Are you tired of the rat race? Would you like to start living a simpler life? If so, homesteading may be a good option for you.

When most of us think of homesteading, we imagine a log cabin similar to the one used by the Ingalls family in the pioneering days of this country. But, in all honestly, homesteading can be a rewarding experience that pays off in many different ways.

Want to know more? Keep reading for 7 Things You Should Know Before Starting a Homestead:

1. Your Desired Level of Self-Sufficiency

This may sound like something simple, but it is actually the single most important consideration before you start homesteading. There are those who simply want to grow their own vegetables and others who want to raise their own animals. There are those who take things even further and live completely off the grid. No matter which category you fall under, it’s important to gain a deeper understanding of how self-sufficient you want to be so you can plan accordingly.

If you’ve achieved your goals and you decide that you want to take things a step further, don’t be afraid to try new things. But, having that initial goal is great motivation for beginners.

2. How to Garden

If you are going to be a homesteader, you will have to know how to garden properly. Doing so will that ensure you can produce healthy plants to feed you and/or your family.

There are tons of different gardening methods, so you will have to do your due diligence to find a technique that works well with your needs and capabilities.

3. How to Preserve Your Food

Whether you would like to compensate during tough financial times or are concerned about a time where going to a grocery store isn’t an option, being able to grow and preserve your own food is an essential skill to have.

Important elements to learn include:

** 1. How to process the food safely

** 2. The materials you will need to preserve the food

** 3. Delicious recipes

You will also need plenty of mason jars, as well as lids and rings to seal them. A pressure canner can drastically reduce the amount of time this process takes and gives you the option to water bathe or pressure can your food.

4. The Best Land for your Needs

It’s possible to homestead on a working farm with tons of acres or something as small as a half-acre, it all depends on the needs of the individual. To find the right amount of land for you, you must decide how self-sufficient you would like to be. For instance, if you would like to have cows, pigs, and other farm animals on your land, you will need more space than someone who just wants a small garden and a few chickens.

The most important thing that you have to understand when searching for land is that everything must have its place. So, map out everything you want to see if it will fit. You might be surprised at how little land you will need.

While you are searching for your land, it’s also a good idea to figure out the type of home that you would like as well, choices include RVs, old mobile homes, inexpensive tiny houses, and more. It’s your land so the choice is up to you, just remember to pencil it into your map so you will have enough space for everything you need.

5. How to Build Any and Everything

At first glance, this tip may be intimidating, but you must not let it deter you. While it’s important for every homesteader to have some carpentry skills, you don’t have to be an expert, as long as the things that you make are functional. Also, having the ability to build things will save you a lot of money and you can upcycle many times as well.

6. How to Upcycle

The successful homesteader doesn’t waste anything. Scraps can be used for compost for animals or soil. Rabbit and chicken drippings can be used for fertilizer. Ashes from the fireplace can be used to enrich your garden soil. Do some research on the internet to find out all the other amazing ways that you can upcycle and save yourself some real cash.

7. The Type of Equipment You Will Need

Believe it or not, you won’t need much equipment to begin homesteading, just the basics like nails and a hammer. As times goes by, you may need to invest in a tiller and other tools to make your life easier, but this isn’t something you should worry about in the beginning

Homesteading isn’t easy, but if you take your time and put it in the effort, you will find yourself on a journey of amazing knowledge and freedom.

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