The hottest Homesteading Substack posts right now

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Homesteading: Mason Jars Mania

Who is Robert Malone • 25 implied HN points • 18 Mar 26
🍲 Food & Drink Homesteading
  1. A simple sealed Mason jar completely changed home food preservation by turning seasonal surplus into reliable, year‑round food and boosting household resilience.
  2. Home canning lets you avoid many industrial preservatives and gives you more control over food quality; jars quickly become central, reused tools that multiply faster than you expect.
  3. “Maintenance‑free” landscaping often fails, so it’s better to accept some work and build a living, no‑till kitchen garden with compost and cover crops to produce real food.

What's New: Canning, Quick Hydroponics, and More

OK Doomer • 96 implied HN points • 05 Feb 26
🍲 Food & Drink Homesteading
  1. The project turns prepping and homesteading into simple, accessible steps so people can prepare affordably and practically where they live.
  2. Recent additions include canning and quick hydroponics, with expanded sections and upcoming DIY solar cooker guides, all collected in a growing downloadable illustrated PDF.
  3. The guide is evolving and community-driven, welcoming reader input and supported by donations and subscriptions to keep updates coming.

Survival Illustrated: We're at 90 Pages

OK Doomer • 141 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
🚌 Education Homesteading
  1. A 90-page PDF of the project is now available with new sections like seed saving and pest management, and the layout has been formalized in InDesign to improve appearance and make printing easier.
  2. The author is moving into sanitation and plans to add more detail on additional crops and batteries, and they’re asking readers for suggestions and typo reports.
  3. They’re planning a ~150-page micro-guide for print by spring covering planting, foraging, rain harvesting, food storage and preservation, emergency sanitation, and basic solar setups, and may release updated print editions annually with an optional dedication page for supporters.

Nobody Really Knows How to Survive What's Coming

OK Doomer • 1082 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Homesteading
  1. Nobody really knows what's coming in the future or how to prepare for it. Each person's approach is just an educated guess based on their own experiences.
  2. It's hard to prepare for multiple disasters at once, and with time running out, it's important to focus on what really matters and not get overwhelmed.
  3. Many people live in tough situations and never had a chance to prepare, so it's essential to recognize that everyone is doing their best with the resources they have.

It's Okay If You're Never Ready for The Collapse of Civilization

OK Doomer • 476 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Homesteading
  1. It's normal to feel unprepared for big disasters. Many people only start thinking about being ready when crises hit hard.
  2. You don’t have to have everything figured out right away. It’s okay if your attempts at prepping don’t work out as planned.
  3. Building a strong community can be tough and may not always meet your needs. It’s fine to take time for yourself when you're trying to find your footing.
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Homesteading: The Art of Butter and the Traveling Circus of our Life.

Who is Robert Malone • 22 implied HN points • 02 Feb 26
🍲 Food & Drink Homesteading
  1. Brutal winter weather turns routine farm chores into a slog, forcing extra work like carrying water across ice and setting up separate shelters for animals like emus.
  2. Life is insanely busy with government work, writing, business travel, and personal trips, including a Key West anniversary getaway, so retirement isn’t happening anytime soon.
  3. You can easily make butter at home from raw Jersey cream with a stand mixer: skim the cream, whip until it separates, drain and rinse the buttermilk, salt to taste, and mold — a simple step toward self-sufficiency.

Early-Spring Outsiders

Into the Hedge • 119 implied HN points • 19 Apr 24
🍲 Food & Drink Homesteading
  1. The farm received help from friends and family to prepare for an expanding bird operation, showing the importance of community support in running Hedgerider.
  2. Moon the goose is thriving despite being alone, showing resilience in animals and the efforts taken to keep her company.
  3. Garlic Mustard, an early-Spring plant considered invasive, can be a tasty and nutritious food source when harvested correctly, showcasing the potential of wild edibles.

Happy Christmas

Who is Robert Malone • 29 implied HN points • 25 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Homesteading
  1. The homestead is growing — more Lusitano horses, a herd of miniature Jersey cattle, expanded chicken and peafowl space, and a new rescue Pomeranian, with plans for foals and larger paddocks next year.
  2. Writing and media projects are underway — homesteading and wellbeing essays are being turned into a book, an autobiographical book about the mRNA vaccine story is planned, and a travel documentary is being developed.
  3. Major public and nonprofit work continues — a vice‑chair role on the CDC advisory committee, leadership of a nonprofit that publishes widely, and ongoing speaking, research, and outreach that reach millions each month.

Homesteading: And then there were two

Who is Robert Malone • 21 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🍲 Food & Drink Homesteading
  1. Having a companion for animals, like Gizmo the emu, can make a big difference in their happiness. Getting Joey the male emu was a great choice to keep Gizmo company.
  2. Emus have interesting social behaviors and can establish a pecking order. Gizmo is the boss around Joey, but they seem to get along well without fighting.
  3. Growing food on a homestead takes planning, like planting garlic and vegetables. The greenhouse is doing well, and there's promise for future harvests.

