Beginning Homesteading – Where To Start

Beginning homesteading – where to start? When you first have the idea to start a homestead, there are a few questions you need to ask (and answer) yourself. And today, Secret Life of Homesteaders is going to help you get started.

First, you should learn about the different types of homesteads and what one appeals to you. Not all homesteads are created equal so it’s important to do your research and find the right fit.

Next, you need to determine what resources are available to you. How much space or land do you have to work with? Do you have a lot of capital? A pocket full of seeds? What you start out with will definitely have an impact on your next steps.

And finally, you need to do your research. Determine what you need to create a successful homestead and what that will look like for you.

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What Is A Homestead?

Have you ever asked yourself what is a homestead?

For many people, the idea of homesteading conjures up images of self-sufficiency and independence. Indeed, homesteaders are often interested in growing their own food and raising animals, often with the goal of being as self-sufficient as possible.

While this is certainly one aspect of homesteading, it is by no means the only thing that homesteaders do. In fact, there is no one right way to homestead. Some homesteaders focus more on animal husbandry, while others might focus on horticulture or even renewable energy.

The common thread running through all homesteads is a desire for a more simple, sustainable way of life.

Beginning Homesteading – Where to Start and Questions To Ask Yourself

Before beginning your journey into homesteading, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself.

• What are my goals for this endeavor?
• Do I want to be self-sufficient and grow all of my own food?
• Do I want to raise my own livestock?
• Do I want a small garden and some chickens for eggs?

There is no right or wrong answer, simply what works best for you.

There are many different types of homesteads. You can live on an acreage with several acres of land, or you can live in an apartment and have a small garden on your balcony or kitchen counter.

It is important to remember that there is no minimum or maximum amount of space required to have a successful homestead. The most important thing is that you are passionate about it and willing to put in the work.

One of the best ways to get started in homesteading is by identifying your resources. What do you have available to you? Money, seeds, animals, land? All of these can be valuable resources when starting out.

Try to think outside the box and see what else you might be able to use. Maybe you have an extra room in your house that could be turned into a chicken coop or maybe you know someone who has an extra piece of land they would be willing to let you use.

Finally, think about your goals for your future homestead. What are you hoping to achieve? There are pros and cons to each goal, so it is important to weigh them carefully before making a decision.

For example, if one of your goals is self-sufficiency, you will need to devote a lot of time and energy to growing your own food. If one of your goals is sustainability, you may want to focus on using sustainable practices such as rainwater harvesting or permaculture design.

Whatever your goals may be, make sure they are realistic for your time commitment, lifestyle, and budget.

And remember – you don’t need to spend all of your time homesteading! Some families turn their homestead into a full-time gig and others only work their homestead for a couple of hours a week. It all depends on how you set it up!

Read our homestead daily schedule for an example of just one family’s routine.

Different Types Of Homesteads

Now that we’ve answered the question “what is a homestead?”, let’s take a look at the different types of homesteads.

Here are a few examples:

Animal-Based Homestead

One common type of homestead is an animal farm. This is a great way to utilize the entire property rather than just a corner or two which can go a long way in saving money.

Animal-based homesteads can range in size from a few chickens in a backyard chicken coop to several acres of land with various livestock. Common animals raised on animal homesteads include backyard chickens, ducks, rabbits, goats, pigs, sheep, and cows.

Animal farms are a great way to become self-sufficient as they provide you with a source of food (meat, eggs, milk) as well as fertilizer for your garden. You can also sell your livestock at the market or to neighbors for income.

One thing to keep in mind if you are considering an animal farm is the amount of time and effort required to care for the animals. Make sure your input-to-output ratio (as in the amount you plan to spend on feed and care vs the amount of money you plan to bring in) is rational otherwise you’ll be bleeding money and that’s no good for anybody.

Plant-Based Homestead

Another type of homestead is a plant-based homestead.

These farms are focused on growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Plant-based farms can be as small as a few potted plants on a balcony or deck to several acres of land filled with fruit trees and a flourishing vegetable garden.

If you are interested in starting a plant-based homestead, it is important to research what types of plants grow well in your area. You will also need to consider how you will water your plants as they will need a consistent supply of water to thrive.

If your new homestead is going to have a large garden space, you will want to be sure to learn at least one food preservation skill, if not more. Some common food preservation skills include canning food (using canning jars) or dehydrating food. You could also preserve food using a freeze drier or more old-school methods.

These skills are necessary if you don’t want your veggie garden overwhelming you or going to waste.

Plant and Animal Homestead

The third type of homestead is a combination of plant and animal-based.

This type of homestead includes both fruits, vegetables, and livestock. The size of these farms can vary greatly, from a few chickens and a small garden to several acres with various crops and animals.

One benefit of this type of homestead is that you can use the animals to help maintain the land, such as using chickens to eat weeds and fertilize the soil. You can also use the manure from the animals to fertilize your plants.

Another benefit is that you will have a constant supply of food as you will be able to harvest your own vegetables and fruits from your garden and raise livestock for meat, eggs, and milk.

Just be sure you have some cold storage so you can work on preserving food and storing it away for the winter months when plants and animals are not producing as much.

Off-Grid Homestead

The last type of homestead we will discuss is the off-grid homestead.

An off-grid homestead is a homestead that is not connected to public utilities such as water, electricity, and sewer.

