I’ll always remember the primary time I used a water bathtub canner on my own.
I used to be feeling fairly smug, going off a number of experiences I had when canning tomatoes with my then-boyfriend (now husband). I knew what I used to be doing. I didn’t must learn and comply with the directions to a T.
In spite of everything, canning was like cooking, proper? You might deviate from the recipe right here and there. It was a artistic artwork, not a science.
I shortly realized the error of my methods when, after placing a number of chilly jars of tomatoes into the canner (as an alternative of sizzling ones), the jars exploded within the sizzling water, leaving shards of glass and splinters of tomatoes in all places.
It was a multitude. And I used to be completely humiliated – and most significantly, humbled.
I’m not an ideal homesteader. I’ve made my share of errors. And, I’m embarrassed to confess a few of them.
However hopefully, by sharing my experiences, you may be taught from my errors and keep away from making them your self!
So with out additional ado, listed here are 18 homesteading errors that I’m not pleased with…
1. Bringing Residence Plenty of Livestock Earlier than You Know What to Do With Them or Elevate Them
I’ve all the time cherished animals, so once I determined to start out homesteading, I made the error of bringing residence numerous livestock earlier than I actually knew what to do with them or learn how to elevate them.
It was an awesome and costly enterprise, and I shortly realized that I wasn’t prepared for it.
I used to be heartbroken once I needed to promote or butcher some of the animals, nevertheless it was the appropriate factor to do. Now, I really feel assured elevating extra animals – however I plan for them first.
Now, I’m rather more ready and solely carry residence animals that I do know I can handle. It’s a lesson that I discovered the arduous means, nevertheless it’s one which I’m perpetually grateful for.
2. Not Utilizing On-line Assets (and Group Assets) For the Data You Want
I’ll admit it, I used to be a little bit of a Luddite once I first began homesteading. I used to be decided to do issues the “old school” means, with none trendy conveniences or expertise. This made for some fascinating experiences, to say the least.
One mistake I made was not utilizing on-line assets for data. There’s a lot useful data out there on-line, from how-to articles to boards the place you may ask questions and get recommendation from skilled homesteaders.
I additionally didn’t make the most of neighborhood assets, similar to native extension workplaces or farmers’ markets. I now notice that there’s no disgrace in utilizing all of the assets at my disposal to assist me be a greater homesteader.
And who is aware of, perhaps sometime I’ll be the one giving recommendation to different beginner homesteaders!
3. Making an attempt to Develop Too Many Crops within the Backyard at As soon as
Once I first began my backyard, I made the error of attempting to develop too many vegetation directly. I planted tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, and just about each different vegetable possible.
I used to be so excited to see every part rising and producing meals that I didn’t think about the quantity of effort and time it might take to take care of all of these vegetation. Because the summer season went on, I shortly realized that I used to be in over my head.
The backyard turned uncared for and overgrown, and a lot of the greens ended up going to waste. Lesson discovered!
4. Making Selections as a Interest Farmer As a substitute of as a Enterprise
Once I first began homesteading, I used to be very naive. I assumed it might be simple to only “wing it” and that every part would someway simply work out. My early errors price me numerous time, vitality, and cash.
One of many largest errors I made was treating my homesteading like a passion as an alternative of a enterprise. I might make choices based mostly on what I felt like doing in the mean time as an alternative of what was really going to be finest for my enterprise.
Consequently, my operation was inefficient and unorganized. It wasn’t till I began making choices as a enterprise proprietor that issues actually began to show round for me.
Now, I plan every part out prematurely and be sure that each determination I make goes to assist me attain my long-term targets.
Although it’s been a studying course of, making the change from passion farmer to enterprise proprietor was probably the greatest choices I’ve ever made.
5. Not Investing within the Proper Form of Fencing
Some of the essential points of homesteading is making a secure and safe surroundings in your animals.
This implies preserving predators out and guaranteeing that your animals have loads of house to roam. Once we first began homesteading, we made the error of not investing in the right kind of fencing.
We purchased the most affordable fencing materials – poultry netting – we may discover and spent months attempting to construct and re-finagle a fence that may preserve our animals secure.
However irrespective of how arduous we tried, our fence was by no means sturdy sufficient to maintain out predators or comprise our animals.
Consequently, we misplaced a number of animals to predators and different chickens simply merely…wandered away. Not efficient!
We wanted to do extra analysis about what sort of fencing would work finest for our animals and in our space.
Poultry netting works nicely for some areas, however for our land, the soil was too rocky and heavy to carry the stakes, so it simply didn’t preserve animals in (or out).
6. Breeding Animals With out Any Form of Plan
Breeding animals is a standard homesteading apply, nevertheless it’s one that may simply go incorrect in case you don’t have a plan.
Some of the widespread errors is breeding animals with none regard for his or her lineage or well being.
