Finally after struggling for 5+ years...

SkeeterBlue · #1 04/11/13, 02:54 PM

We are finally making the leap (or maybe hop) into basic homesteading. It has taken five years to convince dh that this is a necessary and healthy step to take at this time. With all that is going on in this country he finally agreed... and we are closing on our new country property in just a little over two weeks.

Both of us feel like we are a bit up against the clock, so it is important to slow down and take things one step at a time. Some things we can and will do right away, others will have to wait.

We will be able to plant a small kitchen garden right away, we have nice long summers, so a late start here won't hurt much. And we will be able to get a flock of chickens soon, egg layers and possibly meat birds. We also bought two very nice SG milk goat kids and I may also go ahead and add in an older milker right away.

But most of our 6 acre property is wooded or has a depression/standing creek that will need to be taken care of to make it useable. We are planning on clearing enough to put in fruit trees this fall, and hopefully clearing enough additional land to be able to put in a larger garden next spring. The soil here is basically good, a little acidic from the trees, but nice sandy, loamy soil.

What advice can you give us moving forward? What is the most important thing to keep in mind?

Skeet

7thswan · #2 04/11/13, 03:11 PM

First thing plant your fruit trees. It sounds like you have nice soil. Maybe the soil neer your 'depression" will be good to amend the rest of your soil in areas that you are going to plant,like a garden. Your "depression" might even be good for a pond site.

FarmboyBill · #3 04/11/13, 03:30 PM

Gee. Imagine a woman convinceing a man that they need to move to the country.

simi-steading · #4 04/11/13, 03:35 PM

Congrats to you.. Sure does sound like you are gonna have a full plate right off the bat...

rambler · #5 04/11/13, 04:21 PM

> Both of us feel like we are a bit up against the clock, so it is important to slow down and take things one step at a time. Some things we can and will do right away, others will have to wait.

I think that slowing down one step at a time bus sailed on by already!

Remember it is a marathon, not a sprint, and you are gonna have days you wonder why o why you ever tried this.

Those days pass by too, and on to the good ones.

Stop to enjoy what you have from time to time.

Paul

tentance · #6 04/11/13, 05:04 PM

congratulations on your new life! i'm still working on my male, grumble grumble...

one of the best (free) things you can do is to start really learning all of the plant and animal life on your new place, if you dont already. a lot of plants have multiple uses. for example, i have a nice sycamore tree. it provides shade, could provide great firewood, and every year it drops a lot of leaves that i can rake up and feed to the rabbits. which means turn it into fertilizer. so...

another great idea is to look into passive heating and cooling for your shelter. the more money you can save on your climate control, the more money you have. once you have a lot of animals it might be harder to get big projects completed, as i have heard over and over on the forums. people spend so much time interacting with the animals they just can't get to projects.
hope that helps.

unregistered168043 · #7 04/11/13, 05:18 PM

First thing I did was build a wood shed and fill it. Then came the chickens..I chose to go with one dual purpose breed rather than separate egg and meat specialties. Then the gardens, started with potatoes, green beans, and dent corn...all staples, all hardy, easy to grow, direct sow crops.

Next came the sheep, fencing, and the barn. Then rabbits. Then a couple horses. Gardens got expanded, and tried different types of crops. Thats about where I'm at now...considering an outdoor wood boiler for my hot water and wood cookstove to replace my propane. Converted one room into the grow room to start crops under light, in fall it will be the veggie storage room.

All this has happened over the course of a few years, lots of hard work, and still have much further to go in my quest for self sufficiency.

farmerted · #8 04/11/13, 07:01 PM

every time you walk the property, do something. even if it is picking up one thing, you hands or mind should never be empty.

It's not easy, otherwise everyone would do it.

Vosey · #9 04/11/13, 09:34 PM

Remember that it takes some time to really get to know your property; the sun in different seasons, what floods in spring rains, the area that you didn't realize was so rocky etc.

