The basics of homesteading depend on what your homestead looks like. Start with a garden if you’re starting with a homestead. Then you can preserve those foods, add animals, build structures, expand your acreage, etc. The order you do things will depend on your homestead, so don’t be afraid to experiment and make changes as needed.
Start with a Garden
Starting with a garden will help you learn homesteading basics without being too stressful. Start small and build up – never start big and “hope for the best” because it won’t end well. Start with 1-2 grow boxes. Experiment with container gardening, square-foot gardening, or vertical gardening. See what you like best and go from there.
Use Gardening Products to Boost Your Garden
Gardening products can make a big difference in the health and appearance of your garden. Using the right materials and methods in your garden can significantly improve plant growth and overall garden success. There are three essential gardening products: mulch, compost, and fertilizer.
Mulch
Mulching is a simple yet highly effective gardening technique with numerous benefits for your garden. Applying a layer of mulch to your garden beds can help:
- Conserve soil moisture and reduce the need for watering
- Regulate soil temperature, keeping plant roots cooler in hot weather
- Suppress weed growth
- Prevent soil erosion
Various types of mulch are available, including organic options like bark chips, straw, and shredded leaves, as well as inorganic choices like gravel or pebbles. When selecting a mulch, consider the plants you’re growing, local climate, and aesthetic preferences.
To apply mulch, spread a 2-4 inch layer around your plants, ensuring not to cover the stems or trunks. Replenish the mulch as needed throughout the growing season to maintain its effectiveness.
Compost
Compost is an excellent organic soil amendment that provides numerous benefits to your garden. Created from decomposed plant materials and other organic waste, compost helps to:
- Improve soil structure, making it easier for plant roots to grow
- Increase soil fertility and provide essential nutrients to plants
- Support an abundance of beneficial microorganisms in the soil
- Reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides
Making your own compost at home is simple and eco-friendly. Start by gathering a balance of ‘green’ materials (such as grass clippings and kitchen scraps) and ‘brown’ materials (like dried leaves and small branches). Create a compost pile or use a compost bin, alternating layers of green and brown materials. Turn the compost regularly and keep it moist to encourage decomposition. In a few months, you’ll have rich, nutrient-dense compost to add to your garden beds.
Fertilizer
Fertilizers are concentrated sources of essential plant nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. They can help to:
- Promote healthy plant growth and increase yields
- Supplement the nutrients provided by compost and other organic matter
- Address specific nutrient deficiencies in your soil
Various types of fertilizers are available, both organic (like fish emulsion and bone meal) and synthetic (water-soluble granules or slow-release pellets). Always follow the application instructions on your chosen fertilizer to avoid over-fertilizing and potentially damaging your plants.
To determine the best fertilizer for your garden, performing a soil test to identify any nutrient deficiencies is a good idea. This will help you select the appropriate fertilizer for your garden’s needs.
By incorporating mulch, compost, and fertilizer into your gardening routine, you can significantly enhance the health and beauty of your garden. Give these gardening products a try, and watch your plants flourish!
Learn to Preserve Your Food
Once you’ve got delicious garden produce, learn to preserve it. It will be hard to return to store-bought produce, so do what you can to preserve and enjoy those foods year-round. You can read more about preserving foods here on our site.
Add Animals
Once you’re feeling like a gardening pro, consider adding a few animals to your backyard homestead. Chickens or rabbits are a great introductory animal to get you going without costing an insane amount of money to build a barn or feed them.
Expand Your Homestead
As you feel more and more confident, you can expand your homesteading to more areas. But go slow and build up – that way, you can focus on sustainable practices, being happy, and enjoying your best backyard lifestyle possible.
