Read the original post "How to Can Green Beans" on A Modern Homestead. Canning green beans is an easy summer activity that allows you to enjoy them all year long! Find out how to can green beans in a pressure canner, as well as how to deal with the fact that green beans are not ready to harvest at the same time. There's nothing quite like reaching into... Read More The post "How to Can Green Beans" appeared first on A Modern Homestead.

Read the original post "Homemade Chicken Salad Recipe" on A Modern Homestead. This Classic Chicken Salad Recipe is filled with crunchy apples, sweet pickles, green onions, and a savory dressing. Serve on your favorite bread, or keep it low-carb with a lettuce wrap. No matter how you serve it, this recipe is a crowd favorite! My mom makes the best chicken salad - she always has. When... Read More The post "Homemade Chicken Salad Recipe" appeared first on A Modern Homestead.

When your summer garden produces more than you can eat, you’ll need a plan to store the excessive harvest. Tomatoes ripen at the same time, cucumbers pile up, and herbs bolt in the heat. If left too long, these produce lose flavor or eventually rot. Without preservation, your harvest turns into waste. Preserving summer harvest gives you a way to stretch that food into fall and winter. This guide covers the three most useful methods: canning, freezing, and drying. Each one includes simple steps and safety practices for beginners. Why Preserving the Summer Harvest Matters Summer is the most generous season on a homestead. The problem is that abundance doesn’t last. Fresh produce spoils quickly, especially in heat or humidity. Without proper storage, what you worked for disappears. Preservation helps you: Reduce waste and use everything you grow Cut down on store trips during colder months Keep control over ingredients and food quality Build food security with what’s already in your soil Each method suits different crops. Even if you’re new, you can start with one technique and build from there. Canning gives you pantry staples. Freezing saves flavor and texture. Drying uses minimal space and keeps herbs ready for use all year round. Canning: Safe, Long-Term Pantry Storage Canning lets you store produce for a year or more. It utilizes heat to create a vacuum seal in jars, which prevents the growth of bacteria and mold. There are two safe methods: water bath for acidic foods and pressure canning for low-acid vegetables. Water Bath Canning Best for: jams, jellies, fruit preserves, pickles, tomatoes (with added acid) You’ll Need: Large stockpot with rack Mason jars with lids and bands Jar lifter, funnel, clean towels Steps: Wash jars and lids. Keep jars warm until filled. Prepare food using a tested recipe. Fill jars, leaving the correct headspace. Wipe rims with vinegar. Place lids and tighten bands. Submerge jars in boiling water. Cover by 1 inch. Process for the recommended time. Remove jars and let them cool for 12 to 24 hours. Check seals, labels, and store. For tested recipes and guidance, visit the National Center for Home Food Preservation. Pressure Canning Some vegetables are too low in acid to be safely processed in a boiling water bath. Pressure canning uses higher heat to safely preserve foods like green beans, corn, and carrots for long-term storage. You’ll Need: Pressure canner with gauge or weighted regulator Mason jars, lids, and bands Jar lifter, funnel, timer Steps: Wash and prepare produce. Fill clean jars with hot food and liquid. Remove air bubbles. Wipe rims and apply lids. Load jars into the canner and lock the lid. Vent steam for 10 minutes before sealing. Bring to the correct pressure and start timing. Allow pressure to return to zero before opening. Let jars cool fully before checking seals. Freezing: Quick and Flexible for Most Produce Freezing quickly preserves food close to its original flavor and texture. However, many vegetables will need blanching first to stop enzymes that cause spoilage. Best for: berries, green beans, corn, chopped herbs, bell peppers You’ll Need: Freezer-safe bags or containers Large pot, slotted spoon, ice bath Towels and a marker for labeling Steps: Wash and cut produce into uniform pieces. Blanch vegetables in boiling water for 1 to 4 minutes. Transfer to an ice bath. Drain and dry completely. Pack into bags or containers, removing excess air. Label with date and freeze flat to save space. Drying: Low-Space, Long-Term Storage Drying removes moisture to prevent spoilage. It works well for herbs, sliced fruit, and thin vegetables like tomatoes or peppers. Best