Living On The Land, Part 1

Adapt : Survive : Prevail • 137 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🏝 Travel Homesteading
  1. Living on the land brought moral and logistical challenges, highlighting trade-offs humans must make to survive.
  2. Building a home on steep land required creative solutions like using stones for a stable foundation.
  3. Creating infrastructure and a garden revealed the personal joy in building a world that aligns with personal values and ideals.

Why gardening is my religion

The Recovering Academic • 197 implied HN points • 11 Oct 22
🍲 Food & Drink Homesteading
  1. Consider exploring the 'why' behind your actions, as it can provide anchoring and clarity in challenging times.
  2. Gardening can be a sustainable practice as it promotes local food production and reduces energy consumption from transportation and storage.
  3. Gardening can offer a sense of belonging, connect you to your roots, and become a meaningful ritual for homemaking and honoring the land.

Homesteading: Terrorizing Snakes and Marauding Birds.

Who is Robert Malone • 18 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
🍲 Food & Drink Homesteading
  1. Homesteading can be challenging, especially when dealing with snakes and other predators that threaten young birds. It's important to secure coops and keep an eye on your animals.
  2. Gardening can be a rewarding experience, and growing your own vegetables doesn't have to be expensive. You can use creative containers and save seeds to keep costs down.
  3. Raising chickens and other birds can be fun and fulfilling. It connects you to nature and provides a sense of responsibility for their care.

Homesteading: Eat Your Vegetables

Who is Robert Malone • 16 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🍲 Food & Drink Homesteading
  1. Growing your own vegetables can lead to better quality food and lower grocery bills. Homemade products like pesto and pickled vegetables taste much better than store-bought options.
  2. Using fresh garden vegetables in recipes like gazpacho allows for flexible cooking. This can be a fun way to make meals and encourage trying new flavors.
  3. Raising animals and managing a farm involves a lot of work but can be rewarding. Tasks like breeding horses and caring for livestock require patience and care.

Homesteading 101: The Depths of Winter

Who is Robert Malone • 27 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Homesteading
  1. Preparing for winter storms is crucial. You need to take care of your animals, stock up on supplies, and make sure everything is ready to handle the cold.
  2. Taking care of animals during harsh weather can be really challenging, especially when it comes to keeping them warm and fed. It requires lots of hard work and planning.
  3. Caring for newborn animals, like foals, adds extra responsibility. It's important to make quick decisions to protect them during tough weather, even if it means putting in extra effort.

Homesteading 101: The Bee's Knees

Who is Robert Malone • 19 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Homesteading
  1. Winter can be tough for homesteaders, but it's important to have plans for the changing weather. They are preparing for colder weather while also looking forward to spring.
  2. Growing your own food, like fruits and vegetables, is rewarding. They are expanding their garden and starting indoor plants to enjoy fresh produce even in winter.
  3. Keeping bees is a new exciting project that can help with friends and the garden. They are looking into this as a way to produce honey and support their plants.

Homesteading 101: Regenerative Farming and the American Farmer.

Who is Robert Malone • 19 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🍲 Food & Drink Homesteading
  1. Regenerative farming focuses on improving soil health and biodiversity. This means farming in a way that restores and enriches the land instead of depleting it.
  2. Historically, farming practices have prioritized sustainability and self-sufficiency. Learning from past generations can guide modern farming efforts toward eco-friendliness.
  3. Homesteading encourages individuals to take responsibility for their food production. It's about being productive and connected to the land, which can also bring satisfaction and peace.

Homesteading: Fall is Upon Us

Who is Robert Malone • 21 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🍲 Food & Drink Homesteading
  1. Fall is a busy time on the farm as preparations for winter begin, including moving plants into the greenhouse and protecting them from cold weather.
  2. Citrus plants are thriving, but they require regular care and can attract pests. Simple solutions like soap and water sprays help keep them healthy.
  3. New plants like wasabi and dragon fruit are being experimented with. Wasabi leaves are edible and will be tested for flavor once they grow larger.

Homesteading: Preparing for Spring

Who is Robert Malone • 13 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🍲 Food & Drink Homesteading
  1. Start your seeds indoors to get a jump on the growing season. Using tools like indoor gardens can help you grow food like lettuce and herbs easily.
  2. Raised beds are great for gardening, especially if your soil isn't good or if you have pests. They make it easier to cover plants and protect them.
  3. Invest in good gardening tools that can last. Taking care of your tools is important, so they work when you need them most.

Homesteading: Part One

Who is Robert Malone • 42 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
🏝 Travel Homesteading
  1. The author purchased a farm in Georgia for a new job but regrets selling their previous one in Maryland.
  2. The decision to buy a new farm was considered one of the dumbest things they ever did.
  3. They had spent years rebuilding their farm in Maryland and were starting to see the rewards of their hard work.