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OT: Homesteading Books/ Resources?
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I agree…food production and preservation. The family needs to eat :). IMO, only chickens; but start with less than 15 (I don’t know how large your family is…maybe 20). Also, I’d start with some fruit trees and/or bushes and/or vines. Trees take a few years to get started so getting them in early is a good idea. Berry vines and plants give a quicker reward.
There are skills that you can start learning now in your kitchen, however. If you can’t garden now, buy stuff in bulk and in season and start practicing preservation skills – lacto-fermenting, proper freezing and/or canning. You can learn to render fat and start making broths and using as much of everything as you can; make butter with raw milk; other kitchen frugality and from-scratch skills that you’ll need later which you can start now.
Also, stocking up on things you can’t/won’t make/produce like candles, batteries, grain, etc.
Oh, and make sure you have a heating source (though in Texas, that’s not a big a deal), but you’ll want to make sure ya’ll can handle the heat without central air. YOu can plant some shade trees as soon as you move in that will eventually help? (thinkin’ out-loud).
Now is a great time to research and start these basic skills, so you won’t have to learn later.
Also, I agree not to overwhelm yourself. IMO, two-three fruit trees, a couple of blackberries and/or raspberries bushes which practically grow themselves (strawberries are a little more work-I’d save those for the second year) and blueberries, as they too take few years to get going. HOwever, once you prepare the ground, plant them fertilze them 2x, you can practically leave them (except for some natural pest/fungal sprays as necessary), while you work on your garden, home, and chickens (and start your compost!)
I love these books. I own a lot of the ones listed in this thread.
We did this. Not off grid entirely but pretty close. We moved out of the city and on to the land. We had extensive gardens, bees, chickens, fruit trees, composting, etc. It was an amazing experience. The land we moved to was raw but not isolated entirely from neighbors. It was back breaking work. We did it for about six years. Poured all our money and heart in to it. And then we quit. Just like that (almost) and took the first chance out of it.
I think I’ve decided my ideal would be a mini farm in the city somewhere.
Another great read Farm City by Novella Carpenter.5 acres and independance is supposed to be a classic in this area. (by Kains pub by Dover) I don’t find it an easy read but it has a lot of interesting things, and as always there is alot to gleam from older books. John Seymour’s books have many illustrations and that makes them easier to read. They are very English, imho, but beautiful. Joel Salatin makes a good read, and is up to date. Lots good titles, I don’t own them all 😉 but Family Friendly Farming should get you started.
A challenge for me is that many of the parts of these books are not applicable to the harsh climate in Africa, but I still do enjoy them.
Lindy
Rachel, I am interested in learning more about native plants. We moved to the country 3 years ago and I want to learn these skills. This was my 2nd garden and it failed completely. It is not that they did not grow, but something came along, ate at it and destroyed it. Last year was partly successful with zucchini and watermelon. This year my zucchini plants grew but never produced a harvest. My husband does not forbid me but does not see why when we can get them easily at the store, so he is of no help. I am close to giving up on a garden, but willing to try again with something different, more likely to succeed. Maybe native plants are what I should try. I have been focusing more on improving my kitchen skills which used to be canned stock and few vegetables. I would like chickens one day. We have 2 acres. If I am going to garden in the spring, now is the time for learning and planning. I have not found any books helpful enough to recommend. They are all overwhelming and seem to assume I have some basic knowledge of gardening and I do not. So I feel stuck about where to focus my time and effort next. I would love to follow your blog, ServingwithJoy.
I wish I could recommend a specific native plants in regards to veges book for you, but I’ve just learned here and there. If you haven’t looked through The Organic Gardener’s Handbook of Natural Insect and Disease Control, I would recommend it highly to read through the winter. You’ll be able to read that and learn the signs of insect and disease and know what natural solutions you can use.
Getting the names of the seeds that ol’ timers grew and used traditional open-pollination methods to create stronger and regionally specific plants is the best way; but those type of people whom you can glean the info. and seeds from are few and far between.
When you decide what veges you want to grow, then look up which versions of those veges grow better in your area. There’s great variety out there in the heirloom world.
PMing you…
Our family favorites:
The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It, by John Seymour
The Family Cow Handbook, by Philip Hasheider (by far my favorite book for those wanting to milk their own cow)
Nourishing Traditions, Sally Fallon
The Ball Blue Book of Preserving
Texas Treasury of Dutch Oven Cooking, compiled by the Lone Star Dutch Oven Society
The Storey’s books are nice for specific animals.
I know we have other favorites, but these are the titles that stick out in my mind.
I checked out a nice preservation book yesterday.
Saving the Season: A Cook’s Guide to Home Canning, Pickling, and Preserving, by Kevin West
Another great read Farm City by Novella Carpenter.
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