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39 Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

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Homesteading tools definitely make off-grid and self-sufficient living possible. Whether you’re building, gardening, cleaning, doing repairs and maintenance, you’ll need these homesteading tools to make the job easier!

A Practical List Of Homesteading Tools And Equipment

First, homesteading was just a dream, then we got into planning. When we bought our property, our family surveyed the land then stared at each other. We were like, “How in the world are we going to do this?” Thankfully, homesteading isn’t like going back to the ice or stone age. We’ve got handy helpers now with homesteading tools, supplies, and equipment–any job becomes easy peasy. Sometimes, with all the latest advancements in tools and gear, you’ll find you have more than enough tools for one simple job. Check out this list to make sure you have all the essential homesteading tools. Double check the shed so you have everything you need to be a practical and effective homesteader.

1. Knife

Knife | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Knife | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
Whether at home, for self-defense or in a survival situation, a knife sure is handy. There are different kinds of knives for use around the home, but for outdoors and all-around use, this Hoffman-Richter Tactical Folding Knife is the best knife. Trust me, I’ve been through my fair share of knives and this is a handy ally.

2. Axe

Axe | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Axe | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
Wielding my ax out in the wood shed has become some sort of an exercise for me. Considering how we use wood for our fireplace and when smoking on a regular basis, my trusty ax sure is capable.

3. Hammer

Hammer | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Hammer | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
Since a hammer is still the best for driving in nails or stakes, I use a hammer for building or repairing stuff around the home. I even use it to take apart wood pallets for my projects as well as extracting the nails stuck in the wood pieces.

4. Drill

Drill | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Drill | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
As you probably know or you will find out, many wood projects will require the use of a hand drill. Even my plastic drum compost bin required a drill to bore ventilation holes around the bin.

5. Barrels

Barrels | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Barrels | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
Try creating your own rain harvesting or gray water system with a barrel. Use it to store things, and when you’re done, you can repurpose them into Homestead furniture or compost bins. (Yes, I know a barrel isn’t really a tool – but it’s essential for homesteading, so I had to add it!)

6. Wagon Or Wheelbarrow

Wagon Or Wheelbarrow | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Wagon Or Wheelbarrow | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
Your homestead will definitely see a lot of moving, transferring, and hauling around. A wagon or wheelbarrow is ideal for toting around your gear and your goods. You’ll find it extremely useful for carrying soil, compost, or compost materials.

7. Sawmill

Sawmill | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Sawmill | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
Depending on how much or how frequent you use wood around your homestead, the necessity of a sawmill might indeed be practical. While a chainsaw can cut wood pieces, a sawmill can definitely do a cleaner and better job at it.

8. Set of Pliers

Set of Pliers | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Set of Pliers | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
A set good pliers will help you out with all the bending, cutting, and wire-wrangling you’ll be doing. You need different sizes of these essential homesteading tools for different jobs or projects. Needle-nose pliers, for example, are best for repositioning and snipping wires.

9. Nails

Nails | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Nails | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
Make sure to stock up on different nail sizes for different building and fixing purposes around the home. From your home to garden sheds, compost bin to raised garden beds and fences, you’ll be needing nails every step of the way.

10. Staple Gun

Staple Gun | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Staple Gun | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
A staple gun can help quickly tack things together. Whether it’s fabric, wood, carpet, drywall, roofing… punch and done.

11. Solar Panels

Solar Panels | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Solar Panels | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
Solar panels are a homestead must-have if you want to live off-grid, but not go back to medieval times! Soak up the natural (and FREE) elements from Mother Earth to power your home and learn how to make solar panels here.

12. Wind Generator

Wind Generator | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Wind Generator | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
You’ll find sourcing energy from renewable sources like the sun and the wind more practical in the long run. Installing wind turbines in your homestead will surprise you with their effectivity and sustainability.

13. Tape Ruler

Tape Ruler | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Tape Ruler | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
You’ll find most projects in your home, whether woodwork, pipe, strings, decor, and landscape, will need some measuring. Keep this measuring tape handy for precision in your projects.

14. A Tractor

A Tractor | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

A Tractor | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
Though a tractor is not for small yards, anyone with more than a few acres will find the tractor extremely helpful in doing a day’s work. Invest in this one important homestead helper and you’ll double the benefits you’ll get.

15. Safety Glasses

Safety Glasses | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Safety Glasses | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
Protect one of the most important organs of your body – your eyes! Always wear safety goggles when cutting, chopping, sawing, or really anything that deals with fine objects or sharp objects.

16. Pipe Wrench

Pipe Wrench | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Pipe Wrench | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
A pipe wrench comes in handy for… you guessed it, pipes. A necessary tool for plumbing and other mechanical fixes.