for: apples, peaches, tomatoes, basil, oregano You’ll Need: Dehydrator or oven Trays or screens Jars or airtight bags for storage Steps: Wash and slice produce evenly. Arrange in a single layer on trays. Dry at 125 to 135°F until brittle or leathery. Let cool completely before storing. Keep dried food in sealed containers away from light. Choosing the Right Preservation Method for Your Produce Not all fruits and vegetables store the same way. Some require heat to stay safe, while others perform best when frozen or dried. This quick reference chart helps you match your produce with the best method, along with the necessary tools and the typical shelf life of each food. Food Type Best Method Requires Cooking Tools Needed Shelf Life Tomatoes (with acid) Water Bath Canning Yes Stockpot, jars, lifter, funnel 12–18 months Green Beans Pressure Canning Yes Pressure canner, jars, gauge or weight 12–18 months Berries Freezing No Freezer bags or trays 8–12 months Herbs (like basil) Drying or Freezing No Dehydrator, oven, or ice cube trays with oil 6–12 months Apples Drying Optional (slicing) Dehydrator or oven, airtight jars or bags 6–12 months Corn Freezing or Pressure Canning Yes Large pot, freezer bags or pressure canner 8–12 months Carrots Pressure Canning or Freezing Yes Pressure canner or blanching tools 8–18 months Pickles Water Bath Canning Yes Stockpot, jars, funnel, jar lifter 12 months Peppers Freezing No Freezer bags or containers 8–12 months Refer to this table to help plan your preservation sessions more efficiently. Whether you want to stock your pantry or fill your freezer, the right method depends on the crop, the tools, and how long you plan to store them. Preserving Summer Harvest: Why It’s Worth the Effort Preserving summer harvest takes patience and planning, but it will pay off every time you reach for a jar of home-canned sauce or a handful of dried herbs. These foods carry more than flavor. They hold value, effort, and security. The habits you build now will serve you all year. The more you store, the less you need from elsewhere. That’s real progress on the homestead. What’s your favorite way to store your harvest? Drop your tips or go-to recipes in the comments below. FAQs Which foods are best for canning? Use water bath canning for fruits, tomatoes (with acid), and pickles. Use pressure canning for vegetables like beans, corn, and carrots. Can I skip blanching when freezing? Some vegetables require blanching to prevent spoilage. Check a tested guide to see which ones need it. How long does dried food last? When stored in airtight containers away from light, dried fruits and herbs can last 6 to 12 months. Is it safe to reuse jar lids? No. Use new lids for every canning batch to ensure proper sealing and prevent spoilage. What’s the easiest method to start with? Freezing is the most forgiving. It works well for small batches and takes less equipment than canning.

Come learn how to make lavender oil with our simple step-by-step recipe. It’s exceptionally easy to make soothing, heavenly-scented homemade lavender oil. All you need is oil, dry lavender flowers, and a little time! While not as concentrated as pure essential oils, there are many wonderful ways to use lavender infused oil for natural skincare, culinary creations, and more. This guide also includes 10 ways to use homemade lavender oil and it’s amazing benefits. We’ve been making our own lavender oil for nearly 10 years, so I have plenty of tips on how to make the most luxurious and nourishing oil possible! Note: This post was originally published in July 2020 but significantly updated. Disclosure: Homestead and Chill is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Lavender Infused Oil vs Essential Oils This guide will teach you how to make lavender oil by infusing dried lavender flowers in a nourishing carrier oil of choice (such as olive oil or sweet almond oil) for several weeks or longer. As the dry flowers soak and steep, the natural essential oils and other beneficial compounds found in lavender are drawn out and into the surrounding oil. This kind of homemade lavender oil is different from concentrated lavender essential oils, which are made through a distillation extraction process rather than infusion. While there are some home and hobby-size stills available, distillation is most often done on a large industrial scale. Furthermore, it takes a huge amount of fresh lavender flowers to produce a tiny amount of oil! In contrast, the method we’re using in this tutorial can create a significant amount of lavender oil with far less flowers. What kind of lavender can I use to make lavender oil? The short answer is: any kind. I make lavender oil using a combination of several varieties that we grow in our garden. They all smell wonderful and have excellent anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-anxiety properties. Using organically-grown lavender is preferred. Rich in sweet-smelling essential oils, true English lavender varieties are the most esteemed for edible and medicinal applications. English lavender and hybrid lavandin varieties (L. x intermedia) taste the best, so stick with those if you are planning to make lavender oil for culinary use.  