Frustration!

[nostawmama]

I guess I would like to start with a small introduction. I am a sahm of 2 children, boy and girl, 4 and 1. Have had a dream for a long time now to have a homestead and be self reliant to the best of my ability. My problem was the ability! I don't have any kind of background with homesteading but I feel like I have more common sense than the garden variety idiot so I have been lurking here, posting sporadically, and researching extensively about all as many aspects of homesteading that I can. I have recently realized I am at the end of my rope with researching, the desire to actually DO something is driving me crazy! However I really don't know where to start- hubby is in a precarious/temporary job situation and we don't even have a semi-permanent place that we are living. Is there ANYTHING that I could start on that may ease the frustration of idleness?

[Rocktown Gal]

Yes, you can start a garden anywhere and in a small space. If you do not have space for a regular garden you can garden in pots. That way if you do find a permanet place the pots can be moved along with you. Also your family will have fresh veggie or herbs.

There is a lot that you can do and not live on a farm/land.

[chickenista]

I agree with RG.. start a container garden. Grow tommytoe tomatoes for the kids to enjoy (and you too), grow some basil and some chard etc..

Look at local tailgate markets or farmer's markets or roadside stands for great deals on fresh veggies. Dehydrate, can and freeze them while they are fresh and inexpensive and enjoy them in the winter.

Find someone local that sells eggs.

Make a point to shop frugally and expand the ways that you can cut back in your expenditures.

These are all the things that others, myself included, do regularily.
Just knowing that you are eating the healthiest foods possible adn that you are putting a bit away for winter etc.. will help ease the feeling of stagnation and anticipation and frustration.

[jwal10]

Start small with what you like to eat, even if just to eat fresh. Pots, small boxes, small raised beds. Compost what you have, grass clippings, shredded newspaper, manures. Can you have chickens, 3 is enough for 4 people, rabbits-2 does and a buck. Berry plants. You can grow tomatoes in big pots as fill in around foundation plantings on the west and south side of your house. Lots to do and learn. Little greenhouse....James

[Joshie]

I would agree that starting with a container garden is the first step. You can always take your garden with you when your housing situation becomes more stable. When you are able to settle down you can plant a garden. My mom had five children and worked part time. We grew up in town on a lot 40'x80. Mom grew enough green beans to keep us in beans for the year. She planted a early crop of bush beans then tore those up and planted another crop in July.

Do you have any second hand shops? If you and have the storage room you could look for things like canning jars, pressure cookers, and eater bath canners. Do you have produce auctions? We don't have them here but a friend in Michigan does. I'm so jealous. She's able to get onions, peppers and the like very cheaply.

I know that several people have suggested farmers' markets and local eggs but those are expensive luxuries here. Check to see if they are in your area. We had chickens but had to get rid of them because they were very expensive to keep. While I hate the anemic store bought eggs we use now we just can't afford to keep or buy good eggs.

Do your homework because that kind of stuff will vary greatly. Here, for example, a farm stand cucumber costs 50 cents to $1 apiece. You could grow cucumbers in a pot. My homemade hot water bathed pickles are yummy! I canned hot peppers too. Do you have farmer friends? Last year I got pickles, corn, green beans, potatoes, etc from our neighbors.

Do you sew? If not, teach yourself. There are all sorts of things you can learn before you get to your permanent home.

[chewie]

joshie--we sometimes wind up giving eggs away, so many raise chickens! so much of it depends on your area very specificly.

and farmer's markets are almost none existant. sometimes a peach truck shows up, and a few ppl sell watermellons or corn but that's about it. that's just how it is *here*.

I think containers would work great for you tho. OP. I grow herbs in my kitchen window, and find that works sooo well! have also used window planters for lettuce. sprouts are nice too, and super easy.

might help if we knew more of your situation, where are you and how long might you be there? apt or house? things like this make a big diff.

[MO_cows]

Container gardening was number one on my list, too.

