Saturday, April 20, 2019

Making time to homestead

TIME!
I wish they made more of this. You have to make time for this venture. Include your spouse and kids. I really feel that homesteading is a noble thing that is very underrated. Kids love playing in soil and getting dirty. Allow time for them to play and get dirty. And then sit back and observe them, and watch the gratitude they get from just being outside. Maybe you can find some happiness in watching your kids be happy.
Early spring baby romaine
lettuce head

When can we find time to homestead? Before work, after work and weekends. If you really want to do this you will make time. Don’t neglect your spouse and children, you need their support to be successful in this venture. Family first, then homestead. I have seen families ripped apart because folks don’t have their priorities in order. If your loved ones feel they are second place to your homestead, they will resent it. Trust me, it is possible to keep everyone happy.
Don’t move to the country on a whelm and think that the homesteading gene within you will come alive just because you are in the country. If you truly want to homestead, you will find a way to do it no matter where you are. Take time each day to read and learn a new skill. Reading will give you the basics, but taking time to actually do it will be the true test. I can give you detailed instructions on how to care for chickens or how to grow vegetables but until you actually do it yourself, in your climate, and in your yard, then you will never master it.
Make time to learn and understand your land. Observation is a powerful tool on your homestead. Take time to understand your micro climate. Look at your land and understand the layout, and where the sun hits throughout the day. How the wind blows across you land and how water drains. Take time to understand where the warm and cool spots are on your land during the seasons, especially fall and spring. Make time for this, it doesn’t take long. Wake early one morning, 5:30 am, and watch the sun come up. Do this for each season because you can make decisions on where you plant crops for the micro climate you live in.  Observe where the sun hits your land first thing in the morning. Ask yourself, should I put a garden here or a wind break? How much sunlight is this spot going to receive throughout the day? If it’s 10 hours of direct sunlight then you might want to plant tomatoes or peppers there, but not lettuce. Take time to observe, make your plan, then work your plan.
Homesteading is very rewarding but like anything you want master it takes time and the willingness to fail, then succeed. Be the master of your homestead, make time to understand your layout. Email me with question and share this with anyone you think might benefit from it.

Jason Smith
Homesteader and Market Gardener
Email: jason@smithfamilyfarmtn.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH_6SzCMTTkjND
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Website: www.smithfamilyfarmtn.com



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