The Prairie Homestead

Homesteading | Self Sufficient Living | Living off the Land

Jill Winger

46 Comments | |    Last Updated: September 18, 2016

Our Deep Mulch Garden: Final Wrap-Up

I've fallen in love with gardening all over again. As many of you know, 2014 was the first year I ventured into the world of deep mulch gardening. Considering it's October, I figured it was time to take final inventory of my experience and type out my thoughts and revelations (mostly because I know I'll forget come next year...) To sum it up? Deep mulch gardening is the best thing that's ever happened to my ...Continue Reading

11 Comments | |    Last Updated: September 18, 2016

9 Greens You Can Grow All Winter Long

By contributing writer Anni W. of TheBestGardening.com The two biggest challenges to growing food in winter are decreased light and freezing temperatures. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up your fresh garden produce when winter weather approaches. It just means a change in what you grow. Even in places like Canada and Alaska, a little light can go a long way for leafy greens. Basic rule of thumb: Full sun for Fruit. Light ...Continue Reading

33 Comments | |    Last Updated: September 21, 2026

Easy Caramel Sauce Recipe

This caramel sauce recipe is almost sinful. But I'm posting it anyway. Just because I love you guys. Now keep in mind, I'm a big believer in the importance of reducing sugar. I used to have a fierce sweet tooth, and have since tamed it considerably. However. Sometimes you just gotta splurge. Like this---> And thick-and-gooey-homemade-salted-caramel made with real butter and cream is the perfect time to do said ...Continue Reading

17 Comments | |    Last Updated: February 9, 2024

Herbal Home Remedy for Congestion

  By contributing writer Stacy K. of A Delightful Home We've all been there... Stuffed up nose, jam-packed sinuses, honking and snorting when you try to breathe freely... Although relieving these issues naturally is often challenging, an herbal steam is one effective home remedy for congestion you can try, without having to reach into the medicine cabinet. I find the steam is comforting as well; which is a bonus ...Continue Reading

96 Comments | |    Last Updated: June 30, 2023

Canning Pumpkin – The Easy Way

I don't claim to have much of a green thumb... But I can grow a mean patch of pumpkins. Okay... Okay. Pumpkins are pretty easy to grow, so don't be too impressed...But still... I'm going to take full advantage of my bragging rights. This year I poked a handful of heirloom pumpkin seeds into my hugelkultur bed, just to see what would happen. (If you're wondering "hugel-whaaaa??" then read this post). Last year, my maiden voyage as ...Continue Reading

17 Comments | |    Last Updated: May 1, 2022

Top 10 Healing Herbs to Grow

For most of us, the gardening & growing season is wrapping up. However, you can still scheme for next year! Quinn from Reformation Acres is sharing her best ideas for growing your own medicine cabinet today.  Summer may be over, but does a homesteader's work really ever end? There is a lot of work to do to get ready for those chilly winter days we're facing. Are you feeling it yet? I know I sure am! But it's to be ...Continue Reading

Nice to Meet You

I’m Jill. I’ve never been very good at following prescribed paths.

For the last 15 years, that instinct has led me through homesteading, entrepreneurship, and creating a life my younger self could have only dreamed of.

These days, I’m less interested in living the perfect "old-fashioned life" and more interested in knowing which ideas are worth carrying forward. The first half of this story was about building a homestead. The next part is about building a life that actually fits.
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