This will result in inbred animals which are weak and sickly, and it will probably additionally trigger critical issues sooner or later in case you resolve to promote or commerce your animals.
One other mistake is failing to maintain monitor of your animals’ offspring. This will make it troublesome to find out which animals are associated to one another, and it will probably additionally trigger issues if it is advisable promote or commerce an animal sooner or later.
Lastly, failing to spay or neuter your animals can result in undesirable litters that you could be not be capable of care for correctly.
7. Not Checking on the Zoning
Zoning legal guidelines differ enormously from place to put. Setbacks, top restrictions, and even the varieties of animals you’re allowed to maintain can all be ruled by zoning.
Earlier than you buy property or transfer to a brand new homestead, it’s important that you just examine on the zoning laws in place.
Failure to take action may end in hefty fines and even the lack of your homestead totally. In some circumstances, you might be able to apply for a variance or particular exception that may assist you to proceed homesteading in your property.
Nevertheless, that is typically an extended and troublesome course of. It’s a lot simpler to easily just remember to’re in compliance with the legislation from the beginning.
Checking on the zoning laws in your space is a vital a part of being a accountable homesteader.
8. Not Listening to Recommendation
Some of the widespread errors made by new homesteaders is failing to take heed to recommendation. Whether or not it’s from extra skilled homesteaders, household, or associates, it’s essential to take heed of what others need to say.
There are numerous issues that may go incorrect on a homestead, and it’s finest to be ready for as many eventualities as potential. Ignoring recommendation can result in expensive errors, and in some circumstances, it will probably even be harmful.
For instance, in case you’re suggested to construct a fence round your backyard to maintain out deer, however you ignore that recommendation, you might discover that your crops are shortly decimated. In brief, on the subject of homesteading, it pays to take heed to those that know finest.
9. Poor Budgeting
With regards to homesteading, there are numerous issues to contemplate. Some of the essential, however typically neglected, points is budgeting.
With out a well-thought-out finances, it may be simple to overspend on provides and gear. This will shortly put a pressure in your funds and make it troublesome to keep up your homestead in the long term.
One other widespread mistake is just not factoring in sudden prices. Irrespective of how ready you’re, there’ll all the time be sudden bills.
Whether or not it’s an unplanned restore or a sudden enhance within the value of feed, being ready for the sudden is essential to preserving your homestead working easily.
10. Considering You Must DIY EVERYTHING
One of many worst errors I ever made once I first began homesteading was pondering that I needed to do every part myself.
It appeared like each different homesteader I noticed had constructed their very own home, grown all their very own meals, and made all their very own garments.
So I attempted to do the identical, and it was an absolute catastrophe. Not solely was I continuously exhausted, however my home was a multitude, my garments had been falling aside, and my meals was barely edible.
It wasn’t till I spotted that I didn’t need to do every part myself that I began to get pleasure from homesteading.
Lately, I’m rather more relaxed and targeted on the issues that I’m really good at. I don’t attempt to sew my very own garments. I don’t all the time bake my very own bread. However I develop most of my very own produce and we elevate all of our meat right here on the farm.
And because of this, my homestead is flourishing. So in case you’re enthusiastic about homesteading, don’t make the identical mistake I did and attempt to do every part your self.
Deal with the issues that you just’re good at and delegate the remaining. You’ll be a lot happier and your homestead will likely be rather more profitable because of this.
11. Assuming You Must Elevate All of Your Personal Animals On the Farm
One of many largest errors that new homesteaders make is assuming that they should elevate all of their animals from scratch.
Whereas it’s definitely satisfying to observe a chick hatch and develop right into a full-grown hen, it is usually numerous work.
Not solely do you must take care of the chicks, however you even have to fret about defending them from predators and preserving them heat. Began pullets, then again, are younger chickens which have already been raised by another person.
Consequently, they work much less and usually tend to survive.
Equally, it’s typically simpler to purchase older livestock that’s already used to being round people. Whereas it could be costlier upfront, it will probably prevent numerous effort and time in the long term.
12. Ignoring Your Land’s Microclimate
Earlier than you even take into consideration beginning a homestead, it’s essential to take your land’s microclimate under consideration. Microclimates are small-scale weather conditions that may differ considerably from the overall situations within the surrounding space.
For instance, a valley would possibly expertise hotter temperatures and extra frost than the encircling hills. Consequently, completely different vegetation will thrive in numerous microclimates.
Ignoring your land’s microclimate can result in all kinds of issues, from poor crop yields to soil erosion.
So take the time to review your land and work out what sort of vegetation will do finest in every particular space. With just a little little bit of planning, you can also make positive your homestead is profitable for years to return.
13. Beginning Too Many Tasks At As soon as
I’m the kind of one that likes to be busy. I all the time have a number of tasks occurring directly, and I typically tackle greater than I can deal with.
