you should check out whether the small can fits inside.

Step Two – Mark and cut a hole within the inner can

Repeat this process with the inner can. You can even use the cut out circle from the large can to guide your margin and cutting efforts.

Step Three – Cut and Insert the last can

Now it’s time for the last can. First, cut one rim off so that it is an open can at one end. Then, go ahead and cut 1.5 inch tabs around the rim. With this now flexible end, insert it into the other smaller can’s hole (be sure that this can is already within the larger of the cans).

Step Four – Cut a lid

With the lid from the largest can,  cut out a hole that covers all of the area surrounding the smaller can within it.

Step Five – Fill you can with insulation

Now, fill the can with insulation so that the space between the larger and smaller inner can is completely topped up and packed down. You should then fold down four tabs on the larger can, using a hammer if you need a little help.

Step Six – Add a shelf

Now it’s time to add a mini shelf within the can that pokes outwards from the larger can. Simply cut a rectangle from the metal scraps that you have, cut around an inch into each side and slide the shelf into its place, finally folding down its flaps for a secure fit.

Step Seven – The finishing lick of paint

To finish off your now great looking rocket stove, you can spray paint it black (being sure that the paint is special high heat paint). You may also wish to add that hanger handle by drilling two holes either side of the top of the can.

Now you’re all done and ready to go, so pop those twigs in so that they rest on your shelf and light it up!

Tutorial One And A Half: The World’s Smallest Rocket Stove


Ok, so this tutorial may be considered as a variation of the first, which is why it’s numbered as one and a half. This step by step set of instructions follows all of the steps that the first one does, however it’s on an altogether smaller scale and so the materials are different.

What you’ll need

  • Spray can for the larger of cans (such as a body spray can… however you must know how to cut these as they’re pressurised)
  • The inner cans are made from piping (you may need to hunt around to get the dimensions right, and use a material that isn’t too thick or that poorly convects heat)
  • Sand (this is in replacement for the insulation)

The World’s smallest rocket stove: Step by Step

Just follow all of the steps within tutorial one, but take a little more care as you’ll be working on a smaller scale. You can also skip the paint and handle step if you wish… this is really just for fun!

Tutorial Two: The DIY 6 Brick Dual Burner Rocket Stove


The first tutorial is perfect for those looking for something small and compact, but what if you want something more impressive, or that is capable of heating at least two pans at once? Well, luckily for you, we have a tutorial for a dual burning stove, and better yet, this tutorial requires just six bricks (as well as few other items as listed below) and a budget of $6!

What you’ll need

  • Four double breeze blocks
  • Two single breeze blocks
  • Two metal mounts from a stove

The DIY Dual Burner: Step by Step

Step One – Place the bricks

First, you need to place the double breeze block bricks into a rectangular shape, with the two middle ones lying flat against one another, and the other two stood upright at either end.

Then add the last two single breeze blocks with their open ends pointing upwards.

It’s important that the upper double breeze block, which sits directly underneath the two single breeze blocks, is seated with its open end underneath (pointing upwards). The breeze block that is then underneath is the other way around, allowing for you to place your wood in without it dropping, and thereby allowing for the heat to rise up into the single blocks.

Step Two – Add your wood

Add your wood into the central breeze block, this is done through the side as you’ll place your end breeze blocks with their open ends outwards. This then means that there’s no need to move the upper stoves… you can simply side feed and go!

Step Three – That’s it!

That’s all there is to it, so stick some food on the stove and get cooking!

Tutorial Three: The Rocket Stove Water Heater


This is a heater that works on little fuel (which can be as simple as a few sticks) and is more efficient than your average household water heater. This stove can accept up to 200 liters of water.

What you’ll need

  • 18 matters of copper pipe
  • Oil barrel (44 gallons)
  • Ceramic or stone structure to create the stove itself

The Rocket Stove Water Heater: Step by step

Step One – Wind your copper coil and create the drum structure

The copper pipe is coiled through an oil barrel, leading from your cold water supply and outputting a warm water supply. This will be placed at the top of the stove structure.

Step Two – Create the ceramic bed base

Now it’s time to create the outer structure that will house the copper drum and burning structure. This can be constructed from ceramic or stone bed base.

That’s all there is to it! There may be only two steps however, but the construction of the ceramic outer casing may take a considerable amount of time.

