starting a homestead from scratch
Starting a homestead from scratch might feel overwhelming at first, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right approach, you can tackle small, manageable projects that build your confidence and make real progress toward your dream. This guide is here to help you take those first steps, showing you how to set yourself up for success with practical tips and simple planning. With a little focus and preparation, you’ll be well on your way to creating a thriving, functional homestead.
Homesteading tips will help you get started creating a more self-reliant lifestyle no matter where you live or what age you are.
When my husband and I decided to create a homestead, we had nothing but some land and a house. It was little more than a shell at that point and trying to see the end result was hard to do. There are so many parts of homesteading, and trying to do them all at once can create burnout in no time.
We learned that small projects worked best and we were able to use those projects to make a foundation for all that we have today.
Here’s the things about doing something from scratch. It takes time and if you want to be successful you need patience and lots of it.
The good news is that if you have a goal that you hope to achieve, a reasonable budget you can stick with, and a desire to be self-sufficient, then all that is left to do is to create a plan. One you can follow along to achieving success as you go.
Homesteading: What Is It and Who Is It For?
Homesteading is about embracing self-sufficiency and creating a life that’s rooted in simplicity and closer to the heart of home. Think of it as a modern twist on the family farm, but on a smaller, more manageable scale.
It often includes raising, growing, and making what you need so you rely less on stores and other outside sources. Above all, homesteading allows you to have and take more control over your life.
This lifestyle isn’t just for one type of person. It resonates with all kinds of people from different backgrounds, ages, and walks of life.
- Those craving more independence – If you’re looking to live a self-reliant life and break away from relying on stores for everything, homesteading can be a perfect fit.
- Fans of organic and sustainable living – People passionate about organic farming, permaculture, or eco-friendly practices often find satisfaction in growing and raising their own food.
- Retirees or empty nesters – Homesteading can be an exciting new chapter for anyone looking for a rewarding challenge after raising kids or finishing a career.
- City dwellers seeking simplicity – If the fast-paced urban life leaves you wanting more peace, nature, and a slower rhythm, homesteading can offer just that. And yes, you can have a homestead even if you live in the suburbs or city.
There’s something deeply fulfilling about rolling up your sleeves and providing for yourself. Whether you want a greener lifestyle, more freedom, or pure joy from working with your hands, homesteading has a little something for everyone.
Be sure to grab the FREE Homestead Layout Worksheets below!
The Benefits of a Self-Sufficient Lifestyle
Living a self-sufficient lifestyle comes with so many rewards, but one of the biggest is taking control of your home, your food, and the way you live. There’s something incredibly rewarding about growing your own produce—knowing it’s enough to last you through most, if not all, of the year. It’s a kind of satisfaction that’s hard to put into words.
When you’re self-sufficient, you feel empowered. You’re not just living day-to-day; you’re creating a healthier, more balanced life. Growing and raising your own food means you get to decide exactly what goes into your meals—no surprises, no unnecessary additives.
The financial perks aren’t bad either. Spending less at the store and even earning a little extra by selling homestead products can really set you and your family up for more stability and peace of mind.
It’s a lifestyle that offers so much more than just food—it’s about freedom, health, and a sense of pride in what you create.
Preparing to Start a Homestead
Starting a homestead takes some planning, but it’s worth the time and effort. Get clear on your goals and what you can handle so you can kick off your homesteading journey on the right foot.
#1. List and Prioritize Your Homesteading Goals
Take some time to sit down and talk about what you want to achieve with your homestead, and make a list of those goals. Is the main purpose to grow all your own food? Raise chickens or goats? Or maybe it’s all about living more sustainably? Whatever it is, having a clear vision makes starting easier.
And if you’ve got a family, don’t skip over this step—make it a group discussion. Ask what they’re excited about, what they might be nervous about, and how they’d like to help.
When everyone’s involved from the start, they’ll feel more invested in the process, and it’ll be easier to pull together when things get tough. Maybe one of the kids can be in charge of egg gathering or take the lead on watering the garden. Making it a team effort isn’t just practical—it brings everyone closer, and the shared wins make it all worth it.
#2. Prepare Your Finances
Getting started with self-sufficiency does take some financial planning, so it’s worth taking the time to get organized now. You’ll need to think about costs like shelters, tools, and supplies—just to name a few. If you can, try to pay off as much debt as possible before you dive into homesteading. It’s a big step, and being debt-free can definitely take some pressure off.
Create a solid budget and start setting aside savings you can rely on when needed. Building an emergency fund is also a smart move—it’ll give you peace of mind when unplanned expenses, like a broken tool or equipment repair, come up.
While it might feel overwhelming at first, remember that every small step you take now will make your future homestead life less stressful and more rewarding.