17. Combination Wrench

Combination Wrench | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Combination Wrench | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
The combination wrench, like the pipe wrench, is essential for around-the-house fixes and tune ups. Get both, or choose one or the other. Depends on how many tools you want in your shed.

18. Rope

Rope | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Rope | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
Homesteaders will find rope extremely useful for many purposes. Use to pull, hang, and tie up your work. Also, use it as an easy decor solution.

19. Rake

Rake | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Rake | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
Anyone with a yard should have a rake in the tool shed. Useful for raking up leaves, digging up dirt, and spreading out soil or compost evenly.

20. Wood Chisel

Wood Chisel | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Wood Chisel | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
Be sure to have a nice wood chisel handy for any needs around the home. The chisel can be used to shape and carve just about anything.

21. Earmuffs

Earmuffs | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Earmuffs | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
I have this friend whom I have to repeat my questions to, and twice as loud than when first asked, and he works with a lot of loud power tools. I do too, but earmuffs, you know?

22. Extension Cord

Extension Cord | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Extension Cord | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
If you do not have an extension cord in your homestead, drop everything and go order one right now. An extension cord can help simplify tasks, it can also help cord-dependent objects reach much farther locations. Extensions cords help in a lot of situations, whether it’s vacuuming, or hanging up lights, having 1, 2, or 10 handy will be very useful around the homestead.

23. Ladder

Ladder | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Ladder | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
I’ve come to appreciate ladders for their invaluable role around the homestead. I think construction on a large scale would have never been possible without ladders.

24. Shovel

Shovel | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Shovel | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
A good shovel is necessary for the garden and digging for just about anything. You can even use a shovel to edge your garden in you don’t have an edging tool.

25. Crowbar

Crowbar | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Crowbar | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
Crowbars are extremely helpful for lifting up heavy things. They’re commonly used in masonry, but useful for other homestead purposes as well.

26. Allen Wrench

Allen Wrench | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Allen Wrench | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
Keep your Allen wrench set handy for any nuts and bolts with the hexagonal sockets in their heads. You will need a set of different sizes.

27. Circular Saw

Circular Saw | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Circular Saw | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
A circular saw will be convenient for cutting up wood for crafts, fire, and construction. If you want to cut tile or even glass, look into different blades. Research the project and the blade before you perform any cutting task, and always use safety goggles.

28. Level

Level | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Level | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
A level is useful in any kind of construction, whether indoors or outdoors. Not only does a home structure need leveling, so does a retaining wall or a garden structure, so whether indoors or outdoors this tool will come handy too.

29. Palm Sander

Palm Sander | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Palm Sander | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
A palm sander will simplify any wood project. Whether finishing, or refinishing, this baby may seem unnecessary, but the amount of surface it can sand versus the amount you can sand with your own muscle is significantly greater.

30. Toolbox

Toolbox | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Toolbox | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
For obvious reasons, a toolbox is a must-have in your homestead. You wouldn’t want to run back and forth to the tool shed searching for tools you need.

31. Combination Square

Combination Square | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Combination Square | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
A combination square is an important tool for aligning, calculating, and measuring for various projects. I highly recommend this tool for anyone who builds anything!

32. Socket Wrench

Socket Wrench | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Socket Wrench | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
This socket wrench makes tightening small parts and big parts that much easier. Necessary for anyone operating machinery, plumbing, engine repair.

33. Hose

Hose | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Hose | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
A hose can be used for more than just gardening, as you’ll find them handy for cleaning purposes too. Have a spare hose handy as well, for siphoning water and other liquids via the suction method.

34. Screw Drivers

Screw Drivers | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Screw Drivers | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
The screwdriver is a homesteader’s right-hand man. Use it for quick screws and fixes. Unconventional uses include opening paint tins, making marks on wood and metal, etc.

35. Pickax

Pickax | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Pickax | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
When you’re starting a garden or doing landscaping, you’ve got to loosen up the soil. What better to do that simple task than a pickaxe.

36. Lawnmower

Lawnmower | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Lawnmower | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
Keeping and maintaining the lawn in your homestead will need regular mowing. For this, you will need a trusty lawnmower. Don’t waste the grass clippings and use them as mulch for your garden.

37. Chain Saw

Chain Saw | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Chain Saw | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
An axe will easily chop down a big chunk of wood, but when we’re talking of timber, or perhaps a fallen tree down the road, a chainsaw definitely has to come to the rescue.

38. G-Clamp

G-Clamp | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

G-Clamp | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
You can’t always have someone else to hold pipes, woods, or iron bar when working on them. Thankfully, a G-clamp can help you with that.

