11 Tips for Starting a Homestead

So you’re starting a homestead? You’re embarking on a wonderful and highly rewarding journey. Here are 11 tips to get you started.

Interested in homesteading, self-reliance and debt-free living? Learn how to start your own homestead and overcoming the struggles of everyday survival. We’ve come up with 11 helpful tips for the average ‘Joe’ who is about to embark on the bumpy ride to self-reliance and modern-day homesteading.

 

Tip 1. Start Small

As a starter farm, a hundred acres might be too much to handle. Start with, lets say, 3 acres — it will  be enough to teach you the basic things about growing plants, raising animals and learning to improvise.

Check Out: Modular Garden Systems For Tiny Homes & Apartments

Tip 2. Don’t rush things

Do not overwhelm yourself by raising pigs and chickens, growing acres of crops,  and learning to mill your own flour all at the same time. As a starter homestead, pick one or two big projects and see how everything goes. When you feel you’re getting the hang of things, then venture into adding more animals to your homestead.

Check Out: Raising Backyard Chickens

Tip 3. Start your own garden patch

You don’t need to plant an acre of potatoes right away! Start planting in a small area and, if all goes pretty well, expand from there!

Check Out: How to grow everything you need in your own backyard

Tip 4. Get to know your soil

Soil is composed of varying percentages of sand, clay and other organic matters. Getting to know your soil will help you determine the type of plants that are appropriate for your soil. A vast homestead may mean that there are different types of soil in different sites. Take the time to walk around  and run your fingers in your homestead’s soil.

Check Out: A Homesteader’s Guide to Composting | How To Compost Tutorial

Tip 5. Be familiar with your climate

Know your climate and custom-tailor the plants you’ll grow and the animals you’ll breed to fit the climate. This will increase their chances of survival.

Check Out: 133 Homesteading Skills for the Modern Day Homesteader

Tip 6. Avoid unnecessary expenses

Keep your expenses at bay by not buying things you do not need yet. You certainly don’t need a tractor for your budding garden patch! A tractor may be suitable later on but for now a lawn mower will suffice.

Check Out: How to Gain Financial Freedom While Homesteading

Tip 7. Learn how to improvise

 

Some of the best homestead tools and devices around aren’t for sale in any store. And some of the best farming tricks are not written in any book. They are conceived and tested by none other than yourself.

Check Out: 20 Things You Should Never Throw Away

Tip 8. Always clean your tools

Tools are expensive. Maintain a habit of cleaning tools after use and keeping them rust-free to prolong their lives!

Check Out: Essential Tools Every Homeowner Should Have for their Homestead

Tip 9. Set realistic goals

Do not frustrate and overwhelm yourself by taking in more than you can handle. The trick is to set solid and achievable goals over a period of time and stick to it.

Check Out: 12 Goals for Ever Homesteader

Tip 10. Learn to be flexible.

As a homestead newbie, try to take it easy on yourself. You may not be able to reach your goals the way you planned it. Learn to adjust your sails — reflect on new goals and adjust your self-imposed deadlines.

Check Out: 12 Ways Self-Sufficiency Will Make You a Happier Person

Tip 11. Know your limits.

You can’t expect to do everything right the first time. Starting a homestead is not an easy task, it requires a lot of skills and knowledge which can’t be learned overnight. Do not be afraid to ask for help when you need it. And most importantly, enjoy the learning process involved with starting your own homestead.

Check Out: 6 Things Homesteaders Can Live Without …Can You?

Homesteading is unlike any other kind of lifestyle. Get more tips from us on how to live a simpler, frugal life. Join our community of homesteaders now and subscribe to our newsletter!