This type of homestead requires you to be self-sufficient as you will need to find alternative sources of water, power, and waste disposal.

One common way to power an off-grid homestead is with solar panels. Solar panels can be used to power your home and run appliances such as a fridge, lights, and a water pump. Another option for powering your home is with a wind turbine.

Water for an off-grid homestead can be collected from rainwater or from a well. If you are collecting rainwater, you will need to have storage tanks to hold the water.

Waste from an off-grid homestead will need to be disposed of in a septic tank or composted.

Composting toilets are a great option for an off-grid homestead as they do not require water and the waste can be used as fertilizer for your garden.

Now that we’ve gone over the different types of homesteads, you should have a better idea of what kind of homestead you would like to start

No matter what type of homestead you are interested in, there are a few things to keep in mind as you get started. First, research the type of homestead you want to create. There are many resources available online and in your local library.

Once you have a good understanding of what is involved, start small. Begin with a few plants or animals and increase the size of your homestead as you become more comfortable.

Finally, remember that the homesteading journey requires a lot of work. It is important to be prepared for the challenges that come with it. But, if you are willing to put in the effort, homesteading can be a rewarding experience.

How Much Land Do I Need To Start A Homestead?

You don’t need to go out and invest a ton of money you don’t have into buying land to build up your dream homestead. More land does not automatically mean you will be successful. The homestead life is not a one size fits all.

The amount of land you need to start homesteading depends on the type of homestead you want to create.

For a plant-based homestead, you can grow food in a few potted plants on an apartment balcony or a sunny windowsill. Or you could start out with enough backyard space for a fruit tree or two and some raised garden beds. You can even start out with enough acreage you need a tractor to till and plant everything.

For a livestock-based homestead, you will probably need your own land with a bit more space. If you live in an apartment, you might be able to raise a couple of rabbits or guinea pigs. If you want to raise larger animals, you will need a bit more space.

Some neighborhood backyards can support a handful of chickens or ducks or maybe a goat or two. Just be sure to look up local laws on keeping chickens or other livestock before you commit! Pigs and sheep will need up to an acre or more and cows will require several acres.

And finally, for an off-grid homestead, you will need enough land to support all the systems you need to be self-sufficient. This includes space for solar panels or a wind turbine, a water catchment system, and a composting toilet.

How Much Money Do I Need To Start A Homestead?

The amount of money you need to start a homestead depends on the size and type of homestead you want to create.

For a plant-based homestead, you can get started with very little money. If you want to save money, you can grow plants from seeds or cuttings, use recycled materials for raised garden beds and containers, and build trellises and cold frames from scrap wood. You could even start out by working in a local community garden on public land while you’re learning and saving for your own garden.

For a livestock-based homestead property, you will need to factor in the cost of buying animals and feed, as well as the cost of any fencing and housing you will need.

Off-grid homesteads are usually the most expensive to set up as they require the purchase of alternative energy systems and storage tanks.

You can save money for your homesteading life by bartering skills you have with friends and neighbors or by selling things like canned food, your own bread, items made with your sewing machine, or soap making at your local farmer’s market.

Remember – Homesteading is not about instant gratification. There is nothing wrong with starting out small and growing. With a little diligence, you’ll be well on your way to your very own sustainable lifestyle and productive homestead.

Will I Grow Or Raise My Own Food?

Regardless of whether you live in the country or the city, you can take steps to become more self-sufficient by growing your own food. With a little bit of planning and effort, you can homestead on any size piece of property.

Whether you have a sprawling backyard or a small balcony, you can grow a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Not only will you enjoy the satisfaction of harvesting your own food, but you’ll also know exactly what went into growing it. You’ll be able to avoid harmful pesticides and fertilizers, and you’ll be able to choose organic seeds and starts.

As you become more experienced, you can even start preserving your own food so that you can enjoy homegrown produce all year round. A hearty food preservation skill can make a big difference in how long you can go without making a trip to the store or market.

With homesteading, you can take control of your food supply and provide for yourself and your family in a healthy and sustainable way.

How Will My Homestead By Self Sufficient?

The key to becoming self-sufficient is diversification. This means having a variety of crops and livestock that can all support each other.

For example, planting nitrogen-fixing legumes can help improve the soil quality, while providing food for animals or humans. Similarly, keeping backyard chickens can provide eggs and meat, but also contribute to the overall health of the garden by scratching and fertilizing the ground.

Of course, it’s not just about what you grow or raise, it’s also about being able to use what you produce. Learning how to preserve food through drying, canning, freezing, and fermenting is an essential skill for any homesteader. It allows you to store your harvest for later use when the bounty of your garden is a memory.

In addition to a robust garden and animal husbandry program, a self-sufficient homestead will have a well-stocked workshop with tools and supplies for repairing things when they break.

It’s also important to have a good stockpile of emergency supplies in case of inclement weather or other unforeseen events. With a little bit of planning and forethought, it is possible to create a homestead that is largely independent of the outside world.

Remember – in your goal to be self-sufficient, do not cut yourself off from others. Be willing to barter, trade, support, and glean advice from those around you. Good homesteaders should never cut themselves off from the world.

Be willing to learn from those who know better and to teach those who are still trying to learn. Only in a supportive community can we all enjoy a self-sufficient lifestyle.

Share the wisdom!