Sounds like you've got enough already with garden, animals and a house to move into, take the rest of your ideas slowly. And enjoy!

dfr1973 · #10 04/12/13, 06:56 AM

I wanted to hit the ground running here as well ... now only two months here I have realized that we need to stick with just gardens and chickens for this year and take some time to build what will be needed to add rabbits and goats (maybe next year!). I'll confirm the whole "spending time watching the critters" already. Not only the chickens, but I also like to observe the wildlife. Add in the at least twice daily walks around all the garden boxes, berry canes, grapevines, and new fruit trees ... right now things are literally growing overnight.

7thswan · #11 04/12/13, 07:35 AM

Maybe you cold draw a map of things that exist right now, like looking down on your property. Then add where you want things,paths,beds,gardens,paddocks,arbors....even take pictures,they are nice to have as your project progresses.

itsb · #12 04/12/13, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarmboyBill

Gee. Imagine a woman convinceing a man that they need to move to the country.

Fbb I got to say you have a way with words.

geo in mi · #13 04/12/13, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vosey

Remember that it takes some time to really get to know your property; the sun in different seasons, what floods in spring rains, the area that you didn't realize was so rocky etc.

Sounds like you've got enough already with garden, animals and a house to move into, take the rest of your ideas slowly. And enjoy!

Agree...... My best advice would be to buy good gloves, two comfy lawn chairs and a BBQ grill.......

geo

Dusky Beauty · #14 04/12/13, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geo in mi

Agree...... My best advice would be to buy good gloves, two comfy lawn chairs and a BBQ grill.......

geo

And a porch/patio/tree swing!
Biggest bummer in Arizona... my lot isn't what I'd call pretty

I have serious tree and meadow envy!

SkeeterBlue · #15 04/13/13, 06:48 PM

We are signing on Monday. TWO DAYS!!! I am so excited!

FarmboyBill · #16 04/13/13, 09:20 PM

itsb. Aint it better I have my way with words, rather than have my, nivvermind lol

lmrose · #17 04/13/13, 09:31 PM

SkeeterBlue congratulations on your new country home! You didn't say if you have a house or mobile or barn on the property or if you have children? Being it is Spring; planting a basic garden this year will help with food and even getting a few hens. Just make sure this summer your home gets winterized before winter and you know what you will need for heat next winter like wood or oil etc.. I wouldn't get a lot of animals this year until you know your property better.You should also be prepared with shelter and fences and know where you can get feed before getting livestock of any kind. We learned smaller is better when starting out. If you are inexperienced in growing a garden or raising animals smaller and fewer is better so you don't get overwhelmed. Learning is fun if things are kept in a manageable amount. Good luck to you.

Callieslamb · #18 04/13/13, 09:41 PM

Write down all the reasons you made the decision to make this move. Include what you hope to get out of it. Believe me, you'll need the reminder. It isn't easy. It's very hard and when you can't see past the 'hard' it helps to have a little reminder. It keeps your compass pointed to north and helps you accept the bumps along the way.

SkeeterBlue · #19 04/14/13, 12:30 AM

We have one son still at home, 16 years old and one son, 22 who just left and who may be coming back for a while.

We are purchasing a home on almost 6 acres. The home is probably too much house for us but it was a steal and too beautiful to pass up. It is a 3 bedroom, 3 bath brick home with rosewood floors and granite throughout, a FROG, and fully floored and lighted attic. It has a separate one bedroom home with a drive through garage and attic on the property that I will use for my sugar glider breeding facility.

The property does not yet have other outbuildings. Those are going to be installed the first week after we move in. We are starting out with a small barn and a separate goat shelter. The barn will be split in two, half for the goats, half for the chickens.

The property has way too many small trees on it, and we will be spending a bit of energy clearing parts of it piece by piece. There is already room for the garden on the north side of the house and for the small barn and goat enclosure on the east side of the property.

The property has a deep well and it is already wired for a generator. That is one thing we will be adding this year, because if the grid ever goes down we will need that to pump the water up from the deep well.

We have a feed store lined up. I still need to work on my list of what I need on hand for the young buckling and doe. But there is a huge tractor and feed store not 5 miles from us and I'm pretty sure I can order whatever I need through them.

I'll be sure to get photos up when I can.

Miss Kay · #20 04/14/13, 07:02 AM

Goats will take care of that brush for you. Get a great fence around the property so nothing gets out.