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!
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.
Chickens are cool, roosters are not. I threaten George with the stock pot daily.
Learn how to butcher and process your own animals. But also give yourself grace because you don’t know how.
If you don’t have a solid plan for pigs, don’t even bother. They will destroy your gardens, pens, and sanity. Sure, sometimes they’re fine. But these are also not beginner animals.
Be prepared for a ton of clean up after processing those animals.
Chicken poop is slippery on concrete. Be careful when you start chasing chickens through your basement.
Animals will die. Yes, it’s hard. No, it doesn’t get any easier.
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 spouse.
Regardless if it’s going to take longer, get your kids involved with projects. They need to learn how to do this stuff too.
Budget for a project, and then double it. If you think it’s going to cost $400 to build a fence, make sure you’ve got at least $800 set aside.
Garden
Find a local farm stand. Even if you have a garden. It’s better to know where to get fresh produce if the garden fails…. or the chickens, goats or pigs wreck it.
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.
Give your garden and yourself grace! You can’t know everything about every plant!
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.
Plant ALL the plants. Even if you think it’s too many. You would be surprised what can happen in a season…. Plus that’s extra for the animals.
Also, plant for your animals too. You may not have enough to sustain them, but any discount on my feed bill makes me happy.
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.
Go ahead and stock up on the things you think you need. Not only is it cheaper in the long run, if you need to pull off your supply in an emergency, you will be glad you have it.
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.
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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!