39. Hand Saw

Hand Saw | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader

Hand Saw | Handy Homesteading Tools To Make You An Ultimate Homesteader
Working with a hand saw might seem tedious, but for minor repairs and woodworks, nothing is more efficient and easily accessible. Power saw it seems are taking over the job, but hand saws have been man’s handy cutting tool for thousands of years.

How about power tools? Check out this video to update your homestead tools inventory:

There you go, homesteaders! Just the tools you need to make your self-sufficient living work. I might have missed on some and I promise, I’ll update as I go. These are the ones that have been helping me around the homestead. If you have a few to add yourself, I’d be glad to make a few more additions to this list of homesteading tools!

Checked your homesteading tools inventory lately? What do you think of this list? We’d love to hear your thought about it in the comments!

UP NEXT: 11 DIY Tools You Can Use As Weapons

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This post was originally published in April 2016 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

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Self Sufficiency

NYC Adds Nearly 4,000 People Who Never Tested Positive To Coronavirus Death Tolls

New York City added nearly 4,000 people who never tested positive for the coronavirus to its death toll Tuesday, bringing coronavirus-related deaths in the city to around 10,000 people.

The city decided to add 3,700 people to its death tolls, who they “presumed” to have died from the virus, according to a report from The New York Times. The additions increased the death toll in the U.S. by 17%, according to the Times report, and included people who were suffering from symptoms of the virus, such as intense coughing and a fever.

The report stated that Democratic New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio decided over the weekend to change the way the city is counting deaths.

“In the heat of battle, our primary focus has been on saving lives,” de Blasio press secretary Freddi Goldstein told the Times.“As soon as the issue was raised, the mayor immediately moved to release the data.”

The post New York City added nearly 4,000 people who never tested positive for the coronavirus to its death toll appeared first on Daily Caller

This Article Was Originally Posted On dailycaller.com Read the Original Article here

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Self Sufficiency

How To Make Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut In A Mason Jar

The thing about homesteading is you get to create your own ingredient right from scratch! Cheese, yogurt, butter and now sauerkraut, a delightfully sour and crunchy ingredient you can use on your meals — or consume by itself — while on a homestead, or while facing this health crisis!

This homemade sauerkraut is a great meal because it has a long shelf life. You can either make plain sauerkraut or mix it with herbs and spices. In this tutorial let us make Lacto-fermented sauerkraut that preserves all the good probiotics in a jar, good for your guts.

So how to make sauerkraut in a mason jar?

RELATED: How To Make Buttermilk On Your Homestead

Delicious Sauerkraut Recipe Every Homesteader Should Know

Why Make Sauerkraut?

|

Not only does sauerkraut spoil a long time, but it is also a meal in itself, and it is also easy to make! You don’t need to be an expert cook, all you need to do is follow these simple steps.

So let us get started. Here are the steps in making sauerkraut in a mason jar.

Ingredients:

  • 1 head of cabbage or 2 1/2 lbs cabbage
  • 1 tablespoon of salt

Tools Needed:

  • knife
  • bowl
  • mason jar
  • smaller jar
  • rubber band

Step 1: Wash & Clean the Tools & Ingredients



Wash all the equipment and utensils you need. Wash your hands too.

You don’t want to mix your sauerkraut with bad bacteria, anything that is going to make you sick.

Next, remove the faded leaves from your cabbage. Cut off the roots and the parts that don’t seem fresh.

Step 2: Cut the Cabbage Into Quarters & Slice Into Strips



Cut your cabbage into quarters and remove the core. Then, slice it into strips.

Step 3: Place in a Bowl & Sprinkle With Salt



Put the stripped cabbage into a bowl. Sprinkle the cabbage with 1 tablespoon of salt.

TIP: Use canning salt or sea salt. Iodized salt will make it taste different and may not ferment the cabbage.

RELATED: Homemade Yogurt Recipe

Step 4: Massage the Cabbage



Massage the cabbage for five minutes or more to get the juice out.

TIP: You’ll know it’s ready when you see a bit of juice at the bottom of the bowl and will look similar to coleslaw.

Step 5: Press Cabbage Into the Mason Jar



Add the cabbage to the mason jar gradually. Press it in hard to allow the juice to come out. Do this every time you add about a handful of cabbage.

IMPORTANT: Food should be covered by the liquid to promote fermentation. Add any excess liquid from the bowl to the jar.

Step 6: Press a Smaller Jar Into the Mason Jar



You want to squeeze every ounce of that juice from the cabbage. To do this place the mason jar in a bowl and get a smaller jar.

Fill it with water or marble to make it heavy. Press it into the bigger mason jar. Allow any juices to rise to the surface.

Step 7: Cover the Jars With Cloth & Tie With Rubber Band



Leave the small jar on. To keep your jars clean from annoying insects and irritating debris, cover your jars with a clean cloth. Then, use a rubber band to tie the cloth and the jars together, putting them in place.