While technically edible, Spanish and French lavender tend to taste more herbaceous or bitter due to their higher camphor content. However, camphor is excellent at easing swelling, itching, and pain! By using a mix of English, French, and Spanish lavender, I can reap the benefits of them all! Supplies Needed Dried lavender flowers or buds, enough to fill your chosen jar or container at least two-thirds full. You can use homegrown or store-bought dried lavender, as long as it’s 100% dry. If the flowers are not fully dry, the leftover moisture can cause the lavender oil to grow mold or spoil! Using dry flowers also helps to extract the maximum essential oils possible. See four ways to dry fresh herbs here. Carrier oil of choice – such as olive oil, sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil. You’ll need about the same volume of oil as the size container you select. See more information about choosing the best carrier oil below. A glass jar or other container with a lid. I used a modest ½ pint jar for this example, which would be great if you only need a small amount – such as to fill a few rollers to use the lavender oil straight. Yet if you intend to make lavender salve or other homemade body care products, I recommend using at least a pint jar or more. A fine mesh strainer, sieve, and/or organic cheesecloth Optional: organic lavender essential oil EXPERT TIP: To create the most therapeutic and aromatic lavender oil, it’s important to harvest young and fresh flowers instead of using older, fading buds – which have much lower essential oil content. The flowers should also be air-dried or dehydrated on very low heat to preserve the maximum beneficial compounds. Learn how to harvest and dry fresh lavender flowers here. Best Carrier Oils to Make Lavender Oil Popular carrier oils used to make lavender oil include extra virgin olive oil, sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, argan oil, and more. Organic jojoba oil is my personal favorite, especially for my face! We also sometimes blend two types of oils, such as almond and jojoba oil. If you’d like to make lavender oil for culinary use, be sure to use an edible carrier oil. If you want homemade lavender oil for topical use, choose a carrier oil that’s compatible and beneficial for your skin type (e.g. consider comedogenic ratings).  No matter what you choose, I highly suggest using a high-quality, unrefined, cold-pressed oil. Certified organic is all the better. The goal is to create a healing medicinal oil after all!  LEARN MORE: Visit our guide on the best 11 Carrier Oil Options for Skin Care, Salves and Infusions to learn more about the unique benefits and properties of each. Instructions 1) Infuse and Wait Fill a glass container at least three-quarters full of dried lavender flowers or buds. Pour your carrier oil of choice over the dry lavender, filling the container enough so that all the flowers can be fully submerged and move freely in the oil. Add a tight-fitting lid. Place the jar in a moderately warm location, such as near a sunny window, inside a warm cabinet, or on top of a warm appliance. While some herbalists may have a preference, it doesn’t make much of a difference if the jar is stored in the dark or light – but a little warmth does help it infuse better! Allow the lavender oil to to infuse for at least two weeks* or up to 1 month (or longer) for the best results and maximum extraction possible. If possible, set the jar somewhere you’ll remember to stop by and gently shake it on occasion. Lavender tends to float in oil, so you’ll want to lightly turn and swirl the jar to keep things mixed up (this is most important during the first few days). *I much prefer this slow, passive infusion process (since many therapeutic compounds and essential oils are destroyed by heat) but it’s also possible to gently heat lavender and oil on the stove to get same-day results. Learn more in this separate guide on how to make herb infused oil. 2) Strain When the time is up, strain the lavender flowers and reserve the oil. We do this by positioning a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl and pouring it all through. Let it sit to fully drip and drain for at least 15 minutes. I like to line our strainer with cheesecloth or a reusable nut milk bag for extra-fine filtration. That way, I can also wring out the cloth or bag of lavender to squeeze out every bit of oil possible.  