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One of the hottest topics in the prepper and survivalist world is how to make penicillin at home.

Considering how expensive healthcare is, I wouldn’t be surprised if there aren’t some DIY types also wanting to learn how to make penicillin.

Because penicillin is “just mold bread” and was discovered by accident, it might seem pretty easy to make penicillin. Yes, it is – but it is really hard to make penicillin safely. If you want to learn how to make DIY penicillin, here’s what you need to know.

Even in SHTF Situations, Homemade Penicillin Probably Isn’t a Good Solution

Before I even get into the (complex) instructions on how to make penicillin at home, I want to emphasize that it isn’t as straightforward as many prepper sites would have you think.

• Penicillin doesn’t treat superbugs: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a huge problem. Already many bacterial strains are resistant to penicillin. So, don’t count on penicillin to save you from every infection!
• Penicillin doesn’t treat all infections: Penicillin can be used in many throat, respiratory, and skin infections. It won’t treat tooth infections or UTIs (amongst others).
• It requires strange ingredients: Most people won’t have these things at home if SHTF.  That’s an insane level of preparedness. Even if you do have the supplies, it’s still very complicated to safely make penicillin.

When Would I Recommend Learning to Make Penicillin?

I think learning any skill is a good use of time. However, I personally think that this one only makes sense if you plan on becoming an expert. I mean REAL EXPERT.

Why?

Because you could make penicillin as a SHTF bartering item. You’ll become much more valuable to your survival community if you know this too. Otherwise, you are spending a lot of time on this skill when simpler alternatives exist.

Alternatives to Homemade Penicillin

Most doctors won’t give out prescriptions for antibiotics “just in case.” Even if they did, those antibiotics can be really expensive!

A better alternative is to use fish antibiotics, which currently don’t require a prescription, are cheap, and easy to get.

Recommended Reading: What you need to know about fish antibiotics for humans

But, just in case you still want to learn to make penicillin, here are the instructions!

Good luck!!!

Step 1. Isolating Penicillin Bacteria

Put a piece of bread, cantaloupe, or citrus fruit in a container in a dark place at 70 degrees F. It should be in a closed (but not airtight) container. It helps to add a few drops of water to the container and leave all but one corner closed to keep in moisture.

It can take weeks for the mold to start growing. Hopefully, you aren’t trying to treat gangrene with your DIY penicillin because your patient will likely be dead before you get any usable spores.

The bread or fruit will start getting a gray mold. This gray mold will eventually turn a bluish-green color. This is the…

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Questions come up daily on a homestead. 

You need solid advice on how to build, grow, and manage your land. Luckily, you aren’t alone. There are tons of books available for homesteaders, covering everything from organic gardening to home medicine. 

Remember, information is power. No matter where you are in your journey to self-sufficiency, you can develop your skill set and improve your quality of life with these 17 homesteading books. 

Gardening and Growing

How to Create Your Garden: Ideas and Advice for Transforming Your Outdoor Space

By Adam Frost | 256 pages

This book is an excellent reference for those starting a garden from scratch. Rather than focusing on inspiration or ideas, Frost lays out actionable plans for designing and constructing garden space. 

You’ll discover step-by-step instructions for mapping, layout, materials, and strategies for building hardscapes and raised beds. With full-page photographs and detailed drawings, the book helps transform homesteading daydreams into food-producing realities.

The Family Garden Plan: Grow a Year’s Worth of Sustainable and Healthy Food

By Melissa K. Norris | 224 pages

This book aims to teach beginner homesteaders how to grow a year’s worth of food sustainably. It’s chocked full of tips for choosing what to plant, when to plant, how to harvest, and even how to protect your garden from pests. It features charts and worksheets for a practical approach, including region-specific details and outlines on how to keep soil healthy for next year’s garden.

The Resilient Farm and Homestead

By Ben Falk | 368 pages

This comprehensive guide to whole-system permaculture designs is based on Falk’s real-world knowledge and hard practice of sustainable gardening. It gives detailed explanations on building and developing regenerative agriculture anywhere, including colder climates where many deem it impractical or impossible. 

You’ll discover concrete plans and solid advice in these pages, coming away with a hopeful outlook for your homestead and our planet’s future.

The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible

By Edward C. Smith | 352 pages

This practical handbook covers productive food gardening across every region of the US. It lays out a roadmap to achieve high-yield results in any growing zone, advising on soil depth, timing, temperature, germination, and best practices for over 70 herbs and…

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With this idea, all you need is a clear plastic food container with a lid. Then you can use tissue paper cores or cardboard rolls to complete the greenhouse for your seedlings.

