Welcome To
Wildly Bold Homestead
Welcome to Wildly Bold Homestead!
Whether you’re looking to grow your own food, raise a few backyard animals, or learn traditional skills to live more sustainably, homesteading offers a path toward a more self-sufficient and fulfilling life.
But starting can feel overwhelming with so many options, ideas, and unknowns to navigate.
That’s where this guide comes in!
Here, we’ll walk you through the first steps we took on our journey, answer some of the most common questions, and offer practical advice to help you start your homesteading journey with confidence.
Why Homestead?
For many people, the journey to homesteading begins with a desire to slow down, reconnect with nature, and live more intentionally.
It’s about taking a step back from a fast-paced, convenience-focused lifestyle to embrace simpler routines that emphasize sustainability, self-sufficiency, and hands-on skill-building.
Homesteading can be as simple as growing a few herbs on your windowsill or as extensive as managing a small farm that provides food, fiber, and resources for your family year-round.
A Desire for Self-Sufficiency and Sustainability
With a growing awareness of environmental issues and a desire to reduce dependence on modern supply chains, many people are turning to homesteading as a way to become more self-sufficient.
Growing your own food, raising animals, or even learning to preserve what you harvest are all ways to decrease reliance on grocery stores, reduce waste, and develop skills that connect you to the land.
Plus, it feels incredibly rewarding to know that you have a hand in producing what you consume.
Reconnecting with Tradition
Homesteading offers the chance to rediscover skills that were once passed down through generations but are now less common.
From baking bread and canning vegetables to keeping chickens and sewing, homesteading is a celebration of traditional skills that bring satisfaction, independence, and resilience.
These skills are not just practical—they’re empowering. They remind us of our ability to create, grow, and provide for ourselves in meaningful ways.
How to Start Homesteading: Key Questions to Guide You
One of the first steps in homesteading is clarifying your goals and understanding your starting point.
Many beginners ask similar questions when they’re starting, and answering these questions can provide clarity and direction.
Here are some of the top questions that can help you shape your homesteading journey:
What Does Homesteading Mean to Me?
Homesteading can mean different things to different people.
For some, it’s all about growing a large garden and raising chickens for fresh eggs.
For others, it’s about learning to live more sustainably and intentionally in a suburban home.
Take some time to define what homesteading means to you. This vision can guide you as you make decisions and set priorities for your homestead.
Consider the following:
- Do you want to grow most of your own food, or just supplement your meals?
- Are you interested in raising animals, or is gardening your main focus?
- Do you have a long-term vision of complete self-sufficiency, or are you more interested in cultivating specific skills?
By answering these questions, you’ll have a clearer idea of the steps you need to take and where to focus your energy.
What Space Do I Have, and How Can I Use It?
One common misconception is that homesteading requires a lot of land.
While having more space offers more options, homesteading can be done on a small suburban plot or even in an urban apartment.
If you have a backyard, think about creating garden beds or using vertical gardening techniques to maximize growing space.
Even a balcony or patio can host container gardens, herbs, and small fruit trees.
If you have more land, consider areas for different purposes, such as:
- A garden for vegetables and herbs
- Space for chickens or rabbits
- A composting area for food scraps and garden waste
Assess your space and think creatively about how you can use it to support your goals.
How Much Time Can I Dedicate to Homesteading?
Homesteading can be as low-maintenance or as involved as you make it.
If you work full-time or have a busy schedule, you may want to start small with a few raised beds, a compost pile, and perhaps a few hens.
On the other hand, if you have more time or plan to make homesteading a larger part of your lifestyle, you might consider adding more animals, expanding your garden, or learning preservation techniques.
What Resources Are Available to Help Me Learn?
One of the greatest things about homesteading is that it’s a continual learning process.
You don’t need to know everything when you start—there are plenty of resources to guide you.
Look for books, online courses, YouTube channels, and even local workshops where you can learn skills like gardening, composting, food preservation, and animal care.
Homesteading communities, whether local or online, are invaluable for learning and sharing experiences.
Joining groups or forums allows you to ask questions, share tips, and even trade seeds, equipment, or supplies with others in your area.
First Steps for the Beginner Homesteader
Once you’ve considered these foundational questions, it’s time to take action. Starting small is often the best approach, allowing you to build skills and confidence without feeling overwhelmed.
Here are a few beginner-friendly steps to get you started:
Start a Garden
A garden is a great way to ease into homesteading, and it can be as small or large as you like.
Begin with a few vegetable or herb plants that you enjoy cooking with—tomatoes, lettuce, basil, and carrots are all great options for beginners.
Raised beds or containers make gardening manageable, especially in small spaces.
Consider:
- Using a simple layout, like a square-foot garden, to make the most of your space.
- Choosing crops that are well-suited to your climate and have a high yield for minimal effort.
- Starting with easy-to-grow plants and gradually adding more as you learn.
Try Composting
Composting is an excellent way to recycle food scraps and yard waste while creating nutrient-rich soil for your garden.
You can start with a simple compost bin or pile.
By regularly adding food scraps and turning the pile, you’ll create compost that will enrich your soil and reduce your reliance on store-bought fertilizers.
Learn a Preservation Technique
Food preservation lets you store your garden’s bounty and enjoy it year-round.
Start with a technique that feels approachable, like freezing, drying, or water-bath canning for fruits and jams.
As you gain experience, you can try more advanced techniques, such as pressure canning or fermenting.
Consider Adding Chickens or Other Small Animals
If you’re ready for animals, chickens are a popular choice for beginners.
They’re relatively low-maintenance, provide fresh eggs, and can help control pests in the garden.
Chickens do require a secure coop, regular feeding, and protection from predators, so be sure to research their needs and check local regulations before bringing them home.
Other small animals, such as rabbits, are also beginner-friendly and provide manure that can be used as a natural fertilizer.
Set Up a Rainwater Harvesting System
Collecting rainwater is a sustainable way to water your garden and can reduce your reliance on municipal water.
A rain barrel is an easy and affordable way to start, especially if you live in an area with adequate rainfall.
Check your local regulations to ensure rainwater harvesting is permitted in your area.
Embracing the Homesteading Mindset
Homesteading isn’t just about practical skills—it’s a lifestyle and a mindset.
Here are a few qualities that will serve you well on your homesteading journey:
- Patience: Plants take time to grow, animals need consistent care, and some days will be more productive than others. Embrace the pace of nature and allow yourself to learn as you go.
- Adaptability: Weather, pests, and unexpected challenges are all part of homesteading. Being adaptable and resourceful will help you overcome obstacles and make the most of each season.
- Curiosity and Willingness to Learn: Homesteading is a continuous learning process. Stay curious, ask questions, and take joy in expanding your skills. With each new season, you’ll become more capable and confident.
Ready To Get Started?
If you’re ready to start your homesteading journey, remember that you don’t need all the answers at once.
By starting with small, manageable steps and building skills over time, you’ll find yourself growing alongside your homestead.
Embrace each lesson, celebrate your successes, and enjoy the satisfaction that comes with cultivating a lifestyle rooted in sustainability and self-sufficiency.
Welcome to the Wildly Bold homesteading community—you’re in for an exciting journey filled with growth, resilience, and the simple joy of creating something meaningful with your own hands.