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Homesteading in the Suburbs (Zone 6)
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items Stuff I'm using and admiring for my little suburban homestead. Products, recipes, plants, animals--find my lists here!
Sections
8
Books
Garden
Preserving Your Havest
Cleaning
Farmstand
Wearables
Books
Books related to a more natural diet and lifestyle. Different ways of preserving, growing, and uses.
I'm yearning to learn more about fermenting food and drink to get those natural probiotics. This book has so many recipes and stunning photography!
The Farmhouse Culture Guide to Fermenting
Lots of goodies in this one. Many different ways of preserving food here, so you have lots of options to choose from!
The New Homemade Kitchen: 250 Recipes
One day I will have a root cellar and this will come in handy! For now, I “pretend” my basement is a root cellar.
Root Cellaring: Natural Cold Storage of Fruits & Veg
Currently reading this one and WOW--there is so much information! It really breaks it down on categorizing herbs and their uses. There are also lots of recipes for tinctures, salves, lotions, teas, etc. So it's very helpful! I've also added lots of p...
The Modern Herbal Dispensatory: A Medicine Guide
So many people use recipes from this book. I currently don't own it, but it's on my to buy list!
Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving
The newest edition releasing on August 29, 2023. Can't wait to get my hands on this!
Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine New Edition
Lots of good stuff in this book and I use many recipes from it. I'm using the fire cider recipe this year and will be using the apple cider vinegar recipe when I get enough apples. I consistently use the laundry detergent, granite cleaner, stain remo...
Simply Living Well: Guide to Low-Waste Home
This is a book I re-read every few years. It reminds me of the importance of supporting the local farmers that are doing it right and caring for the earth. Plus the product is so much better for you! The earth, soil, fruit, vegetables, and animals th...
Folks, This Ain't Normal: Farmer's Advice
YOU GUYSSSSS!!!! Please give this book a read or listen to the audiobook. It's incredible. Even if you're not a Christian, you will find so much useful and informative information in this. It completely changed the way I was thinking about my food.
From Christian libertarian farmer Joel Salatin, a clarion call to listeners to honor the animals and the land and to produce food based on spiritual principles. Joel Salatin is perhaps the nation's best known farmer, whose environmentally friendly, s...
From Christian libertarian farmer Joel Salatin, a clarion call to listeners to honor the animals and the land and to produce food based on spiritual principles. Joel Salatin is perhaps the nation's best known farmer, whose environmentally friendly, s...
The Marvelous Pigness of Pigs: Caring for Creation
Garden
Items I use for my garden!
I use these small envelopes for saving seeds or gifting seeds to others.
100 Pack Kraft Small Coin Envelopes Self-Adhesive
I use these labels when starting seeds. They work great!
AMORNING 100Pcs 4 Inch Plant Labels, Plastic
These work great for all my vining plants, especially for tomatoes.
KINGLAKE Plant Support Garden Clips, 200 Pcs
This saved my squash plants last year from the squash vine borers.
Bonide 8066 BT Thuricide Spray, 1-Qt. - Quantity 1
I make a mixture of neem oil, water, and soap to help combat all kinds of pests and diseases in the garden. I like to use it for powdery mildew. Summers are hot and muggy where I'm at and no matter how much you prune and try to keep good airflow, pow...
Neem Bliss - Pure Neem Oil for Plants (16 Fl Oz)
I use these as support for my peonies and they work great!
MTB 36" x 18" Peony Double Ring Plant Support
Probably one of my most used tools in the garden. I use it for digging, transplanting, cutting back dead leaves or plants, harvesting--you name it! It's very versatile!
Barebones Living | Walnut Handle Hori Hori Knife
We put in an irrigation system for our raised beds (amazing!) and this is the timer we use. It's not fancy and is very basic (not bluetooth or wifi capable), but it does everything we need it to!
Gilmour Single Outlet Electronic Water Timer
This is the lighting system I use for seed starting. It works great, but it does put off a lot of heat and light, so don't put this too close to your young starts!