Learn to cook from scratch. Can you bake bread? Biscuits? Cornbread? How many things do you buy from the grocery store that have directions and not recipes, or that you just open the package and eat as-is?? Cooking from scratch using simple staple ingredients will save your family money and help you get to your goals faster.

[kasilofhome]

Canning is a good way to start. Look for sales and start canning. Can meat, and fruit. If you do not know have to make bread ect work at it now. Store bread is money -homemade is savings. Thoses skill will transfer and help you on your way. Do do the container gardening. Plant berries and make jam. Any thing you can do that you do do will get you further ahead of the person will all the opportunity but procrastenates. FYI this site will help. I knew nothing till I joined.

[oregon woodsmok]

There is container gardening, and home canning and dehydrating. Dehydrating is good. Your stash of dehydrated foods would be light and easy to move around.

Also, you could get a job and add some income to the family so your financial situation wasn't so grim. Pay off debts and start saving so that you can buy a place, or at least afford a place to rent that is suitable to growing your own food.

[geo in mi]

Get friendly with these people in your own locality: Local Harvest / Farmers Markets / Family Farms / CSA / Organic Food

They may also have some ideas/opportunities. Hope this helps.

geo

[nostawmama]

Originally Posted by oregon woodsmok

Also, you could get a job and add some income to the family so your financial situation wasn't so grim. Pay off debts and start saving so that you can buy a place, or at least afford a place to rent that is suitable to growing your own food.

Getting a job at this point is something that really isn't an option for us right now- my marketable skills would not actually get me a job that would even cover the cost of childcare. Also there is quite a personal aspect of not trusting someone else to watch/raise my kids other than me and hubby. (and his job has him away from home from 5am till 8pm for 6 day a week!) Believe me we have discussed it a few times and its always the same drawbacks.

Did just pick up a little herb garden container starter kit that will fit in my window! Going to start with that and also got a learn to crochet book as well. Have a friend that was trying to teach me but she is now 5.5 hours away Do well enough cooking from scratch in the kitchen but I think learning to make bread might make the list of abilities to work on!

chewie- a little more about the situation as it stands right now. We are currently staying in an apartment in NY state but our home is lower Delaware. DH works for a company that has very unstable work right now, worksites closing, some opening, we are actually living quite day to day- we may get laid off at anytime but there is also quite the chance that we may be staying up here through the next couple of weeks or months. It is rather stressful- but we have extremely limited job opportunities back home and this one actually pays pretty well so we are sticking it out the best we can. Really it is a blessing to us- I just have been experiencing some extreme impatience of late.

Thank you everyone for your ideas! Any more will be appreciated- all we have at the apartment is the computer and 2 youngins. Don't even really have that much to clean thanks to sparse living! (We don't want to have to pack it all up to take back to DE when we go )

[Danaus29]

Don't apologize for being a sahm. You are doing the most important job on the planet, raising our future. And I agree, unless your income can bring in more than childcare, transportation, work clothes and fast food then you are financially better off to stay home.

My advice would be to learn how to cook from scratch and how to make a good meal with what you have on hand. Shopping for sale items and storage of food supplies and consumable goods is a big help. Canning or dehydrating food (even if bought from the grocery store or farmers market) is a very useful skill. Container gardens can produce some of your harder to find items. Keeping items stocked eliminates "emergency" runs to the store, something that costs more than most people realize.

[kasilofhome]

Learning to sew (if you do not know now)--Learn first aid it can save on dr. visits gains skill which could transfer on to future farm animals and provide an added personal assist on your resume

Ok. you cook. could you develop cooking for others?
If so
Think of events and holidays even kids b'd party foods
or weddings if you can deal with bridezillas

[KIT.S]

You might check to see if there are community gardens in your vicinity. While you might not feel ready to have a plot of your own, there might be people who would be thrilled to have your help in exchange for some of the produce. You could get an education, practice and something to eat, all at once. And the folks there may know more about local opportunities for u-pick and free food.