#3. Assessing Your Property
Take a good look at your land—it’s your biggest resource when it comes to homesteading, so understanding what you’ve got is key. Check your soil quality, see how much sunlight hits different areas throughout the day, and map out any water sources you can use. These details will help you make smart decisions about where to plant, build, or even expand later on.
Got some old sheds or outbuildings? Take stock of what’s already there. Many existing structures can be repurposed with a little creativity and elbow grease, saving you time and money.
If resources are slim and you’ll need to build or buy more to get started, that’s okay—just make adjustments to your budget now so you’re prepared for those costs later. Remember, every small effort you invest today sets you up for a stronger, more successful homestead down the road.
STarting a new homestead
A homestead can be any size and work at any level, so don’t feel like you have to tackle everything all at once. When I started our homestead, I went all in, full steam ahead, and learned the hard way that slow and steady would’ve been a much smarter approach.
That’s why I put together these tips—to help you avoid the mistakes I made and give yourself (and your family) a little grace right from the start.
It’s easy to get over-enthusiastic about homesteading and take on too much at once. Starting with small projects can help you get used to this new way of life slowly without getting in over your head and overwhelmed.
#1. Growing Food
Gardens are the heart of any homestead. Whether you have acres of land or just a balcony, there’s a garden that will work for you. Remember, just because you have 4 acres of land does not mean you need a 4-acre garden. Start out small and grow in size each year.
• Raised Bed Gardens:
A raised bed garden is a great way to grow a lot in a small amount of space. You can start with one raised bed now and add in more each year. Keep things simple by growing themed gardens such a salsa garden or a baby food garden.
• Container Gardens:
Container gardening is perfect for people who are short on space or time. You may be surprised at how much you can grow in containers, and their popularity has led to many options that can be purchased online. You can grow everything from herbs to tomatoes to peppers and potatoes using grow bags of all shapes and sizes, garden tables, or straw bales.
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• One-Pot Herb Gardens:
A simple, one-pot herb garden is perfect for the beginner or anyone with limited space who loves fresh-grown herbs.
You can plant several herb one-pot gardens, put them on a porch in the summer, and bring them in over the winter. This will give you a supply of fresh herbs to enjoy year-round. You can also set up a few grow bags and tuck them into your flowerbeds, utilizing the space you have efficiently.
#2. Raising Small Livestock
If raising animals is one of your goals, consider starting with a small flock of chickens, a few rabbits, or a beehive. When considering livestock, you will want to look for animals that are self-sufficient with their care and are beneficial in what they contribute to a homestead. Here are a few examples.
• Chickens:
A few laying hens require minimal space and will provide you with a daily supply of amazingly delicious fresh eggs. If you are short on time, you can learn how to set up a self sufficient chicken coop here.
If you get 5-6 hens, you will have enough eggs for your family, and you can sell extras. You will need to have a chicken coos, and you have a few options for getting started.
- Repurpose what you have – If you have an old shed, you can repurpose it as a new coop for your chickens. Get our guide on converting a shed into a chicken coop for all the steps!
- Build a small coop – You can purchase plans online and build a small coop. Get a set of FREE chicken coop plans here!
- Chicken Tractor – If you are short on space, you can build a DIY chicken tractor with wheels. This way, you can move it around your property to find fresh areas for the chickens to scratch in.
What is a chicken tractor?
A chicken tractor is a small portable coop used to house with the added ability of moving them around. Most chicken tractors have wheels for easier moving and they also have a handle that you can use to pull the tractor style coop to a new area.
Chicken tractors provide a safe space for chickens to graze and help protect the grass in that area. Frequent moving allows your hens to scratch the ground for bugs and worms and gives each area time to replenish.
• Beekeeping:
Bees are so fun to raise and are allowed in many suburban areas and even some cities. They are a great source of honey for your family and excess that can be sold generating a nice side income.
Before starting your first hive, you will need to research your area to confirm bee raising is allowed where you live. Next, be sure to learn what tools and setup you need for bees to thrive. You can look online or visit your local library for books.
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• Rabbits:
Rabbits are a great fit for a new homestead mainly because they are quiet, docile, and easy to raise. Rabbits can be bred and sold as pets or raised for meat. Their manure is a great addition to your compost area and can be used for your garden.
Rabbits live in hutches that need little space to thrive, allowing you to get started in a small area.
It’s important to know that rabbits breed quickly, which allows you to grow the size of your colony quickly and start bringing in money to fund your homestead. Learn how to start raising rabbits for beginners here.
#3. Be self-sufficient
Homesteading is about self-sufficiency, and that means doing what you can to reduce trips to the store for anything from food to clothing to tools. You can start living this way now as you prepare to start your homestead.
