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
Creating a functional and rewarding homestead requires a set of tools that you can use each day. These tools are not only items you hold in your hand but an outlook that will keep you energized throughout the year.
Remember, do not let physical limitations hold you back, with the right tools and a positive attitude, you can do just about anything.
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 and allows you to live your best and healthiest life.
- 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.
- Garden 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 Garden Hose: A reliable watering system is crucial for maintaining a healthy garden.
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
If you are short on space, do not think you need a gardening shed to house your tools; you can also use a corner in a garage or porch area. Use a garden tool wall organizer that will hold heavy tools for gardening and keep things organized in less space.
Livestock Care Essentials
Another popular area for homesteaders is raising animals and what you raise will all depend on where you live and how much time you have to dedicate to their care.
You can have small animals such as chickens for eggs, rabbits for meat, or bees for honey. You can also have larger animals, such as sheep for wool, goats for milk, or pigs for meat. Be sure to do your research so you know what you need for housing and care before you bring anything home.
Here are a few basics essentials to have for any animal you raise.
- 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.
- 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.
- Chore Sled or Chore Wagon: Great for carrying feed, water, and bedding to any shelters you have for your animals.
Home Maintenance Equipment
Another part of homesteading is practicing self-reliance, which means taking care of your home and 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.
- Step Ladder: High shelves, roofs, and trees need to be accessed safely.
- Mini 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 ensures you are ready to handle any daily challenges and unexpected issues 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. Goals and projects are a way to keep your setup growing learning new skills and expanding your layout.
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: Try out solar batteries around your homestead to see if this alternative option works for setup. We use solar to power our electric fence and our automatic chicken coop door.
VEVOR Compost Bin, 43-Gal Dual Chamber Composting Tumbler, Large Tumbling Rotating Composter with 2 Sliding Doors and Steel Frame, BPA Free Composter Bin Tumbler for Garden, Kitchen, Yard, OutdoorFCMP Outdoor RC45 Rain Barrel (45-Gallon) – Water Rain Catcher Barrel with Flat Back for Watering Outdoor Plants, Gardens, and Landscapes, BlackTakki 120W Peak Solar Generator Portable Power Station with 21W Solar Panels, 88Wh Solar Charger Power Bank AC DC USB Ports for Camping Tent Laptop Outdoor Emergency
More Compost Reads:
Composting is a core part of homesteading as it allows you to reuse waste in the most beneficial way.
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. Get our popular Salsa Canning Recipe here!
- 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: This old practice is something that is still commonly used today. Rather than spending money on the help you need, trade your skill for another. You can teach someone how to quilt in exchange for a lesson on dehydrating herbs.
- Mentorship: Offer your knowledge and experience to others, while also being open to learning and advice. Some of the best tips I learned were from old farmers in our area.
- Shared Resources: Share tools and equipment to save money. If you have a large rototiller, you can lend it out to others to use at planting season.
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. Always having a plan B is a great way to better handle the unexpected.
Homesteading can be unpredictable, especially when raising animals. Watch for signs or clues that something is off, and you will be better prepared for unexpected events.
I remember a goat we purchased kidding out of nowhere when we had no idea she was due so early. Luckily, we had a birth area ready for her, along with a birthing kit nearby. By being prepared, we were able to remain calm throughout her delivery.
Another tip is to see setbacks or mistakes as learning opportunities. Whether it’s a bug infestation that hits your cucumber plants or flooding in the chicken run. Take notes when things go wrong so you can prevent them from happening in the future.
Patience and Perseverance
Never giving up is another positive way to homestead. Stick with it even when things get tricky, and your skills and your homestead will improve year after year.
There are a few things to be prepared for such as:
- Garden and animals need care every day no matter what you have planned.
- Harvests take time and canning is an event that takes days or even weeks.
- You will need unlimited patience when raising animals.
- Always be open to learning, whether that be in the garden or how you handle a rowdy goat buck.
- On tough days, remember why you chose this lifestyle. Those reasons will help you to keep going even when things get hard.
Homesteading is work but the reward makes the labor worth it.
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. Learn to see one item as a solution to a list of issues.
- Innovation is a skill you can learn. Turning an old piece of fencing into a gate to keep your new goats kids from escaping is a great way to fix an issues on the fly.
- Embrace creativity to solve problems and get happy with a fix even if it’s ugly.
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 having the right tools, always revisiting your goals, and keeping a positive mindset will help your journey be one you love to wake up to. With this list of homesteading must-haves, you will have all you need to create a self-sufficient lifestyle.
Embrace the challenges and the lessons, and enjoy the life you are creating for yourself and those around you.
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