How old is too old to start homesteading?

[Dreamacres]

Looks like we won't be able to have our place in the country until we can retire. By then, we'll be in our mid-60s. Would you start homesteading at that age? We don't intend to have livestock, just a few acres with fruit trees and a garden. Any thoughts?

[Ravenlost]

Why would you even hesitate? A few acres with fruit trees and a garden will help keep you younger!

[via media]

I am not trying to be discouraging but this is something I've been thinking about as well. I look at my retired neighbors and wonder if they want to live several miles down a dark, narrow road with few people around to help (or notice) if they fall down, etc.

I'm not saying you'll be worthless at 60 but I'm assuming you will want to live on your homestead for a few years at least so I'm looking toward the end of those years rather than focusing on the beginning.

What kind of health will you be in? What will your energy level be? If you don't want livestock, maybe a larger lot nearer to town would be better than lots of acres out in the middle of nowhere. Maybe that's something you can have now?

Just some things to think about. Again, please don't take this in a negative light. It's just good to know what you're getting into.

/VM

[tyusclan]

You're never too old until you're dead.

Don't try to do more than you can do, but having some things to look after will help keep you active.

[Yldrosie]

"Worthless at 60?" Sheesh!!! I started driving truck when I was almost 50, and when I was 6o, I was driving a flatbed, throwing tarps and chains! Years ago, I had a neighbor lady, ( my nearest, and she lived 18 miles away) come looking for a colt to break when she was 72. You are never too old, unless you want to be!!

[Junkmanme]

I'm 59 (in one week) and have had heart-attacks and have a rare muscle disease. It ain't stoppin' me! I agree with TYUSCLAN, "You're never too old until you're dead"! When you retire, you'll have some sort of "retirement income". Some of that should be available to pay some "part-time help" should you need it. (Besides, a LOT of people will help around your place for FREE just to enjoy and learn!)
Don't sweat the "small stuff"!
Bruce

[NCGirl]

I hear this story all the time, my grandparents came home to find my Great-Granddad 20' up a tree getting out bag worms... He was 87. He did get yelled at acording my my Granny

All 4 of my grangparents were active around there farm at 85. My granddad was still raising and selling his beloved watermelons when he died at 86. My other granddad could be found on his tractor at 86.

Working around the farm must have kept them young.....

[RedneckPete]

Live your dream now. Living is a journey, not a destination.

What are you doing right now that is more important then your dreams?

Pete

[dmarie]

My husband and I have been debating the same dream. I will be 52 in a few more days and he is 55. To make a long story short--at the end of the month we are trading homes with our daughter. Her, hubby and grandson (grandchild #2 due in April) are moving into our home (9 acres) and we are moving to our other home (30 acres) which they have been renting from us. The home we currently live in has 3 bedrooms with a finished familyroom, while theirs has only 2 small bedrooms and is a older farm home in need of repairs (mostly updating) There is an old barn, good condition with much more potential to have livestock (at least a few chickens, goats, etc.) as we did when the kids were little. I am looking forward to being back on the farm, but so much want to do a much better job of "homesteading" than we do now. What are the first things you do to become more "self" reliant, other than spending oodles of $$$ getting off the grid. We enjoy gardening, so that is a given. Look forward to any of your tips and experiences. Many thanks to you all in advance!
Hugs, dmarie

[oberhaslikid]

Well I had to say this,My DH parents are 93&94 and they still raise a garden and can every year. and this is the catch he has one eye (other was shot out by a drunk neighbor with a bb gun)and She has Degenerate emaculation and is slightly blind. he helps her with recipes and temperatures and they work together.He still mowes 3 yards. They hold a yard Sale every year, Count your Blessings and Dig in.

