Starting a Homestead From Scratch
Are you just starting, or thinking about starting a homestead? If so, I’m so glad you found this post! We have recently started building our homestead completely from scratch, and I’m sharing the top tips I have learned and the best first steps to take!
How To Start Your Homestead
Start A Garden
One of the best ways to begin your homestead is to start growing your own food. Begin small so you don’t become overwhelmed and add more as you learn. All you need to grow your own fruits + veggies is a small space in your yard, patio, or even windowsill!
Start with a few of your favorite or easy-to-grow plants like tomatoes, peppers and zucchini. Some resources I frequently use to research gardening tips, planting schedules or specific plants is www.almanac.com and YouTube.
2. Preserve Your Own Food
This one is important! Whether it’s by canning, freezing, dehydratin, curing etc. you will want to learn how to preserve food for long-term storage. Invest in the equipment needed for the method best for you and begin experimenting. For budget friendly equipment, check your local thrift stores or Facebook marketplace for gently used items.
Begin with small batches of things you use frequently and expand as you go. Growing, preserving and making your own kitchen staples will save you a lot of money. Check back soon for my Canning for Beginners guide!
3. Raise Backyard Chickens
You’ll need to check your local regulations. If you are able to have chickens at your location, they are great for keeping away pests and gives you a nutrient rich manure for your garden. Consider both chickens for eggs and for meat.
You will need a coop to give the bird shelter from the weather and predators. You can build or purchase one. We opted to purchase a small coop fit for 6 chickens to begin and will build a larger coop as we grow our flock.
4. Cook From Scratch
Cooking from scratch is the best way to start your journey. Everyone has a kitchen and you don't need much to start except for food. Plus, there is nothing like sitting down to enjoy your home cooked meal when you know exactly where the ingredients came from!
Cooking with the fresh and wholesome ingredients you have grown and raised on your own land, or by purchasing local meats and produce from your nearby farmers market allows you to avoid harmful additives, preservatives, and pesticides found in most foods today. You’ll be nourishing yourself and your family with nutritious, high-quality meals. Plus, its pretty amazing on how much money you save by making your food right in your own kitchen!
The first thing I began making from scratch was bread. Once I got my loaf down, it was pretty simple to adjust the recipe and technique for biscuits, buns, bagels etc. You can find my recipes and technique in my Simple Sourdough guide.
An extra tip I have is cook once to eat twice. This can mean you eat the same meals twice in a week, or you freeze the second for later. Doubling your recipes will save you time in the kitchen + save you money! Grow your own, shop sales, plan a menu and buy in bulk.
5. Lower Expenses And Begin Making Money From Your Homestead
Breaking away from the traditional corporate life and becoming self-sufficient financially creates the freedom in your life to live any way you choose to.
There are many options when it comes to funding your homestead, and even creating your own financial freedom right on your homestead. You may choose to start an online business with a blog or selling an ebook about something you are knowledgable or passionate about, raise and sell livestock, plant a tree farm or large pumpkin patch, sell your goods (produce, eggs, herbs, salves, crafts etc.) at a farmers market or your own farmstand, utilize a cut flower garden, sell buildings or building plans and more! Gaining back the freedom of time can be a huge step in becoming self-sufficient.
Now you’re ready to begin homesteading! Remember it is a journey and you will always be learning. Enjoy the process!