For more ideas on seedling greenhouses, check out this full tutorial video from OikoEco: 

Of course, if you want the faster route to growing seedlings, you can buy a full-sized greenhouse. It’s already available in Amazon, and you can choose among the different sizes and even designs.

There’s something nice about upcycling old items, though. Besides, turning them into something useful such as seedling greenhouses is a valuable skill.

Benefits of Seedling Greenhouses

The benefits of seedling greenhouses are numerous and can greatly aid in the successful growth of plants. Some of the key advantages include:

Controlled Environment: Seedling greenhouses provide a controlled environment, allowing growers to regulate temperature, humidity, and light levels. This ensures optimal conditions for seed germination and early plant growth.

Extended Growing Season: With seedling greenhouses, you can start your plants earlier in the year and extend the growing season well into the fall or even year-round. This enables you to grow crops that would not survive in harsh outdoor conditions.

Protection from Weather and Pests: Greenhouses shield seedlings from extreme weather events, such as frost, hail, or heavy rains, which can damage or destroy young plants. They also serve as a physical barrier against pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical interventions.

Faster Growth: Seedling greenhouses provide an environment with optimized conditions for plant growth, leading to faster and healthier development. This can result in earlier and more abundant harvests.

Water Efficiency: Greenhouses often incorporate efficient irrigation systems, reducing water usage and minimizing wastage compared to outdoor cultivation.

Reduced Weeding: Since seedlings are started in a controlled environment, there is less competition from weeds, saving time and effort in manual weeding.

Experimentation and Research: Greenhouses allow for experimentation with different plant varieties, growing techniques, and environmental conditions, making them valuable for agricultural research and development.

Environmental Benefits: Growing seedlings in a controlled greenhouse environment can lead to reduced pesticide and fertilizer use, as well as lower overall resource consumption, contributing to a more sustainable agricultural practice.

Portability and Flexibility: Some seedling greenhouses are portable and modular, offering flexibility in terms of location and setup. This versatility is beneficial for hobbyists and urban growers with limited space.

These ideas are a good start. With some ingenuity and creativity, you can come up with even more!

These tips will also inspire you to start a cheap but effective garden. You don’t need to spend a lot — or any — money on greenhouse accessories and greenhouse equipment.

You can also create this homemade weed killer to protect the seedlings further. The most important thing is these seeds will grow and serve their purpose.

 Loading … Do you have other seedlings greenhouses ideas you can recommend? Do share them in the comments section below!

Up…

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You want to start homesteading but don’t have a lot of land? Lack of land is one of the biggest excuses I hear from people who’d like to become more self-sufficient but don’t get started.

I hear you because I also used to believe that homesteading required tons of land! That’s why I want to share these tiny homestead layouts with you. The homestead layout plans are 1 acre or under and help their owners achieve a considerable degree of self-sufficiency and even some income!

Read: What is homesteading?

1/3 Acre Homestead Layout

This homestead layout plan is from Lindsey at Chickadeehomestead.com. Yes, it is only 1/3 of an acre – but that is enough for the family to raise and grow 80% of their food and most of their personal care items!

How have they done it? Focusing on food sources that don’t take up a lot of space, for example, raising chickens and rabbits instead of cattle and sheep.

1/8 Acre Urban Homestead Layout

Melissa at Evergrowingfarm.com has a truly impressive homestead layout – particularly because it is an urban farm.

What started as a “postage stamp of dead earth” amongst busy streets soon became an oasis. There are:

• 165 sq. feet raised bed garden
• 260 sq. feet ground-level growing space
• Strawbale compost pile
• A dog run
• Chicken coop and two brooders
• Rainwater barrels that can hold 175 gallons
• 5 chickens (which later grew to 20 chickens)

How did they do it? It was all about smart practices like crop rotation and utilizing the space smartly. You can learn more about the urban homestead here.

½ Acre Homestead Layout

This ½ acre homestead layout comes from a 1950s brochure made by the California Agricultural Extension Service.

You’ll see that the home and living area haven’t been significantly reduced (you could put more garden space or chickens where those evergreens are!). Yet, there is still a lot of food to be reaped from the orchard and garden. Like with the first tiny homestead, rabbits and chickens have been chosen for their efficiency.

Other Tiny Homestead Layout Plans

The owners of these websites didn’t get back to me with permission to share their images. So, you’ll have to click on the website to see the tiny homestead layouts yourself. It just shows that there are many ways to improve your self-sufficiency through homesteading, even in a small space!

