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# Mindy Morgan

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://ourinspiredroots.com/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Posts
- [5 Herbs for Chickens (and Ducks!) I Grow Every Year](https://ourinspiredroots.com/herbs-for-chickens-and-ducks/): Here are the herbs for chickens (and ducks!) I come back to every single year.
- [Why I Keep Chickens and Ducks Even Though I Don’t Sell or Eat the Eggs](https://ourinspiredroots.com/chickens-and-ducks-homestead/): It's true… I keep chickens and ducks on my homestead even though I don't eat the eggs, and I don't sell them either.
- [Chickens vs. Ducks for Pest Control in the Garden (Plus Best Breeds!)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/chickens-vs-ducks-for-pest-control/): Have you ever considered chickens or ducks for pest control in the garden? It's one of my favorite things about raising them!
- [How I Use Chickens and Ducks as Part of My Permaculture Design](https://ourinspiredroots.com/chickens-ducks-permaculture-poultry-system/): I've raised chickens off and on for years, but our first ducks came just a few years ago. That first year we had both together, I let them free-range side by side before I created a permaculture poultry system design. 
- [How to Start a Medicinal Herb Garden (From Someone Who Designs Them)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-start-a-medicinal-herb-garden/): So in this post, I'm walking you through exactly how to start a medicinal herb garden from scratch (the right way!), as a permaculture designer.
- [My Apothecary Garden Design Process (And a Real Example You Can Steal) ](https://ourinspiredroots.com/apothecary-garden-design/): There's growing herbs. And then there's an apothecary garden designed for healing.
- [How I Turned Sage from an Annual into a Perennial in My Zone 4/5 Garden](https://ourinspiredroots.com/growing-sage/): Here in New Hampshire, growing sage hasn't always been easy. I always grew it as an annual since it didn't overwinter well. But it's hard to get a good harvest from a plant that only has one season to grow.
- [What is an Herb Guild? (And Why Every Garden Needs One)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/herb-guild/): Honestly, I came to herb guilds a little sideways.
- [9 New Hampshire Native Herbal Plants That Control Garden Pests](https://ourinspiredroots.com/9-new-hampshire-native-herbal-plants-that-control-garden-pests/): I still laugh about the foraging class I took with my kids when they were little.
- [Ultimate Guide to Fruit Tree Guilds](https://ourinspiredroots.com/ultimate-guide-to-fruit-tree-guilds/): If you’ve been learning about permaculture, you’ve probably come across plant guilds, and more specifically, fruit tree guilds. 
- [Plum Tree Guild Ideas (For Those of Us Stuck in the Cold)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/plum-tree-guild-ideas/): That’s where plum tree guilds come in.
- [Pear Tree Guild Ideas (Your Tree Will Thank You!)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/pear-tree-guild-ideas/): In this guide, I’m sharing my ideas for creating a pear tree guild—a permaculture-inspired approach to companion planting for pears.
- [Cherry Tree Guild Ideas for Cold Climates (Steal my Ideas!)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/cherry-tree-guild/): That’s where cherry tree guilds come in.
- [Peach Tree Guild Ideas (A Cold-Climate Permaculture Approach)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/peach-tree-guild-ideas/): In this guide, I’m sharing my ideas for a peach tree guild designed for a Zone 4/5 permaculture garden, including companion plants that support the tree, improve soil health, and fit naturally into a regenerative, low-maintenance system. 
- [Companion Planting for Beginners](https://ourinspiredroots.com/companion-planting-for-beginners/): But what I (and many other gardeners) eventually noticed is: when certain plants grow side by side, they seem healthier, more productive, and less bothered by pests. That observation is the foundation of companion planting!
- [How to Plan a Garden (Without Overwhelm)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-plan-a-garden/): I have a bit of a love–hate relationship with planning.
- [Permaculture Homestead Design: A Beginner’s Guide](https://ourinspiredroots.com/permaculture-homestead-design-beginners/): In this post, I'll go over the basics of permaculture homestead design, so you can design your space with intention!
