“Plant them sideways! Put an egg in the hole!” There are seemingly endless opinions and theories about the best way to plant tomatoes. Some are valid tips, but some are unnecessary myths! Read along and learn how to plant tomatoes in your garden (or in pots) to set them up for success. This post will cover must-know tips including the best time to plant tomatoes outside, what amendments to add in the planting hole (or not), how deep to plant tomatoes, their favorite companion plants, and more. We’ll also explore some common misconceptions about those good ole’ epsom salts and eggshell “hacks ..read more

Come learn how to grow beets at home. This post will explore everything you need to know to successfully grow beets from seed or seedlings, such as the best time to plant beets, spacing and thinning tips, when to harvest, along with how to store, use, or preserve beets. I’ve also included a list of the best beet varieties to grow – including my personal favorites. Don’t forget that beet greens are edible and delicious too! Disclosure: Homestead and Chill is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.  Best Beet Varieties Boro – m ..read more

Looking for good chicken names? Here are over 500 of the best chicken name ideas for your flock! This extensive round-up includes puns and funny chicken names, old-fashioned and cute girl names, food and beverage themed, celebrities and pop culture, earthy nature-inspired ideas, rooster names and more. Organized by easy-to-read categories, there’s something for every-birdy on the list! We’re about to get more chicks ourselves, so I asked my Instagram community to send me all their favorite chicken names for inspiration. With so many awesome, adorable, and hilarious ideas out there, I had to co ..read more

I’ll admit, deep cleaning our hummingbird feeders isn’t my favorite chore in the world… but it’s an important one! And the reward of having happy, healthy little bird friends in our garden makes the simple task very worthwhile. Come learn how to clean a hummingbird feeder with vinegar or bleach, including tips on how often to change and sanitize feeders, our favorite easy-to-clean hummingbird feeders, and more. Using the right kind of sugar water in a hummingbird feeder is just as crucial to their health as regular cleaning! Follow our easy no-boil homemade hummingbird food recipe, which uses ..read more

Hanging a hummingbird feeder is an excellent way to help support your local hummingbird population, and enjoy their presence in your yard. Come learn how to make hummingbird food (aka nectar) with this simple homemade hummingbird food recipe – without boiling! It’s very easy and inexpensive to make your own hummingbird nectar. It’s also better for the birds than buying pre-made bottled nectar, which often contains chemical dyes and preservatives. Yet it’s important to follow the right steps so we don’t accidentally make our hummingbird friends sick! This post will cover best practices to make ..read more

Looking for clever, easy or cheap DIY chick brooder box ideas? (Or should I say “cheep”?) Come get inspired with 11 DIY chick brooder ideas, including plenty of photos for inspiration. Most of the ideas on this list can be made from items you may already have around the house, or can easily find used at thrift stores, on FB marketplace, or Craigslist. It’s always fun to up-cycle and give something old a new purpose! Then, be sure to pop over and learn how to set up a chick brooder for even more information about heater options, bedding materials, and a week-by-week brooder temperature chart. O ..read more

Are you getting chicks for the first time, or simply need a refresher on how to best take care of them? Read along to learn everything you need to know about raising baby chicks in this comprehensive beginner’s guide. This article will cover the supplies needed, tips for arrival day, brooder basics, along with chick food, water, and temperature requirements. We’ll also explore key health and safety considerations, how to transition chicks to living outside, and adding new chicks to an existing flock. Raising baby chicks is an incredibly fun and special thing to do. It’s also an important task ..read more

Are you raising baby chicks for the first time, or simply looking for some fresh brooder ideas and tips? This article will explore everything you need to know to set up a chick brooder, including the supplies needed, heater options, a chick brooder temperature chart by week, easy DIY brooder box ideas, size requirements, and more. With these tips, your chicks will be happy, healthy and safe in your care! What is a Chick Brooder? A chick brooder, also known as a brooder box, offers baby chicks a safe warm space to live during their first most vulnerable weeks of life. A brooder is essential f ..read more

Are you looking for a delicious, unique, and healthy snack or party appetizer idea? Look no further than this easy vegetarian stuffed dates recipe! Filled with creamy goat cheese, crunchy nuts, a sweet drizzle of honey, and savory pop of thyme, these stuffed dates hit ALL the right spots. Even better, this raw appetizer idea comes together quickly – no cooking required. We recently brought these goat cheese stuffed dates to a holiday party, and they were the most popular item at the table! Are stuffed dates good for you? Dates boast a variety of nutritional benefits. They’re high in fiber, a ..read more

Is your sourdough starter not rising well? Let’s fix that! Come learn how to make sourdough starter more active. From the best flour type to feeding schedules, this article explores nine ways to build a stronger sourdough starter – one that rises faster and taller than before. I’ve been baking sourdough for nearly a decade, and these tips can help strengthen a sourdough starter that won’t rise, or one that simply isn’t as bubbly as you’d hope. If you’re working with a severely neglected sourdough starter, one that hasn’t been fed in many months or longer, please also refer to this guide: Is My ..read more