The Myth that You Need a Lot of Land to Be Self-Sufficient

Before starting my homesteading journey, I…

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I’ve been using Stockman knives for almost half a century. They are extremely versatile and capable of performing a variety of tasks. While not a heavy-duty workhorse, it’s the perfect fit for everyday carry and everyday tasks. 

From day-to-day tasks on the homestead to fishing, hunting, camping, and hiking, I have several of these handy tools tucked in various places around my home. From pockets to vehicles to bug-out bags, this is one knife I never leave home without. 

If you’re looking for an all-around utility knife to perform a variety of light-duty tasks, you can’t go wrong with the Stockman pattern. They’re discreet, lightweight, and versatile. Here are some of my favorite Stockman knives on the market today. 

Reviews of the Best Stockman Knives

Best Overall

Hen & Rooster HR313DS-BRK Stockman, One Size

Clip-point blade: 2 ¼” | Sheepsfoot blade: 1 ⅝” | Spey blade: 1 ⅝” | Weight: 3.2 oz

The Hen & Rooster Stockman features a classic Stockman blade configuration with two back springs sandwiched between two brass liners. On one end, you have a clip blade paired with a sheepsfoot blade. At the opposite end is a spey blade. 

The handle scales are made from authentic deer stag and are pinned to the liners with three brass pins. The serpentine handle is flanked with smooth and nicely rounded nickel-silver bolsters and features a Hen & Rooster logo inlay. 

The stag scales are rather thick in the middle and taper down towards the bolsters, for a nice, contoured feel. I like the beefy 4″ handle, which is larger than your average Stockman, providing a full four-finger grip. The full handle helps offset the smooth scale grip.

All three blades are made of Solingen stainless steel, which is commonly used in commercial cutlery. It is well known for its edge retention, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. The stainless-steel blades are easy to sharpen but do require frequent sharpening with routine use and may require some touch-ups out of the box.

All the tangs are stamped and display a full flat grind, giving it excellent versatility. Each blade has an easily accessible nail nick opening mechanism and a smooth satin finish that reduces its glare. 

The walk and talk of the blade is smooth, but snappy, with little to no blade rub. The larger size of this knife gives it a slight edge over the others and makes it the perfect general-purpose pocket knife that is more suitable for heavier workloads, albeit limited. 

Its size is large enough for gutting, skinning, and cleaning small fish and game in the field, or cutting through hay bail twine, rope, hoses, and other unmentionables around the farm. But it’s also lightweight and fits very comfortably in both the hand and the pocket.

Hen & Rooster is a trusted company with over 160 years of experience, and it’s…

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More and more people are looking to take charge of their own food preservation, and freeze-drying has become a leading method. Originally used to preserve biological samples and pharmaceuticals, freeze dryers have now evolved into the most effective way to preserve food. 

Able to preserve 90%–95% of essential nutrients, freeze-drying is a much healthier option than dehydrating or canning. So, if you want to start preserving large amounts of food with one of the best freeze dryers on the market, you’ve come to the right place. 

Freeze dryers aren’t cheap. They’re definitely an investment. So I’ve researched and reviewed the leading freeze dryers — and sorted through the hype — so you can invest in one knowing all the facts.

Reviews of the Best Home Freeze Dryers

Best Overall

Stay Fresh Freeze Dryer with Standard Pump

Capacity: Approx. 3 gallons | Dimensions: 20″ W x 26″ D x 31″ H | Weight: 161 lbs.

Stay Fresh is currently one of the few competitors capable of giving Harvest Right a run for its money, but it only has one size available — so far. This machine is the perfect option for anyone seeking a dependable and reliable freeze dryer for home food storage.

Stay Fresh focuses on solid quality control and inspects each unit for its freezing, vacuuming, and heating abilities before shipping. 

This machine receives lots of bragging rights for its ability to maintain a steady mTorr rating (measurement of vacuum pressure) without an abundance of spikes (fluctuations in the vacuum pressure), unlike competitor brands. 

With temperatures as low as -50°, this machine can freeze-dry up to 12 pounds of food in as little as 30 hours. 

Stay Fresh offers basic options for beginners that allow you to run a preprogrammed algorithm with the press of a few buttons. There’s even a pre-programmed candy mode if you’re into freeze-dried candy. 

There’s also an advanced option that allows users to set their own processing times for the best yield in production. The machine itself has a super responsive touchscreen with ample customization opportunities and simple step-by-step controls. The display even shows how much time is left in the process.