Finally, pour the strained oil into a clean jar for storage. (If you wash and re-use the same jar, be sure it’s fully dry before storing the oil in it!) 3) Add Lavender Essential Oil (Optional) Our homemade lavender oil always has a very pleasant, noticeable-yet-mild lavender aroma. (It will never be as strong as the essential oils you may be accustomed to.) To give it extra oomph and aromatherapy benefits, we often add a few drops of our favorite organic lavender essential oil too. The recommended safe dilution ratio for essential oils is about 2%, or up to 12 drops of essential oils per fluid ounce of carrier oil. Yet since the oil was already infused with whole lavender flowers, you can use far less here. I suggest adding just a few drops, gently stir, give it a sniff, and adjust as needed. Storage and Shelf Life Store the finished lavender oil in a clean glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Keep the container in a dry, cool, dark location. You can also store lavender oil in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life. The shelf life of homemade lavender oil varies and depends on the type of carrier oil (check the bottle) and condition of flowers used. Some oils are more prone to becoming rancid faster than others. Most have an average shelf life of about 1 year. (Another reason I love jojoba oil: it’s good for up to 5 years!) The Benefits of Lavender Oil Lavender and calm go hand-in-hand. The soothing aroma of lavender is proven to help reduce anxiety, stress, depression, and insomnia, perfect for bedtime or when you’re feeling frazzled. The scent is also known to deter pest insects like mosquitoes and flies, making lavender oil a popular ingredient in many natural insect repellents.  Aromatherapy aside, lavender has powerful healing abilities when used topically. Scientific studies show that lavender is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-fungal, an antioxidant, and has the ability to relieve pain. It can also help repair damaged skin tissue and heal wounds. This makes it awesome to heal rashes, bites, burns, acne, scrapes, eczema, stings, scars, and more. You can see why lavender is incorporated into so many natural skin care products!  Lavender oil turned into homemade lavender salve 10 Ways to Use Lavender Infused Oil As a soothing facial moisturizer to help with redness, dry skin, acne, and more. A little goes a long way! You’ll only need a few drops. As an ingredient in other homemade skincare products. Many natural body care recipes call for oil, such as in body butter, lotion, salve, soap, and more! Learn how to make our popular homemade lavender salve here. For more ideas, I highly recommend this organic body care recipe book. As a luxurious and calming massage oil to calm nerves, relieve muscle tension, pain, and inflammation. Other topical applications: You can use lavender oil directly on other parts of your body as a general moisturizer, on bug bites, sunburns, eczema, stings, rashes, scars, scrapes, and more! Add homemade lavender oil to essential oil rollers to apply on your neck, wrists, and temples as a soothing natural perfume or bedtime relaxant. As a hair treatment to condition hair, moisturize your scalp, and potentially thicken hair. Coconut oil, olive oil, and argan oil are especially popular for deep moisturizing hair treatments. Plus, this study showed that lavender can help stimulate hair growth! Simply apply an even coat of oil to your hair, massage it into your scalp, pin your hair up away from your clothes, and allow it to sit for anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours. Then use shampoo as usual to wash away the oil. To remove makeup. Lavender oil makes a great natural makeup remover! Oil naturally draws out impurities, while the lavender soothes redness, inflammation, and targets acne. Avoid contact with sensitive areas around your eyes. In the kitchen. Lavender is especially popular to use in sweet and savory marinades, dressings, sauces, and baked goods. Have a recipe that calls for oil? Simply