VIVOSUN T5 Grow Lights 4 ft., 216W, 4 Bulbs
These are great for labeling plants once they've been put out in the garden. The only thing I've found is that the permanent marker doesn't stay very long. I tend to write the label on masking tape and then put it over the label and that works pretty...
GardenMate 25-Pack Weatherproof Plant Labels
We've had one for almost a year now. We haven't got any fruit from it yet, but I'm hopeful we'll have some in the next few years. We currently have this in a pot and move it indoors when the temperatures get below 20 degrees.
Update, our second one died again. It didn't survive our move. :(
Update, our second one died again. It didn't survive our move. :(
Cold Hardy Avocado Tree
We've had one for three years now (I think?) and we've got lemons from it! It's a meyer lemon so it's a cross between an orange and lemon. We move this indoors when temperatures get to 20 F and back outside when the weather starts to warm up again.
Meyer Lemon Tree
We've had one for a few years now. We haven't yet gotten anything from it yet, but it always flowers. And the flowers smell incredible. I wish I could bottle up the smell and use it as an essential oil or something. This is one that we have in a pot ...
Key Lime Tree
We just got one of these bushes this year for our backyard. Because we're renting, I was looking for some berry plants that did well in pots. This was one of them! It's self-pollinating, but will bear more fruit if there is another blueberry bush nea...
The small, firm fruit is loaded with extreme flavor, perfect for grabbing by the handful - or including in salads, jams, sauces, and of course - BAKING.
The small, firm fruit is loaded with extreme flavor, perfect for grabbing by the handful - or including in salads, jams, sauces, and of course - BAKING.
Top Hat Blueberry Bushes for Sale | FastGrowingTrees.com
This is the other blueberry bush that we bought. It's a compact size so it's great for planters. It delivers a mid-summer harvest of delectable, juicy berries that taste almost identical to homemade blueberry jelly!
Bushel and Berry® Jelly Bean® Blueberry Bushes
We bought this raspberry bush for it's compact size because we're renting so we needed something that could grow in a container. This is our first year with it, so I can't wait to get fruit from it!
Bushel and Berry® Raspberry Shortcake® Bushes
Another berry bush that is container friendly! This blackberry bush produces fruit twice in the first year. Plant the Baby Cakes Blackberry® in spring and pick the first batch of berries by midsummer. In most regions, your plant will produce two frui...
Bushel and Berry® Baby Cakes Blackberry® Bushes
I've been watching Luke's youtube channel for a long time. When he started selling seeds, I was a bit hesitant, but I've been super impressed with the quality and germination rates. Not to mention the seed prices are all around $2 and they have a rea...
MIgardener - seeds
This is where I first bought seeds when I first started growing my plants from seeds. It honestly made me feel like such a good gardener because the germination rates were so good. It gave me a lot of hope! Also, if you're looking for organic seeds, ...
Botanical Interests High Quality Seeds and Garden Products
If you're looking for unique, rare, heirloom varieties check out Bakers Creek! I love looking through their catalog every year. They are bit more pricey (it's warrented) and so I usually don't get the bulk of my seeds from them.
Heirloom Seeds Shop | Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
We bought this retractable garden hose for our current house where we're renting. It's so handy and makes watering the garden and planters a breeze with the easy retract system. It also swivels so the hose doesn't get kinked. Plus it's renter friendl...
Ground-Mounted Retractable Hose Reel
For our raised beds, we have these covers from Gardener's Supply Company. My husband wasn't interested in doing a DIY and bought these as a gift instead, haha.
It comes with the frame, a greenhouse cover, and a shade/insect cover.
I've had them for about 6 years now and I think and they've held up pretty good. The functionality it amazing and helps extend our growing season a bit, but the ties don't hold up to our windy weather in the mid-west. I've had to get replacement gree...
It comes with the frame, a greenhouse cover, and a shade/insect cover.