- [Multi-Family Homestead Layout Ideas (Permaculture-Style!)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/multi-family-homestead-layout-ideas-permaculture/): Multi-family homesteads are becoming more and more popular, and it’s easy to see why. 
- [3 Permaculture Homestead Layout Ideas (1/8 acre, 1 acre, and 5+ Acres)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/permaculture-homestead-layout-ideas/): Permaculture homestead design is all about creating a space that’s more productive, healthier, and in tune with nature.
- [How to Make a Permaculture Design Map](https://ourinspiredroots.com/permaculture-design-map/): If you’ve done any research into permaculture design, you probably know that the permaculture design map is the final product of the design process.
- [What Are Permaculture Zones? (And How to Design Them)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/what-are-permaculture-zones/): Permaculture zones aren’t just a design trick—they’re a mindset shift. When you think in zones, you stop fighting your property and start flowing with it.
- [Permaculture Ethics: The Heart of Sustainable Living](https://ourinspiredroots.com/permaculture-ethics/): But guiding those principles are the permaculture ethics.
- [Hygge for the Homestead](https://ourinspiredroots.com/hygge-for-the-homestead/): Homesteading and hygge go hand in hand. Both invite us to slow down, savor the seasons, and find comfort in the little things: warm meals, wool blankets, flickering candles, and the smell of herbs drying in the kitchen.
- [Make Your Home Feel Hyggelig Without Buying Anything](https://ourinspiredroots.com/make-your-home-feel-hyggelig-without-buying-anything/): Want to create that cozy, comforting, hygge feeling in your home without buying a bunch of new stuff? I’ve got you.
- [Natural Holiday Gifts with a Hygge Touch](https://ourinspiredroots.com/natural-holiday-gifts/): In this post, I’m sharing some of my favorite ideas for natural holiday gifts with hygge style. They’re perfect for holiday party exchanges, family Christmas gatherings, and other winter gift-giving moments.
- [A Permaculture Mama’s Guide to a Hygge Holiday](https://ourinspiredroots.com/a-permaculture-mamas-guide-to-a-hygge-holiday/): As you shape your own version of a hygge holiday, consider reflecting on these gentle questions:
- [7 Hygge-Inspired Ways to Use Herbs This Winter](https://ourinspiredroots.com/7-hygge-inspired-ways-to-use-herbs-this-winter/): Ready for a little herbal journey? Here are my favorite ways to use herbs for some serious hygge-inspired awesomeness.
- [What Is Zone 00? A Permaculture Approach to Inner Healing and Growth](https://ourinspiredroots.com/what-is-zone-00-a-permaculture-approach-to-healing/): But did you know you can also use it to grow as a person? That’s where Zone 00 comes in. Let’s talk about it.
- [9 Nitrogen-Fixing Plants for Your Permaculture Garden](https://ourinspiredroots.com/9-nitrogen-fixing-plants-for-your-permaculture-garden/): In this post, I’m sharing a mix of my favorite nitrogen-fixing plants. So if your soil needs a little extra love, one of these might be just what you're looking for!
- [11 Edible Flowers You Can Grow (And How to Use Them)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/edible-flowers/): Edible flowers are such a fun little addition to the garden. I love tossing them into a meal or drink for a fresh, colorful twist—it always feels a little bit magical.
- [Chop and Drop Mulching: The Lazy Gardener’s Secret to Incredible Soil](https://ourinspiredroots.com/chop-and-drop-mulch/): Tending your soil doesn’t have to be hard (or expensive)! One of the easiest ways to feed your garden and build healthy soil is by using a method called chop and drop mulching. It’s like a nice little shortcut for busy people who still want to grow an abundant, thriving garden.
- [7 Fast Growing Vegetables for Quick Harvests](https://ourinspiredroots.com/7-fast-growing-vegetables-for-quick-harvests/): If you're looking to get the most out of your garden in a short amount of time, fast growing vegetables are the way to go!