swap out all or part of your usual selection with lavender oil instead. Of course, ensure your carrier oil is edible (and tasty) before chowing down! In natural cleaning products. Homemade cleaning spray recipes often call for oils, to help make countertops or stainless steel surface shine! We often incorporate a little lavender oil to our favorite homemade vinegar and lemon cleaning spray. Here is a gentle DIY countertop recipe that utilizes essential oils, perfect for granite. Give it as a gift. Make a bigger batch and divvy it up into cute little bottles or jars to share with friends and family. Include a note or label to share the many ways to use it, or direct them here! See this list of my favorite 27+ DIY gift ideas, including mason jar gifts, food, sustainable crafts and more. We also sell organic lavender salve in the Homestead and Chill shop! Easy peasy! I hope this guide gave you plenty of ideas and inspiration to start making your own nourishing lavender oil at home. As you can see, it is quite easy to to do! If you enjoyed this article, please leave a review below. As always, thank you for tuning in! Don’t miss these related articles: How to Make Homemade Lavender Salve How to Make Rosehip Infused Oil, and 12 Ways to Use It Harvesting Fresh Lavender: How to Harvest, Prune & Dry Lavender Flowers How to Make Soothing Chickweed Salve Recipe and Infused Oil  11 Best Carrier Oils for Skin Care, Salves and Infusions How to Make Homemade Calendula Salve for Healthy Skin Did you enjoy this article? Want to hear more? Stay in touch! Sign up below to receive weekly updates on new posts from Homestead and Chill. Print Homemade Lavender Oil Recipe Learn how to make lavender oil with our easy step-by-step guide. All you need is a carrier oil, dry lavender flowers, and a little time! Then you can use homemade lavender oil on it's own (e.g. as moisturizer or massage oil), as an ingredient in DIY skincare products like soap or salve, in culinary creations, and more. Keyword homemade lavender oil, lavender oil, lavender-infused oil, natural beauty, natural health, natural skincare Prep Time 10 minutes minutesInfusion time 14 days days Equipmentglass container or jar with lidfine mesh strainer and/or cheesecloth IngredientsDried lavender flowers or buds, homegrown or organic if possibleCarrier oil of choice (enough to fill your chosen container). Select a high-quality, unrefined, cold-pressed, and organic oils for the most healthy and healing lavender oil. Popular options for natural skincare include jojoba oil, olive oil, argan oil, grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, and more! optional: lavender essential oils InstructionsObtain dried lavender flowers. It is important to start with 100% dry flowers.Fill a clean glass container about ¾ full of dried lavender buds. Pour your choice of oil over the dried lavender flowers, until the container is full and/or until the flowers are completely submerged.Place a lid on the container, and store it in a moderately warm location to enhance infusion, such as a warm cabinet, on top of a warm appliance, or near a sunny window. Dark or light is okay. Allow the oil and flowers to infuse for at least two weeks, up to a month (or longer) for the best results. Shake/turn the jar on occasion to keep the floating flowers coated with oil. When the time is up, strain the flowers from the oil. Line a fine-mesh strainer or canning funnel with cheesecloth (or use a reusable nutmilk bag), place it over a clean glass container, and then pour the oil and flowers in to drain. Squeeze the cheesecloth sack of flowers to extract every last bit of oil! Optional: Add lavender essential oils for little extra oomph of aroma. The recommended safe dilution ratio for essential oils is about 2%, or 12 drops of EOs per fluid ounce of carrier oil, but we use far less. Try just a few drops and then adjust as needed. Store the finished lavender oil in a cool, dry location. It can also be stored in the refrigerator to extend the shelf life. Read the information on your carrier oil bottle to determine the recommended shelf life of your lavender oil.Enjoy! Use your lavender oil as a daily facial moisturizer (only a few drops needed), as a massage or body oil, an ingredient in other homemade skincare recipes such as salve or soap, to condition hair, as a makeup remover, as marinade or in baked goods (if an edible oil was used), in homemade cleaning products, or give it as a gift! The post How to Make Homemade Lavender Oil: Easy Step-by-Step Guide appeared first on Homestead and Chill.

