Beginning homesteading: A guide for beginners

Homesteading is a lifestyle that involves living a more self-sufficient life, often on a small piece of land, we only have 3 acres on our little homestead. Homesteaders may grow their own food, raise animals, and preserve food for the winter. They may dabble into other things, like we’re going to start making soap with our goats milk!

Homesteading can be such a rewarding way to live, but it’s important to do your research before you get started. There’s a lot to learn, and it can be overwhelming if you’re not prepared.

Here are a few tips for beginning homesteaders:

• Start small. Don’t try to do too much too soon. Choose a few areas of homesteading that you’re interested in and focus on those. For example, you might start by growing a small vegetable garden or raising a few chickens. We started with chickens and a garden, over the years we’ve added more livestock and expanded our garden. 
• Do your research. There are many books, websites, and online communities that can teach you about homesteading. Read as much as you can and talk to other homesteaders to learn from their experiences. I find that talking firsthand to those with experience is far better than anything you can look up online. One of our favorite resources are actually magazines, we love the Self Reliance magazine. 
• Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes when they’re starting out. The important thing is to learn from your mistakes and keep going. We made so many mistakes in the beginning, but we learn and improve every year. 
• Be patient. Homesteading takes time and effort. Don’t expect to be self-sufficient overnight. Be patient and enjoy the process of learning and growing.

  

Here are a few specific things you can do to get started with homesteading:

• Start a garden. Growing your own food is a great way to save money and eat healthier. Even if you only have a small yard, you can still grow a variety of vegetables and herbs. We started gardening when we lived in town with raised beds.
• Raise chickens. Chickens are relatively easy to care for and provide fresh eggs and meat. You can start with just a few chickens and gradually build up your flock. We started with just 3 bantams and it was perfect when we lived in town. Now we have a huge flock, plus pigs, goats, and rabbits! 
• Compost your food scraps. Composting is a great way to reduce your waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. We compost as much as we can, but a lot of scraps go to our livestock. Our compost is mostly manure and coffee grounds, but it works! 
• Preserve your food. Canning, freezing, and dehydrating are all great ways to preserve your food for the winter. This will help you save money and eat healthier all year long. I’m so proud of our cellar and how much we preserved for winter this year. 
• Make your own household goods. There are many recipes for homemade soap, laundry detergent, and other household goods. Making your own household goods can save you money and reduce your exposure to chemicals.

Homesteading can be a lot of work, but it’s also very rewarding. It’s a great way to live a more sustainable and self-sufficient life. If you’re interested in getting started with homesteading, there are many resources available to help you and you can follow along with our journey! We’re only on year 3 and learning more everyday.

Additional tips for beginning homesteaders:

• Find a mentor. If you know someone who is already homesteading, ask them if they would be willing to mentor you. A mentor can provide valuable guidance and support as you get started.
• Join a homesteading community. There are many online and offline homesteading communities where you can connect with other homesteaders and learn from their experiences.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re struggling with something, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a more experienced homesteader. Most homesteaders are happy to help beginners! I’m happy to talk about homesteading all day long. 

Homesteading is a journey, not a destination. Enjoy the process of learning and growing as you become more self-sufficient. Make sure to follow along on our journey homesteading!