 Tutorial Four: A Simple 16 Brick Rocket Stove


Brick rocket stoves seem to be the most popular variety, so I wanted to give you a little choice as to which you opt for. Here, we take a look at a DIY rocket stove project that consists of smaller house bricks and that similarly comes in at a budget busting total of just $6.

What you’ll need

  • 16 bricks
  • 3 Patio blocks

A brick rocket stove: Step by step

Step One – Layout your patio blocks

This is so you have a level bottom layer upon which to build your stove

Step Two – Add the first layer of bricks

This should consist of 4.5 bricks, where three are lined up horizontally, and the 1.5 bricks form the end.

Step Three – Add the second layer of bricks

Now you want to arrange the second layer a little differently, being sure to leave the middle section empty.

Step Four – Add the third layer

Now you can add the third layer, leaving only the middle empty.

Step five – Add the fourth and final layer

Add the final layer, replicating the third layer.

Step Six – Add a single brick to below the side hole

This will serve as your fuel feeder.

Step Seven – You’re all done

Now it’s time to feed the fire and get to cooking. The total build time of this particular stove is then less than 20 minutes. To finish off the fire so that you can warm water you simply add a metal grid, or a stove metal mount.

Tutorial Five: The single-pot rocket stove


For those looking for a rocket stove that can accommodate a large vat or liquid with ease, this single-pot rocket stove tutorial is perfect. What’s more, with materials that should be readily available, and a design that is based upon an insulated rocket reflow combustion chamber to increase combustion and reduce smoke, this is one tutorial that features easily sourced materials, easy to follow instructions and a stove that provides superior performance.

It has much in common with many of the other tutorials that you’ll find here however, as only the tips of the wood burn, thus allowing for optimal performance. So then, now that you’re sold on the idea, let’s get started.

What you’ll need

  • Sheet metal or a 5 litre metal can
  • Water, Clay, Sawdust – To make the light weight bricks required for the inner structure
  • Wooden Mold
  • One reasonably sized clay brick
  • Vermiculite or perlite
  • Cement

The single-pot rocket stove: Step by Step

Step One – Create your light weight bricks from the Water, Clay and Sawdust

The light weight bricks that make up the inner combustible stove are perfect for a rocket stove as they have better draft and higher combustion temperatures, which decreases the emission from burning biomass.

To make them you mix the clay and sawdust first, kneading the sawdust and clay together; once well mixed add in the water gradually and continue to mix the ingredients. You should stop adding water when the consistency is rough, relatively stiff and without lumps.

The recipe will need to be fine-tuned as according to the sawdust that you are using. However generally speaking the following measurements tend to work well with most sawdust types.

  • 500g Sawdust
  • 1200g Water
  • 900g Clay

The bricks should be fired at around 1000 Celsius, which should create bricks with an optimum density of 0.6g/cc (perfect for our purposes, and at this density the bricks themselves will float in water).

You will need to create a wooden mould to shape your bricks (and wet the wood so that they slip out of the bottom easily). The brick is removed later once the consistency has hardened.

Step Two – Create the combustion chamber

Once all of your bricks are ready it’s time to begin work on the combustion chamber. This should begin by two clay bricks being placed adjacent to one another, with a normal, heavier brick between them placed at what will be the back of the chamber. This creates a ‘U’ shape.

Build up the chamber from here by adding three levels of brick total with no openings (this brings your chamber to around 30cm high).

Step Three – Add the cylinder by placing it over the combustion chamber

The sheet metal cylinder has a square hole cut into the bottom, do that it lines up with the entrance of the combustion chamber. For now you can temporarily fill up the cylinder’s entrance with a brick.

Step Four – Add the cement between the cylinder and the combustion camber

Fill up your cylinder with cement, leaving the middle section within the combustion chamber open.

Step Five – Add three metal bars in a triangle shape

Adding three metal bars into your cylinder can serve as a built in pot rest. To make these secure you can drill six holes in total into the cylinder, ready to accept the melt bars. This metal to metal contact upon which your pot will be placed additionally benefits from the natural convection of the sheet metal. Just be sure to leave a 12mm gap between the metal bars and the combustion chamber.

Step Six – Consider a pot skirt for super quick cooking

To make your rocket stove even more efficient you can add a stove skirt, which simple lengthens the height of the metal cylinder, allowing for the heat to run past the sides of the pot.

