Top Homesteading Books
I am going to share with you my list of top homesteading books to help you build a resource area in your home. These favorites became the foundation of my own homestead library—a collection I still rely on today.
Even with the internet being a staple in nearly every household, I still believe in the value of a personal library full of trusted resources. For homesteaders of all kinds, books are a goldmine for old-timer homesteading tips—the kind of advice you just can’t find anywhere else. Get to know your favorite authors, trust their wisdom, and give their tips a try.
Books are Still a Reliable Resource
I’ve always adored books. Back in the day, I’d visit the library almost every week, checking out as many as I could physically carry. Picture this: a tower of 10 thick books balanced precariously in my arms while I wrangled two young kids to the car. I’m pretty sure the librarians got a good laugh out of it.
After borrowing the same homesteading books more times than I can count, it finally hit me—I needed my own copies. So, I made a list of the ones I kept coming back to and started buying them. That was over 15 years ago, and as I sit here typing this, those very books still have a home on my bookshelf.
Here’s a little library hack: the best books are often the most worn. Look for the ones with dog-eared pages, cracked spines, and (secretly) highlighted sections. Those are the books that have truly helped people—and they’re worth your time.
And yes, every single one of my favorites is included in this list. These are my top picks—the same books now covered in my own scribbles, highlights, and sticky notes.
Whether you’re new to homesteading, a seasoned pro, or still dreaming about taking that first step, these books are my go-to favorites. They’ve earned a permanent spot on my shelf and are the ones I find myself revisiting time and time again.
My Top Homesteading Books For Your Homestead Library
I love each and every one of these books, all for different reasons. Check them out and invest in the ones you feel you will turn to over and over again.
Book #1 Lasagna Gardening
When most folks begin homesteading, a garden is usually the first step. Starting out on the right foot, in the beginning, can save you years of frustration and heartache. Lasagna Gardening by Patricia Lanza is the perfect go-to guide to soil health and healthy plant support through layering.
A system called lasagna gardening has been around for a while now and calls for no digging, tilling, or weeding.
I love this natural way to support the soil in my garden. Now, even though the book contains mainly hand-drawn pictures, it is done in a way that is clear and concise.
Patricia includes checklists (which I LOVE), tips and time-savers, and exactly what needs to be done to the soil for each vegetable, herb, and even flower. She covers each plant as to how it grows and the best place to plant, care for, harvest, and uses. She really does cover it all.
Book #2 Complete Book of Home Preserving
If you have a garden, the next step is learning how to preserve your bounty. Next on the homesteading home library list is the Complete Book of Home Preserving by Ball.
This homesteading book is specifically on canning and covers everything from jams and jellies, relishes, and condiments to pickles and tomatoes. With over 400 pages of canning recipes, I do believe you will find it all in this book. The back of the book does touch on the why and the how of canning which is just enough to ensure your canning jars seal and last on your pantry shelf.
My famous (well at least in my family it is!) salsa recipe started from this book, and the tomato-stained pages are there to prove it. A great book I highly recommend.
Bernardin Complete Book of Home Preserving: 400 Delicious and Creative Recipes for Today
Book #3 The Backyard Homestead
One of my favorite go-to books is the The Backyard Homestead. This book on homesteading really does cover it all. You begin the book with nothing, and by the end of the pages, you have a viable and self-sufficient homestead.
My favorite part is the sample layouts that are laid out on the pages for you to see and better visualize. They are set up like a map, which I just love. They have layouts for 1/10th of an acre, 1/4 of an acre, 1/2 of an acre, and more.
Seeing how each sized property is laid out regarding the garden, the home, the compost area, and the barn gives you an idea of how much you can do on the land you own now.
This book also covers an overview of canning, gardening, butchering, and harvesting. Finally, at the end of the book, there is a pretty thorough overview of the different types of livestock you may want to consider raising on your own homestead.
With just over 340 pages, this resource is a great book to have in your homestead library and one that you should check out, especially if you are on the fence about whether or not you should try your hand at homesteading.
The Backyard Homestead: Produce all the food you need on just a quarter acre!
Book #4 Raising Farm Animals
Next on my list is The Backyard Homestead. Guide to Raising Farm Animals. Edited by Gail Damerow.
The sister book to the Backyard Homestead, this book is specifically geared toward farm animals. This 325 + paged book gives an awesome overview of any animal that can be raised on a homestead.
This book covers the basics of breeding, care, feeding, and housing. If you are unsure what you can or want to raise on your homestead, this book will help make your decision a bit easier.
he Backyard Homestead Guide to Raising Farm Animals 1st (first) edition Text Only
Book #5 Sheep Or Goats
If you raise (or plan to) sheep or goats, this book simply must be in your homestead collection. Storey’s Barn Guide To Sheep is by far the best homesteading book for the birth care of sheep and goats. A section in this book is worth its weight in gold. Abnormal birth is a hand-drawn guide to different types of birthing that are not the norm.
When I first started breeding goats, I was not at all prepared for birthing issues. I was told by the vet if a kid should not present with a nose and 2 hooves, then there was a problem, and I would need to go in and “fix” things. This book shows you the different positions and how to fix them. Actually, seeing the positions in print really helped me to visualize what was going on inside of my goats.
I cannot tell you enough how much this one book has helped me with breeding. In an emergency situation, you only have minutes to fix things, and if a vet is not by your side, this book is the next best thing.
