Starting a homestead in suburbia may seem like a daunting task, but with the right tools and preparations, it can be a fulfilling and sustainable venture. Whether you’re looking to grow your own food, preserve harvests, raise animals, or simply become more self-sufficient, this comprehensive checklist for starting a homestead will guide you through the essentials you need to succeed. From gardening tools to alternative power sources, we’ve got you covered.
1. Gardening Tools, Gear, and Structures
The foundation of any homestead is a productive and edible food forest. Invest in quality gardening tools like shovels, hoes, rakes, and pruners. Consider structures such as raised garden beds, trellises, and greenhouses to maximize your growing potential, even when you’re small scale homesteading.
Related Article: Raised Beds vs In-Ground Gardening: The Pros and Cons of Each Gardening Method
2. Seeds or Seedlings for a Vegetable and Herb Garden
Your garden’s success hinges on the quality of seeds or seedlings you choose. Plan a diverse vegetable and herb garden and don’t forget to include medicinal herbs for natural home remedies.
For certain vegetable plants, it’s recommended that you start seeds indoors to allow the plant to mature in time for harvesting.
Related Article: Best Vegetable Seed Starter Kits You Can Buy on Amazon
3. Seed Storing Containers
Saving seeds at the end of the growing season is essential for sustainability. Invest in seed envelopes and organizers to keep your seeds viable for the next year’s planting.
4. Wheelbarrow
A wheelbarrow is indispensable for transporting soil, mulch, and harvests around your homestead. It’s a workhorse that will save you time and effort.
5. 5 Gallon Buckets
These versatile containers have numerous uses on a homestead. Use them as planters for small trees, containers for DIY laundry detergent, or even as DIY chicken waterers.
6. Canning Tools and Materials
Preserve food your bountiful harvests with canning tools, including a pressure canner, water bath canner, canning jars, and essential canning tools. Don’t forget to stock up on pectin, lemon juice, and vinegar for canning recipes.
7. Other Food Preservation Tools
Expand your food preservation options with a dehydrator, fermentation kit, and vacuum sealer. These tools will help you store food for the long term.
8. Food Storage Area
Create a food storage area, including building a root cellar, a large pantry, and chest freezer to store all your preserved food. Proper produce storage ensures your hard work doesn’t go to waste.
9. Rain Barrel and Garden Hose
Of course, having a well on your property is ideal, but collecting rainwater is eco-friendly and cost-effective, especially if you’re not quite ready to dig a well. Use your rain barrels and garden hoses to water your garden, animals, and more, while reducing your reliance on municipal water.
Related Article: 3 Best Rain Barrels You Can Buy on Amazon Today
10. Cooking From Scratch Tools
Embrace the art of cooking from scratch with essential tools like loaf pans, food processor, grain mill, stand mixer, a good knife set, rolling pin, and mortar and pestle.
11. Vinegar
Vinegar is a versatile staple on the homestead. Use it for food preservation techniques like pickling and preserving fresh berries, making homemade all-purpose cleaners, and as a natural disinfectant around your home. You can even use it as a natural pest control method and weed killer in your garden.
12. Salt
Salt is a crucial ingredient for food preservation and preparation. Keep it on hand for canning, curing, and enhancing flavors in your kitchen.
Related Article: Uncommon Household Uses For Epsom Salt
13. Compost Bin
Start composting as a sustainable way to recycle kitchen waste and enrich your garden soil. Maintain both indoor and outdoor compost bins to recycle organic materials.
14. Basic Tools and Power Tools
Having a well-equipped toolset is essential for maintaining your homestead. Basic tools like hammers, screwdrivers, and pliers are crucial, but also consider power tools like drills and saws for DIY projects such as building fences, DIY chicken coops, and greenhouses.
Related Article: Best Greenhouses You Can Buy on Amazon
15. Alternate Power Source
Prepare for emergencies with an alternate power source. Solar panels, generators, or a wood-burning stove can keep your homestead operational during power grid failures.
US Stove Company Rustic Cast Iron Log Burning Wood Stove
Why We Love It:
- Efficiently heats up to 900 square feet.
- Integrated cooking surface reaches 54,000 BTUs.
- 2-piece cool touch safety handle.
- Made from durable cast iron.
- Clean-burning design minimizes emissions and maximizes heat output.
- User-friendly design is easy to load and maintain.
16. Sewing Materials
Learn to sew to make and mend clothing, saving money and becoming more self-sufficient. Basic sewing tools and materials, like a sewing machine, needles, and thread, are invaluable. Also, consider stocking up on crocheting materials like knitting needles, crochet hooks, and yarn.
17. Chicken Coop, Run, and Other Flock Essentials
If you plan to raise backyard chickens, invest in a chicken coop, run, and other essentials like chicken waterers, heaters for waterers, feeders, egg collection containers, dust baths, and entertainment toys to keep your flock happy and healthy.
PetsCosset Chicken Coop
Why We Love It:
- Nesting box with divider accommodates up to 4 chickens, depending on the breed
- Made with weatherproof materials like galvanized wire mesh, natural wood, and waterproof asphalt roof
- Easy cleaning with integraged pull-out metal tray
- Raised hen house provides additional outdoor space connected to the run
- Wheels make the coop portable
Related Article: How to Keep Chickens Warm in Winter: 9 Tips for Keeping Chickens in a Cold Climate
18. Glass Amber Bottles
These bottles are essential for making herbal tinctures, DIY natural cosmetics, and other homesteading essentials. Their dark glass protects your creations from light degradation.
Ready to Start a Homestead the Right Way?
Starting a homestead in suburbia is a rewarding journey toward self-sufficiency and sustainability. By equipping yourself with these 18 essential items, you’ll be well-prepared to grow your own food, preserve your harvests, and thrive in your suburban homestead. Get ready to embrace the joys of a self-sufficient lifestyle right in your own backyard.