The Fourth of July should be more than fireworks and store-bought cookouts. For homesteaders, this day embodies resourcefulness and personal liberty. So instead of wasteful traditions or flashy events, many choose to mark the day by serving what they’ve raised, grown, or created. This Fourth of July homesteading guide shares practical ideas to help make the day more festive, flavorful, and true to your land-based lifestyle. 1. Set the Table with Homegrown Recipes Your homestead can supply everything you need for a fresh and hearty summer meal. Grilled Veggie Platters: Slice zucchini, peppers, onions, or eggplant. Drizzle with oil and herbs. Grill until golden. Pasture-Raised Burgers: Mix ground meat with salt and garlic. Serve on sourdough rolls, cornbread buns, and lettuce wraps. Berry Cobblers and Pies: Use blueberries, strawberries, or blackberries. Top with oats or a biscuit crust, then bake in a cast-iron pan. Herb Lemonade: Blend lemon juice, cool water, and honey. Add mint, lemon balm, or basil for a garden twist. For tips on garden-to-table celebrations, the Modern Homesteading blog by The Grow Network offers seasonal recipe inspiration. 2. Decorate with Natural and Handmade Touches Skip the plastic flags and paper plates. Utilize the materials you already have to create a cozy, festive space. Fabric Bunting: Cut triangles from red, white, and blue scrap fabric. String with twine across porches or gates. Mason Jar Lanterns: Add dried flowers or foraged leaves to clear jars. Use beeswax candles or solar lights to make the jars glow at night. Rustic Wooden Signs: Paint patriotic sayings or quotes about freedom on salvaged boards or fence slats. Garden Table Decor: Place freshly harvested sunflowers, fresh herbs, or summer vegetables in baskets or crocks for centerpieces. 3. Keep Bugs at Bay with Natural Repellents Outdoor meals and firepit gatherings often attract unwanted guests in the form of bugs, ants, and other pests. Homemade repellents help control them without harming pollinators or adding more chemicals to the air. Lemon Balm Bundles: Burn dried lemon balm or sage near the seating area to deter mosquitoes. Herb Vinegar Spray: Soak rosemary, mint, and lavender in apple cider vinegar for a week. Strain and spray on clothes. Citronella Candles: Create your own candles by pouring beeswax and citronella oil into old jars or tins. You can find more safe and effective ideas from the Herbal Academy’s natural bug repellent guide. 4. Choose Traditions that Reflect Self-Reliance Honor the Fourth of July by spending time with neighbors and sharing what you’ve built through hard work. Host a Potluck: Invite others to bring dishes from their gardens, flocks, or pantries. Exchange seeds or cuttings. Teach a Skill: Show guests how to bake bread, churn butter, or start a fire with flint and steel. Share a Campfire Meal: Cook potatoes, corn, or biscuits in the coals. Serve with homemade spreads and herbal drinks. Raise the Flag: Sew or mend a cloth flag with family members. Share its history or symbolism while it flies above your land. For ideas on skill-sharing gatherings, explore community-based events on Mother Earth News. 5. Unplug and Celebrate with Simple Activities Avoid screens and artificial noise by keeping the day rooted in slow, intentional fun. Backyard Games: Set up sack races, horseshoes, or cornhole using reclaimed boards and fabric. Nature Walks: Take a family stroll and gather wildflowers or feathers to use in crafts or centerpieces. Story Circles: Invite older family members to share stories of ancestors, immigration, or homesteading roots. Music from Scratch: Play fiddle, guitar, or simple percussion from kitchen tools or handmade shakers. Slowing down allows you to create space for deeper connections and lasting memories. 6. Be Sustainable and Low-Waste Fourth of July homesteading puts sustainability at the heart of the celebration. That means: Using cloth napkins, reusable dishes, and glass jars. Composting food scraps and recycling jars, cans, or paper. Lighting with candles or solar-powered bulbs. Avoid using disposable party supplies, glitter, or plastic toys. If you prefer to skip fireworks, consider safer methods to enjoy the holiday like ringing bells, lighting a fire pit, or watching distant displays from a hilltop. Making Fourth of July Homesteading a Tradition That Lasts Fourth of July homesteading isn’t about skipping the holiday altogether. It’s about celebrating Independence Day with things you built with your hands, enjoying your harvest, and spending time with your community. The joy comes from what you’ve built, not what you bought. This day can serve as a reminder that freedom includes the right to grow your food, care for your land, and live on your terms. That’s a celebration worth repeating every year. What’s your favorite way to mark Independence Day on your homestead? Share your ideas in the comments. FAQ What are good homestead recipes for the Fourth of July? Grilled vegetables, pasture-raised burgers, fresh berry desserts, and herbal lemonade all highlight summer ingredients. How do I decorate sustainably for the holiday? Make bunting from fabric scraps, use mason jars with dried herbs or flowers, and decorate with produce from your garden. How can I manage mosquitoes during outdoor meals? Burn lemon balm bundles, use herb-infused sprays, and make citronella candles to keep bugs away without harsh chemicals. Are there homesteading alternatives to fireworks? Yes. Light candles, host a campfire, ring bells, or gather under the stars to reflect on the meaning of the day. What are simple Fourth of July games for kids? Try sack races, cornhole, scavenger hunts, or storytelling circles that connect them to nature and family history.