Looking for ideas on how to start homesteading? Here are a few simple first steps to get you moving toward a more self-reliant lifestyle.
Starting From Scratch
If you’re starting from a plot of land, your first step is to make the home part of “homesteading” a reality. When planning your property, make sure to also plan the other structures that your homestead might need, as well as the garden space for you to grow your vegetables. Depending on your homestead ideas, you might also need space for farm animals and other parts of your homestead.
Once you have the space planned out, you can use a contractor like those at https://www.ubh.com/ to build a new home on your land. The best part about starting from scratch and building your property this way is that you can tailor it to your needs and preferences.
From here, you can start your homestead plans in earnest.
1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Reducing your waste and living more simply is a great first step to a more sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle. Once you get started, you may even be inspired to strive for a zero waste home!
Homesteading is about making due with what you have. It involves living off the land and finding innovative solutions. It could be as simple as eliminating the use of disposable products or composting all your fruit and veggie scraps. Begin baking artisan bread or learn to make plant-based beauty and cleaning products at home. There are endless ideas on how to start homesteading.
If you’re looking to make your homestead more marketable, planning a future sale, or simply showcasing your business on social media, hire a pro like Bellevue real estate marketing photography. High-quality photography can help capture the beauty and potential of your homestead and document your sustainable lifestyle. A good photographer can highlight the unique features of your space. Share your passion for self-sufficient living with appealing visuals for buyers or visitors.
2. Learn a New Skill
Learning to be self sufficient is what homesteading is all about. Once you get started you might not be able to stop, at least that’s what happened to me! There are so many homesteading skills that are also fun hobbies. You can get started in any kind of living arrangement.
My first skill was crocheting. My mom taught me the basics when I was little. After watching a few YouTube videos, I got the hang of it pretty quickly. You can craft while sitting in a waiting room, riding the bus, or watching a movie. It’s also a great way to save money and give awesome homemade gifts!
3. Grow a Garden
Gardening is like a gateway drug. You get a little taste and you’re hooked. You just can’t stop yourself from adding more and more plants! You only needs a few basic supplies and some heirloom veggie seeds to get started. You can even save your own vegetable seeds to cut down on costs for annual supplies.
You don’t need a lot of space for a garden. You could incorporate fruit and veggies into your landscaping. This allows you to create an edible garden. Alternatively, keep a few plants in pots on your balcony or patio. Growing herbs is a great way to get started small, while enhancing your cooking at the same time.
4. Invest in Tools & Equipment
You need more than a set of tools and a few pieces of equipment for homesteading. Many necessities will be obvious and depend on the types of homestead projects you have planned. Take the time to figure out what you need and invest in it. This will save time and make your job much easier.
There could be a few overlooked tools and investments when you’re doing this. A quality internet connection could be one. You’ll end up doing a lot of online research, so it’s worth investing in this. Look up ‘internet at my address’ to find the best option for you. The same can be said for any other tools or pieces of equipment you’ll need for your homestead.
5. Start Canning
I have canned countless pounds of vegetables and fruits in a kitchen with about 4 feet of countertop space. You can really do it just about anywhere. Get a small portable range burner and plug it in outside if you want to escape the heat and claustrophobia. All you need to get started is a combination pressure and water bath canner, canning jars and lids and the Ball Canning Recipe Book.
If you haven’t started to grow your own produce yet, pick up surpluses of in-season items at farmers markets. Scope out neighboring properties for edibles like fruit trees or berry bushes. If they’re not making use of it, ask if you can harvest some for both of you. You may even form new relationships in the process.
6. Try Backyard Livestock
If you have the space and your municipality allows, try raising pigs for meat. Alternatively, you can put up a coop and raise chickens or ducks for eggs. One of the easiest ways to see if you like raising livestock is to get growers (young animals you raise for a few months until they’re ready to go to market). That way, you don’t have to make a permanent comment or keep them through winter.
We got our first homestead hogs 10 years ago and fell in love with the whole process. Animals can provide fertilizer and till up your garden space. They can eat all your leftovers. Of course, they also provide food resources from their meat, milk, or eggs.
7. Go Hunting
You don’t have to live on acreage in the country to hunt. You can check your gun in at a local police station and pick it up on your way to state hunting land.
A hunters safety course and appropriate game licenses are all you need to get started. Guns or bows can be purchased, borrowed or rented. There are a wide variety of seasonal dates for each type of animal that vary by location, so make sure to check regulations in your area.
8. Get An Education
You also want to get an education if you want to start homesteading. While that might sound counterintuitive, it’s essential. An education is your ticket to understanding what you need to do to not only survive but thrive.
These days, you can find education everywhere: cable TV providers, the internet, books, magazines, and even people already in the community. Leveraging these resources can help you thrive in what can otherwise be a challenging experience.
I would love to hear additional ideas on how to start homesteading!
Subscribe
More ideas on how to start homesteading . . .
- 75+ Side Hustles for Farmers to Boost Income
- My Passion for Permaculture (and how to apply it to your homestead)!
- The Art of Homesteading Relaxation: Why Rest is Your Greatest Tool
- The Ultimate List of Homesteading Skills!
- The Biggest Mistakes Families Make when Inheriting Land
Share this Post on Social Media!
For more inspiration follow my Pinterest Board: Homesteading and Farming.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.