- [Succession Planting for a Short Growing Season](https://ourinspiredroots.com/succession-planting-for-a-short-growing-season/): Interested in succession planting? It’s a great way to use your space more efficiently and grow more food in the space you have. It also makes gardening easier because you never have empty space for weeds to take over.
- [Duck Eggs vs. Chicken Eggs – What’s the Difference?](https://ourinspiredroots.com/duck-eggs-vs-chicken-eggs/):  If you’ve ever cracked open a duck egg and thought, "Wow, that’s a big yolk!", you’re not alone. Duck eggs vs. chicken eggs might seem pretty similar at first glance, but there are some key differences in taste, nutrition, cooking, and even how they’re laid.
- [12 Permaculture Principles for Easy Gardening](https://ourinspiredroots.com/permaculture-principles/): Permaculture principles can feel a little overwhelming at first—like you’re trying to memorize a bunch of theory without seeing how it actually works in real life. But don’t worry—I’ve got you!
- [What to Plant in Your Garden: A Simple Guide for Beginners](https://ourinspiredroots.com/what-to-plant-in-garden/): But deciding what to plant in a garden can also feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to gardening or working with limited space or time.
- [How to Grow Your Own Mulch (So Easy!)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-grow-your-own-mulch/): Ever wondered how to grow your own mulch? If you’re into no-till gardening, deep mulch gardening, or permaculture gardening in general, this question has likely crossed your mind.
- [What is Deschooling (and How Can I Do It?)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/what-is-deschooling/): That’s where deschooling comes in. It’s a chance to pause, reset, and remember what learning really looks like when it isn’t boxed in by schedules and standards.
- [A Better Way of Strewing (Easier and Less Wasteful) ](https://ourinspiredroots.com/better-way-of-strewing-unschooling/): Are you tired of setting up strewing activities that your kids ignore? I felt the same way when I first started strewing! But I've found a better way to strew that keeps it fun and low-pressure for everyone.
- [12 Tips on How To Start Unschooling](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-start-unschooling/): If you’re curious about unschooling but don’t know where to start, I completely understand. It can feel like stepping into uncharted territory, especially if all you’ve ever known is traditional schooling.
- [Is It Possible to Homeschool and Work Full-Time? An Honest Perspective](https://ourinspiredroots.com/is-it-possible-to-homeschool-and-work-full-time/): Can You Really Homeschool and Work Full-Time?
- [13 Powerful Medicinal Herbs to Grow at Home](https://ourinspiredroots.com/12-best-medicinal-herbs-to-grow/): After years of growing and using medicinal herbs, I've narrowed my must-haves down to 13. These are the best medicinal herbs to grow if you want plants that are easy to care for, genuinely useful, and worth the garden space—even in a Zone 4/5 climate like mine. Here's what's in my garden every year, and how I use each one.
- [How Do Kids Learn When They’re Unschooling?](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-do-kids-learn-when-theyre-unschooling/): If you're exploring homeschooling options and stumbled upon the concept of unschooling, you might be asking yourself, "How do kids learn when they're unschooled?"
- [How to Create Your Unschooling Curriculum (5 Easy Steps!)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/create-unschooling-curriculum/): I know what you’re thinking—“unschooling curriculum” sounds like a contradiction, right? And in the traditional sense, it is. The whole point of unschooling is to learn through exploring interests and everyday life, not following a prepared curriculum. So, the idea of having an unschooling curriculum might seem a bit odd.
- [Winterizing Your Garden the Permaculture Way](https://ourinspiredroots.com/winterizing-your-garden-the-permaculture-way/): Winterizing your garden means protecting your soil and plants through the cold months, rebuilding the nutrients the growing season used up, and setting things up so your garden comes back strong in spring. In permaculture, that means working with the garden's natural rhythms — mulching, composting in place, and letting living systems (like chickens and ducks) do a lot of the work — rather than fighting against winter or over-managing the soil.
