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beginner homesteading – Homesteader Depot

Homesteader Depot

Tag: beginner homesteading

  • The Best States for Homesteading

    The Best States for Homesteading

    If you’re interested in homesteading – and we assume you are or you wouldn’t be here – you might be wondering where to start your homestead.

    It’s a good question. After all, some states are better suited to homesteading than others. You might already live in a state with a lot of homesteaders – or perhaps you live in a city and you want some advice about where to shop for a homesteading property.

    We’re here to help. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but we’ll run down our top picks and explain why we like them.

    Oregon

    Our first pick is Oregon, located in the Pacific Northwest. We chose it because it’s one of the most naturally abundant places in the country.

    Oregon and its neighbor, Washington, offer an embarrassment of riches for homesteaders. Berries and other natural edibles grow wild. The oceans and rivers are teeming with fish.

    For hunters and fishers, Oregon offers deer, bear, rabbits, salmon, and a host of other wildlife. People who want to live off the land would do well to consider this area for their homesteads.

    Virginia

    If you dream of owning a farm, you need to choose a place with rich, nutrient-dense soil, a temperate climate, and plenty of precipitation. Our next pick fits all those requirements. We’re talking about the state of Virginia.

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    Virginia is considered a Southern state but it’s not as hot as states further to the South. The generous annual rainfall ensures that you won’t have to worry much about irrigation. The soil is rich and capable of sustaining a wide variety of plants.

    One thing we love about Virginia is that you don’t need a ton of space to have a sustainable homestead. If you choose the right plants and use your land wisely, you can grow all the food you need even if you can’t afford a massive spread.

    Arizona and New Mexico

    You might not think that the desert is a good place to have a homestead, but don’t rule it out. One of the benefits of homesteading in the Southwest is that land there is both inexpensive and abundant.

    While the prices are unbeatable here, it is essential to keep in mind that growing plants and raising livestock in the desert is a challenge. You’ll need to work with the land and not against it if you want to be successful.

    Of course, the desert is a surprisingly bountiful place when you know what to look for. Desert-dwelling natives hunted native animals and found ways to prepare and preserve the foreboding-looking plants that grew in the desert.

    Montana

    Some people who are interested in homesteading find the idea appealing because they can change their view from city skyscrapers and suburban strip malls to views of mountains, prairies, and trees.

    There’s a reason they call Montana “Big Sky Country.” The wide-open landscapes are ideal for raising livestock and farming. The views are incomparable.

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    The weather in Montana can be harsh in the winter, but if you’re looking for a location that’s rural and has the breathtaking views you desire, you might want to consider it. And if Montana doesn’t appeal to you, Colorado is another option that fits the same criteria.

    Alaska

    When it comes to homesteading in the United States, Alaska seems like the final frontier. It’s certainly the most remote location on our list, and one of the most beautiful.

    Homesteading in Alaska has its challenges. The state is far to the North and has a cool climate. It doesn’t get much sun during the winter months and that can make solar power an unreliable source of energy.

    However, for homesteaders who don’t mind a challenge, Alaska has a lot to offer. It’s an especially good choice if you want to get away from the burdens of civilization.

    Are you homesteading in a state that didn’t make our list? Sing its praises in the comments!

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  • 3 Basics for Starting Your Homestead

    3 Basics for Starting Your Homestead

    In our modern society, many of us dream of finding a way to get back to simpler times. We yearn for the days when people grew and preserved their own food and relied more on themselves and less on technology.

    If that sounds familiar, then you might want to start a homestead. Whether you already own a substantial tract of land out in the country or you’re renting a city apartment, there are things you can do right now to get things underway.

     

    Starting Small

    Do you live in a city or the suburbs? If so, you might not have the wherewithal to be fully self-sufficient – at least, not yet.

    That doesn’t mean that you can’t get started with homesteading in a small way. Let’s start with what you can do in a city apartment or condominium.

    1. You can install window boxes in sunny windows and grow herbs and vegetables for your kitchen.
    2. If there’s a community garden near you, see if you can rent a plot.
    3. If you have a fireplace, you can switch to wood heat during the cold winter months.
    4. You can preserve food that you grow or buy.

    Each of these things is something you can do without a lot of space. They can give you a taste of homesteading while you work toward your long-term goals.

    If you’re in the suburbs, you have more options.

