8 Homesteading Ideas to Achieve Your Self-Sufficiency Goals This Year

In a world where self-sufficiency and sustainability are becoming increasingly important, homesteading has gained immense popularity. Whether you’re a seasoned homesteader or just starting your journey as an apartment homesteader, this year presents an excellent opportunity to explore new homesteading ideas. From growing your own food to implementing sustainable energy, here are eight homesteading ideas to help you achieve your self-sufficiency goals in the coming year.

1. Grow Your Own Food

One of the most rewarding homesteading goals you can set for yourself this year is to growing food. Not only does this endeavor offer cost savings in the long run, but it also ensures a steady supply of fresh, natural, and organic ingredients for your meals. Moreover, gardening teaches you essential skills that can be passed down through generations. Here are three options to consider as you embark on your food-growing journey.

Build Raised Garden Beds

Starting with raised garden beds is an excellent choice when it comes to homesteading for beginners. These beds offer better control over soil quality and drainage, making it easier to grow healthy plants.

Start by selecting a suitable location, choosing the right materials, and building your raised garden beds. Once set up, you can start planting your favorite vegetables and herbs.

Related Article: Raised Beds vs In-Ground Gardening: The Pros and Cons of Each Gardening Method

Start a Patio or Balcony Garden

If you’re living in an apartment or have limited outdoor space, a patio or balcony garden is a great way to get started. Invest in containers and structures like trellises or hanging planters, choose the right potting mix, and select plants that thrive in smaller spaces.

Herbs, tomatoes, and peppers are excellent choices for patio or balcony gardens.

Related Article: Small Scale Homesteading: How to Have a Suburban Homestead on On a Quarter Acre

Start an Indoor Garden

An indoor vegetable garden allows you to grow food year-round, regardless of weather conditions. Begin by selecting a suitable location with adequate sunlight or investing in the best grow lights for your plants. Choose compact and manageable plants like herbs, microgreens, or cherry tomatoes. With a little care and attention, you can enjoy a continuous harvest from your indoor garden.

2. Preserve Your Produce

Preserving your harvest and store-bought produce is a valuable skill for any homesteader. This is one of the homesteading ideas that ensures you have access to homegrown or locally sourced food throughout the year.

Two effective methods for preserving food are using a dehydrator and practicing water bath canning.

Using a Dehydrator

A food dehydrator is an excellent investment for preserving fruits, vegetables, herbs, and even making jerky. Begin by washing and preparing your produce, then arrange them on the dehydrator trays. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for temperature and drying time. Once complete, store your dehydrated foods in airtight containers for long-term use.

Water Bath Canning

Water bath canning is a time-tested method for preserving fruits, jams, pickles, and more. To get started, gather the necessary canning equipment, including jars, lids, and a large pot. Follow approved recipes and procedures to ensure safe canning. With a little practice, you’ll have a pantry stocked with delicious, homemade preserves.

3. Raise Backyard Chickens

Raising animals is one of the most fulfilling homesteading ideas, and backyard chickens provide a constant supply of fresh eggs and meat. Additionally, chickens are great for pest control and help fertilize your garden. To start raising chickens, follow these initial steps:

1. Check local regulations: Ensure that your area permits backyard chickens and understand any restrictions or guidelines in place.
2. Choose the right chicken breed: Select the best chicken breeds that suit your climate and purpose, whether it’s for egg production, meat, or both.
3. Provide shelter for your chickens: Buy or build a chicken coop and run to provide a safe and comfortable shelter for your chickens. Be sure they have access to fresh air, light, and protection from predators.
4. Feed and care for your chickens: Invest in quality feed, provide clean water, and maintain their health through regular check-ups.

Related Article: How to Keep Chickens Warm in Winter: 9 Tips for Keeping Chickens in a Cold Climate

4. Implement Solar Energy in Your Home

Reducing your reliance on traditional energy sources is a significant step towards self-sufficiency and green living. Solar energy offers numerous benefits among homesteading goals, including lower electricity bills and reduced carbon footprint. To get started with solar energy, consider the following steps:

1. Assess your energy needs: Calculate your energy consumption and determine the size of the solar system required to meet your needs.
2. Choose a reputable solar installer: Research and select a trusted solar installation company to design and install your solar panels.
3. Explore solar-powered products: Besides solar panels, consider using solar-powered home products like appliances and devices to further reduce your energy consumption.

5. Collect Rainwater

Collecting rainwater is an eco-friendly way to reduce water bills and ensure a sustainable water supply for your homestead. Rainwater can be used for irrigation, gardening, and even household chores. To start collecting rainwater, follow these steps:

1. Install a rain barrel or tank: Place a rain barrel under your gutter downspouts or invest in larger water storage tanks for more extensive collection.
2. Use a filtration system: Install a filtration system to remove debris and contaminants from collected rainwater.
3. Regularly maintain your system: Clean your gutters, filters, and storage tanks to keep the rainwater supply clean and safe.

Related Article: 3 Best Rain Barrels You Can Buy on Amazon Today

6. Start Dabbling in Holistic Medicine

Exploring holistic medicine is a great way to enhance your self-sufficiency by relying on natural home remedies. You can begin by growing medicinal herbs, foraging for medicinal plants, and making homemade herbal remedies. Here’s how to get started:

1. Create a medicinal herb garden: Grow herbs like lavender, chamomile, and echinacea in your garden or indoor containers.
2. Learn about local medicinal plants: Research native plants with medicinal properties and practice responsible suburban foraging.
3. Make homemade herbal remedies: Experiment with herbal teas, tinctures, and salves to address common ailments. Check out our recipes for homemade Flu Bombs and Fire Cider!

Related Article: Natural Home Remedies for Winter Ailments

7. Try Your Hand at DIY Cosmetics

Creating your own cosmetics is a great natural living practice that not only reduces exposure to harmful chemicals but also allows you to customize products to suit your skin type. To start making DIY cosmetics, follow these initial steps:

1. Gather ingredients: Collect natural and organic ingredients like oils, butters, and essential oils.
2. Learn basic formulations: Start with simple recipes for items like lip balm, body lotion, or facial masks.
3. Experiment and customize: As you gain confidence, experiment with different ingredients and customize products to your preferences.

8. Start Your Emergency Stockpile

Building an emergency stockpile is a wise practical prepping and homesteading goal, especially in uncertain times. It ensures you have essential supplies on hand in case of emergencies, natural disasters, or unexpected events. To start your emergency stockpile, follow these steps:

1. Create a list of essentials: Identify items like non-perishable food, water, first-aid supplies, and toiletries to include in your emergency stockpile checklist.
2. Set a budget: Allocate a budget for gradually acquiring and replenishing stockpile items.
3. Organize and rotate supplies: Store items in a cool, dry place, and periodically check and replace expired items.

Ready to Implement Homesteading Ideas This Year?

Embarking on a homesteading journey and setting self-sufficiency goals for the year can be both rewarding and empowering. By implementing these homesteading ideas, you’ll not only reduce your environmental impact but also enjoy the many benefits of living a more self-sufficient life. Make this year the year you take meaningful steps towards achieving your homesteading goals.