Applesauce, Always
Homemade applesauce keeps bruised apples that drop off the backyard tree from going to waste. Plus, it’s fun (and easy) to make.
BACKYARD BEEKEEPING
Bees need all the help they can get right now, so if you’ve got a property that’s free of toxic pesticides, this may be a fun hobby to take up. Watching these precious pollinators will keep you in-tune with nature, and you’ll learn a lot from them. Plus there's the honey harvest :)
CAST-IRON COOKING
These skillets are naturally nonstick, due to the oils they absorb from food, and they last forever. Your grandmother’s family heirlooms will probably still be used to prepare food for generations to come.
DO-IT-YOURSELF DETERGENTS
If you care enough about protecting the water supply to get a low-flow toilet, then you probably don’t want to dump bleach and who knows what other chemicals down it when the bowl starts to stink. And is it really healthy to use petrochemical soaps in your dishwater? These all-natural cleaners get the job done and keep the planet healthy.
EGGS EVERY MORNING
If fulfilling your dream of a having backyard flock was your number one reason for moving out to the country, we wouldn’t blame you one bit. Chickens are beautiful and fun to watch, and there are plenty of reasons to Eat More Eggs.
FORAGING
There’s nothing more satisfying than going for a walk through the woods and coming home with a basket full of raspberries or mulberries. When you live close to nature, you know that fresh, wild fruit is far superior to store-bought—and best of all, free. This is the epitome of living off the land.
GRAZING GOATS
No homestead is complete without a goat to provide a little bit of milk and keep the weeds down. Getting a heritage breed, like this Arapawa, helps protect genetic diversity—something you can feel good about doing. Not to mention goats make great company!
HOMESTEADING FROM A TO Z: Everything you need to help you day dream about moving off-grid and into a tiny house." by Rebecca Straus October 5, 2015
INDOOR HERB GARDEN
Why stop at raised beds? Bringing plants indoors, especially during colder months, brightens the spirit, and keeping potted herbs in the kitchen means you’ll never be without fresh, organic seasoning. This is a step you can take even if you’re still searching for your dream property with lots of land.
JAMS + JELLIES
Foraged more berries than you can possibly eat? No problem. Making homemade preserves is easy, and the feeling of accomplishment you get from sealing the jars and stacking them neatly away is even more satisfying than all the delicious breakfasts you’ll be eating.
KALE
When you’ve got chickens, goats, and a beehive or two to take care of, you probably want to plant some resilient veggies you won’t have spend much time fussing with. Enter kale, a super nutritious green that doesn’t require much attention and grows even into winter. Plus, the purple varieties are beautiful, so you can even incorporate them into the flowerbed.
LINE DRYING
Talk about solar and wind power! If you take a back-to-basics approach to life, forgoing the dryer for a clothesline is a no-brainer. It’s 100 percent sustainable, your clothes will last longer, and they’ll smell fresh and clean, without the use of chemical-laden dryer sheets!
MULCH
Mulched gardens are healthier, have fewer weeds, and are more drought-resistant than unmulched ones. When you’re relying on your raised beds to produce most of the food you’re eating, it pays not to cut corners.
NATURAL BEAUTY
Use homemade soaps and scrubs made from all-natural pantry items to look and smell wonderful, and feel good knowing your personal-care routine is taking care of the Earth.
OFF-GRID
If you can unplug from the municipal electricity grid, then you’ve truly achieved self-sufficiency. Relying on the sun (and not giving money to companies who burn fossil fuels) means living simply and in consort with nature. What could be more ideal than that?
PICKLED PRESERVES
Canning may seem antiquated, but but old-school pickles are where it’s at. They contain only the ingredients you want—no artificial colors or preservatives—and you can enjoy that homegrown taste even in the middle of winter. Plus, they make great gifts for friends who are still eating the store brand.
QUICK COMPOST
Homesteaders try to eat off the land as much as possible. To do that you have to have good soil, which means you need compost, and a lot of it. Taking the time to knock together an ultra-efficient compost bin from reclaimed wood will definitely pay off.
RAIN BARREL
If you’re trying to limit the amount of resources you live on, you definitely can’t overlook this source of free freshwater. Whether you live in a drought area or not, collecting rainwater is the most eco-friendly way to keep your veggies hydrated.
SEED SAVING
There are ecological and economical benefits to saving seeds. Growing rare heirloom varieties year after year helps maintain genetic diversity, and eating food you grew from seeds you didn’t pay for helps your bank balance.
Having a small eco-footprint isn’t the only good thing about living in a tiny house. Owning less stuff will make you realize how little you actually need and keep your living space and your mind from becoming cluttered. It’s all about minimalism.
UPCYCLING
Pioneers find uses for absolutely everything, and modern-day homesteaders are trying to get into that mindset. A refrigerator that no longer works can extend its cold-storage career as a DIY root cellar. Besides, if you’ve got a tiny house, chances are you’ll need the extra space.
VINEGAR
White vinegar by the gallon is your best friend when it comes to eco-conscious cleaning, and it’s second to homegrown cucumbers in your homemade pickles. Its close cousin, apple cider vinegar, is great for Skin-Care and better for Waking You Up than coffee.
WILDFLOWERS IN THE WINDOW
Fresh wildflowers are the most organic way to brighten up an off-grid home. Bringing a little nature inside will lift your mood.
XERISCAPING
Water-saving gardening helps prepare your garden for unreliable weather. It is simply smart garden planning and key every off-gridder’s success. No matter where you live, it’s probably a good idea to incorporate some aspects of a xeriscape, or water-saving garden, into your garden's design.
YARD-TO-GARDEN
Trading your lawn in for a growing space can be the first step in converting your property into a homestead. It’s easier than you think, and you’ll save on your grocery bill.ZERO WASTE
Living minimally teaches homesteaders that there’s a use for just about everything. You may think that banana peel is garbage, but there’s a lot you can do with it before tossing it in the compost bin. There’s no such thing as “trash” when you live organically.
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