The Stay Fresh freeze dryer comes with four trays, but you can add additional trays to your purchase. This unit can easily sit on a countertop but does require space for the external pump. 

While the standard pump provides 7.2 cubic feet of air per minute (CFM), you can upgrade to a 10 CFM industrial-strength pump, which is slightly larger. The industrial pump is much quieter compared to any of the Harvest Right versions and cools down super fast. 

With the industrial upgrade, this unit is quiet enough to operate in apartments and small condos without disturbing your neighbors.

Another reason to consider the industrial pump is that it allows for 40 batches before the…

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The following recipe for Roasted Summer Squash & Zucchini is from SurvivalBlog reader Tom V.

Ingredients

• 1 pound yellow summer squash (2 medium-size)
• 1 pound zucchini (about 2 medium-size or 3 to 4 small-size)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Slice the zucchini and squash into 1/4-inch thick rounds. In a large bowl, mix them with the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and salt.
3. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the vegetables in a single layer on the baking sheets. Roast for 8 minutes.
4. Remove the baking sheets from the oven and sprinkle evenly with the shredded Parmesan cheese. Return the sheets to the oven and bake another 7 minutes until tender and the cheese is melted.

SERVING

Serve immediately.

STORAGE

This does not store well, for leftovers. Your chickens will love it.

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Do you have a well-tested recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? In this weekly recipe column, we place emphasis on recipes that use long-term storage foods, recipes for wild game, dutch oven recipes, slow cooker recipes, and any recipes that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

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Top Hunting rifles and shotguns are essential tools for avid hunters, providing accuracy, power, and versatility in pursuing various game species. Hunting rifles, known for their accuracy and power, are ideal for taking down larger game species such as deer, elk, and moose. Their long-range capabilities and precise shooting make them effective tools for hunters in various terrains.

On the other hand, hunting shotguns are well-suited for bird hunting and small game pursuits. With the ability to fire shotshells containing multiple pellets, shotguns provide a wider spread, increasing the chances of hitting fast-moving targets like birds.

Both hunting rifles and shotguns are essential for different hunting scenarios and game species, ensuring that hunters can select the appropriate firearm based on their specific hunting needs and preferences.

RELATED: 11 Steps to Make Hunting Handguns

How Does a Hunting Rifle Work?

Hunting rifles are versatile firearms designed specifically for hunting purposes. They are widely used by hunters to pursue various game species in different environments. The uses of hunting rifles are diverse and can be categorized into several key aspects:

1. Game Hunting: The primary purpose of hunting rifles is to harvest game animals for food or sport. Hunters use rifles to pursue a wide range of game, including deer, elk, moose, rabbits, birds, and more. The rifle’s accuracy and power allow hunters to make precise and ethical shots, ensuring a clean and humane harvest.
2. Long-Range Shooting: Some hunting situations demand shots at extended distances. Hunting rifles equipped with powerful optics and accurate ballistics enable hunters to engage targets at long ranges with precision, making them suitable for open terrains or mountainous regions.
3. Recreational Shooting: Beyond hunting, some gun owners enjoy recreational shooting at shooting ranges or target practice. Hunting rifles offer an enjoyable shooting experience for those who appreciate firearms’ mechanics and precision.
4. Competitive Shooting: In some instances, hunting rifles are used in shooting competitions that simulate real hunting scenarios, such as hunting rifle matches or long-range shooting competitions.

TOP Hunting Rifle for Hunter

1. Remington Model 700

The Remington Model 700 is an iconic bolt-action rifle that has stood the test of time. Renowned for its exceptional accuracy and reliability, it has been a popular choice among hunters for decades. The rifle’s solid construction and smooth bolt operation contribute to its consistent and precise performance.

Available in various caliber options, including .308 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield, the Model 700 is versatile enough to handle different game types and hunting scenarios. With a wide range of aftermarket accessories and customization options, the Remington Model 700 allows hunters to tailor their rifles to suit their specific preferences and shooting style.

2. Winchester Model 70

The Winchester Model 70 is a classic bolt-action rifle with a storied history. It has earned a reputation for its rugged construction and reliable accuracy. Additionally, the three-position safety allows for easy unloading while maintaining a secure setting for carrying the rifle. The Model…

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Hunting slingshots, also known as slingshot hunting or catapult hunting, are handheld devices used for hunting and recreational shooting. They consist of a Y-shaped frame made of wood, metal, or high-strength plastic. Attached to the forks of the frame is a strong elastic band or rubber tubing, known as the “bands” or “bands set.” The bands are used to propel projectiles, typically steel balls, marbles, or pellets.