Consequently, I typically discover myself overwhelmed and stressed. This was by no means extra obvious than once I first began homesteading. I had so many concepts and plans, and I needed to do every part directly.
I shortly discovered that this was a recipe for catastrophe. Not solely did I not have the time or vitality to complete all of my tasks, however I additionally started to resent homesteading as a result of it felt like work as an alternative of enjoyment.
Now, I’ve discovered to take issues one step at a time. I concentrate on one challenge at a time and be sure that it’s accomplished earlier than transferring on to one thing new. This has helped me to get pleasure from homesteading extra and has made me rather more productive.
14. Ignoring Emergency Planning
Some of the widespread homesteading errors is neglecting to plan for emergencies.
Whether or not it’s a pure catastrophe, an influence outage, or one thing else totally, it’s essential to be ready for something which may come your means.
Which means having an emergency kit stocked with food, water, and different necessities, in addition to a plan for what to do in case of an emergency.
It’s additionally essential to know your dangers and hazards with the intention to be as ready as potential.
By taking the time to plan forward, you may just remember to and your loved ones are secure and sound within the occasion of an emergency.
15. Planting Issues That Received’t Develop Effectively in Your Zone
Some of the widespread errors that new homesteaders make is planting issues that received’t develop nicely of their local weather zone.
For instance, somebody who lives in a chilly local weather would possibly attempt to develop citrus fruits, which require numerous warmth and daylight to thrive. Or somebody in a sizzling, dry local weather would possibly attempt to grow potatoes, which want cool, moist situations to supply a very good crop.
Earlier than you begin planting, it’s essential to do your analysis and discover out which vegetation will do nicely in your specific local weather. That means, you may keep away from disappointment and take advantage of your homesteading efforts.
16. Ignoring the Must Domesticate Different “Rural Abilities”
As a homesteader, I typically discover myself targeted on the sensible expertise of gardening and elevating livestock. In spite of everything, these are the actions that immediately present meals and shelter for my household.
Nevertheless, I just lately realized that I had been neglecting among the different important expertise of homesteading.
Canning, stitching, and breadmaking are all important to self-sufficiency, and I’m embarrassed to confess that I’ve let these expertise fall by the wayside.
As I look again, I can see how my concentrate on the “sensible” expertise of homesteading has led me to miss the significance of those different essential abilities.
Any longer, I’ll make some extent of cultivating a well-rounded set of homesteading skills, in order that I could be really self-sufficient in any state of affairs.
17. Placing Your Livestock within the Unsuitable Spot
With regards to homesteading, there are numerous issues to contemplate. Some of the essential choices you’ll make is the place to place your livestock. In the event you’re not cautious, you may simply find yourself placing them within the incorrect spot.
For instance, in case you have a backyard, you is likely to be tempted to place your chickens within the backyard space. Nevertheless, chickens will shortly destroy your vegetation and depart behind a multitude.
The identical is true for goats and different grazing animals. You have to be sure they’ve sufficient house to roam and that they received’t injury your property.
One other widespread mistake is placing your livestock too near your property. Not solely will this create noise and odor points, nevertheless it may also be harmful. If in case you have younger youngsters, they may simply get into the pen and get harm.
Equally, in case you have canine, they may get right into a combat with the livestock. It’s essential to consider carefully about the place you place your livestock and ensure they’ve sufficient house to remain secure and wholesome.
18. Specializing in Fairly and Excellent Quite Than Practical and Performed
I’ll admit it, I’m a little bit of a perfectionist. Once I began homesteading, I needed every part to look excellent. I obsessively weeded my backyard, ensuring each leaf was pristine.
I spent hours planning and planting flowers, striving for an association that may seem like it belonged in {a magazine}.
And I scoured the web for the proper hen coop, full with fancy options and a designer paint job.
It was solely after my first winter that I spotted how silly I had been. We couldn’t afford a chicken coop like that – nor did we’d like one.
Specializing in fairly and ideal reasonably than useful and finished is a mistake that almost all new homesteaders make. The reality is, homesteading is difficult work. There’s all the time one thing that must be mounted, repaired, or constructed.
There’s by no means sufficient time to do every part that must be finished, not to mention takes care of all of the little particulars. And there’s all the time one thing that goes incorrect, irrespective of how rigorously you propose.
So in case you’re simply beginning out, save your self a while and stress and concentrate on what’s actually essential: getting the job finished.
Last Ideas
I’ve made all of those errors and extra, however hopefully you may be taught from my experiences (and save your self some cash within the course of).
If there are every other homesteading blunders that you want to me to share, please let me know within the feedback. I promise to be taught from my errors and by no means make them once more!
Now it’s your flip – what homesteading mistake have you ever made that you just’re not too proud to confess?