    1. If your yard space permits it, you can grow a garden or even put in a greenhouse.
    2. You may be able to plant fruit trees.
    3. In some suburbs, you may be able to put in a chicken coop and raise chickens. (Check your city or town ordinances before buying!)
    4. You can install wood-burning stoves for heat.
    5. Just as you can in the city, you can preserve food.

    Growing and preserving food can help you learn essential homesteading skills even if you’re not living in the country.

     

    Educate Yourself about Homesteading

    There’s no question that there’s a steep learning curve for new homesteaders. That’s especially true if you are heavily reliant on mass-produced items and public services.

    That’s why one of the best things you can do to start homesteading is to learn about it. Go to your local library or bookstore and stock up on books about homesteading.

     

    Here are some topics to learn about as you work toward your homesteading goals:

    The more you learn about these topics, the better prepared you’ll be when the time comes to move to a homestead. Of course, you can check out our blog posts and resources for information, too!

     

    Make a Homesteading Plan

    The next thing you’ll need to do is make a homesteading plan. Even if you can’t afford to buy a homestead, you can still take steps to become self-sufficient.

    For example, you might decide that growing food is your top priority. If that’s the case, you can build garden beds, install window boxes, and plant trees.

    As we mentioned above, you may be able to keep chickens – some cities allow it and many suburbs do. There may be restrictions in place concerning proximity to your neighbors, so make sure to check.

    At the same time, you can be saving money or checking out country properties to make the switch to a true homestead.

    How did you get started homesteading? Do you have questions? Tell us in the comments!

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  • Survivalist or Homesteader? (Video)

    Survivalist or Homesteader? (Video)

    This is a great video from a popular homesteading and survivalism vlogger I really enjoy. He poses the questions: which will survive longer, a homesteader or a survivalist? Are they the same thing? Does one come before the other?

    I think this is a really great topic since, while homesteading and survivalism are not necessarily synonymous, there’s a lot of overlap. The ultimate goal of homesteading is self-reliance and independence, and survivalism is all about preparing for any number of scenarios in which you will not be able to rely on others to save or help you.

    If you’ve ever considered this question yourself, or are interested in both survivalism and homesteading, you’ll enjoy this video and the thought-provoking questions he poses. He also shares his own experience as a survivalist who became a homesteader. Enjoy!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1zdVK_3TbE

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  • The Reality of Homesteading: What No One Tells You

    The Reality of Homesteading: What No One Tells You

    Homesteading is a noble pursuit, and we obviously strongly encourage everyone to try their hand at it! Growing your own food, raising livestock, and living off-grid are a wonderful way to enrich your life, get healthier, and truly embrace self-reliant living.

    But it’s not all puppies and sunshine! There are some harsh realities of homesteading that a lot of people won’t tell you. Here’s what you need to know if you want to face the music.

    You Will Make a Lot of Mistakes

    Homesteading is all about trial and error, and it is through these errors that you learn. It is just the reality of growing plants that are subject to the elements and raising living animals that you simply won’t always do things right. You will make poor (although most likely simply uninformed) decisions about what to plant, where to plant, how to secure your fence, how to repel pests, etc. And you won’t realize until the damage has already been done. Don’t worry though, this happens to everyone! We’re human and we make mistakes, and the good news is, you’ll learn so much the hard way, so you won’t repeat the same mistakes twice.

    You Won’t Always Save Money

    A lot of the appeal of homesteading is that you can save money by growing and processing your own produce, meat, and dairy. But in reality, this isn’t always the case. Depending on how your season goes, you might actually pour a lot more money into your homestead than you can reasonably expect to get out of it, especially in the first few years. Homes, land, farming, and animal husbandry all involve a lot of maintenance, and this means costs. That being said, you still can establish a homestead that will save you money in the long run, a lot of it. Just stick with it and be smart about your spending.

    The Commitment is Year-Round

    Your life now probably allows for travel and time off. But when you’re homesteading, no matter what your day job is, it is a 365-day-a-year job. There are many jobs on a homestead that simply don’t allow for sleeping in or taking a day off, and this includes during sickness. You will need to rely on a strong, involved community of family and friends if you want to travel or have support if you are sick or injured. Raising crops and animals is fully involved work, and just as you need to eat and be sheltered every day, so do they, so consider the extent of this commitment before you start homesteading. It’s a big one.

    You Might Get Grossed Out….Often

    There’s a lot of “yuck” factor involved in homesteading. Dealing with animal droppings, compost, sick and dead animals, butchering, etc., are not for the faint of heart. And a lot of the time, grossness is unanticipated. You’ll have to prepare yourself for strengthening your stomach. You definitely can get used to it though; just think how many jobs there are out there that involve a high level of nastiness. Those jobs simply require getting used to and then people can handle it. You can do the same, especially if you’re really committed to homesteading.

