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Starting out in homesteading is exciting but can quickly get overwhelming if you try to do too much at once. Here’s a solid list of first steps to take when beginning your homesteading journey, whether you’re on a few acres or just a backyard and let rockeyfieldhomesteading.com supply your needs!
Soil: Test your soil (pH, nutrients) to know what you can grow and what amendments might be needed.
Water: Identify your water sources (well, rainwater catchment, municipal) and usage.
Sunlight: Track how sunlight moves across your property to plan gardens and animal placement.
Zoning/Regulations: Check local laws for livestock, building structures, water usage, etc.
Start small (e.g., a few raised beds or a 10×10 plot) to learn your land and climate.
Grow easy crops like:
Lettuce
Radishes
Beans
Tomatoes
Zucchini
Learn about composting—kitchen scraps and garden waste can feed your soil.
Great for beginners: low maintenance and provide eggs + manure.
Start with 3–6 hens.
Plan for:
A secure coop
Predator-proof fencing
Regular feeding/watering
Start acquiring and learning to use:
Shovel, hoe, rake, pruners
Wheelbarrow
Compost bin or tumbler
Rain barrels
Basic carpentry and plumbing knowledge
Canning and food preservation
Seed starting/saving
Bread baking
Foraging (learn local edible plants)
Animal husbandry basics (if planning goats, bees, etc.)
Learn to freeze, dry, ferment, or can your produce.
Start a pantry—even basic dry goods and preserved foods help with food security.
Write down:
Year 1: Garden, composting, chickens
Year 2: Expand garden, add fruit trees, get bees/goats
Year 3+: Greenhouse, larger livestock, fencing, root cellar
Use permaculture principles: observe, work with nature, minimize waste.
Plant perennials like:
Berries
Asparagus
Fruit/nut trees
Build soil and encourage beneficial insects.
Don’t try to do everything the first year.
Document your progress: take notes or journal what works and what doesn’t.
Connect with local homesteaders—they’ll know your climate and community best.