It’s the Perfect Time to Start my Homestead

For over ten years I have lived on this 50-acre farm in the old farmhouse, and I have always dreamt of turning it into a homestead. The fields and woods have laid mostly dormant during our time here, and I am eager to utilize it. This spring, I am finally taking my first steps towards creating that long-desired homestead, the timing just feels perfect.

My Season in Life Makes it Ideal

Now that I am home full-time with my busy little toddler (and with another baby on the way), I have the hours to pour into our land. I finally have the motivation to build something lasting for our family.

With the new little one arriving soon, I only have a couple of months to get things in order and to have a garden established, that way we have something that can quietly support us once life grows even busier.

Spring is Calling

It’s springtime, my favorite time of the year. The air feels so fresh and sweet with the trees and flowers in full bloom. The birds are singing their beautiful songs. The soil is waking up; it’s the perfect time to get the garden started. It’s also the best time of the year to bring home some baby chicks and start raising my first flock of chickens.

Learning from the Past

I have done one or two small, unsuccessful gardens in the past. They never made it through a full season, we had a few tomatoes here and there, maybe a couple peppers. Between traveling and life’s busyness, I didn’t have the time to tend to my plants properly. This year is different, I am committed. I am excited to level up on my gardening skills, and to build on what I’ve already learned.

I don’t expect my garden this year to be perfect but I will certainly learn a lot along the way.

Building Resilience in Uncertain Times

Beyond my personal reasons for starting a homestead, the bigger picture motivates me, too. The state of the world right now reminds me of how important it is to be prepared in case the unexpected happens. The world outside feels unsteady, economically, politically, and spiritually, and that unease pushes the dream forward.

Homesteading isn’t about total isolation, it is about gaining skills, reducing dependence, and creating peace of mind for whatever may happen. And I am so exited to be starting that journey, finally.

The Progress so Far

The first steps are already unfolding. A colorful flock of chicks has arrived, three Wyandotte hens, three Plymouth Rock hens, three Buff Orpington hens, and one Buff Orpington rooster. I chose those breeds because they are gentle with small children, good layers, dual-purpose, and simply pretty to watch. Caring for them has quickly become one of the sweetest parts of each day, especially as I see my toddler’s eyes light up and say “peepies” every time she wants to go see them.

With help from my dad and Elijah, we tilled the garden area and put up a sturdy fence. I built a compost bin out of some old wooden pallets laying around. And a rainwater collection system is slowly taking shape, still unfinished but promising to make watering easier and more self-reliant.

In the freshly turned soil, I have already planted the first cool-season crops: onions, carrots, strawberries, cabbage, lettuce, kale, and broccoli. The warmer crops (tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and the rest) will wait just a few more weeks until the frost risk passes.

In the past year, we have done a lot to improve the old farmhouse, too. We’ve added a new roof, some new paint, and my dad is adding new siding.

It is so nice to see the land being used and the house becoming more beautiful. There is still so much that I would like to do, but I am starting small. I find myself wondering what this land, and this season of life, will look like by the time the baby arrives and the garden begins to give back.

For the first time in many years, this farm is alive with possibility. And I pray that I can continue to build upon this dream for many years to come.