Homestead projects for 2012

**ladytoysdream** · 12-12-2011, 07:30 PM

This is a thread idea, I started last year. I think it would be great to have another simliar one for the new year. So here I am making my list of goals for the 2012 year.

Last year's thread.
Homestead projects for 2011

Well the chickens continue to be a big part of things here. I sold extra eggs at the market this summer. It really helped with the feed bill. Goal will be to grow more of their feed this next summer. And get some grain from a farmer in the fall to help cut down the feed costs even more.

The canner I bought parts for last year is still here. I canned with it today. I had my old canner full of carrots, and the second canner had cabbage and beans in it. Total of 18 pints today. Yesterday I did 16 pints of carrots. Goal is to can whenever opportunity knocks with a good deal. I still want to do some pototoes later this week. I also have some jam I want to make.

Goal is to work the garden more serious. I am thinking fencing the garden in, and letting the chickens run loose more hours. They have a decent yard, so no need to make it bigger.

Basically getting more organized. One thing that really helped me recently, was that I made a list of what food was here in storage. It really speeds things up, when I know what cupboard to look in.

I also just did a budget for 2012. Goal is to stick as tight as possible to it. Two areas we need to keep sinking funds going into monthly.

So.....
what plans are you wanting to work on ?

**udwe** · 12-12-2011, 07:41 PM

I really want to make some raised beds in my garden. Last year it flooded so bad we only got a few things to grow. Also, I need to go through all the totes & mark down what's in them. Pantry is pretty organized but need to flesh out a few things. Still need to go through closets & weed things out. But the big thing will be to pay off bills.

**StryderPup** · 12-18-2011, 06:02 PM

I want to grow a larger garden and learn how to can foods. My grandmother used to can when I was growing up and I miss the homegrown canned food. I also want to plant a couple of berry bushes so I can start growing berries.

I have started (in the summer) a compost pile to help with our garden next year.

I know it does not seem like much, but I want to make sure that I don't overwhelm myself and give up.

**hotprincesscm** · 12-18-2011, 06:11 PM

OOoohhh I love to see the new threads for the new year pop up....I failed miserably last year.....I went very, very far from my frugal lifestyle and homesteading goals. This year..I'm going ot tighten the reins and do better. Last year I had the opportunity to start a garden in my apartment complex...due to scheduling difficulties I was never able to participate and grow a garden. So this year, if they offer it....I'm taking full advantage of it....It would be stupid of me not to. My goal is to work my job around the set up times of the garden plots. We only get a small plot....but it would be more than enough for my small family of three. I'm hoping to be able to plant easy to grow and large producing crops, such as green beans, tomatoes, zuchini, cucumbers...Then any excess I will can or dehydrate. Also home organization, and pulling in on the spending will be biggies for me too!

**ladytoysdream** · 12-18-2011, 06:19 PM

I should do raised beds for a garden. I am thinking black plastic is going to be the way to go though. Especially with the smaller veggie garden closest to the house.

Any size garden is a good thing

In a apartment complex....you can swap with the neigbors

**Labontet** · 12-18-2011, 06:22 PM

Mine is to get our raised beds up and running. We are working on the irrigation for watering especially since they are up in the air about hip high. Getting too old to be bending over to the ground any more.

I have a picture of our progress on the raised beds and the early stages of getting our watering system established in a separate posting under the gardening section.

Another would be to use up my fabric stash and make items to use around the house.

**Libby** · 12-18-2011, 07:16 PM

Im not much of a homestead'er but I do know my focus will be on the garden after seeing how much we yielded this year. We're already saving all the eggshells to mix into our 'earth' in the spring to reduce the slugs - apparently we have a lot of them.

DH & I are going to take over the gardening and are in charge of the layout/planning as well as the planting. Once thats done, dad can tinker. Lets just leave it at the fact that our backyard was overrun with vines of everything everywhere. Can you say Lil Shop Of Horrors?

**Spirit Deer** · 12-18-2011, 09:38 PM

The biggest project will be the deck that was supposed to be built last year.

Also, we need to do at least one more raised garden bed and a fence around it and the apple tree. We can't do the whole garden project this year due to the time and money the deck is going to take.

**Lady_V** · 12-18-2011, 11:40 PM

The Condo Association has deemed patio gardens as eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeevil - so, no garden next year

)
corn
peas
carrots
potatoes
sweet potatoes
onions
peppers

**Spirit Deer** · 12-18-2011, 11:49 PM

We used to go through GALLONS of apple butter. I made it in quart jars and our eight kids sucked it down like crazy.

Can you dehydrate in your stove oven?

I still haven't gotten around to figuring out if I can dehydrate in my toaster oven, but I think I might be able to. I hope so, because I don't want to have to store a dehydrator again.

**Lady_V** · 12-19-2011, 12:17 AM

I can't use the oven, it doesn't go low enough - I am looking at the Excalibur and those styled like it. I don't have much room at all, and I don't know how often I would be dehydrating so as much as I really like the large 9 tray one, I am most likely going to go with a 4 or 5 tray.

**Spirit Deer** · 12-19-2011, 01:11 AM

Well, darn. I hope you can get the one you want soon.

**daylily** · 12-19-2011, 05:59 AM

My main homesteading goal last year was to establish berry patches. We planted strawberries, thornless blackberries, gooseberries and blueberries. We still have to make rabbit-proof cages for the blueberries before winter sets in.

I'll have to think about goals for 2012. Thanks for starting this thread!

**Labontet** · 12-19-2011, 07:03 AM

Since I bought a canner and a dehydrator this year I need to start using them in 2012.

No need to be lazy about it, I need to get it in gear to learn how to use them.

**butterflywatcher** · 12-19-2011, 07:09 AM

My son made me a very nice journal in art class and I'm using it to write down 2012 goals and ideas for the house. I would like to do the following things next year:

1. Get serious about composting. I took a master gardening class, for goodness sake! I need to step up my game!
2. Learn to knit and quilt.
3. Make home made cheese and yogurt.
4. Learn to change my own oil!
5. Make my own shower gels and lotions.
6. Learn to fire a shotgun and go hunting with my husband in the fall. He would absolutely love this!!!