A vibrant collage showcases pink-tipped beans, red tomatoes, and a mix of small potatoes. Central text reads, "Preserving Basics: When to Blanch Vegetables." The "Roots" logo graces the bottom, guiding you through the art of perfectly timed blanching.

Preserving Basics: When to Blanch Vegetables

Serious home preservers look for shortcuts to help create the best product that will last the longest on the pantry shelves. Learning when to blanch vegetables can help save money, save time, and give you the best-tasting food. I am a lazy preserver and will take shortcuts whenever possible. Now, don’t get me wrong, these …

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A wicker basket holds gardening books like "The Encyclopedia of Country Living" and "Roots." Nearby, packets of seeds, garden gloves, and a trowel await. Text overlays the image: "THE BEST GARDENING BOOKS - So captivating you'll take them straight into the garden with you.

The Best Basic Gardening Books

Gardens are an amazing place. They can also be a frustrating and mysterious place. There is so much to learn and practice. Thankfully there are some great gardening books that we can carry out there with us to guide the journey. There are no shortage of gardening books and everyone has a favorite (or several). …

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A glass jar labeled "HERB SALT" with green herbs and salt inside offers a quick way to preserve your favorite flavors. The word "Rootsy" is elegantly printed on the bottom right, while more fresh herbs rest on a rustic wooden surface in the background.

Homemade Herb Salt Recipe

Herb salt is a wonderful way to preserve your herb harvest. It’s easy, delicious, and repeatable in a number of different ways. Use this homemade herb salt recipe to keep herbs on hand for easy cooking in your own pantry or save jars to give to all your foodie friends. Herbs are (usually) some of …

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Pink tulips bask in soft sunlight with the phrase "10 Ways to Embrace Spring Hygge" elegantly overlaid. A "Rootsy" logo graces the bottom left corner, capturing a serene moment of warmth and comfort.

10 Ways to Spring Hygge – Make Spring Cozy!

It seems like all you hear about all winter anymore is “hygge.” What’s hygge? Hygge is a Danish concept of living a cozy life, enjoying the simple things, and good food. Think comfy blankets, lots of candles, books, thick wooly socks, and comfort food. While this is usually a winter concept, check out these 10 …

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Chickens roam inside the coop with a bucket in the foreground. Text overlay reads "Improving Soil with Chicken Litter" next to a "Rootsy" logo. Sunlight filters through the coop door, casting a warm glow on this eco-friendly scene.

Improving Soil with Chicken Litter

Improving soil with chicken litter is an organic method for feeding your garden and a way to use your used livestock bedding. One of the perks of homesteading is that you can use waste from one area to enhance or grow another area. We are excited to have Erica of Living Life in Rural Iowa …

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Close-up of jars filled with orange syrup. The text reads, "Craft fresh garden syrups from herbs and fruit* *This is tasty peach syrup." The bottom right corner features the word "Rootsy" in red letters.

How to Make Fresh Garden Syrups

There comes a time in late summer when grocery stores, farmers markets, and home gardens become overrun with herbs and fruit just waiting to be processed into something tasty. Have a plan for creating fresh garden syrups from your bounty this year. In our day, individual flavored syrups are usually used as a mixer with …

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A vibrant pink flower with lush green leaves serves as the backdrop. The text, "Discover SIMPLE LIVING COMMUNITY," is elegantly displayed. In the bottom right corner, a subtle white logo reads "Rootsy.

How to Find a Simple Living Community

Living a handmade, simple life can be an uphill battle sometimes. It is a worthwhile lifestyle but finding community support and like-minded friends can make it easier and more rewarding. Despite the best self-sufficient ideals and goals, we all need a simple living community to turn to and support now and then. Finding Commonality It …

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An open seed packet spills seeds onto a wooden surface. The text reads, "Our Favorite Seed Companies," celebrating the best in the business, with a logo displaying "Rootsy" in the corner.

Our Favorite Seed Companies for Non-GMO Seeds

Wondering where to get heirloom, organic, non-GMO seeds? At Rootsy, we’re sharing our favorite seed companies, their catalogs, and why we like them. Like many gardeners, I have a seed issue….I’m somewhat addicted to seed catalogs, saving seeds, collecting seeds, reading about seeds, dreaming about seeds, and ultimately planting seeds. Over the years I’ve developed …

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