I've had them for about 6 years now and I think and they've held up pretty good. The functionality it amazing and helps extend our growing season a bit, but the ties don't hold up to our windy weather in the mid-west. I've had to get replacement gree...
f3-Season Plant Protection Tent, 4' x 8'
Preserving Your Havest
Things I use to preserve my harvest, whether it's homegrown or locally grown!
Comes in a four pack and works great for fermenting your harvest! I also use this for making apple cider vinegar.
4-Pack of Fermentation Glass Weights
Weck jars are beautiful--I think we can all agree on that--but they're practical as well. The best of both worlds! I love these jars for mixing up my sourdough levain and quick pickling. Plus you can use these for canning!
Weck Tulip Jars, 35.9 oz, Set of 6
We currently get raw milk from a local dairy farmer and I like to scrape the cream off the top and put it in these jars for storing. I've also made lemonade, homemade coffee creamer and simple syrup and stored it in these jars. They just make everyth...
Weck Juice Jar Combo Pack, 1-Liter & 1/2-Liter
Gallon glass jars are an essential for my storage and organization. When we'd get our raw milk, I like to put it in a glass jar and let the cream form so I could scoop it off and put it in a separate container to make butter, use for coffee, or make ...
It's also great for fermenting and making kombucha.
It's also great for fermenting and making kombucha.
kitchentoolz 1 Gal Mason Jar 4 Pack - White Lids
OK, I know these are pricey, but I HIGHLY recommend a quality knife set. We received a few Shun knives as a wedding gift and have slowly built up our collection throughout the years.
Every single person that comes over to our house and uses those knives comments on how nice they are. I'm not kidding. It makes such a big difference, especially if you cook from scratch or preserve your harvest.
If you're want to start out with one knife, I would suggest either the chef's knife, utility knife, or the pairing knife. The chef's knife is probably the one I'm reaching for most often in everyday cooking.
Every single person that comes over to our house and uses those knives comments on how nice they are. I'm not kidding. It makes such a big difference, especially if you cook from scratch or preserve your harvest.
If you're want to start out with one knife, I would suggest either the chef's knife, utility knife, or the pairing knife. The chef's knife is probably the one I'm reaching for most often in everyday cooking.
Shun Premier 8-Piece Knife Set | Williams Sonoma
I use these for making kombucha. They are sturdy and I've never had one break on me unlike another brand that actually exploded during my second fermentation.
8 Pack 1L Swing Top Glass Bottles w/ Stopper Lids
I recently bought a foodsaver and it came with a few bags. With these, I can customize the size of the bag. It works perfect for packaging up large bulk orders of meat or preserving fresh caught fish. I also like to package up ready to cook freezer m...
Syntus Vacuum Sealer Bags, 6 Pack, BPA Free
This is the exact vacuum sealer that I have. It has storage for rolls, a dry and moist setting, roll cutter, drip tray, and includes a handheld sealer and hose. It's worked perfectly for what I use it for. I can't wait to use it to preserve our fish ...
FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Machine with Bags
OK. I found a small copper bottom stainless steel All-Clad skillet at the thrift store, which I ended up selling. I think about that pan to this day…WHY DID I LET IT GET AWAY!?
When used right, it was non-stick, heated evenly and quick, easy to clean, and the handle never got hot (like cast iron does). Plus, you can stick them into the oven up to 600 degrees F.
It doesn't look like they make copper bottom pans anymore but the quality is still so good and loved by many professional chefs. This is long lasting cookware and one that you can pass down to generations. If you find one second hand, don't be like m...
When used right, it was non-stick, heated evenly and quick, easy to clean, and the handle never got hot (like cast iron does). Plus, you can stick them into the oven up to 600 degrees F.
It doesn't look like they make copper bottom pans anymore but the quality is still so good and loved by many professional chefs. This is long lasting cookware and one that you can pass down to generations. If you find one second hand, don't be like m...