    Death is a Reality

    Speaking of grossness, another factor you must face about homesteading is that animals get sick and die, or are killed by predators. Also, if you are planning on raising them for meat, you’ll have to kill them and slaughter them yourself. It doesn’t just turn into meat when you want it to, you have to handle that yourself! Death is a very natural part of life, especially when you are a steward of living things, as a homesteader is. Again, you will get used to this, and come to accept the inevitability of death. Wow, we’re getting philosophical here…

    It Can Be Isolating

    Depending on where you live and what kind of community you’re a part of, this might not happen. But if you live out in the country, far away from others, and travel to town rarely, you definitely might feel lonely and isolated at times. It’s important to maintain a connection to other people, to friends and family, to other parents if you’re raising children, but it can be hard. You can grow accustomed to the solitary life, though (and maybe that’s what you’re after!) and you should prepare yourself to be content with this, because homesteading takes a lot of work and commitment and you simply might not have the capacity for regular socializing.

    You Will Fall In Love With It

    There’s a reason these are the things no one tells you. It’s because truly, homesteading is wonderful, and for many people, there’s no turning back. You will most likely learn to cope quickly with these challenges and setbacks and embrace the rewarding, wonderful process of growing your homestead and living the dream.

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  • Are You Ready for Livestock?

    Are You Ready for Livestock?

    Raising livestock is one of the great appeals of homesteading. If you’ve just bought your own land or have plans to, or have considered raising goats or chickens in your backyard, you should be careful not to get too far ahead of yourself.

    The prospect of raising livestock is so appealing, the decision to dive into serious animal husbandry is no small consideration. Here are some important factors of making this big decision:

    Space

    Do you really have the room? A lot of animals need much more space than you’d think. Most animals simply won’t thrive if kept in a small cage for their entire lifetime, and that would defeat the whole purpose of raising them yourself. Whatever animal you are considering raising, make sure to look into how much space they need, and take into account whether or not you will want to expand your herd or flock one day.

    Cost

    Obviously, this is a big factor. Animals cost more than simply the initial set-up cost and feed. You never know when you might need to repair their dwelling, or have a surprise medical cost, unexpected babies, etc. You need to factor in not only the costs of their basic needs, but unexpected costs too. If you’re living paycheck to paycheck and have no spare income, you might not want to take on any livestock.

    Local Laws

    Another restriction on your animal husbandry dreams might be your local laws. You will want to look into laws pertaining to the animals you want to raise, as well as zoning laws that might restrict where you can raise them. If you plan on selling them or their products, or breeding, there are laws that might pertain to this too, so do your homework.

    Unwanted Guests 

    Something else a lot of people don’t realize about raising animals is that they sometimes invited unwanted critters. Animals attract both pests and predators, such as fleas and vermin, as well as foxes, coyotes, wolves, possums, skunks, etc.

    Free Time

    Of course, probably what any seasoned farmer will tell you about livestock is they make travel, even day trips, very difficult. They require constant care, feeding, milking, egg collection, being let out to pasture, etc. They don’t have holidays or weekends off! You will need to arrange reliable, knowledgeable care for your animals if you go out of town.

    When successfully raising animals, it’s important to simply be around your animals a lot. You need to be able to observe them frequently, so you know if they are knocking over their water dish, or getting caught in fencing, trying to get out, possibly feeling sick, etc.

     

    Raising animals is a big responsibility, but don’t let this info scare you off! Proper planning and management can take you far, and if you’re up for the task, it can be incredibly rewarding. Just make sure to have your bases covered before you commit!

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  • Become a Better Homesteader Using These 4 Tips

    Become a Better Homesteader Using These 4 Tips

    When it comes to homesteading, there is no such thing as knowing too much or working too hard. Yet, many people want to get into this lifestyle without truly understanding what it means or by looking for shortcuts. Instead of trying to find the “easy” way to be a homesteader, you need to find ways that you can become a better homesteader. The life is not always easy, but it can be extremely rewarding. The following are a few tips that will help you to get into the right mindset and to make sure homesteading for the long haul is right for you.

    Learn to Live With Less

    This does not mean you need to give up all the things that you enjoy. It simply means that you need to learn to live within your means, which is something that so many people today have a problem doing. You do not need to have the latest phone and all the latest gadgets.

