Homemaker’s Almanac

The Homemaker’s Almanac — May 2026: The Deep Larder

May is the month the kitchen stops rushing and starts simmering. As South Africa transitions into late autumn, this expanded edition of The Homemaker’s Almanac is built around one idea: invisible work done well now is warmth stored for winter.

This issue takes you deep into the anchor skill of the season — the Master Stock Protocol — with a full two-part guide covering the science of the Maillard reaction, how to choose your bones, and how to build a freezer that will carry your family through June, July, and August. Alongside it: an Autumn Mother Sauce from 5kg of late tomatoes, Salt-Preserved Lemons started now for July, a Winter Immunity Tonic, Slow-Braised Beef Short Rib, and Bone Broth Congee.

The May Preservation Calendar guides you through every priority — from last-call tomatoes to curing butternuts to starting your first ferments. The Larder Apprentice section walks children through the Ginger Bug experiment (capturing wild yeast from fresh ginger) and then puts that live culture to work in two recipes: traditional fermented Ginger Beer and a Ginger Bug Switchel.

Also inside: a complete What to Plant in May guide for all South African climate zones, a Seasonal Flavour Pairings table for autumn’s produce, four traditional homemaking skills (beeswax polish, tallow balm, lacto-fermented carrots, sauerkraut), The Homesteading Mindset essay, a full pantry audit and weekly rhythm planner, and a seasonal reflection titled The Larder is a Kind of Prayer.

40pages. Designed to be kept on your kitchen counter all month