Stef’s Picks
When customers visit our property, they often ask about the different products we use and where we got them. This inspired me to compile a list of my most used and favorite items that make life on our homestead easier and more enjoyable. They help us "work smarter, not harder".
Bulk Materials
Wood
Soil & Compost
Fencing
Hands down, the cheapest place to buy cedar, pressure treated and other types of wood is Mill Outlet Lumber in Tacoma. Unless you mill your own boards, they have the best prices on wood that I have been able to find. We have used their products for most of our garden fencing, raised beds and other building projects.
Fencing
Soil & Compost
Fencing
For most of my projects, I have found that Wilco Farm Store has the most reasonable prices on all types of metal fencing - chicken wire, hardware cloth, welded wire and cattle panels. They have locations in Puyallup, Gig Harbor, Bremerton and Kelso. I usually plan my trips here and Mill Outlet Lumber together.
Soil & Compost
Soil & Compost
Soil & Compost
After buying poor garden soil from another local company and having it ruin an entire garden season, this is one area that I pay more for a better quality product. We get our garden mix and organic compost from Commodities Unlimited in Tumwater. It is worth it!
Mulch
Soil & Compost
Soil & Compost
I specifically look for untreated, cedar free products that are safe to use in garden beds and around chickens. Straw and wood chips are my top choices for mulch. I source straw bales from feed stores and bulk wood chips from The Bark Store in Olympia. PSA - they only take cash and checks.
Greenhouse & Accessories
Greenhouse
Metal Shelving
Metal Shelving
We bought our 10’x12’ Greenhouse from Harbor Freight and believe it or not we are quite impressed with the quality. As with most greenhouses, the assembly can be confusing and time consuming but it’s manageable. Friendly tip: This greenhouse goes on sale every year around Memorial Day. You’re welcome!
Metal Shelving
Metal Shelving
Metal Shelving
I use 48x72 adjustable metal shelving you can find at many big stores. They come in several sizes but I specifically wanted one with 6 tiers to split them in two sections. I found the best price at Home Depot and bought 3 units, which gave me 6 sections that fit perfectly around the perimeter of the greenhouse.
Shade Cloth
Metal Shelving
Grow Lights
I keep a 70% shade cloth over the greenhouse all year. It helps hold in heat in the winter and it block some heat in the Summer. The greenhouse still gets hot but the temperature is consistently around 10 degrees cooler with the shade cloth on. This one has held up two, going on three years through snow, rain and wind.
Grow Lights
Metal Shelving
Grow Lights
These Grow Lights are super bright! They are waterproof and can be used inside or outside. I use them in my 10’x12‘ greenhouse and one 41’ strip fits perfectly around the ceiling. There is a smaller strip or you can connect several together for varying lengths. There is even an option to add a timer!
Greenhouse Heater
Thermometer/ Hygrometer
Thermometer/ Hygrometer
This Greenhouse Heater is awesome! It has a digital thermometer that can be adjusted to automatically turn off and on. It is waterproof, has overheat protection, is lightweight and can be moved easily. It heats up fast and the angle can be adjusted up or down. There is also an option to just use the fan without heat. You can really extend your growing season with this thing!
Thermometer/ Hygrometer
Thermometer/ Hygrometer
Thermometer/ Hygrometer
I use the Govee Bluetooth Hygrometer Thermometer to monitor and track the temperature and humidity in my greenhouse and in my chicken coop. You can remotely monitor real time and historical data from the app or get notification alerts if the temp falls or exceeds your preset range.
Seed Starting
Seed Storage
Seed Potatoes, Onion Sets & Garlic
Seed Storage
These are AMAZING for storing seeds. You can organize and label each container to easily sort and find all your seeds. I prefer the clear ones, but there are color options as well. Historically, Michaels has had the best price but these are gaining popularity and I've seen lower prices at Hobby Lobby and Ross.
Seeds
Seed Potatoes, Onion Sets & Garlic
Seed Storage
I save a majority of my own seeds and try to buy Organic and non-GMO whenever possible from: Ed Hume for being locally grown (Puyallup), Baker Creek for their rare and unique varieties, Strictly Medicinal Seeds for well, medicinal plants, and Territorial Seeds are great if found locally, otherwise overpriced when paying shipping IMO.
Seed Potatoes, Onion Sets & Garlic
Seed Potatoes, Onion Sets & Garlic
Seed Potatoes, Onion Sets & Garlic
Every year I compare prices locally and online for Garlic bulbs, Onion sets and Seed Potatoes. There is one place that stands out above others for reasonable prices and that is Kaija's Garden & Pet in Chehalis. Sometimes their inventory is a little delayed but I always make a special trip there in the Spring and Fall for these.
Seed Starting Mix
Seed Potatoes, Onion Sets & Garlic
Seed Potatoes, Onion Sets & Garlic
Historically, I have used Black Gold Seedling Mix and Organic Potting Soil finding the best prices on large bags at Ace Hardware, especially with their member reward coupons. If you need larger quantities, it is much more cost effective to make your own with peat moss or coco coir, perlite, vermiculite and worm castings or soil.
Grow Rack
Trays & Cells
Grow Lights
Again, I use 48x72 adjustable metal shelving for my grow rack. Since this unit lives in my kitchen year round, I opted for the more elegant black finish with 5 shelves. The best price I have found for this one is at Target. It works great for seed starting in the Winter/Spring and for harvest storage & drying in the Summer/Fall.
Grow Lights
Trays & Cells
Grow Lights
These grow lights are great and fit perfectly on my grow rack. They are 4' long and come in a pack of 8, two lights for each shelf. I hung them with chains to adjust the height above each shelf as needed for plant growth.
Heat Mats
Trays & Cells
Trays & Cells
Heat mats are widely available and come in 1, 2, 4 and 6+ packs. They are generally waterproof and some come with thermostats for better temperature control.
Trays & Cells
Trays & Cells
Trays & Cells
There are so many options for seedling trays, growing cells and pots. You can buy new products or recycle things you have at home, such as solo cups, milk jugs, yogurt containers, egg cartons, strawberry containers and more. Find and use what works best for you and your budget.
Chickens
Deep Litter Method
Automatic Coop Door
Deep Litter Method
I use and highly recommend the deep litter method. It is a process of layering shavings, hemp or other degradable bedding with the chicken poop inside the coop. You mix it together and keep adding material and it naturally breaks down into compost over time. It does not smell and actually creates warmth in the Winter. I only clean my coop 2-4 times a year depending on how many chickens I have.
Organic Feed
Automatic Coop Door
Deep Litter Method
I feed my chickens a mix of Organic Payback feed and Organic Scratch and Peck grains and use vitamins, supplements and natural products to keep them health. They are also spoiled with meal worms, garden scraps, fresh herbs and flowers and have free roam of an acre of our property.
Automatic Coop Door
Automatic Coop Door
Automatic Coop Door
I LOVE the Run Chicken battery powered automatic chicken door. It detects light and dark to open and close automatically or it can be programmed to certain times. It is a little on the smaller side, but all of our chickens can get through it no problem. We have had this since 2021 and have not had to change the batteries yet.
Heating Panel
Automatic Coop Door
Automatic Coop Door
Chickens are cold blooded and cold hardy animals, so heat is often not necessary in the winter BUT I still like to provide supplemental heat. Some people use heat lamps because the additional light is said to increase egg production, but I believe they are a fire hazard. I choose to use a heat panel instead.