I’m all for harvesting rainwater – itʻs how I get my water on my off grid homestead. But harvested rainwater is not safe to drink. Even if you use a first-flush system (which you should!) and filter out bits of leaves and other debris, you’ve...
I know that the typical image of a homesteader has often been an individual who owns plenty of acreage to raise animals and grow crops. Sure, that’s some homesteaders, and having lots of land is a plus when homesteading, but that isn’t the reality for...
Part of being ‘off-grid’ is not being hooked up to the systems of electricity, water or sewage. While electricity usually gets the limelight in homestead discussions, when you go off-grid, your sewage system is very (very) important. So, this post is...
It’s really easy to get stuck in the capitalist mindset that you need money for everything, but that can’t be further from the truth. The beauty of going off-grid is that you are free to come up with creative solutions The more creative, the...
I’ve been homesteading for almost two decades, and believe me, I made plenty of mistakes along the way. I’m going to share what I’ve learned personally and observed from other homesteaders over the years to help you avoid the most common mistakes...
Image Courtesy The Lili House Farm If you get plenty of rain year-round, as we do in Hawai’i, then you may think that swales aren’t that useful for your homestead. But, when swales are properly designed, they perform an important duty of not only...
It is easy to grow guava trees in Hawaii, our climate is perfect for these evergreen fruit trees. They are best to grow from cuttings or by air layering, as they are a very slow-growing tree and growing from seed will take a long time. Guava trees are easy to grow on...
Hidden beneath the forest canopy of Hawaiiʻs endemic Ohiʻa forests grows a plant native to Hawaii, the Mamaki plant. If you are lucky enough to find one, youʻll be happy to know that youʻve come across one of Hawaiiʻs most favorite...
Is there anything out there better than the thought of growing your own chocolate? If you live in a warm, tropical location like Hawaii, you donʻt have to think about it, you can do it! But, be prepared! These trees require a great deal of care and...
Ever heard of ice cream beans? I know, I know, ice cream doesn’t grow on trees – but there really is such thing as the ice cream bean. It’s scientific name is Inga Edulis and this South American-native tree produces a delicious legume...
