Homestead Must Haves
The decision to transition to homesteading can be both fulfilling and challenging, especially if you are an older woman. To help, this list of homestead must haves will get you prepared before you take your first step.
Homesteading tips that will get you prepared physically and mentally so you can have a more positive experience from day one.
As an older woman looking to live the homestead lifestyle, you may be wondering where to start and what you need to begin. If so, this guide is tailored to you, the woman with an enduring spirit ready to embrace homesteading.
To homestead, you will need more than just a shed full of tools; you’ll also need goals and a self-sufficient mindset to be your anchor as you live out this chapter of your life.
Necessary Tools for Homesteading
Establishing a functional homestead requires a set of tools that you can use each day. These tools are meant to help you perform different chores more easily. Do not let physical limitations hold you back. With the right tools, you can do just about anything. Here are some categories of tools you can start with:
Gardening Tools
Gardening is the backbone of most homesteads, and for good reason. Fresh organic food gives you more control over what your family eats.
- Hand Trowel and Spade: For planting, digging, and weeding in your garden and flower beds.
- Garden Fork: Perfect for breaking up the soil and mixing in fertilizer effectively.
- Pruning Shears: An essential tool for keeping plants and trees in your garden in good shape.
- Hoe: An age-old tool for weeding that works marvels in the large plots.
- Wheelbarrow: From moving compost to transporting crops from the field, a sturdy wheelbarrow is your best friend.
- Watering Can or Hose: A reliable watering system is crucial for maintaining a healthy garden.
You don’t need a gardening shed to house your tools; you can also use a corner in a garage or porch area.
Gorilla Carts 600 Pound Capacity Heavy Duty Poly Yard Garden Steel Quick Dump Utility Wheelbarrow Wagon Trolley Cart with Straight Pull Handle, Green
Suncast Resin 15.5 Gallon Multi-Purpose Cart with Wheels, Brown,TaupeGorilla Carts GCR-4 Poly Dump Cart, 2-Wheel Garden Wagon with Foldable Handle, 4 cu ft, 300 lb. Capacity, Black/Yellow
Livestock Care Essentials
Another popular area for homesteaders is raising animals. You can have chickens for eggs, goats for milk, or bees for honey.
- Livestock feed/water: Be sure to have the appropriate containers for each livestock for feeding and watering.
- Good Boots: Keeping your feet comfortable and dry while you tend to your animals is essential for long days of work.
- Gloves: Protect your hands while handling rough or delicate items, from fencing to newborn animals.
- Animal-Friendly First-Aid Kit: Be prepared to handle minor injuries for your animals.
- Bucket or Pail: For carrying water, feed, and other essentials.
Home Maintenance Equipment
Another core belief of homesteaders is self reliance and that means taking care of home care yourself without having to rely on expensive outside help.
- Basic Toolkit: A hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, and a good set of wrenches can handle most small repairs.
- Ladder: High shelves, roofs, and trees need to be accessed safely.
- Chainsaw: For cutting firewood, clearing paths, or pruning large branches, a reliable chainsaw is multifunctional on any homestead.
- Light Sources: Both flashlights and headlamps are indispensable when the sun goes down, especially in emergencies.
- Generator: In remote locations, having a backup power source can be a literal lifesaver.
Having these tools in your arsenal ensures you are equipped for the daily challenges and the unexpected on your homestead.
Best Goals for Homesteading
Setting the right goals is a great way to stay on track with your homestead and its purpose.
Sustainable Living Practices
Being sustainable means using nature’s resources while replenishing them as needed. Use a tree, plant a tree, and keep your homestead sustainable.
- Composting: Turn food scraps and organic waste into nutrient-rich soil for your garden.
- Water Conservation: Implement rainwater harvesting systems to reduce your reliance on commercial water sources.
- Alternative Energy: Explore solar or wind energy options to supplement or even replace traditional power sources.
More Compost Reads:
Self-Sufficiency and Independence
Being self-sufficient means growing it, raising it, or making it so you don’t have to buy it.
- Preserving Food: Learn to can, freeze, or dehydrate food so your harvest lasts through the winter.
- Raising Animals: Cultivate relationships with animals that can provide you with meat, eggs, dairy, and fiber.
- Crafting: From quilting to soap making, hone your skills to produce items you would usually buy.
Community Engagement
Homesteading and community go hand in hand. Reach out to other homesteaders in your area for help with skills or larger projects.
- Bartering: Form connections with neighbors and like-minded individuals to trade goods and services.
- Mentorship: Offer your knowledge and experience to others, while also being open to learning and advice.
- Shared Resources: Think of shared tools, labor, and spaces to reduce costs and build a collaborative community.
These goals not only enhance your homestead but also lend to a fulfilling and well-rounded life.
Mindset for Successful Homesteading
Skills and tools are pivotal, but it’s your motivation that will help to shape your homesteading experience.
Resilience and Adaptability
Not everything works out as planned, especially when you rely on Mother Nature or raise any type of animal. Being able to pivot is essential and keeps you feeling positive even when things go wrong.
- Homesteading can be unpredictable, and nature doesn’t follow a schedule. Be ready to drop plans and meet challenges with an open mind.
- Learn to see setbacks as opportunities for growth and change. Whether it’s a failed crop or a setback in your plans, there’s always a lesson to be learned.
Patience and Perseverance
Never giving up is another positive way to homestead. Stick with it even when things get tricky, and you will be a better person from each experience.
- Harvests take time, animals need care around the clock, and self-sufficiency is a journey, not a destination. Practice patience in your daily tasks and long-term goals.
- On tough days, remember why you chose this lifestyle. Those reasons will give your perseverance the oxygen it needs to keep your homestead fire burning.
Resourcefulness and Creativity
Many times, creativity can save the day! Never underestimate the power of a unique solution to any situation.
- On a homestead, your resources are often limited. Cultivate a mindset that thrives on making the most of what you have.
- Innovation and the ability to pivot are your friends. Embrace creativity to solve problems and find new ways to make your homestead more efficient and enjoyable.
Adopting this mindset will see you through the trials and tribulations that come with the homesteading life.
Starting a homestead as an older woman is a goal that shows it is never too late to start something new. As you begin, remember that the essential tools, the right goals, and a positive mindset will guide you through this adventure.
Homesteading is not just about what you do; it’s about who you become in the process. Embrace the challenges and the lessons, and enjoy the bountiful life you are creating for yourself and those around you.