- [How to Perfect Your Raised Bed Garden](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-perfect-your-raised-bed-garden/): Raised bed gardens are a great way to get started with growing your own food right away. But if you have never used raised garden beds before, you might have some questions. So, I’m answering the most common questions and concerns about raised beds below!
- [45+ Permaculture Plants to Grow Now](https://ourinspiredroots.com/45-permaculture-plants-to-grow-now/): If you’re looking for permaculture plants to include in your garden design, you’re in the right place!
- [9 Living Mulches That Will Transform Your Garden](https://ourinspiredroots.com/9-living-mulches-that-will-transform-your-garden/): Living mulch is essential in the permaculture garden. Adding any type of mulch around garden plants provides many health and protective benefits for your plants and the soil. 
- [Comfrey Benefits, Uses, and How to Grow It](https://ourinspiredroots.com/comfrey-benefits-uses-and-how-to-grow-it/): If I had to choose one plant to encourage you to add to your garden, I'd have to go with comfrey.
- [How to Use Mulch in the Garden](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-use-mulch-in-the-garden/): If you think about all of the leaves, twigs, nutshells, and plants covering the ground in a forest, it's easy to see why learning how to use mulch is an essential component of growing a permaculture garden. 
- [How to Create a No-Till Garden the Easy Way](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-create-a-no-till-garden-the-easy-way/): No-till gardening is my favorite way to maintain healthy gardens without chemicals.
- [Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas Guide](https://ourinspiredroots.com/homemade-christmas-gift-guide/): If you're searching for homemade gift ideas for your friends and family, you're in luck. I have put together a list of fun and interesting homemade Christmas gift ideas for everyone on your gift-giving list. 
- [2025 Homesteader Gift Guide](https://ourinspiredroots.com/homesteader-gift-guide/): In this homesteader gift guide, I’ve gathered a collection of items that speak to those values. These are gifts that feel good to give and even better to receive—things that will make your loved ones smile, feel seen, and maybe even inspired.
- [How to Freeze Vegetables (and Fruit!) From the Garden](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-preserve-your-harvest-freezing/): There are multiple ways to preserve your garden harvest, but learning how to freeze vegetables and fruits is an easy and inexpensive method of food preservation and an excellent place for beginners to start!
- [How to Preserve Blueberries (13 Unusual Ways!)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-preserve-blueberries/): Is learning how to preserve blueberries something you've always wanted to try?
- [How to Create a Permaculture Food Forest](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-create-a-food-forest-or-forest-garden/): Whenever I work with a client who has fruit trees or an established food forest, there's a little part of me that thinks... I want this.
- [Easier Plant Guilds: How to Get Started](https://ourinspiredroots.com/companion-planting-and-plant-guilds-how-to-get-started/): If your goal is to grow more food with less work, there are two garden planning tools you’ll want to know: companion planting and plant guilds. 
- [11 Perennial Vegetables and Fruit You Must Start Growing](https://ourinspiredroots.com/11-perennial-vegetables-and-fruit-you-must-start-growing/): Planting perennial vegetables is one of the very best ways to expand your garden and grow your homesteading skills. 
- [21 Shade-Loving Plants for Your Garden](https://ourinspiredroots.com/21-shade-loving-plants-for-your-garden/): If you have ever considered shade-loving plants for your garden, this year is the perfect time to jump in!
- [What is Abundance Homesteading? And Ways You Can Tap Into It](https://ourinspiredroots.com/abundance-homesteading/): Maybe abundance homesteading is the answer!
- [The Sage Remedies I Actually Use on My Homestead (From Tea to Chicken Feed)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/sage-benefits-and-uses-and-how-to-grow-it/): Sage benefits on human digestive health haven’t been widely studied. Yet, traditional sage uses include easing diarrhea and relaxing the stomach muscles. 
- [Apple Tree Guilds: Getting Started](https://ourinspiredroots.com/apple-tree-guilds-getting-started/): While there are plenty of resources here at Our Inspired Roots on how to grow your own food, I haven't gotten around to creating more specific permaculture-related content -- particularly fruit tree guilds and apple tree guilds.