All-Clad d5 Stainless-Steel Deep Skillet Set
These are the best for quick pickling, making pickled eggs (omgosh, my fav), fermenting, and storing leftovers. I always gravitate towards my weck jars before any other containers. They're excellent quality too. If you're not using them for canning, ...
Large Weck Jar - 28.7 oz - Set of 6 | Williams Sonoma
These plastic lids are for Weck jars. It's great to use in place of the glass lids and rubber seals if you're not using the jars for canning.
Weck Jar Keep Fresh Plastic Lids
We have these glass storage containers and I like to use them for food prep and leftovers. They're durable and have a great seal on the lid.
Hold Everything Food Storage, 10 Piece Set | Williams Sonoma
If you're looking for ALL GLASS options, here is one from Pyrex. I'm slowly moving away from the plastic containers to glass and these are on my list to buy once we move!
Pyrex® Ultimate™ 10-Piece Glass Storage Set | Williams Sonoma
Wait, I need these!
Potato and Onion Storage Baskets
I love this dutch oven so much. It was a wedding gift which makes it all the more special. The color is a beautiful off white and it fits 7 quarts!
Enameled Cast Iron Oval Dutch Oven - 7 Quart | Lodge Cast Iron
If you're getting into gardening, you might be needing to preserve some of your harvest! Here's the classic water bath canner. This one is nice because it has a jar rack making it nice and easy to lower and raise the jars into the water.
It holds up to 9-quart jars, 14-pint jars or 17 one-half pint jars. (Not recommended for glass top stoves, but I used it on mine anyways….)
It holds up to 9-quart jars, 14-pint jars or 17 one-half pint jars. (Not recommended for glass top stoves, but I used it on mine anyways….)
Granite Ware Canner with Lid & Jar Rack 33 qt 3 pc
Here's the exact kit I bought (I bought mine from Kroger a number of years ago). It contains a magnetic lid lifter, vinyl coated tongs, vinyl coated jar wrench, extra wide-mouth canning funnel, and a vinyl coated jar lifter.
Norpro Wide Mouth Canning Set 6 pk
This is the pressure canner I have. It's worked great for me and I have no complaints!
23 qt. Aluminum Pressure Canner with Rack
I don't have this, but I want it! How cuteeeeeee. Of course it has that fluted design which I adore and it's a lovely, creamy yellow.
Cream Fluted French Butter Keeper
Cleaning
I love a clean environment! These items make keeping a clean home actually enjoyable 🧼
I haven't used dyer sheets for about 3 years now thanks to these guys! I love putting essential oils on them and making my own laundry scents. A much better non toxic option.
Wool Dryer Balls - Smart Sheep 6-Pack XL
Its refreshing and energizing scent is used to purify the air through distillation and in non-toxic cleansers for gently removing residue from skin, hair, and home surfaces.
If I'm not line drying my clothes, I will put a few drops on a wool dryer ball and run the dyer on an air fluff setting for 5-10 minutes. You can choose any essential oil or blend that you want. It will make your clothes smell so good.
If I'm not line drying my clothes, I will put a few drops on a wool dryer ball and run the dyer on an air fluff setting for 5-10 minutes. You can choose any essential oil or blend that you want. It will make your clothes smell so good.
Lemon Essential Oil
I like to line dry my laundry as much as possible and this bag works perfectly. Plus it's washable if it gets dirty. I have had a bird poo on it before…
Honey-Can-Do DRY-01313 Clothespin Bag, White
If you line dry your clothes, you're probably going to need some clothes pins. I also use these for hanging herbs to dry, closing chip bags, and other random things.
(Pack of 50) Wooden Clothespins About 2-7/8" Long
If you don't want to install a clothesline or maybe you're renting a place, get a retractable one that is super easy to install. When we bought our house, there was already one there, but we're moving to a little house in the village where we'll be r...
