We live in a world of pre-sliced cheese, next-day shipping, and programmable thermostats. You can go years without touching real dirt, making real food, or solving a real problem with your own two hands. Everything is engineered to be as smooth, fast, and frictionless as possible. We call it “convenience.” But maybe that word isn’tContinue reading “Why the Homestead Life Rejects Convenience”
Author Archives: Christian
Lessons of Thrift from a Civil War Era Farmer
Edmund Morris’ book Ten Acres Enough: The Classic 1864 Guide to Independent Farming presents a unique view into the life of an ordinary man, who like many today, dreamt of moving to the country as a small time farmer. Morris describes how he in his mid 40s purchased just ten acres in rural New JerseyContinue reading “Lessons of Thrift from a Civil War Era Farmer”
To Farm, Or Not to Farm
The idea of quitting my day job and turning the homestead into a for-profit farm is an alluring idea. In sum, what I can’t help but contemplate regularly is whether I really want to be a homesteader or a farmer, a grower for my family or for the larger community. While the idea of ditchingContinue reading “To Farm, Or Not to Farm”
Analysis Paralysis on the Homestead
Homesteaders want to do many things, often with limited budget, space, and time. Particularly in those first few years, many will feel overwhelmed by the dozens of projects they want to complete. I feel this acutely, especially when I estimate the expense and time required to complete even half those projects, many involving skills IContinue reading “Analysis Paralysis on the Homestead”
One Rule of Farming to Never Forget
There are many little rules to farming or homesteading, some passed down from grandparents, some learned from experience, and others learned from YouTube or blogs. There is one rule I’ve come to learn through experience and lots of research into different homesteading endeavors. The rule that I find is little talked about but rarely brokenContinue reading “One Rule of Farming to Never Forget”
Why I Bought a Compact Tractor (and not any other farm vehicles)
Ideally, I would have an ATV, a UTV, a farm truck, a back-hoe, and a compact tractor (heck, throw in a super-sized tractor since it’s all hypothetical), but I (like most of you) don’t have a couple hundred thousand dollars laying around (yet – still hoping God wills me a stray winning lottery ticket). However,Continue reading “Why I Bought a Compact Tractor (and not any other farm vehicles)”
Here’s Everything We Did in Our First Year on the Homestead
We moved to our new property of just over six acres in Georgia in July 2022. As we approach the end of our first year on the homestead, I think it’s important to reflect and quantify all that we accomplished in these first 12 months. Looking backwards will help us gauge how much progress weContinue reading “Here’s Everything We Did in Our First Year on the Homestead”
The Pros and Cons of Mulching with Straw
Many folks, including myself, use straw to mulch their gardens. Mulching is vital to vegetable and fruit production as it protects roots from freezing temperatures, retains moisture in the soil (reducing watering requirements), and suppresses weeds. While there are many pros to using straw in the garden, no mulch is perfect and without its negatives.Continue reading “The Pros and Cons of Mulching with Straw”
What Most Homesteaders Lack
I’ve been thinking more and more about the differences between homesteaders and small-scale farmers and market gardeners. While there are many similarities, usually including similar lifestyles, a love of the outdoors, and a desire for wholesome food, there are also notable differences. Small-scale farmers and market gardeners grow food and tend animals to make aContinue reading “What Most Homesteaders Lack”
The Best Seeders for Homesteads and Market Gardens
Any serious homesteader or market gardener will quickly see the value offered by a wide variety of push and tractor-mounted seeders. These seeders save us back-pain and time, while also encouraging a more systematic approach to gardening. If gardening on any plot of 1000 square feet or more, a seeder is essential, and fortunately thereContinue reading “The Best Seeders for Homesteads and Market Gardens”
Born for the Barn 