 Tutorial Six: Rocket Stove For Indoor Heating

(There is no video for this rocket stove, but click here is the original blog post with full instructions.)

This final tutorial is for those who may be more advanced with DIY skills, as well as being pretty handy with a welding torch. It creates an impressive indoor rocket stove that looks more akin to a home heating system.

What you’ll need

  • An old electric hot water tank (or, for an easy life you may consider using a steel drum)
  • 3″ diameter steel pipe
  • 4″x4″ square tubing
  • Flat steel plate

* All of the above each had around 1/8″ wall thickness, which may be thicker than necessary.

  • Flexible Aluminium tubing (e.g. dryer ducking)

The ultimate rocket stove for indoor heating: Step by Step

Step One – Attach the dryer ducting to a chimney for testing purposes

Step Two – Cut the water tank tube so it is able to accept the combusted chamber and chimney

The chimney should already have a square end that is welded on, which will be the part inserted into the hot water tank

Step Three – Weld the chimney into the inside of the hot water tank

Before being able to do this, you’ll obviously need to cut the end off of the tank. You can also place a block of wood underneath the chimney to keep it in place for welding.

Step Four – Once the welding is complete and cooled you can spray your tank

If you do spray your tank use black, as this absorbs and retains heat better. You should also ensure that you’re using a high heat performance spray paint.

Step Five – Weld the lid back on

You can cover over any messy welding with a nice silver sheet metal ring.

Step Six – Attach the dryer ducting to the square that now juts out from the tank

Step Seven – You may finally want to think about adding a vented removable screen to the end of the combustion chamber

This will stop any sparks from flying off of the wood and into your room (this step is actually pretty essential).

If you enjoyed this post, you might be interested in our rocket mass heater post too!

(Image from: wsssst)

Filed Under: A.K.W.N, DIY, General Prepping, Homesteading, Self-Sufficiency

Protect Your Farm Or Homestead With Barn Cats

barn cats

For thousands of years, our feline friends have made their mark within civilization. Whether revered as mystical creatures or adored for their fun-loving attitudes, there’s no denying the importance of cats in one fashion or another. However, as you set out to cultivate a successful homestead you may be surprised these four-legged family members provide more than hours of entertainment. In fact, these common household pets directly influence the success of many homesteads throughout the world.

As you’ve likely already discovered, many rural environments are inhabited by rats, field mice, moles, ground squirrels and many other rodents capable of completely ruining gardens, livestock feed and your own food stores. Along with wrecking havoc on the productivity of your garden, many rodents carry disease within their fecal matter, which can prove disastrous for your family’s health or the vitality of your livestock. Therefore, one of the most important steps in fostering a healthy and fruitful homestead is reducing the proliferation of these pests.

Rodent Control Without Harmful Chemicals

One of the most popular methods of eliminating rodents is through poisonings and other toxic chemicals. With its effectiveness comes real danger. From accidental livestock poisoning to introducing inorganic compounds into the environment, commercial rodent control methods are costly and environmentally harmful.

A Natural – And Adorable – Pest Control Method

Instead of relying on the aforementioned compounds and chemicals, the most effective way to keep the rodent population throughout your homestead under control is through barn cats. While you may think barn cats are a special breed of felines, they can be almost any domesticated cat. The best part? Barn cats are practically self-sufficient. Many thrive on eating the rodents they kill and enjoy a happy life as they’re capable of connecting with their instincts.

Tips for Raising Barn Cats

The following five tips are fundamental tips to raising healthy and happy barn cats:

  • It Starts With a Kitten – When it comes to barn cats, it’s important to cultivate a deep bond to ensure they do not wander away. Therefore, many homesteading professionals recommend raising them from kittens.
  • Mamma Barn Cat – While some cats have stronger instincts than others, the most successful barn cats are born and partially raised by a mother barn cat. If you can, connect with a local farmer or other homesteader for a genuine barn cat. If not, you may end up with lazy housecats who simply enjoy the freedom of sleeping in piles of hay.
  • Foster Their Boundaries – During the first several weeks, make sure to keep the cats in a secured area. Keep a litter box and food in their sleeping quarters to secure this area as their home. After several weeks of being secured in a barn stall, they’ll know where home is.
  • Feed Your Cats – While some cats live solely off their prey, do not allow this to be their sole food source. Provide your cats with food each day. This ensures they remain healthy while further solidifying their home boundaries.
  • Maintain Cat Health – Do not simply throw a few cats in a barn and call it a day. Make sure to vaccinate all cats, especially for rabies. Barn cats should be dewormed and taken to the vet every few months to ensure they’re healthy and happy. Additionally to keep your cats flea free, see our post on flea home remedies.
(Image from: Steve Jurvetson)