Hunting slingshots are lightweight, compact, and easily portable, making them a popular choice for hunters seeking a stealthy and silent alternative to traditional hunting tools like firearms or bows. They offer a combination of precision and power, allowing hunters to take down small games with well-aimed shots.

Usage of Hunting Slingshots

Hunting slingshots are versatile and efficient tools used for various purposes in outdoor pursuits. Their usage extends beyond hunting, making them popular among outdoor enthusiasts and recreational shooters.

Hunting slingshots are tools that people use to hunt small birds and animals. They are good at aiming accurately and are very quiet, which helps hunters target small animals without scaring away other wildlife. Some of the birds that hunters can hunt with slingshots are pigeons, sparrows, starlings, and small waterfowl.

As for animals, slingshots are effective for hunting rabbits, squirrels, small rodents, and even frogs. Hunters must be careful and follow the rules of hunting in their area to ensure they hunt responsibly and ethically. It is important to know that slingshots are not suitable for hunting bigger or protected animals, and hunters should always obey wildlife protection laws to protect the natural environment.

Here are the key usages of hunting slingshots:

1. Hunting: Hunting slingshots are primarily designed for small game hunting. With their powerful bands and accurate shots, hunters can take down birds, rabbits, squirrels, and other small animals. Their silent operation makes them ideal for stealthy hunting, allowing hunters to get closer to their prey without alerting them.
2. Recreational Shooting: Apart from hunting, slingshots are popular for recreational shooting and target practice. Many enthusiasts enjoy honing their shooting skills by aiming at targets, cans, or other objects. It provides an engaging and enjoyable activity for individuals of all ages.
3. Survival and Bushcraft: In survival situations, hunting slingshots can be invaluable for procuring small games for food. They are lightweight and easy to carry, making them a practical tool for survivalists and bushcraft practitioners in the wilderness.
4. Pest Control: Hunting slingshots are effective for pest control around gardens and farms. They can be used to scare away birds or small animals that may cause damage to crops or property.
5. Camping and Outdoor Adventures: Slingshots can add fun and excitement to camping trips and outdoor adventures. They provide an entertaining way to pass the time and engage in friendly shooting competitions among friends or family.
6. Self-Defense (Caution required): While not their primary purpose, some people may use slingshots for self-defense in emergencies. However, it is important to note that…

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It may now be summer but it’s time to think ahead to those cold weather months. It has been said that in Maine there are only two seasons: winter, and getting ready for winter. Winter is beautiful in Maine with the white snow, blue sky, and evergreens. Winter is also dreaded by most people but a little preparation can go a long way in making it easier. It’s also a great time to get outside and enjoy the crisp, clean air (as snot freezes to the side of your face). Its soooo tempting to just forget about winter and head out on the lake in a kayak or just go play. Time flies by so quickly, especially in the warmer months. All work and no play equals no fun so a balance of time is needed. It’s important to find times to share with family and friends, no matter the season of the year.

As soon as the ground is bare and mud season is over, mid-May, time to get the firewood delivered. It is said that wood heats you three times, when you cut it, when you stack it, and when you burn it. We are not physically able to go out and cut down trees and then re-cut them into smaller pieces. We leave that for the young people. We have been purchasing our wood from the same family for years, usually 2-3 cords a year. We always have several years’ worth of wood under cover and ready to go. The wood is dumped into a large pile of 18-inch pieces. It takes up a good amount of space. Now the pile needs to be stacked on pallets to dry during those nice, hot summer days. We lay out pallets and start stacking, 2 pieces facing one direction, then next 2 pieces in the opposite direction, until we have a nice stack about 5 feet high. This whole process is repeated over and over again until the big wood pile is now a bunch of nice, even stacks on pallets.

As my husband and I are middle-aged, we have to do this stacking in stages. Early in the morning is best as the mosquitoes aren’t flying until the magic temperature is reached then it’s unbearable. It seems like for every piece of wood we stack, 2 more pieces take its place on the ground. It’s important that your stacks are stable and this is done by trying to match the size of the pieces you are stacking. A great sigh of relief is in order when this task is complete. After 2-to-3 months of drying and cracks are on both ends of the wood, it’s now time to re stack the wood in the garage. For whatever reason, that task seems to go faster.

We once discovered a very large hornet nest in the middle of the stacked piles and that made it very challenging to put away. One particular hornet landed on my eyebrow and repeatedly stung…

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