Step 8: Set Aside & Check Daily

Set it aside in a cool dry place, away from direct sunlight. Check the water level daily. It should always be above the cabbage.

Step 9: Taste Your Sauerkraut & Keep at Cool Temperatures

Homemade Sauerkraut Cumin Juniper | How To Make Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut In A Mason Jar

After about five days, you can taste your sauerkraut. If the taste is to your liking, tightly cover it with the lid and store in the fridge or cellar.

NOTE: If after five days it’s still not your desired taste, leave it for a few more days. This will allow the fermentation process to continue.

You can now enjoy your sauerkraut in a mason jar. Enjoy its goodness! You can use it as a side dish or mix it with your favorite sandwich.

Things to Remember in Making Sauerkraut

  • Store away from direct sunlight and drafts.
  • Colder weather will make the process longer. Spring is the best time to make them since the warmth helps activate the fermentation.
  • Always make sure that the cabbage is below the water level during the entire fermentation process.
  • If the water level decreases during the fermentation process, you can make a brine and add it.

Let us watch this video from Kristina Seleshanko on how to make delicious Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar!

So there you have it! Making Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar is as easy as slicing the cabbage into strips. Remember that as long it remains unopened, your sauerkraut can last for months. Best of all, you can partner this sauerkraut in many recipes.

What do you think of this homemade recipe? Share your best sauerkraut recipe in the comments section below!

Fellow homesteaders, do you want to help others learn from your journey by becoming one of our original contributors? Write for us!

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Self Sufficiency

9 SPRING VEGETABLES FOR YOUR GARDEN

Having plants in the house will bring peace to people. Having a little garden with vegetables is even better! You can grow these vegetables in your backyard garden easily as well!

RELATED: Microgreens Growing Guide

In this article:

  1. Tomato
  2. Eggplant
  3. Beet
  4. Spinach
  5. Pea
  6. Carrot
  7. Radish
  8. Cauliflower
  9. Asparagus

Growing veggies in your garden will give you an opportunity to understand what you eat and value it more. Early spring is when most vegetables are being planted. Keep reading to learn about 9 spring vegetables that anyone can grow in their garden!

Tomato

Tomato is the most popular garden vegetable in the States! There are different varieties to choose from. Tomatoes need to be planted in early spring because they won’t survive a frost.

Because tomatoes are consumed daily, try adding them to your garden! They’re not difficult to grow either.

Eggplant

Eggplants are known to have low-calorie, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Plus, they are delicious! So why not plant them in your garden?

Eggplants shouldn’t be planted too early because they won’t be able to survive a frost. So you could consult an expert in your area before you plant your eggplants.

Beets

Beets are known to be a superfood for its various health benefits. They’re easier to grow in the garden, usually around late March or early April.

If the weather is always cool, beets will keep getting bigger and bigger. Once the weather starts to warm up, you’ll need to harvest them, or they’ll go to waste.

Spinach

Spinach is a delicious early spring veggie, and it’s also very beneficial for health. And it’s not difficult to grow spinach in your garden!

Spinach needs cold weather to grow. Getting spinach to grow is easy, but keeping it growing will require some extra care.

Pea

Peas are usually planted in late April. Peas will die in freezing temperatures, but they also won’t survive the heat either. So make sure you plant your peas in early spring.

Peas are widely used in many different ways, and there are different types of peas. The soil you’ll be planting your peas should be suitable for them, so make sure you ask while buying seeds.

Carrot

There are different types of carrots, but regardless of their size and color, it’s a fact that carrots are both delicious and rich in vitamins.

They’re root vegetables, so with proper sun and watering, they can be picked up as baby carrots as well.

Radish

A radish is an excellent option for beginners because it doesn’t require too much care. Radish is easy to harvest.

Radish grows fast, so it’s better to keep an eye on it after a few weeks. Radish usually is grown pest-free, but there’s always the chance of unwanted guests, so watch out for worms. Radish can be eaten raw or can be added to garnish recipes.

Cauliflower

Cauliflower isn’t the easiest vegetable to grow at home, but it is very popular.

Cauliflower grows better in colder weather, so before you plant it, consider the climate of your garden. Cauliflower can be eaten raw or cooked, and it is known to be very beneficial for health.

Asparagus

Freshly picked, tender asparagus is very delicious!

Asparagus plants get more productive with each harvest, and mature asparagus harvest can last for months! Make sure you plant them at the correct time, or else they might go to waste.

All the vegetables listed above are great for your healthy diet, and it’s fun to watch them grow. So don’t miss out on the opportunity to grow your own veggies and eat healthy this spring!

So tell us which veggies will you be growing this spring? Tell us in the comments section!

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