There is a group that coordinates gleaning here. They are in contact with local farmers, and when the commercial harvest is over, the group announces a free picking time, and whoever can or wants to picks all they can. They keep half, and the other half goes to a local food bank.

There also might be classes nearby that would further your education. Yes, it would be nice to start a pantry of home-canned goods, but learning how to pressure can or butcher now will put you three steps ahead when you have food to put up later. The extension service attached to a local college or university would be a good place to ask about classes. Also, here you can find advertisements for classes at a booth at the farmer's market, and the market has demonstrations every week - canning, drying, cooking and growing.

Good luck!
Kit

[ronbre]

my suggestion would be to try some pot gardening or start at least doing some reading..library is a cheap place to do that.

first pick up a copy of Gaia's garden by Toby Hemenway and read that..then go back and get a copyo of The Encycloopedia of Country Living by Carla emery and read that, it is bigger and will take you longer to read.

Google container gardening, or urban gardening, lots of really great ideas online..

[the mama]

Start a plan book. keep notes of what you want to do. Do research, learn as much about a subject as you can. Start growing in the window sill. Write down what variety you grow, when you started, when you were able to pick fruits/vegs. You have spring fever. Check with the public library about story times for the children, you can befriend other mothers. Also the library may have gardening programs. Good Luck!

[piglady]

See if you can find a "pick your own farm" in your area. It will get you out on the farm and let you see what it will be like to harvest your own. If you like it, talk to the owner and see if you can help out some in trade for food. That way they can mentor you as they put you to work growing things. For long term planning, it sounds like you could pick up and go anywhere. Get with your husband and start making plans. I remember once many years ago my husband and I litterally placed a huge map of the US on the dinning table and started talking about what area we would like to consider and what would be out of the question. We eventually narrowed it down to 3 locations and we visited all 3 before we decided. It was the beginning of a great adventure of which I have no regrets. Many years later and still living the homestead life and loving it.

[nostawmama]

Originally Posted by the mama

Start a plan book. keep notes of what you want to do. Do research, learn as much about a subject as you can. Start growing in the window sill. Write down what variety you grow, when you started, when you were able to pick fruits/vegs. You have spring fever. Check with the public library about story times for the children, you can befriend other mothers. Also the library may have gardening programs. Good Luck!

The plan book is a great idea- I already have put some information together but upon looking I realized it was very disorganized and I haven't updated with some of the most recent epiphanies. I will get on that for sure.

Made me laugh when you said I have spring fever! That is a term that would definitively apply, just didn't think about it like that!

I have a kindle that has a multitude of books downloaded on homesteading and the like so I will get on that, with my plan book.

Piglady- DH and I have done the same with the map, it inspired a lot of conversation and brought out different ideas that we each had and was a great learning experience for us. This was a few years ago, lately we have been leaning toward 2 place: Lower Delaware which has been home to us for all our lives and SE Georgia where we have some really good friends. One of the conclusions that we came to was that we did NOT want to move where we didn't know anybody!

I really appreciate all the feedback from everyone! Thank you all. The feeling of frustration is passing now that I have some better ideas and a plan to make some things happen- even if they are small steps

[Helena]

check with your local coooperative extensions programs and learn canning and look into the Master Gardening program. Stop and talk with people who you see in their gardtheir en. People love to talk about their gardens almost as much as their grandchildren.

[Forest]

There is sooo much you can do in the appartment! All the skills that you can acquire now!

Cooking and food preparation from scratch.
Preserving food: canning, dehydrating, making jams, fermenting (i.e. sauerkraut) smoking, making sausage.
Dairying: yoghurt and cheesemaking.
As others have already mentioned, all the frugal skills.
Community garden for growing your own veggies. Foraging. U-picking. Mushroom logs could be kept in the appartment/ on balcony. possibly rabbits?
Hunting, butchering.
You could keep a hive of bees on a friend's land.