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?

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Delicious Sauerkraut Recipe Every Homesteader Should Know

Why Make Sauerkraut?

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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

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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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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A great way to spend your days confined at home is to build your own chicken run! Remember, you not only need to protect yourself during these trying times, but it’s also vital to protect your animals.

One of the challenges of homesteading is making sure your chickens are protected from predators. Don’t wait for the situation to escalate especially now that President Trump has declared a national emergency. You can’t afford to lose even just one chicken.

RELATED: How To Keep Your Chickens Warm In Winter

In this article:

1. Why Do Chickens Need a Run?
2. What Are the Things to Consider Before Building a Chicken Run?
3. How to Build a Chicken Run

Protect Your Chickens With This DIY Chicken Run

Why Do Chickens Need a Run?

• Chicken runs encourage natural behaviors

You all know that chickens want to be free, and that free-range is important. But if that is not possible, building a chicken run can also encourage your chickens to partake in some exercise, bathe under the sun and sniff the fresh air. By building a hen house for your chickens, you get to direct them to a particular grassy area where they can get all the nutrients that they need.

• Chicken runs help in beautifying or landscaping your garden

Part of building a chicken coop involves beautifying your landscape by putting in some plants and flowers in and around the chicken run. This move won’t only give your chickens the needed extra security but also helps in attracting bugs and insects that your chickens can feast on.

What’s more, your chicken run can also keep your lawn or garden safe and protected as well, because chickens may munch on your leaves or dig up small plants.

What Are the Things to Consider Before Building a Chicken Run?

1. Location

Place your chicken run in a location that’s lush and grassy so your chickens can have plenty to peck at. Also, avoid placing it in an environment that’s muddy and boggy since these might make your chickens sick.

2. Advisable Materials for Your Chicken Run

An ideal chicken run is made up of sturdy and weatherproof pine or timber and fitted with a tight, galvanized wire mesh which is fixed to the sides. This guarantees your chickens have enough sunlight and air.

Additionally, this guarantees that they stay inside while predators stay outside. As an additional fixture, provide a chicken coop door filled with bolts and locks that can give you easy access to the chicken run.

3. Size

How big should your chicken run be? It depends on how many chickens you have. But your chicken run should of considerable height and space so your chicken can freely flap their wings, and they can move and run about. Just make sure that your chicken run is not too overcrowded!

So let’s get started!

How to Build a Chicken Run

What You’ll Need to Build a Chicken Run:

• 4×4 fence posts
• 2×4 boards or 1×6 boards
• 1/2” welded wire fencing or 1” welded wire fencing
• Staples (U-shaped nails)
• Wood screws
• Shovel
• Post hold digger
• Saw
• Hammer
• Cordless screwdriver
• Level
• Framing Nailer
• Shingles

Step 1: Cut Plywood to Build a Wall


Cut some 2 x 4 plywood to make a wall. You can cut the wood at your chosen location or you can cut the wood inside your home on a hard wooden floor. If you do that, you can just transport them after.

Step 2: Attach the Wood Together to Create a Wall


After cutting each of the plywood in length, quickly mark off where each needed to go on the bottom plate. Use the speed square to transfer the location to the top plate, and then start attaching the wood with a framing nailer. If you don’t have a nailer, you can also go with screws or drills. Repeat the same steps to make a second wall.

Step 3: Paint the Run


Use whatever color you desire on your chicken run. It is much easier to paint your run in the midst of building it rather than painting your run when it has already been built.

Step 4: Build and Paint a Chicken Coop Door


While you are waiting for the paint to dry, start building your chicken coop door. Once again, you can use a nailer for this one. You can also use extra wood that you haven’t used for your walls. Once done, you can also paint your chicken coop door.

Step 5: Cover the Walls With a Screen


Use hardware cloth to cover the walls. Start on one end of the wall while you unroll the needed amount to stretch to the other side. When you are done, staple the wood and the wire together. Cut off any excess wire using a grinder.

RELATED: Backyard Chickens Facts | 11 Chicken Facts For Homesteading

Step 6: Dig Holes for Your Fence Posts


Use your shovel to dig a hole. Make sure that your holes are equidistant from one another, and not too far or near one another. Use a measuring tape to check the distance. Six or eight feet apart from one another is already a good distance.

Step 7: Move in the Fence Posts


Use the walls that you have created to ram into the holes. Sink them in concrete to ensure that they stay put. Use a nailer to make sure they are in place.

Step 8: Screw Boards on the Tops


For the roof, screw boards across the tops. Drill and screw your roof. Take note that if you don’t want to be ducking while you are in the run, you can also adjust the height by simply making the studs in the walls taller. Attach a few cross bracers in between the rafters. Add plywood to the roof and nail it down.

Step 9: Add Some Shingles to the Roof


To protect your chickens from the rain, attach some shingles by screwing them to your roof. Start at the lower part of the roof and work your way to the peak. By doing so, water will not have its way under and will stay on top of the material once the rain starts pouring.

Step 10: Install the Predator Apron



Add an additional frame in your coop where you can attach the predator apron. Make sure to attach apron all around the coop and your run. You can use the same hardware cloth you used in your walls. This will keep bobcats, foxes, and raccoons out!

Step 11: Pop the Door


Using your grinder, cut the wire mesh at the far right of the chicken coop. Attach your door using hinges and bolts. Put one at the top and one at the bottom.

Step 12: Bring in Dirt to Your Chicken Run

Once you’re done with the build portion of the run, it’s time to start bringing in some dirt! This will be the last step for your predator-proof chicken run.

Cover your predator apron with dirt. Make sure to put a nice coat on top of the apron to hide it. When you think everything’s secured, you can now step back and see your chickens enjoy their run!

Here’s the step by step DIY chicken run tutorial from April Wilkerson:

With COVID-19 hitting the U.S. we should do our best to protect our resources in our homestead. While building a chicken run is not an easy DIY project, this is something you need for times like this.

What do you think of this step-by-step guide to building your own chicken run? Do you have any other great ideas to protect your animals? Let us know in the comments 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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