Filed Under: A.K.W.N, Homesteading, Self-Sufficiency

5 Winter Activities to Boost the Health of Your Garden

As the warmth and humidity of summer gives way to the cooler months of fall, an entire new realm of requirements is at your doorstep. While many homesteaders and gardeners use the chill of fall and winter as a much-needed break from gardening labor, this is not the time for a complete separation of duties. It’s best to think of winter as a time of gestation for the next season. Just like a baby growing within the womb, there are certain activities you must perform to ensure the health and vitality of your freshly birthed garden.

The following five activities are designed to help maintain a safe and healthy garden throughout the cold winter months, so as spring approaches your soil and plants are ready to burst with life.

5 Must-Do Winter Activities

Remove Previous Season Debris

Perhaps one of the most important steps to take after a current growing season comes to a close is to clear out annuals and compost. By eliminating this debris, you improve the fertility of soil while eliminating the possibility of winter-borne plant diseases and pests. As the winter months give way to the warmth of spring, rotate your crops throughout the gardening area to help thwart the onset of disease and insects.

Shield Your Crop from Freezing Temperatures

Although this may not be necessary for regions where temperatures do not dip below freezing, for many, the most effective way to improve soil and its fertility is to plant cover crops, such as winter wheat or winter rye. These crops are capable of protecting the viability of your soil while being able to be tilled during spring to revitalize your soil. Without cover crops, many gardens are left vulnerable to the ravishes of winter. Don’t have time to plant a cover crop? No worries – simply spread a layer of leaves along your garden bed.

Repair Gardening Tools

During the downtime of winter, perhaps the most effective way to spend your free afternoons is to repair essential gardening tools. The worst mistake you can make is to wait until spring has arrived to begin repairing your tools. By spending the short days of winter fixing your gardening tools, you’ll save a significant amount of time when the season changes and your days become filled with preparing, planting and protecting your crops.

Prepare for the Forthcoming Season

After you’ve safeguarded your garden for winter, now’s the perfect time to begin planning for the next season. The most successful gardeners are those who take the downtime offered by winter to fully flesh out the upcoming season duties, plants and goals. What were you successful at in the previous grow season? What issues did you come across? Where will the new crops be planted? These, and many more, questions must be answered in order to ensure the next season is as productive and profitable as possible.

Relax Your Mind and Body

Although working as a gardener seems as if it’s a life filled with an ever-growing to-do list, during the winter months it’s imperative to find time to relax and recuperate. Give your body a chance to recover while treating your mind to exciting planning sessions. Congratulate yourself on accomplishing another season, and use this positive thinking to propel you into the next season with a renewed excitement and love.

Filed Under: A.K.W.N, Growing your Own, Homesteading, Self-Sufficiency

10 Ways To Make Some Money When Trying To Live Off-The-Grid

Make money living off-grid

Do you desire a life that’s less dependent on the ability and services of faceless businesses? Is your desire to be truly self­ sufficient stronger than your desire to be “taken care of” by corporations? Living off the grid harkens back to a simpler time when humans took care of themselves using the resources found in their immediate surroundings.

Regardless of your self­ sufficiency, there is always a need for some form of income. While you may not wish to get rich, the following 10 ways to make an income while living off grid offer a means of financial stability to help purchase essential life items.

Sell Your Art

A common skill set for many who live off the grid is creativity. Whether you’re skilled at carving wooden sculptures or knitting scarves, if you have an artistic ability, you can make some money. While the first piece of advice from many outlets is to sell artwork on online websites, such as Etsy, many who live off the grid wish to avoid establishing an online presence.

Use local farmer’s markets, flea markets or even setting up shop in antique stores can draw in a decent income. Think outside of the digital box when it comes to marketing and selling your
artwork.

Sell Herbal Tinctures

The marketplace for holistic medicines and herbal tinctures has never been greater. While many choose to stay connected to the grid, there are equally as many who desire a more natural
approach to healing common ailments. If you’re an herbalist, either professional or amateur, create your own herbal tinctures and tonics. Sell and market these items at flea markets, farmers
markets or online, if you wish to connect for the sole purpose of making money.