- [Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe](https://ourinspiredroots.com/paleo-chocolate-chip-cookies-recipe/): These paleo chocolate chip cookies are a perfect way to celebrate the holidays without going overboard on sweets (or getting sick from conventional sugar).
- [Blueberry Peach Cobbler Recipe (Paleo & AIP)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/blueberry-peach-cobbler-recipe-paleo-aip/): We've frozen about 9 gallons of blueberries already! I have made this blueberry peach cobbler recipe many times so far this summer too.
- [How to Preserve Basil (Freezing + More)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-freeze-basil/): If you’re wondering how to preserve basil (including freezing basil), you’re in the right place!
- [Homemade Paleo Pesto (AIP Option)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/homemade-pesto/): Interested in a paleo pesto sauce recipe? Read on!
- [How to Harvest Herbs for Drying and Storing](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-harvest-herbs-for-drying/): If you also love growing your own herbs, you likely need to know how to harvest herbs for drying and I’m going to tell you how!
- [25 Best Fall Garden Plants to Start Now](https://ourinspiredroots.com/25-best-fall-garden-plants-to-start-now/): One way to maximize your space is by putting in a fall garden. I’m all about growing as much food in as small of a space as possible.
- [Bug Bite Balm Recipe: A Natural Bug Bite Remedy](https://ourinspiredroots.com/homemade-itch-relief-for-insect-bites/): Looking for my bug bite balm recipe? Find it below!
- [Homemade Bug Spray (That Really Works!)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/homemade-insect-repellent-that-really-works/): If you know me, you know that I enjoy making homemade products like deodorant and face wash, so it should be no surprise that I have developed my own homemade bug spray recipe too!
- [18 Best Plants to Attract Beneficial Insects to Your Garden](https://ourinspiredroots.com/18-best-plants-to-attract-beneficial-insects-to-your-garden/): If you’re hoping to attract beneficial insects and animals to your garden, this post is for you!
- [Calendula Benefits, Uses, and How to Grow It](https://ourinspiredroots.com/calendula-benefits-uses-and-how-to-grow-it/): If I had to choose just one herb to grow on the homestead, I would choose calendula. Calendula is an amazing herb that has many benefits and uses.
- [How to Make Herb-Infused Oil (for Recipes or Remedies)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/herb-infused-oil-herbal-infusions/): If you're looking to make herb-infused oil to use in home remedies or in your favorite recipes, you're in the right place.
- [6 Small Space Gardening Tips](https://ourinspiredroots.com/5-small-space-gardening-tips/): If you’re wondering how to grow a garden in your tiny yard, you’re in the right place! Small space gardening makes growing organic, homegrown produce possible just about anywhere. 
- [Simple Permaculture Design: How to Grow More Food With Less Work](https://ourinspiredroots.com/permaculture-gardening/): Do you want to grow more of your own food while spending less time and energy in the garden? Permaculture design can help you!
- [10 Seed Starting Tips & Hacks for an Easy Spring](https://ourinspiredroots.com/seed-starting-tips-hacks/): Are you interested in learning how to start seeds? You’re not alone! Seed starting is an important part of growing your own food.
- [10 Best Vegetables to Grow for Beginners](https://ourinspiredroots.com/beginner-gardening/): If you’re a beginner homesteader, you might be overwhelmed at all of the things you need to learn. But it doesn’t have to be so frustrating.
- [Worm Composting: How to Do It (And Why You’d Want To)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/vermicomposting-worm-composting/): If you're wondering how you can compost your food scraps if you don’t have a yard, vermicomposting (or worm composting) may be the answer!
- [Basic Soup Recipe: How to Make Soup Out of Almost Anything](https://ourinspiredroots.com/basic-soup-recipe/): Ever wanted to know how to make a basic soup recipe so you can use your garden harvest?
- [Pumpkin Butter Recipe (AIP – Paleo – Real Food)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/pumpkin-butter-recipe-aip-paleo-real-food/): This pumpkin butter recipe is a perfect way to enjoy the fall harvest while nourishing the body too.
