Homesteading and how do I start?
One of the common questions I get asked (being in Australia) is what is homesteading?
Once I explain most peoples next question is, “how do I get started?” So time to share some ideas I think.
Lets start with the idea of working towards being more self reliant no matter where you live. So many simple things, from food production, storage ideas, even how to cope with a crisis. I live in Sunny Queensland but you can bet there will be a storm sometime this year that will take out power for a few days at minimum, being more self reliant makes those times more bearable and actually quite a fun challenge!
We share recipes that are easy to make from stored foods and even how to grow foods that can be stored and great gardening tips that won’t have you running back to the store for fertilizers and seeds each season.
Preserving is one of the most fun ways I play during times of glut with our food. Even if you dont have the space to grow huge crops of tomatoes or fruit, you can always go to the farmers markets and hunt for the bargains. Buy in season when its cheap and enjoy it all year round. I do have the luxury of a preserving kit, bought for me by my beautiful father in law, but you can so easily use the old fashioned method of a saucepan and sterilized jars.
I love seed storing and this is one of the first things I recommend to people wanting to get started. There are some great kits out there, but why not try and make your own. If you plan on creating a root cellar for your fruit and veggie storage this is a great way to store your seeds as well. Use a recycled jar clearly labelled and boiled to sterilize it. Add your seeds, make sure you date it and tuck it away in the dark corner of your root cellar. That way if the power goes out you arent worried about your seeds in your fridge!
I want to share some of my favorite sites with you and this is top of the list when it comes to homesteading. They explain more on how to get started with homesteading.
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