Book #6 Raising Dairy Goats
When raising animals of any kind, nothing beats the Storey Guidebooks. Raising Dairy Goats by Jerry Belanger and Sara Thomson Bredesen is by far my favorite go-to goat guide.
At 286 pages, it is safe to say this homesteading book covers all sides, from types of dairy goats to feed mixing, housing, and breeding. You can get help in every area of this book, and it’s the first place I go if I have a goat-related question or issue. This book was super valuable as I learned all the components that went into goat feed. This allowed me to make my own feed and customize a diet that benefited my herd and where we lived.
Storey’s Guide to Raising Dairy Goats, 4th Edition: Breeds, Care, Dairying, Marketing
Not a dairy goat raiser? No problem! Just search for Storey’s Guide to ……and fill in the blank. They pretty much have a book on every animal out there.
Book #7 Let’s Talk Chickens!
It seems more and more folks are trying their hand at having chickens, and I could not be more thrilled! There is nothing I love more than fresh farm eggs, and knowing there are people with chickens in the city is just the coolest thing!
If you are looking for a homesteading book that covers backyard and urban chickens, this is it. The Chicken Whisperer’s Guide To Keeping Chickens by Andy G. Schneider and Dr. Bridid McCrea, Ph.D. is my favorite chicken care book. The pictures alone had me sold and not something you find in most homesteading books.
This book includes a thorough list of chickens to raise, along with the pros and cons of each chicken breed. They include a picture (which is quite helpful), list its features, and even tell you the personality, which is so important if you live in the city or/and have children. They even go into parasite control and health issues, where the pictures are not as lovely but still top quality.
Chicken Raising Resources:
- The Benefits of Having Chickens
- How to Turn an Old Shed into a New Chicken Coop
- How to Free Range Your Chickens
Book #8 Homestead Planning
One of my favorite homestead planning books is The Complete Homestead Planner by Cynthia Bombach. This month-by-month planner is perfect for the new homestead library. There is a lot that needs to be done on a homestead, especially if you have animals and live in a 4 season area.
Why worry about forgetting things that are important and need attention? Use this little book as your companion to make sure you get it all done. The book is broken down by month and covers gardens, harvesting, foraging, livestock, bees, pets, and even your household!
At just 131 pages, this quick read is full of helpful tips that I know you will love as much as I do.
Book #9 Planning Out The Homestead.
Okay, you are going to chuckle a bit when you see this next book, but hear me out. The “Have More” Plan by Ed and Carolyn Robinson is the perfect homesteading book for the new homesteader. This book is over 60 years old and one of my favorite books to look through.
This quaint homesteading book is a great overview of homesteading. This book is all about the idea that a little land can equal a lot of living and is so relevant today.
Please note that the use of pesticides may be mentioned and even suggested.
But that was a different time back then and not the reason why I love this book. I love the idea of a simpler time, and using a vintage homesteading book as a reference in a corny way makes me a part of that wonderful group.
More Homesteading Resources:
- How to Plan Projects on Your Homestead
- Checklist for Starting a Homestead
- Best Animals for Homesteading
Book #10 Projects, Projects, And More Projects.
No homesteading list would be complete without a how-to book. 40 Projects for Building Your Backyard Homestead by David Toht is awesome! With step-by-step instructions and vivid how-to images, you will find a wide range of projects that you can use or easily adapt to your situation.
Even for me, this homesteading book is laid out in an easy-to-follow way and has some pretty great ideas for any homesteader.
![[David Toht ] 40 Projects for Building Your Backyard Homestead: A Hands-on, Step-by-Step Sustainable-Living Guide (Creative Homeowner) Includes Fences, Coops, Sheds, Wind & Solar Power, Paperback](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51mKdT8arZL._SL500_.jpg)
How to Choose the Best Homesteading Books
When choosing a book for homesteading, here are some key things to look for:
- Practical, Hands-On Advice
Look for books that offer clear, actionable steps and detailed instructions. Whether it’s gardening, raising animals, preserving food, or DIY projects, the best books break things down in a way that’s easy to follow. - Author’s Experience
Check the author’s background. Are they experienced homesteaders? Do they share personal stories or lessons learned? A book written by someone who’s been in the trenches is often more relatable and trustworthy. - Comprehensive Topics
A good homesteading book should cover a wide range of topics or go in-depth on a specific area you’re interested in, like sustainable living, preserving food, or easier ways to garden. - Timeless Tips
Keep an eye out for books that share those good old-fashioned, time-tested techniques. These “old-timer” tips are pure gold and can perfectly complement today’s modern methods. - Illustrations or Photos
Visual aids like diagrams, photos, or illustrations are super helpful—they make tricky concepts so much easier to grasp, especially when you’re tackling hands-on projects. - Positive Reviews and Recommendations
Check reviews or ask other homesteaders for recommendations. Books that are well-loved by folks in your area are often a safe bet.
When you have a homestead, a home library full of books you can depend on and refer to when you need them can be the most valuable source.
Holding in your hands a reference book or guide that will help to answer your questions is more valuable than any computer. You don’t need Wi-Fi for a book, and for a homesteader, that is the perfect tool to have. Add in a few notes of your own, and you will create a guide that is custom-tailored to you.
Think about it: a homesteading book is the original self-sufficient tool!! So get your home library started today. 🙂What homesteading books do you have in your library? Share in the comments below so I can add to my own resources.
Great post.. Thanks for sharing.