Olden Oasis Homestead

Being Self-Sufficient on Your Homestead: Tips and Tricks for a Thriving, Independent Life Imagine waking up every morning to the sound of birdsong, knowing that your efforts sustain your home, your family, and your lifestyle without relying heavily on outside resources. Achieving true self-sufficiency on a homestead might seem daunting at first, but with the right mindset, planning, and a few clever tricks, you can transform your property into a resilient, self-reliant haven. Whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen your homesteading skills, this guide offers practical tips and creative ideas to help you thrive independently. Table of Contents Start with the Basics: Food, Water, Shelter Grow Your Own Food: Gardens, Orchards, and Preservation Raise Your Own Livestock: Meat, Dairy, and Eggs Embrace Renewable Energy: Solar, Wind, and More Water and Waste Management Develop Key Skills & Build Community Creative Tricks & Little-known Hacks Conclusion:...

Collecting pine cones for pine nuts One of the most awesome things about pine trees is collecting pine cones to use for decorating baskets, etc. for home decor. But did you know that every closed pine cone is also loaded with pine nuts? Today I decided that I wanted to try collecting a few pine cones to retrieve some pine nuts.  The reason why I decided to check today for pine nuts is because, normally, my pine trees don't start dropping pine cones until sometime in August through November. We are heading into July and my trees are already dropping pine cones and pine needles on the ground due to extreme heat-related-stresses. The temperature and moisture levels have a lot to do with how well pine trees produce pine cones and pine nuts. Normally, the squirrels and birds will pick the pine cones clean, so the opened pine cones will not usually have any pine nuts inside them. Collecting pine cones for pine nuts Any type of pine tree will produce pine cones with edible pine seeds. So ...

Starting Seeds Inside: Embracing the Olden Oasis Homestead’s Garden Dreams There’s something almost magical about the early days of gardening—when the promise of fresh greens and vibrant blooms feels just within reach. At Olden Oasis Homestead, I’ve been battling the urge to kick off my outdoor garden since this beautiful weather has rolled in. But with the calendar still showing early January, I know better than to fall for the “false spring” trap—that fleeting spell of warmth that tempts us to plant prematurely. Instead, I’ve decided to start my garden seeds indoors, giving my plants a strong head start for when the real spring arrives. Want to know how I’m making the most of this indoor seed-starting adventure? Let’s dig in! Why Start Seeds Indoors? The Benefits of Early Gardening Extended Growing Season: Giving seedlings a jump-start means harvests come earlier and more bountiful. Stronger Plants: Indoor starting allows for tender seedlings to develop resilience before facing outd...

How to Build an Off-Grid Sink: Step-by-Step Instructions for a Self-Sufficient Setup Living off the grid is all about independence and simplicity. One of the essential components of a self-sufficient home is a reliable sink that doesn’t rely on conventional plumbing.  Whether you're creating a cabin in the woods, a tiny house, or a rural retreat, building your own off-grid sink is both achievable and rewarding. In this guide, we'll walk you through clear, easy-to-follow steps to design and build an off-grid sink that serves your needs without the fuss of city water systems. Before diving into construction, decide how you want your sink to function and look. Consider: Where will it be located for easy access? What water source will you use? (Rainwater, water catchment, or stored water) Do you prefer an indoor or outdoor setup? What materials fit your budget and aesthetic? Sketch a simple plan to visualize your sink’s size, shape, and water flow system. Remember, simp...

Easy Compostable Toilet: A Guide for Off-Grid Living and Emergencies Living off the grid or preparing for life emergencies requires practical, sustainable solutions—especially when it comes to essentials like sanitation. A compostable toilet isn't just eco-friendly; it’s a game-changer for homesteaders and emergency preppers alike. If you've ever wondered how to build one simply and affordably, you're in the right place. Let’s walk through designing a comfy, reliable composting toilet that fits into your off-grid lifestyle. Table of Contents Why Choose a Compostable Toilet? Materials and Tools Needed Step-by-Step Building Guide Tips for Maintaining and Using Your Toilet Conclusion Why Choose a Compostable Toilet? When living off-grid or in emergency situations, traditional flush toilets may not be an option. Compostable toilets offer several advantages: Eco-friendly: Converts waste into compost, reducing pollution. Low water use: Operates without water, conserving this prec...

Homesteading skills that you should know There's not any specific law that prevents anybody from homesteading and making their own way in "The Natural State." In the grand scheme of things, self-sustaining practices such as growing your own food, harvesting rainwater, having a compostable toilet, using solar power, etc. in Arkansas is in fact considered a self-sustaining right. However, there are a few loopholes out there that you'll have to go through in order to do some of these things legally, which in turn may seem like a hard slap in the face, to some, if you're wanting to be completely self-reliant. This unfortunately is also the case for living completely off-grid in "The Natural State." Since Arkansas is known as being "The Natural State," most people would assume that you would be able to buy some land, set up a modern-day homestead, and run it in the ways that you see fit. However, this isn't entirely the case in our state. What...