- [Butternut Squash Soup Recipe](https://ourinspiredroots.com/butternut-squash-soup-recipe/): That’s where this butternut squash soup recipe comes in. It’s creamy without needing dairy, naturally sweet from the squash itself, and easy enough for a weeknight dinner. 
- [Easy Dehydrated Kale Powder Recipe](https://ourinspiredroots.com/homemade-kale-powder/): That's why I decided to turn my pile of fresh kale from the garden into homemade dehydrated kale powder.
- [How I’d Start Growing My Own Food If I Were Starting Over](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-do-i-grow-my-own-food/): My then-fiancé and I were living in an apartment at the time, and I had no outdoor space for growing my own food.
- [When to Start Seeds (and Why You’ll Love This Seed Starting Planner)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/seed-starting-planner/): That’s why even seasoned gardeners rely on a seed starting planner to stay organized and know exactly when to start seeds indoors and when to move them outside.
- [7 Ways to Embrace Apartment Homesteading](https://ourinspiredroots.com/apartment-homesteading/): As some of you know, my family has been apartment homesteading since we moved to Virginia last fall.
- [Homemade SPF Lip Balm Recipe for Any Season](https://ourinspiredroots.com/homemade-spf-30-lip-balm/): If you're looking for a homemade SPF lip balm recipe that's safe for the whole family, you've found it!
- [6 Ideas for Living a Simple Life Now](https://ourinspiredroots.com/what-is-a-simple-life/): As a homesteader, living a simple life kind of comes with the territory. But how we get there — and why we choose it — looks different for everyone.
- [Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe (EASY!)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/homemade-vanilla-extract/): This homemade vanilla extract recipe is really simple to make and a great alternative to pricey store-bought vanilla or imitation vanilla.
- [How to Make a Tincture (+Alcohol-Free Option!)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-make-a-tincture/): Wondering how to make a tincture? Tinctures are a simple way to enjoy the power of herbal medicine. They’re easy to make, powerful, and convenient.
- [How to Freeze Squash (and Other Preservation Methods)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-freeze-squash/): Wondering how to freeze squash? Winter squash (especially butternut squash) is one of my favorite things to grow, eat, and preserve. This might be because it’s so easy to do all three!
- [3 Natural Pesticides for the Garden](https://ourinspiredroots.com/natural-pesticides-for-the-garden/): Terms like “natural” and “organic” get thrown around a lot and sometimes don’t mean anything as they aren’t always regulated. When I’m looking for natural pesticides they need to have the following characteristics:
- [Cooking From Scratch for Beginners (And Homesteaders!)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/cooking-from-scratch-for-beginners/): If you're looking for tips on cooking from scratch as a beginner, you're in the right place!
- [6 Reasons to Keep Backyard Chickens (And 1 Reason Not To)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/keep-backyard-chickens/): I love my backyard chickens! They're often not in the backyard of course. Sometimes they're in the side yard, the front yard, or even under the house!
- [Organic Gardening 101: How to Grow Food Without Chemicals](https://ourinspiredroots.com/organic-gardening-101/): When I began organic gardening I didn't really know I was organic gardening. I just didn't like the idea of expensive chemical fertilizers.
- [100+ Modern Homesteading Skills to Master (Or at Least Try!)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/100-modern-homesteading-skills-to-master-or-at-least-try/): The easiest place to start for modern homesteading is in the kitchen. Whether you live in the city or country, cold or warm climate, we all have to eat!
- [57 Ways to Make Extra Money Homesteading (Anywhere)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/make-extra-money-homesteading/): So it makes sense to find ways to make extra money on the homestead to cover these extra expenses.
- [Lavender Benefits, Uses, and How to Grow It at Home](https://ourinspiredroots.com/lavender-benefits-how-to-grow/): *Lavender Benefits* and How to Grow it
- [How to Cook Fresh Pumpkin for Puree](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-cook-fresh-pumpkin/): And learning how to cook fresh pumpkin is essential this time of year.
