Did you know that those little purple “weeds” that pop up in your yard in early spring aren’t weeds at all? They are wild violets (viola odorata), also known as common blue violets, and they are edible & medicinal! Let’s talk about turning these beautiful purple flowers into a wild violet jelly to add a... The post Wild Violet Jelly Recipe & Foraging Tips appeared first on Mama on the Homestead ..read more

Wild violets (viola odorata), also known as common blue violets, are edible plants with beautiful purple flowers that pop up in the early spring. This herb can add great medicinal value and a beautiful purple hue to your kitchen and apothecary. Let’s talk about turning these flowers into a wild violet tea! How to Forage... The post How to Make a Wild Violet Tea Recipe appeared first on Mama on the Homestead ..read more

Can you really save money by growing your own garden? The answer to this question depends on the steps that you take before sowing that first seed. Planning & prepping really is a big chunk of the battle. Today I have invited Amelia Robinson of RobinsonLovePlants.com to share her best frugal gardening tips with you!... The post 13 of the Best Frugal Gardening Tips to Save Money appeared first on Mama on the Homestead ..read more

Did you know that you don’t have to buy egg coloring kits filled with artificial colors from the supermarket for Easter? You don’t even need food coloring … You can make your own natural Easter egg dyes with common natural ingredients from your pantry! How to Dye Easter Eggs Naturally With these natural egg dyes,... The post How to Make Natural Easter Egg Dyes: 20+ Recipes appeared first on Mama on the Homestead ..read more

So you want to start your own seeds? Starting seeds is a great way to get a head start on the growing season and to help you move closer to food security for your family! Seed starting isn’t all that difficult, but there is a learning curve to it.  To help with that curve, I want... The post 10 Essential Seed Starting Supplies appeared first on Mama on the Homestead ..read more

I am not one to “prep” for an apocalyptic future, but I do feel the need to be prepared for natural disasters and a very possible economic downturn or any other potential emergency situation. Learn how to create your own personal DIY seed bank! Food preservation is at the top of my list when it comes... The post Saving Seeds for a DIY Seed Bank appeared first on Mama on the Homestead ..read more

Successful beekeeping requires healthy hives. It is important to familiarize yourself with common honey bee pests and parasites that can infect your hives so that you can quickly identify and treat them. Managing Common Honey Bee Pests Honey Bees (apis mellifera) have a host of pests and diseases to contend with. Here are the 6 most... The post 6 Common Honey Bee Pests to Watch For appeared first on Mama on the Homestead ..read more

Successful beekeeping requires a lot of research and experimentation. These beekeeping books are the perfect resources for beginners to start collecting information for this journey! The Best Beginner Beekeeping Books The Backyard Beekeeper: An Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Keeping Bees in Your Yard and Garden by Kim Flottum 2. The Beekeeper’s Bible: Bees, Honey, Recipes... The post 17 of the Best Beekeeping Books for Beginners appeared first on Mama on the Homestead ..read more

Honey bees use nectar as their primary water source, but they need more than one type of water source to survive. Bees need a reliable source of clean water for drinking, bathing, air conditioning, humidity control inside the hive, increasing the moisture content in the honey, and many other reasons to live happy healthy lives,... The post 7 Tips for Creating a Bee Watering Station appeared first on Mama on the Homestead ..read more

Are you getting ready to start keeping honeybees? Let’s make sure that you are familiar with the beekeeping tools and supplies that will help to ensure your success! Essential Beekeeping Tools and Supplies Each beekeeper has his or her own way of doing things… Some wear full bee suits, and some wear only a veil…... The post 15 Essential Beekeeping Tools + Supplies appeared first on Mama on the Homestead ..read more