Image by JonasKIM How to Conserve Water on a Homestead Introduction Hey there, homesteaders! If you're looking for ways to conserve water on your small-scale farm or homestead, you've come to the right place. Water is a precious resource, and it's important to use it wisely, especially when you're living off the land. Here are some tips to help you save water and reduce your environmental impact. Collect Rainwater One of the easiest ways to save water on your homestead is by collecting rainwater. Set up rain barrels or a rainwater harvesting system to capture water from your roof. You can use this water for watering your plants, washing your hands, or even flushing your toilet. Use Drip Irrigation Instead of using a sprinkler system that can waste a lot of water through evaporation, consider installing a drip irrigation system. This delivers water directly to the roots of your plants, reducing water waste and ensuring that your plants get the hydration they need. Mulch ...

Image by noname_13 How to Use Compost in Your Garden What is Compost? Compost is a mixture of organic materials that have decomposed over time. It is rich in nutrients and is often used as a natural fertilizer for plants. Why Use Compost in Your Garden? Compost helps improve soil structure, retain moisture, and provide essential nutrients for plant growth. It also helps reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, making it an eco-friendly option for gardening. How to Use Compost in Your Garden 1. Start by creating a compost pile You can make a compost pile in your backyard using kitchen scraps, yard waste, and other organic materials. Make sure to turn the pile regularly to help speed up the decomposition process. 2. Add compost to your garden beds Once your compost is ready, you can add it to your garden beds to improve soil quality. Spread a layer of compost on top of the soil and mix it in thoroughly before planting your seeds or seedlings. 3. Use compost as mulch You can also use com...

Image is of my grand-dad Charles Ball at the homestead many years ago. Olden Oasis Homestead: A Legacy of Craftsmanship and Simple Living Welcome to Olden Oasis Homestead, where craftsmanship and simple living come together to create a legacy that has stood the test of time. Built over a hundred years ago by my talented grandparents, this homestead is a testament to hard work and dedication. Starting with just one room, my grandparents expanded the house over the years using only hand tools, showcasing their exceptional skills. The solid oak construction of the home speaks to the quality of their work, while other buildings like the washhouse, storage buildings, and storm cellar stand as further evidence of their craftsmanship. Life on the homestead has always been bustling with a variety of animals, including chickens. My grandmother was a true jack-of-all-trades, excelling in everything from homesteading to sewing, gardening to cooking. Her green thumb turned the gardens into a lush ...

Image by TimHill Using Tree Limbs as Fencing on a Small Scale Homestead Why Use Tree Limbs as Fencing? When you have a small homestead, you may not have the budget for expensive fencing materials. That's where using down tree limbs can come in handy! Not only is it a cost-effective solution, but it also adds a rustic charm to your property. Choosing the Right Tree Limbs Before you start using tree limbs as fencing, make sure you choose the right ones. Look for limbs that are sturdy and long enough to span the desired length of your fence. Avoid using limbs that are rotting or weak, as they won't provide the necessary support. Gathering Tree Limbs Take a walk around your property and look for any downed tree limbs that are suitable for fencing. You can also ask neighbors or friends if they have any limbs they are willing to part with. Make sure to ask for permission before taking any limbs from someone else's property. Installing the Fence Once you have gathered enough tree ...

Image by Jan_Meyes How to Begin Your Own Mini Farm: Tips for Getting Started Choosing the Right Location When starting your own small-scale homestead, it's important to choose the right location. Look for a spot that gets plenty of sunlight and has good drainage. You'll also want to consider the proximity to water sources and access to utilities like electricity and plumbing. Planning Your Layout Before you start planting crops or raising animals, take some time to plan out your homestead layout. Consider where you want to place your garden, livestock pens, and any other structures you may need. This will help you make the most of the space you have available. Starting with the Basics When you're just starting out, it's best to focus on the basics. Start by planting easy-to-grow vegetables like tomatoes, lettuce, and carrots. You can also consider raising chickens for eggs or meat. As you gain more experience, you can start to expand and try new things. Building Your Sk...

Image by arttower Homesteading: Not Just for Big Farms Have you ever wondered what a homestead really is? Some people think you need a huge piece of land to be a homesteader, but that's not always the case. In reality, a homestead can be as small as half an acre, or even less, for a single family to thrive. The only time you really need a lot of land is if you're a commercial homesteader. So, don't think you have to be super rich to be a homesteader. You can plant a garden just about anywhere to grow food. Let's learn more about this topic. A homestead is a piece of land where people live and grow their own food. It doesn't have to be a huge farm - even a small backyard can be a homestead! According to Merriam-Webster, a homestead is defined as "the home and adjoining land occupied by a family," "an ancestral home," or "a tract of land acquired from U.S. public lands by filing a record and living on and cultivating the tract." In simple...