October 2024: How We Manage Self-Reliance (even in our hectic weeks)

October 2024: How We Manage Self-Reliance (even in our hectic weeks)

Welcome, good lifers! If you’ve found yourself here, you’re probably a bit like us at Castle Good Life: juggling work, life, and an unwavering commitment to a homestead lifestyle. This week has been especially full of activity for us, but it’s reminded me of the small, intentional steps we take to keep our homestead running…

Food Storage and Food Preservation: What Is The Difference Between?

Food Storage and Food Preservation: What Is The Difference Between?

In a world where food prices are steadily climbing and sustainability is on everyone’s mind, managing food waste has become a shared concern for many households. Whether you’re looking to make your groceries last longer or reduce the amount of food heading to the bin, understanding how to keep food fresh is a key skill. …

A photo of a peaceful garden scene with a few free-range chickens exploring an area with green plants. In the foreground, patches ofwild garlic are visible, with their vibrant green leaves and small white flowers, while the chickens peck curiously around them. The background shows a quaint wooden coop surrounded by greenery, illustrating a natural, healthy environment for the chickens.
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Wild Garlic For Chickens: Can Chickens Eat Wild Garlic?

If you’ve ever foraged for wild herbs in your garden, you may have come across wild garlic—a pungent, aromatic plant often used in natural cooking. Its distinct scent and flavour make it a favourite for everything from pesto to soups. But what happens when your curious chickens peck at this fragrant greenery? As backyard chicken…

A photo of a gardener pulling weeds from an allotment plot. The gardener is wearing a hat and a jacket. The gardener's hands arecovered with soil. The plot is partially cleared, showing a mix of overgrown weeds and patches of bare soil. A fork and a trowel are lying nearby. The background features a sunny, peaceful allotment soil space with other cultivated plots in the distance.
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13 Essential Steps to Prepare Your Allotment Soil for Thriving Crops

Starting an allotment is an exciting journey, but before the fun of planting begins, there’s some important groundwork to be done – quite literally. To prepare allotment soil properly is one of the most crucial steps to ensure your crops thrive throughout the season. When I first got my allotment; it felt like a blank…

rainwater harvesting
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Harnessing the Power of the Skies: A Quick Guide to Harvesting Rainwater

Hello, Good Lifers! Today, let’s embark on a journey to reconnect with an age-old wisdom: the art of rainwater harvesting. This isn’t just a practice; it’s a ritual, passed down through generations, now resurfacing in our eco-conscious era. Imagine capturing the essence of the skies, every drop of rain—a gift to nourish our gardens and…

Aerial view of a modern urban garden with layered landscaping, featuring a wooden deck with two wicker chairs, lush greenery, and a spiral staircase, highlighting efficient use of small outdoor spaces.
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A Quick Beginner’s Guide to Permaculture in Small Spaces

Welcome, Good Lifers! Have you ever wondered how the principles of permaculture can thrive even in the most compact urban spaces? Permaculture, a design philosophy that mimics the patterns of natural ecosystems, isn’t just reserved for sprawling rural landscapes. Embracing permaculture in small spaces is a versatile approach that adapts beautifully to smaller urban settings,…

A woman sits cross-legged at the bow of a wooden boat, her arms spread wide, enjoying the sun's rays. She is surrounded by the serene emerald waters and rugged limestone cliffs of a tropical destination.
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Sustainable Travel: Eco-Friendly Packing Tips and Tricks

Embarking on a journey can be an exhilarating experience, but as Good Lifers, we know that our adventures can leave a footprint on the planet. That’s why embracing sustainable travel and eco-friendly packing is more crucial than ever. It’s not just about the destinations we choose or the modes of transport we use; it’s also…

choosing the right livestock
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Empowering Your Homestead: Choosing the Right Livestock

Ah, the joys of homesteading! There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being in sync with the land, growing your own food, and yes, raising your own livestock, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves; choosing the right livestock is a decision that can make or break your sustainable homestead. It’s not just about what…

8 SUPER Plants That Repel Common Pests: Incorporating Pest-Repellent Species In Your Garden
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8 SUPER Plants That Repel Common Pests: Incorporating Pest-Repellent Species In Your Garden

Ah, the joys of gardening! You’ve got your hands in the soil, the sun on your back, and then—what’s this? A horde of aphids munching away on your prized roses. It’s enough to make you throw in the trowel, but hold on, there’s a way to tackle these pesky invaders without resorting to harsh chemicals….