If you learn it, it will come…
One of the most common misconceptions about starting a homestead is that you need to have lots of space to do so. Well, my newly homesteading friend, that just isn’t true.
The fact is you can start homesteading whether you live on a multi-acre plot of land, a third-floor one bedroom apartment or somewhere in between.
Now, that being said, it is important for you to keep in mind that whatever your space situation, each will have its own set of pros and cons – for instance, with a larger area at your disposal you may opt to raise some animals – but that’s not something you can do in that third-floor apartment.
The first thing you need to do is become a serious student of homesteading. The number of resources available just by typing in a few key words into Google are practically limitless. Trust me when I say this is your very important first step! I believed – much to my dismay – that I could plant a few veggies and herbs, learn how to can/preserve them and Bam! I’m a homesteader. Boy, oh boy, was I wrong!
Gardening, while peaceful and pleasant, does have a learning curve. How can that be, you ask? Don’t you just stick some seeds in the dirt, maybe add some fertilizer and water and wait for veggies to appear? Oh if that were only the case! Each plant has a different growing time, soil requirements, light requirements and there aren’t two pieces of land anywhere that are exactly the same. This is why it is so important to do your research.
There are plenty of blogs and podcasts from the experts (these are two of my faves) that will provide you with more than enough information. I’ve also put together a small reading list of a couple of books that helped me as I was getting started:
The Backyard Homestead
The Homesteading Handbook
The Modern Homestead
While research is the number one most important thing you can do, don’t become overwhelmed with it. As I mentioned earlier, there is a LOT of information and, truth be told, probably more than may actually apply to you and your situation. Don’t get so bogged down with learning that you forget why you wanted to become a homesteader in the first place.
Follow along with me as I get more in depth on growing from seeds, container gardening, herb gardening, raising animals and more. Please feel free to comment and let me know where you are in your homesteading journey and we can travel down the road together!
Life of a Homesteader 