Here you will find tips, ideas, and advice on living a DIY and practical self reliance lifestyle.
Whether you want to grow and preserve your own food, live a healthier life thanks to natural products and ingredients, embrace self-reliance by living off the grid, prepare your family for a power outage or other emergency, or simply want to “do it yourself” at home, then you’ve come to the right place! We want all of those things too, so let’s learn together.
What is Witch Hazel For? Make Your Own Useful Extract
In this blog post, we will answer the question what is witch hazel for as well as other questions about this valuable herb. We will explore what this herb is, what it does, how to use it, and even how to make your own witch hazel extract.
How to Make Waxed Leaves for Fall Crafts
This post shows you how to make waxed leaves that will allow you to preserve these gifts of nature indefinitely for use in craft projects or simply for display.
Amazing Homemade Antibacterial Salve Recipe
I’m about to show you how to easily make a homemade antibiotic salve that not only has an antibacterial effect but also antiviral, antifungal antimicrobial properties? It’s pretty fantastic! Try this amazing salve recipe today!
Easy DIY Mason Jar Herb Garden
Growing your own herbs is a great way to save money and have access to fresh, organic produce year-round. This craft uses common household items and can be done in as little as one day!
Canning Basics 101 for Successful Food Preservation
Let’s learn some canning basics! One of the best ways to preserve food long-term involves a process called home canning. Today, we will discover just how easy it is to learn this exciting skill set.
20 Hardiest Cold Weather Crops to Grow in Fall and Winter
This ultimate guide to cold weather crops for fall and winter gardening in Connecticut discusses the vegetables and fruits that you can grow there in the winters and discusses ways to extend the growing season.
The 6 Basics of Permaculture Design: Sustainable Gardening
This article aims to share the basics of permaculture gardening and how to start a sustainable garden.
The Amazing Power of the Sun to Infuse Herbs
Harness the power of the sun when infusing herbs in oil using the simpler’s method.
How to Make an Herbal Tincture: Plus 2 Easy Recipes
A great way to preserve these herbs for use throughout the year is to start making herbal tinctures. Through this article, you will learn the ins and outs of how to make an herbal tincture.
Easy Honeysuckle Wine Recipe: One Gallon
Summer is the time that I most love for making flower wines like this easy recipe for honeysuckle wine. It’s subtle and delicious and totally captures the essence of summer.
Elderflower Wine: The Delicious Essence of Summer
Capture the essence of summertime with this easy elderflower wine ricipe that’s super simple to make.
Easy Sourdough Recipe From Starter
Try this easy sourdough recipe from starter to make a rustic sourdough bread that has a chewy crust and a soft center. It is pure comfort food!
The Best Recipe for Sourdough Starter
Making a yeast starter for baking is easier than you think. Try this recipe for sourdough starter today.
The Best Way to Freeze Rhubarb for Year-Round Use
In this post, I am going to share with you the best way to freeze rhubarb that I’ve found. It’s super simple and preserves the rhubarb for up to one year!
Wild Violet Jelly: Springtime in a Jar
If you’re lucky enough to have sweet violets in your yard, then you absolutely must try this delicious recipe for violet jelly. It’s like springtime in a jar!
Easy Herbal Healing Salve Recipe for Hardworking Hands
Learn how to make this simple but effective healing salve made with comfrey, calendula and purple dead nettle that’s perfect for hard working hands.
Amazing Country Rhubarb Wine Recipe
If you grow a lot of Rhubarb, consider making some delicious wine with some of your harvest. It’s tasty and easy to make – here’s how to make Rhubarb Wine.
Making Country Wines: Super Easy 6 Step Method
Making country wines with homegrown, foraged, and handpicked fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers is easier than you think! Learn the ins and outs with this fool-proof basic method.
Amazing DIY Dandelion Salve – Your Cure for Aching Muscles
Learn how to make this dandelion salve recipe using foraged dandelions! This homemade herbal salve is especially good for sore muscles, joints, and dry skin.
Understanding Herbal Infusions Plus 3 Delicious Recipes
Herbal Infusions are the simplest way to prepare the more delicate aerial parts of plants, especially their leaves and flowers.
Start an Amazing Home Apothecary with These 22 Must-Have Herbs and Tools
Every herbal home should have a well equipt home apothecary filled with the tools and herbs needed to successfully treat common ailments.
Author
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Barbi Gardiner is a bioregional herbalist, gardener, forager, modern naturalist and creator from the “quiet corner” of Connecticut in what is known as The Last Green Valley - the largest stretch of dark night sky in the Northeast megalopolis corridor. She is of Chaubunagungamaug Nipmuck, Polish, and Scandinavian descent and is committed to reviving the plant knowledge of her ancestors. The Outdoor Apothecary aims to inspire people to return to their roots, rewild themselves with nature, and rediscover the joy of living a simple life.