The reviews are strong, but it looks like the little plastic pieces where the line hooks into break, so be prepared. I'm planning on getting this one because it has two lines.
The reviews are strong, but it looks like the little plastic pieces where the line hooks into break, so be prepared. I'm planning on getting this one because it has two lines.
Minky Outdoor Retractable Dual Clothesline, Gray
My husband and I did a lot of research when we were looking for a new vacuum. We've had this one for about 3 years and it's still going strong! We have a 2400 sq ft house with almost all carpet and 2 dogs that shed. It's not a combination that most c...
Shop All Dyson Outsize cordless vacuum
I think these are the best quality spray bottles that I've purchased. The spray knozzle works fantastic and has a comfortable grip. If you make your own cleaning products, buy in bulk, or want to transfer store bought cleaner into a glass spray bottl...
Clear Glass Spray Bottles (4 Pack) - 16 Ounce
There for a time, I was making my own dishwasher detergent. This worked great for making dishwasher “tabs”. I stopped making it because it I couldn't find an airtight container and so they kept getting moisture in them and would expand and break apar...
Also used these for making little moisturizer bars.
Also used these for making little moisturizer bars.
Mity rain 2 Pack 40-Cavity Square Candy Molds
I can't rave about this enough. Just bought this and it's so easy to use. We moved to a place that has no carpet and having two dogs in less than 1,000 sqft means fur, paw prints, and dirt are ALWAYS around. This makes it so easy to clean the floors ...
It also cleans AND drys the brush so there is no musty, mildewy smell coming from it. 100/10 recommend.
It also cleans AND drys the brush so there is no musty, mildewy smell coming from it. 100/10 recommend.
dreame H12 PRO Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner, Cordless
This is the cleaning solution for the dreametech wet/dry vacuum. I guess you can only use a cleaning solution that doesn't foam. I'd like to find a homemade or try a different solution at some point just to see if there is a difference!
Dreame Cleaning Solution for H12/H11 Series
Farmstand
A dream of mine is to have a farmstand one day. These are items I think would add to the aesthetic of the farmstand.
This would be so cute hanging from a little farmstand with some string lights and hand-painted wooden signs. I can picture it now!
Colorful bunting banner
For a less expensive option, here is a felt bunting banner from Amazon. Cute and colorful. Great for parties (indoor or outdoor), hang it from your farm stand, or around your garden/shed.
Felt Bunting Banner - Colorful Boho Decor
Wearables
Some sort of rain boots are a necessity whether you have animals or a garden. If you're looking for a lower cost pair, check out these at Target.
Women's Chelsea Rain Boots - A New Day™
I received these as a gift this year and I am so thankful! I used to wear an old pair of tennis shoes and I can't tell you how NASTY those things were. They always stunk and my socks would get soaked.
These are a total game changer. Easy to slip on and off. They're comfortable and easy to clean. DEFINETLY recommend.
These are a total game changer. Easy to slip on and off. They're comfortable and easy to clean. DEFINETLY recommend.
Women's Originals Ankle Boot
Sourdough
First off, you don't need ANY of these items, but it does help. This sourdough kit has it all! I wish I would have bought this when I first started. It has the bread lame for scoring, two different proofing bowls, a brush for dusting off excess flour...
DOYOLLA Bread Proofing Baskets Set of 2
100% not necessary, but highly recommended. It just makes it easier to transfer the bread in and out of a hot dutch oven. I used parchment paper starting out and it worked just fine, however it would make these indents in the side of the sourdough fr...
Sourdough Silicone Bread Sling - Oval & Round
I bake my artisan sourdough loaf in a dutch oven. I would definitely recommend a used one. Since you're baking in such high heat it will stain it fairly quickly. I have one that we got as a wedding gift and is about 6 years old now. It got boogered u...
However, if you're in the market for one and cannot find a used one, you can usually find one on sale at Amazon.
However, if you're in the market for one and cannot find a used one, you can usually find one on sale at Amazon.