• With your food
Create a plan to provide as much food as possible at home so you are less reliant on grocery stores.
- Start a garden now and each year, expand it to include a larger variety of plants. See our list above for ideas to get started.
- Purchasing non-perishable staples in bulk, such as flour and sugar, and learn how to make your own mixes that you can use for baking and cooking. Use airtight storage containers so they last.
- Check out your local farmers’ markets and pick up some fruits and veggies you’re not growing yet. Then, stock up your pantry and freezer by freezing, drying, or canning as much as you can.
- Join in on local food swaps, community gardens, or co-ops—they’re fantastic opportunities to boost your own food storage while lending a hand to others. Plus, you’ll find yourself connecting with a supportive community of like-minded folks who share your goals.
• Repurpose instead of buying
Before heading to the store, take a look at what you already have on hand and look for ways to make do before investing your money on a new item.
- Have weekly soup meals to use up produce in your fridge.
- Add water to cleaners and detergents, stretching things further.
- Have a deep-dish pizza night to use up leftover meats and cheeses.
- Turn old towels into rags to replace paper towels.
- Stretch your meat supply by having meatless meals a few times a week.
- Turn an old pile of 5 gallon buckets into a container garden.
- Turn plastic crates or buckets into nesting boxes for your chickens.
• Reducing Store Trips
Challenge yourself to reduce the number of times you go to the store each month. When our kids were younger, we only shopped one day each month, and this had a huge impact on our food budget.
- Plan your meals for the entire month, or have themed meal days and stock your fridge with the right ingredients.
- Purchase ingredients for quick-fix meals such as pizza, spaghetti, and soups.
- Buy in bulk and put food in portioned bags for easier use.
- Buy bread in bulk or purchase day-old bread and freeze.
- Shop your freezer for meal ideas.
- Use cash when shopping to help avoid impulse buys.
• Swaps
Swaps are a great way to get things you need without spending any money. You can do clothing swaps, tools swaps, craft swaps, and home goods swaps. If there are no swaps in your area, you can easily start one with neighbors, family, or friends.
Growing an Existing Homestead
Once you have a few smaller projects under your belt, it’s time to think bigger. Make a list of larger homestead projects that will grow your setup adding value to your overall plan. A few ideas are:
- A barn to house your equipment and/or livestock.
- A compost area near your garden.
- A pasture for your livestock.
- A milking parlor for your cows or goats.
- A greenhouse to extend your growing season.
- A produce stand to sell excess food from your garden.
- A watering system for your garden, livestock area, or home.
- Solar energy sources to help you be more self-reliant.
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Choose One Major Project Each Year
Homesteading can get overwhelming quickly. To help it is best to have a plan that breaks things down. Set a goal of one large project each year so you can stay on track and keep your budget in check as well.
- Sit with your spouse and talk about the goals of your new homestead.
- Make a list of large projects you want to work on in the next 3-5 years.
- List out each project on a piece of paper.
- Have a budget for each project so you can start saving now to cover those costs.
- List with it any supplies and tools you will want to have as well.
- If you will need to enlist help, make a note so you can get that lined up prior to your start date.
- Write a project date of when you would like to have each one completed.
Prep Now for Growth
With your project plans in place, it’s time to get ready for the first one on your list. Tackling one thing at a time helps you stay organized and on track.
- Start gathering supplies little by little—it’s easier on your budget and helps prevent last-minute scrambles.
- Take a good look at the tools you’ll need and decide if it makes more sense to rent, buy, or borrow them.
- If your project requires extra hands, don’t wait to ask for help.
- Reach out early to lock in the support you need and ease the stress of a tight schedule.
Set Deadlines
Deadlines will keep you on track and ensure that projects don’t drag on indefinitely. Set a schedule to ensure that all parts fit together smoothly. Knowing you have 5 men coming in on the 15th of June to do the roof will ensure you finish up that area in plenty of time so you are not holding them up.
Keep Records of your journey
Finally, be sure to document the progress of your new homestead. Take loads of pictures and videos, and write colorful journal entries. This is your story, and no matter how hard it is now, you will want to look back on it later.
Use a notebook or purchase a journal that you can write in throughout your progress. List any mistakes you made and what you learned because of them. Give a voice to each of your accomplishments as your homestead journey plays out.
Starting a homestead from scratch is an ambitious goal, but one that can be done by taking a few key steps. Prep what you can, be thoughtful with each new project, be open to learning, and excited to grow.
Homesteading takes work, but if you are patient with the process, celebrate every win, no matter how small, it will be an experience you also enjoy. Be intentional with each step you take and create a legacy you can pass on to your children and grandchildren.