    You do not need to spend on all the fancy, shiny new equipment, and gear that you think you need for the homestead either. If you need a tractor, you do not have to buy one that is brand new. Buy a used one and learn how to do the repairs yourself. This leads us into the next thing you will want to do to become a better homesteader.

    Learn a New Skill Each Day

    You are never done learning when it comes to homesteading. There is always something new that you can learn, and you should make it a point to try to learn something each day. It might be something simple, such as how to cook a new meal or how to clean a fish. It might be something more complex, such as making repairs to that tractor we mentioned earlier. Strive to learn something new and find people who are willing to teach you things. You can also share the knowledge you have with them.

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    Focus on the Task at Hand and Work Hard at It

    When it comes to homesteading, you can’t put things off until later in most cases. If you do, you will have too much work piling up and it will be overwhelming. You need to have a plan of action for each day and you need to focus on each of the tasks you need to get done. If there are others in the family, spread out the tasks and chores among everyone and work together to get things done.

    Consider New Ways to Boost Your Income

    Another way to improve as a homesteader is to find some ways to make some extra income that you can invest into the homestead or put into your savings. If you are doing woodworking or making soap or candles, for example, you could sell those goods online and at craft shows. There are plenty of ways that you can make money doing what you love.  Take a look at the following links to learn some super simple crafts:

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    These are just some of the ways that you can become a better homesteader. Start implementing these tips now, and keep on learning.

     

     

  • 5 Warnings for the New Homesteader

    5 Warnings for the New Homesteader

    It might seem contradictory, but starting on the path to a “simpler” life can actually come with a lot of complications. In pursuit of all our hopes and visions for our homestead, we can become overwhelmed pretty quickly, or simply fail to anticipate common problems. Let me share with you a few key lessons I’ve learned over the years that will help to take the growing pains out of your homesteading journey!

    1. Realize that this lifestyle is “simple”, but it’s not easy.
      The best things in life come about as a result of plenty of hard work. If you’ve been overly ambitious in planning your homestead, you may pile on too much work and burn out quickly, especially if you’re transitioning from a less active lifestyle. Avoid exhaustion by starting small and slowly building up your endurance. Taking care of property, livestock, a garden, and a home all in one day is definitely doable, but you would be wise to work up to that goal rather than diving right into it!
    2. Don’t go it alone.
      Even if the nearest living soul is miles away, get to know that person. They are your lifeline when the cow wanders off or the goats jump the fence. You don’t need to be best friends, but you do need to be able to rely on each other. This is how homesteading used to be! In addition to your actual neighbors, there are plenty of online groups for nearly every topic. Find the right one and you will have an endless supply of advice, support, and inspiration.
    3. Don’t forget the fence!
      Nothing will tick off a neighbor faster than repeat offenses of livestock escaping and damaging property. Just the thing to cause pitfalls in a homesteading life. As the saying goes, your fence should be horse high, pig tight, and bull strong. If you raise animals, consider it a given that they will try to escape from time to time. Save yourself worlds of trouble and build the right fence the first time!
    4. Dress for the job.
      Here’s another area in which transitioning from one lifestyle to another might be a bother. Dress in breathable layers to keep your comfort level up whether you’re swinging an axe or writing up a garden plan. Choosing the wrong shoes or boots is a great invitation for a nail to go right through your foot or a heavy tool to land on your unprotected toe. Don’t worry about how you look–the plants and animals don’t care!
    5. Know what to save and what to toss.
      I’ve built or repaired plenty of things around the homestead using salvaged materials and roadside finds. Saving and repurposing what would normally be thrown out can be a lifesaver. Whether it’s coffee cans for feed buckets, pallets for lumber, or even last year’s seeds, you can do so much with repurposed items. Still, you can quickly fall into the pitfall of hoarding on the homestead. Accumulating junk “just in case” gives quarter to rodents and other safety hazards. Keep it under control, and never stop evaluating your inventory.

    This path is the one less travelled for a reason. Homesteading isn’t easy, but it’s worth every ounce of sweat you pour into it. You may learn some lessons the hard way, but that’s a good thing as long as you keep learning. In time, you’ll be the one new homesteaders turn to for this advice!

  • 5 Mistakes First-Time Chicken Farmers Make

    5 Mistakes First-Time Chicken Farmers Make

    When it comes to homesteading of all kinds, trial and error is a great way to learn. However, when you’re raising animals like chickens, you probably want to reduce the possible mistakes you can make.