6 Qt Enamel Cast-Iron Dutch Oven, Oven Safe - Gray
Chickens
We finally got chickens (February 22, 2025) :) 🐥 We got our chicks from Rural King (3 Americana, 2 Welbar, 2 Buff Orpington, and 2 Midnight Majesty Maran). I love them so much and can't wait until they start laying! The Americana weren't sexed, so w...
Not to toot my own horn, but I guess it's fairly common to lose chicks when they're young and I haven't yet lost one! I'm not trying to jinx myself so, I'm going to call it “beginners luck”. As I'm writing this, they are 11 weeks old. I still have 1.5-2 months until they start laying. 🥚
I did have a few that had problems early on that I addressed right away. I had a couple that had something called “pasty butt”. I made sure to check them multiple times a day and when I found that some had it, I cleaned them right away. I also had a ... She's doing great and I am so thankful that it worked. I'm also super thankful that none of them had any serious issues, especially with the bird flu apparently running rampant.
So, below you'll find a list of the items I've either purchased and used or items I'm eyeing for the future.
This is the coop we bought this year (2025) for our 9 chickens. The ladder is a little steep for the young chickens and they seem a little hesitant to go up and down it, but they are getting the hang of it. The roosting bars are pretty high in the co...
The run is a little small, so I've been letting them free range a few hours throughout the day for some fresh grass and to stretch their legs. Watching them run and fly around is so fun.
Otherwise, it's a super cute coop :)
The run is a little small, so I've been letting them free range a few hours throughout the day for some fresh grass and to stretch their legs. Watching them run and fly around is so fun.
Otherwise, it's a super cute coop :)
Producer's Pride Walk-In Chateau Chicken Coop, 14 Chicken Capacity
This is the starter kit we bought for our baby chicks. It worked great for them!
ImPECKables Beginner Poultry Starter Kit
These are the pine shavings we used for their pen when they were chicks. This is also what we're currently using for the inside of their coop.
Tractor Supply Flake Premium Pine Shavings, 8 cu. ft.
This was the feed that we fed the chicks from the very beginning. They seemed to enjoy it and did well. No complaints from me. :)
Cluck & Co. Organic Chick Starter Crumbles Feed
I don't think this is the exact same one that we have, but it's a galvanized steel hanging feeder that looks very similar to this. Currently, if we fill this up fully, it will last about a week for our 9 chickens. It's not hanging at the moment (even...
I like that all of the chickens can get around the feeder at the same time.
I like that all of the chickens can get around the feeder at the same time.
Harris Farms 15 lb. Hanging Poultry Feeder
This isn't the one that we have, but if I could buy again, I would get one that could be refilled from the top. It would make it a lot easier.
I got a plastic one because I wanted the option to put apple cider vinegar in their water to help support their digestive health without corroding the waterer. It has legs so it's off of the ground which is nice. It also has a handle so it could be h...
I got a plastic one because I wanted the option to put apple cider vinegar in their water to help support their digestive health without corroding the waterer. It has legs so it's off of the ground which is nice. It also has a handle so it could be h...
Farm-Tuff 5 gal. Top Fill Poultry and Game Bird Waterer
I started feeding them mealworms when they were still young because I was trying to get them to warm up to me. They love mealworms and I'm using them today to train them to go up into their coop and as a little midday treat by sprinkling them on the ...
If you feed them anything other than their chicken feed, you need to provide some sort of grit to help them digest it.
If you feed them anything other than their chicken feed, you need to provide some sort of grit to help them digest it.
The Honest Worm! Premium Yellow Mealworm Chicken Treats for Optimal Chicken Health
This is chick grit. It's smaller in size and helps the chicks digest anything they eat that isn't their feed.
Once your chicks get older (around laying age) then you can size up the grit.
Once your chicks get older (around laying age) then you can size up the grit.
DuMOR Chick Grit Insoluble Crushed Granite Chicken Feed Supplement, 5 lb.