- [Fermented Root Vegetables (With Ginger!)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/gingered-fermented-root-vegetables/): I've mentioned before how much I love growing my own probiotics but this lacto-fermented root vegetables recipe is especially fun because it has a bit of an asian flare to it. It's great as a side dish with any asian inspired cuisine or on it's own.
- [Manure Tea or Compost Tea Recipe](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-make-organic-fertilizer-manure-tea/): Want a simple manure tea or compost tea recipe? This is it!
- [Homesteading for Beginners (When You’re Broke)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/homesteading-for-beginners/): Interested in homesteading for beginners? I got you!
- [How to Introduce New Chickens (Without Too Much Trouble)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/introducing-new-chickens-to-your-flock/): Chickens are really serious about their pecking order. When introducing new chickens to your flock, older chickens will terrorize younger ones and can do significant damage if not introduced properly.
- [Raising Baby Chicks: How to Keep Them Healthy Naturally](https://ourinspiredroots.com/raising-baby-chicks-naturally/): There's a huge backyard chickens movement going on and for good reason. Raising baby chicks and growing your own eggs (among other foods) is a great way to know where your food is coming from and that it's truly healthy.
- [How to Compost for Beginners: 5 Easy Ways](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-compost/): If you're wondering how to compost, you're in good company. It can be really confusing when you're new to gardening, composting, and other homestead-y ventures. My first compost pile was pretty basic and had no strategy behind it at all!
- [Raising Chickens 101: How to Get Started with Backyard Chickens](https://ourinspiredroots.com/raising-chickens-how-to-get-started/): When I decided to start raising chickens, I spent an entire year learning about chicken farming, including how to build a coop ourselves. I'm so glad I did!
- [Coconut Yogurt Recipe: Dairy Free Yogurt in an Instant Pot](https://ourinspiredroots.com/coconut-yogurt-recipe-instant-pot/): Fermented foods are an excellent way to get probiotics into your diet, whether it's savory sauerkraut or this coconut yogurt recipe.
- [Homemade Hand Sanitizer Recipe (Safe for Kids Too!)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/homemade-hand-sanitizer-recipe-safe-for-kids-too/): Looking for a homemade hand sanitizer recipe?
- [Crop Rotation Made Easy: Feed Your Plants Naturally](https://ourinspiredroots.com/crop-rotation/): One way to keep your garden healthy and productive is by implementing crop rotation.
- [Soaking Oats Benefits Explained (+ Easy Recipe!)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/soaking-oats/): Soaking oats before eating them is the single best thing you can do to make those oats easy to digest — which also makes the nutrients they contain more available to your body.
- [DIY Natural Healing Salve Recipe](https://ourinspiredroots.com/diy-natural-neosporin/): When you live your life outside gardening and adventuring, there are bound to be minor cuts and scrapes and a natural healing salve recipe can be a lifesaver.
- [The Simplest Elderberry Syrup Recipe](https://ourinspiredroots.com/the-best-elderberry-syrup-recipe/): Have you ever tried a homemade elderberry syrup recipe? What did you think?
- [Homemade Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles Recipe](https://ourinspiredroots.com/homemade-chocolate-pumpkin-truffles-recipe/): Luckily I'm armed with this DELICIOUS chocolate pumpkin truffles recipe that is made with real food ingredients (not gross GMO's and unnatural sugars) so my kids can have Halloween candy and I can feel good about what's in it!
- [A Simple Guide to Unschooling the Early Years](https://ourinspiredroots.com/homeschooling-kindergarten-unschool/): When my kids were preschool and early school-aged, I faced a question every parent thinks about at some point: How do I start homeschooling? For us, the answer was unschooling.
- [Homeschool Preschool Curriculum for the Unschooling Parent ](https://ourinspiredroots.com/preschool-curriculum-unschooling/): Let’s talk about preschool curriculum.
- [5-Minute Easy Raw Applesauce (No Cooking Required)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/raw-applesauce-how-to-make-it-and-why-youd-want-to/): Turns out, raw applesauce might actually be better.