    If you’re considering starting your own chicken flock, you’ll want to do it right. We’ve got a list of five common mistakes people make when they first start keeping chickens to help you avoid making them yourself.

    1. Not protecting against predators

    Like a fox in a hen house, many predators out there, depending on your region, will see your chickens as a delicious, juicy, jackpot. When you set yourself up with a coop or enclosure, make sure you know which animals in your area would like to get their hands (or paws, or claws…you know what I mean) on your chickens, and research which kind of barricade will keep them out the best.

    And be prepared by a threat from land, sky, even underground, in some cases. Hawks, foxes, coyotes, skunks, raccoons, weasels, bobcats, hawks, and even rats and domesticated dogs and cats, will have their eyes on your chickens, so secure accordingly. Having a guard dog that is trained not to harm the chickens themselves can greatly reduce the threat to your chickens, but you’ll also have to be realistic about a bit of trial and error here, as sad as it is. You might have to learn the hard way at some point that a predator might still be able to penetrate your barriers, so when you first start a flock, mentally prepare yourself for the possibility of this. It might cost you a few chickens, but learning the hard way is still learning.

    2. Failing to check local laws 

    Predators aren’t the only creatures that pose a threat to your chicken-raising operation; bureaucrats do too! Before you even begin to think about planning to raise chickens, check your local ordinances first. Not just zoning laws, but local homeowner’s associations as well. This will mostly apply to urban and suburban homesteaders, particularly if you live in some kind of gated community or apartment or condo complex. But even if you own your own home and have a decent-sized yard, there still might be strict regulations regarding the raising of poultry. If you are a homesteader on your own property, this is unlikely to affect you much, but you should check anyway, just to be safe, particularly if you plan on selling your eggs, meat, chicks, or chickens at any point.

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    3. Not preparing for injury or sickness 

    Chickens are creatures like any other and are subject to injury or illness. There are a number of conditions that can affect birds, such as skin conditions on their feet, mites or pocks, thrush, botulism, cholera, and one you’ve probably heard of quite a bit in the news: bird flu.

    Familiarize yourself with common bird conditions, join local forums for chicken farmers so you know what’s in your area, and get yourself a good chicken first aid kit. There are a lot of great natural remedies for less severe conditions, as well as more conventional remedies you can stock up on beforehand to be prepared. You’ll also have to prepare yourself, at least mentally, for the possibility of having to separate a sick or injured bird from the flock; a simple dog or rodent kennel can work great for this but keep in mind that chickens can sometimes attack a sick or injured bird, so you’ll have to read up on re-introducing them to the flock.

    4. Taking on too many chickens

    Just because you have an established flock and a good coop doesn’t necessarily mean you’re equipped to take on new hens a neighbor or friend might be giving away. The size of your coop absolutely has to be appropriate for the number of chickens you have, and two or three extra can create cramped, unpleasant living conditions for all the chickens.

    When you set up a coop, make sure you’ve got enough space for each chicken. 5 sq feet per bird is a standard recommendation, not to mention enough a roost and nesting box for each hen (they only sleep in their nesting boxes when they’re sitting on eggs, otherwise they like to perch). If you want to be equipped for extra hens further down the road, and this is quite prudent if you plan on raising more chickens, set yourself up with a coop that can easily be added to and expanded on.

    5. Starting with chicks

    It’s quite standard to start with chicks when you’re beginning a flock, and many farm supply stores sell freshly hatched chicks, along with feeders, water bottles, and heat lamps to keep them warm. While certainly millions of chickens have been raised just fine like this, if you want to go an easier, cheaper, and more sustainable route, just get hens and a rooster. This might cost more money up front than a few chicks, but you’ll need fewer supplies, and, well, if you get a rooster, your chickens will be making their own chicks, for free, in no times.

    The thing is, hens take care of baby chicks infinitely more efficiently than humans do. All the gadgets people buy to raise up chicks are just meant to imitate what a mama hen will do for them instinctively. For the price of some chicken feed, you’ll get something much better than a heat lamp that’s totally sustainable: a hen to sit on the chicks when they’re cold, and direct them to food and water, not to mention keep track of them all day while you tend to all your other homestead tasks.

    If you let your hens raise up their own chicks, keep in mind you’ll still need to make sure there’s feed small enough for the baby chicks, and a water container they’re able to access, but otherwise, the mama will do the work for you.

    Hope this helps you prepare for chickens and avoid some common mistakes!

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