Originally, this post was about the all the homestead lessons we learned the first year. But you never stop learning, especially when you homestead. So I wanted to go over all the homestead lessons we have picked up along the way. And the list keeps growing and growing.
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Homestead Lessons:
The Animals
Goats are not entry level animals. Seriously, wait until you have good fencing, a good vet, and patience!
Chickens are cool, roosters are not. I threaten George with the stock pot daily.
Goats eat WAY more than you think they do.
Goat math is a thing. I’m still confused how our numbers jumped from 2 to 7….. Now, we are hovering around 15.
Chicken poop is slippery on concrete. Be careful when you start chasing chickens through your basement.
Animals will die. Yes, it’s hard.
Building
Build it right the first time. I cannot tell you the amount of times we have had to rebuild fences.
But also understand that you will rebuild things. It’s inevitable.
Don’t let the husband borrow your tools. Ever. Seriously, don’t do it. This man has broken more tape measures….
You are way more capable than you think you are. So is your husband.
Garden
Find a local farm stand. Even if you have a garden.
Canning is addictive. Get more jars than you think you will ever need, then double it.
Enjoy the abundance, even when you are drowning in cucumbers.
Learn to start your own plants. It’s WAY cheaper.
Buy the seeds…. yes, all of them.
Try new varieties. Even if you have ones you love, try different ones.
Plant the flowers. Yes, all of them.
Planning
Have a plan A, B, C, D and E. Maybe go ahead and plan for F, G and H too. Just to be safe.
Estimate how much firewood you will use, and then double it. Maybe triple if you live in a crazy weather state like Georgia.
Patience is the biggest lesson you will learn.
An emergency fund is going to be your saving grace when you buy a house. But when you buy a homestead? You should probably triple the amount you think you’ll need.
You are going to blow through that emergency fund when your goats get sick, dog needs surgery, well pump goes out and water heater explodes all in one month.
Understand things are going to happen that are beyond your control. Roll with it. A good attitude will get you through it.
Start a blog to detail the antics and chaos of your life. In a year, you will look back and laugh.
Learn to say no. Especially to your husband when he says goats would be a great idea 2 months into owning your homestead.
You are living the life you always wanted in a way you never dreamed. You are blessed beyond measure.
A homestead is what you make it. It starts with HOME for a reason. Enjoy it.
Since buying our homestead, I have learned so much. These are just a few of the homestead lessons we have picked up along the way. I could write 100 more and still not be at the end of my list. But it has been worth every single penny, sleepless night, and fight. I would not trade my life for the world and all the money. Here’s to the next year on the homestead. May it be as entertaining and interesting as the last.
My name is Leigh and I am the owner of Steel Raven Farms. I am also the mom of two wonderful boys, wife to a pretty nifty man for the last 15 years and paramedic to boot. We want to bring you along on our crazy journey of Homesteading and all that entails!
Lots of sage advice here! ESPECIALLY the one about getting double the canning jars you think you need. Heck, THAT may not even be enough! 😉
Right!? I got to the point were I just kept buying them every time I found them. Same with lids. The shortages were ridiculous.
I would love to have goats, but the Boro won’t allow it. For canning, I am always purchasing jars. You can never have enough. Greta tips & post!
I thought my hubbins was going to kill me every time I came home with more jars. I still did it thought lol!
Great list and I agree with all of them!
What a fun article! I can empathize with so many of these! Homesteading is a special kind of crazy.
I love this list! I am a planner, and I agreed 100% with plan A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H…but what about I?! I always need tons of plan revisions. I agree with all of them, some I can relate to better than others, but I can totally relate to the canning jars. There is never, ever enough. Ever! Thanks for a super list!