[rj_in_MA]

I grew up next to a small farm that 3 brothers bought in 1970 when the youngest was 58 and the oldest was 64. They raised cattle to sell, kept bees, grew fruit and veggies, made wine, jelly, and kinds of preserves. They all lived into their 90's in and were in great shape until the very end. They all died within a few years of one another, the first of Lime's Disease and the others just kind of quickly faded after that. Point is, they started late and lead very healthy, long lives.
-rj

[COSunflower]

You are NEVER too old to homestead!!! It's a state of mind more than a physical thing I think and you can start practicing wherever you're at now. Start canning foods - even if you have to buy the produce at the grocery store. It will give you practice for when you have a garden. Garden in containers - even if you are in an apt. and only have a balcony or small front porch. Research, read, LEARN all you can - while you can!!! Practice recycling and composting....there is lots to prepare for! Practice getting by on a fraction of what you are used to - wear it out and use it up! Get all your bills paid off so that you don't have to worry about them on the homestead. Create some savings - you'll need it! Plenty of things to keep you busy until you actually reach "the homestead"....

[e.alleg]

I traded a 80k a year job for a 20k a year self sufficient lifestyle when we moved to our homestead. So far it has been well worth it. More hard work and much less money but more time for what's important. I used to dream all the time about moving to the country and living the way I always wanted to, but something was always stopping me. I realize now that it was fear, I was afraid of making the change. I'll never forget when I finally pulled into the driveway of our homestead in the dead of winter, 6 or 7 am after driving all night in the moving truck, the wind was blowing, 5 degrees out, couldn't see the driveway because of the snow. we had arrived. Follow your heart!

[swollen tongue]

git-r-done!!!!!!!

[diane]

Good grief. Afraid to fall down in the middle of nowhere and no one there to help?? My aunt lived in a senior's condo in a city and laid there for four days before anyone found her.

I homestead alone now and I am in my 60's. I carry my cellphone with me just in case, but I wouldn't last in the city or a suburb for a year. If you love what you are doing you can do it until you just can't anymore or you die.

I have friends in their 80's that are still milking a small dairy goat herd. They pay to have their hay put up now, but that's about all they don't do themselves. I know another lady who is in her 90's in my church who still has to have a little garden.

Get on with your dream!!

[Nesser]

***** Never !! ***** Nesser

[unregistered6474]

My in-laws got their place out in the country and it has had wonderful effects on their healthy and happiness. I think that they will probably live longer beacuse of it. They get exercise, fresh air, and literally get to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

I would suggest maybe doing some raised beds which are very easy to maintain - the dirt doesn't get compacted so you don't have to get a tiller. Low-maintenance landscaping - maybe a meadow of wildflowers for a front yard/

so, YES, do it!

[bluetick]

Dreamacres, go for it! I bought my place (old farmhouse, 5+ acres, small barn and shed) 10 years before retiring. Yes, I have a mortgage, but it is a manageable expense. I am in my early 60's and keep ducks, geese and chickens, have a few fruit and nut trees, and grow a small vegetable garden every year.

I've noticed bales of straw (bedding for the birds) and 50 pound bags of feed get a little heavier each year, but when they get too heavy, I will break them down a bit before moving them.

I don't "do it all" myself. A guy with a plow clears snow from my driveway, while I use a shovel and/or snowblower to make needed paths. Someone else cuts down trees, splits and delivers wood for my woodstove, but I stack it. The woodstove only supplements my main heating system, so it is only a couple of cords of wood to move. I hire someone to clean my chimney and another to clean out my second story gutters every year.

Shopping, doctors, dentists and hospitals are about a half hour away. A small village with a volunteer ambulance crew with EMT's is 5 miles away.

[mpillow]

Never too old....and even dead you can add to the compost pile!

Seriously if you have the land already purchased plant those fruit/nut trees and perrenials. You'll have an established food source ready upon arrival and fun weekend trips between now and retirement.

[Wolf mom]

I'm 63... and goin' strong all by myself! My land, garden and animals keep me goin'. It's what I love and is a work in progress. Thanks to this site I keep learning how to do more!

I always carry a cell phone with me. And I am somewhat more cautious about setting ladders and using chain saws, etc.

If it's what you want to do - DO IT! Old is a state of mind. Maybe a little slower, but then, maybe that's how you "smell the roses".