- [How to Make EASY Real Food Homemade Chocolate](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-make-homemade-chocolate-df-gf-sf/): This homemade chocolate is seriously amazing! It’s dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and — as OG would say — yum, yum, yummy in my tum, tum, tummy.
- [Easy Red Cabbage Sauerkraut with Carrots](https://ourinspiredroots.com/homemade-sauerkraut-purple-cabbage-and-carrot/): I know canning is basically a rite of passage for homesteaders... but I've just never gotten on board with it.
- [How to Deal With Sour Crop in Chickens Easily](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-treat-impacted-crop-sour-crop-and-pendulous-crop/): I've written about keeping chickens healthy in the winter but I didn't realize that spring brings its own challenges -- specifically, impacted crop and sour crop.
- [Raised Beds vs. In Ground Gardens: Which is Right for You?](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-build-raised-beds/): A lot of homesteaders have strong opinions about whether a raised bed garden vs in ground garden is better. I’ve had both, and honestly, they each have their advantages and drawbacks. The best choice depends on your space, soil, budget, and gardening style when considering raised beds vs in ground options.
- [How to Homestead When You Rent (Plus Why Renting May Be Best)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-homestead-without-buying-property/): Whether you're urban homesteading or renting a homestead on acreage, being a renter while homesteading is sometimes your only option, and other times the best choice! I know many homesteaders without land, or with small rented homes and suburban yards.
- [How to Choose Seeds for Your Garden (Without Overthinking It)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-choose-seeds-for-your-garden/): The good news? Choosing seeds doesn’t have to be complicated. In this guide, I’ll walk through how to choose seeds for your garden in a way that actually makes sense for your climate, growing season, and experience level — without overthinking it.
- [10 Tips for Keeping Chickens in Winter (You Can’t Ignore!)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-keep-chickens-healthy-and-happy-through-the-winter/): We are just loving our chickens! They’re fun to watch, full of personality, and they give us more eggs than we can possibly eat.
- [Homemade Calcium for Chickens (So EASY!)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-feed-eggshells-to-your-chickens/): If you’re wondering how to make homemade calcium for chickens, I’ve got you covered!
- [How to Tell a Rooster From a Hen](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-tell-if-your-hen-is-a-rooster/): Want to know how to tell a rooster from a hen? Understanding how to tell a rooster from a hen can help you identify your flock more easily.
- [How to Make a Homemade Hair Detangling Spray That Actually Works!](https://ourinspiredroots.com/homemade-hair-detangling-spray/): Interesting in making a DIY hair detangling spray? I'm sure my mom would have loved to have this recipe when I was a kid!
- [The Best Natural Skin Cleanser (Oil Cleansing, No Soap!)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/natural-skin-care-with-oil/): The oil cleansing method is the best skin cleanser I have ever used.
- [Homemade Natural Deodorant Recipe That Won’t Melt](https://ourinspiredroots.com/homemade-natural-deodorant-stick/): After some trial and error, I found a natural deodorant recipe that works better than anything I’ve bought in stores—let me share it with you!
- [Simple Beeswax Food Wrap Tutorial](https://ourinspiredroots.com/beeswax-fabric-tutorial/): Have you ever used beeswax food wrap? I simply love it!
- [Homemade Dairy Free Coffee Creamer (Plus Shortcut Version)](https://ourinspiredroots.com/homemade-dairy-free-coffee-creamer/): Are you looking for a homemade dairy-free coffee creamer recipe? You'll love this one!
- [Homemade Rosemary Water for Hair and Scalp Health](https://ourinspiredroots.com/homemade-rosemary-water-and-hair-rinse/): Rosemary water may also be used to subtly darken your hair. Many women use it to cover grays.
- [How to Freeze Zucchini](https://ourinspiredroots.com/how-to-freeze-zucchini/): Zucchini season means learning how to preserve zucchini, and this time I decided to try how to freeze zucchini!