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Rural Sprout

Gardening, Homesteading & Natural Living Inspiration

Tracey Besemer

Tracey Besemer

About Tracey Besemer

During the day I wrangle six research faculty at Penn State University here in State College, Pennsylvania. It’s my job to make sure they stay in their labs where they belong curing diseases. They are a wily bunch! But once the clock hits 5:15 I’m headed home to slip into the green, wooded state game lands where I live in search of mushrooms, wildflowers, and lost cell service.

I grew up spending my weekends at my father’s. Dad was a homesteader living off the grid. He built our rough-hewn log cabin when I was seven and I spent many hours of my childhood roaming our ten-acres. From a young age, I did everything from stacking firewood to tapping trees with dad and my cousin Ray to make maple syrup in the frosty early New York springs.

Living with my feet in two different worlds, I learned the delicate cadence of living close to the land. As an adult, I continue to live those principles; gardening, knitting, spinning, foraging, pickling anything that sits on my counter for too long and turning wild fruit and flowers into wine.

Once the sun goes down, I spend my evenings as a freelance writer using my unique voice and style to create delicious content casseroles for my sustainability and green living/B2B and B2C clients. Learn more about what I can offer you at https://besemerwrites.com/, and follow my own homesteading adventures on Instagram, @Traceyleezle.

8 Magazine Subscriptions for Gardeners and Green Thumbs

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I love the internet, don’t you?  With a few keystrokes, I can instantly get answers to all of my gardening questions. What kind of fertilizer should I be putting on my tomatoes? What exactly is a straw bale garden? Why does everyone seem to grow marigolds in the vegetable garden? It’s great! The thing is, sometimes, there’s nothing better than curling up with a cup of tea and one of my favorite gardening magazines. The internet is excellent for immediate answers, but nothing beats the … [Read more...] about 8 Magazine Subscriptions for Gardeners and Green Thumbs

10 Attention Grabbing Heirloom Vegetables to Grow This Year

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Maybe you’re bored with plain green beans. Or perhaps those beefsteak tomatoes just aren’t cutting it for you anymore. Orange carrots? Boring, everyone grows those. Could be you’re a foodie with a green thumb looking to expand your culinary horizons beyond your local supermarket. This year fill your garden and your kitchen with some weird and wonderful vegetables. Purple beans? You bet! Red carrots, oh yeah! Red orach? What on earth is that? There’s an entire world of diverse … [Read more...] about 10 Attention Grabbing Heirloom Vegetables to Grow This Year

African Violets: How To Care, Get More Blooms & Propagate

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African violets are a beautiful, compact houseplant that are easy to grow. Charming. Yup, that’s the best way to describe African violets. These popular little houseplants are an excellent choice for novice plant enthusiasts and diehard green thumbs alike. Related Reading: 15 Rare & Unusual Houseplants To Grow In Your Home African violets are easy to get your hands on, fun to grow, and bring a splash of color and cheer to your home.   If you’re anything like … [Read more...] about African Violets: How To Care, Get More Blooms & Propagate

How to Make Your Own Garlic Powder

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When it comes to my spice rack, garlic powder is probably the one thing I run out of most frequently. While I generally opt for fresh garlic when cooking, garlic powder is great for whenever I want a quick pop of garlic without the hassle of peeling and slicing a clove. Garlic powder is an excellent last-minute addition when you want to adjust the flavor of a dish. For instance, I will add a dash to mashed potatoes if they are a little bland. In addition, garlic powder works … [Read more...] about How to Make Your Own Garlic Powder

How to Make Fresh Mozzarella in Under 30 Minutes

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Fresh mozzarella is one of the quickest and easiest cheeses to make! Try it! If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at making cheese give mozzarella a try. It’s super simple.It only takes about half an hour.And you can eat it right away. No aging, no waiting, just delicious cheese in half an hour. Homemade fresh mozzarella is unlike any mozzarella you’ve ever eaten. Forget that shredded stuff in a bag. Forget those tasteless bricks wrapped in plastic. Even the fancy … [Read more...] about How to Make Fresh Mozzarella in Under 30 Minutes

Easy Homemade Yogurt And The Secret Step To Make It Extra Creamy

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Homemade yogurt is so much better than anything you can get at the store. I’m constantly amazed at the number of foods that can be made easily at home that taste infinitely better than their store-bought counterparts. The best example is homemade yogurt. There is nothing at the store that even comes close to the creamy, sweet-tart taste of homemade yogurt.   I’m sure if you’ve tasted store-bought plain yogurt before, you’re giving me a dubious frown. Let’s be very honest … [Read more...] about Easy Homemade Yogurt And The Secret Step To Make It Extra Creamy