Sell Naturally Produced Honey

Beekeeping is an excellent option for those who live off the grid as it provides two benefits: an opportunity to make money selling honey while simultaneously helping the ever ­dwindling bee
population. While becoming a beekeeper and harvesting honey requires specialized equipment and training, there are many online and offline resources to aid in this quest to make money while
simultaneously helping the bee population.

House Painting Services

Regardless of where you live, there’s always a need for professional painting services. If you have experience painting interior and/or exterior walls, then you may have an opportunity to cash in on this experience. Create fliers describing your services and rates. Place these fliers on community bulletin boards found in recreation centers, libraries or in local businesses. Want to take a more proactive approach? Contact businesses directly soliciting your services.

Pet Sitting Service

If you live off the grid, then you likely have ample of outdoor space. Utilize this space by offering pet sitting services for friends, family and community members. While this may not be
ideal for every person, if you love animals and have a desire to make some extra cash, pet sitting may be your best moneymaking option.

Provide Horse Riding Lessons

Are you a horse lover? Do you enjoy instructing others on enjoying the freedom and connection between a rider and the horse? If so, then create fliers to promote horse riding lessons. This is especially effective if you live in horse­heavy communities and locations.

Sell Fruits and Vegetables

When you live off the grid, you probably have a well­ developed garden. While you rely on the fruits and vegetables you’ve cultivated to feed you and your family if you have extra, consider
selling these items at a local farmer’s market or flea market. Many consumers prefer buying goods from local farmers due to its freshness and lack of commercially ­used pesticides.

Babysitting Services

Whether you want to babysit for your friends, family or strangers, establishing a babysitting service is among the most effective ways to earn some money while staying disconnected from
the grid. Call all your friends and family to offer these services, and consider networking with your local church group or placing fliers on a community bulletin board.

Write a Book About Living Off Grid

Even if you’ve never written a book before, there’s a growing interest and desire to learn how to become self ­sufficient and living off-grid. Feed their desire for knowledge, while feeding your bank account, by writing a guidebook for off-grid living. You can sell this book online as an eBook, at flea markets or by sending the manuscript to a traditional publishing house.

Offer Gardening Classes

If you’re an accomplished gardener, the fruits of your labor can be more than fresh greens for your salad. Offer gardening how­to classes for beginner, intermediate and advanced­ level gardeners. This allows you the ability to expand your network of gardeners while earning a nice income doing what you love.

Filed Under: A.K.W.N, Homesteading, Self-Sufficiency

This DIY Washing Machine Generator Can Be Water Or Wind Powered – 100% Off-Grid Electricity!

DIY Washing Machine Generator

This might just be the best cheap DIY electricity generator we have featured! It is fairly straightforward to build and it can generate a huge amount of free off-the-grid electricity. The level of constant electricity generated in the video is outstanding. I think the best thing about this generator is that it can be powered by anything which turns the motor. You can set it up to run with water-power, wind-power or even peddle power.

I believe there is one negative though… This DIY generator has to be built with a smart drive washing machine. These are mostly (maybe even solely) made by a company called Fisher & Paykel. They are very popular in certain parts of the world, but not so in others. They are sold in the US but they are not all that common.

If you are interested in building this generator, check out the video below, do some further research and keep a lookout on Craigslist and eBay for these old washing machines.

(Image from:  Buddhanz1)

Filed Under: A.K.W.N, DIY, General Prepping, Homesteading, Self-Sufficiency

DIY Snow Shovel Electricity Producing Windmill – Genius!

That’s right folks – those are everyday off-the-shelf snow shovels! The whole thing cost less than $200 to build… And if you think you’ll have difficulty getting some cheap snow shovels, Amazon is your friend.

Check out the video below to find out how to build this super simple windmill. This windmill, when connected to some kind of appropriate alternator, can generate 300 watts of power!

I was just wondering how much an alternator costs VS purchasing a complete wind turbine system… I did a quick check on Amazon and the only alternator I could find was this one and it costs $449, BUT I found a complete wind turbine system here for $299 (mixed reviews though).

(Image from: myshowmeamovie)

Filed Under: A.K.W.N, DIY, General, General Prepping, Homesteading, Self-Sufficiency

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