What do you DO on a homestead??

**Dave'sGirl** · 03-09-2008, 04:26 PM

Dave and I bought a beautiful home on 8.25 acres. We have a small stocked pond, some woods, wildlife galore (had a bear at my birdfeeders on Thursday night!) and an absolute passion for making the very most out of living here. Being a city girl for almost all of my 50 years, I don't really know what to do with this new lifestyle. I picture crafting, cooking, gardening, hiking etc but I'm not sure how to fit it all in ontop of a full time job.

Can someone please describe their typical day/week on your homestead???

**suki** · 03-09-2008, 06:37 PM

When I was working full time away from home, my days were filled with morning/evening chores during the week and more of the fun stuff on the weekends. More outdoor stuff in the spring/summer months and more indoor crafting and such in the fall/winter months.

**imforpeace** · 03-10-2008, 10:57 AM

Well you will really enjoy a slower paced life. Your homestead sounds lovely. Besides the normal chores, you can just enjoy life. In the spring and summer you will have plenty to do and see. I love to garden and watch the wildlife. Sitting in my porch swing with a good book and a glass of tea is another favorite! In the colder months, that's when I really get into my crafts.

**ravenmaniac** · 03-11-2008, 05:44 PM

I'm so jealous. I think you should make the most of every moment. We have a little over an acre and wish it was more. I love my flower gardens, the little bit of vegetables I grow, the wildlife, general maintenance on the outside of my home, and sitting back on my deck or in my flower garden on an adirondack chair reading. In the winter I love working on indoor projects and crafts. I work full time outside of the home too. When I get home I don't want to leave. My home is my haven.

**sunshine** · 03-11-2008, 10:17 PM

I work full time as an RN -- plus we homestead on a few acres.

Spring is planting, hatching chicks, breeding rabbits, etc. We raise angora rabbits, and I collect the fur - during the spring,summer and spin it in the late fall/winter.

Summer is tending the gardens, picking fruit and canning it (making jams, jellies too), putting up the summer harvest.

Fall - putting up the rest of the harvest, picking up nuts and shelling them, etc.

Winter - spinning the fur, crocheting/knitting, etc.

**Odilia** · 03-17-2008, 12:01 AM

Our homestead is 160 acres with lots of animals, and we have young children at home, so my days seem to be a little crazy. In reality, you have the freedom to choose what homesteading areas you want to delve into, and you can be busier or less busy depending on what works for you.

I usually start breakfast the night before and lunch and dinner prep in the morning to make sure we eat at decent times...LOL! We have morning devotions, eat breakfast, and then start in on schooling.

When Baby goes down for his late morning nap, the 3 older boys head out to do their chores (they take care of the sheep, goat, pig, ducks, chicken, cats, and dogs almost on their own -- Hubby and I help as needed). Little girl and I go out to milk the cow, check the beef cows, and I take care of the rams (I don't let the kids be around intact male breeding livestock).

When chores are done, it's time for lunch and to finish any schoolwork that didn't get done. Usually by 2pm, we're done with "formal" schooling and have time for fun stuff. Most of the housecleaning, cheesemaking, baking, crafting, sewing, etc... happens in the afternoons. Some afternoons we have CCD or 4-H activities.

Late afternoons, we do another round of chores and then eat dinner. Some evenings, the kids have Tae Kwon Do or other activities. Evenings at home, we read, play games, work on hobbies, hang out, watch a movie, etc...

As spring is upon us, it'll be time to fit gardening into the mix. Good thing I don't sleep a lot!

**annymoll** · 03-18-2008, 12:20 AM

Originally Posted by Odilia

Our homestead is 160 acres with lots of animals, and we have young children at home, so my days seem to be a little crazy. In reality, you have the freedom to choose what homesteading areas you want to delve into, and you can be busier or less busy depending on what works for you.

I usually start breakfast the night before and lunch and dinner prep in the morning to make sure we eat at decent times...LOL! We have morning devotions, eat breakfast, and then start in on schooling.

When Baby goes down for his late morning nap, the 3 older boys head out to do their chores (they take care of the sheep, goat, pig, ducks, chicken, cats, and dogs almost on their own -- Hubby and I help as needed). Little girl and I go out to milk the cow, check the beef cows, and I take care of the rams (I don't let the kids be around intact male breeding livestock).

When chores are done, it's time for lunch and to finish any schoolwork that didn't get done. Usually by 2pm, we're done with "formal" schooling and have time for fun stuff. Most of the housecleaning, cheesemaking, baking, crafting, sewing, etc... happens in the afternoons. Some afternoons we have CCD or 4-H activities.

Late afternoons, we do another round of chores and then eat dinner. Some evenings, the kids have Tae Kwon Do or other activities. Evenings at home, we read, play games, work on hobbies, hang out, watch a movie, etc...

As spring is upon us, it'll be time to fit gardening into the mix. Good thing I don't sleep a lot!

It's good to see you Odilia, I missed you.I always thought it was so interesting to hear about life on your farm!!!

**prairiedog** · 03-21-2008, 03:40 PM

Wish we had more room We are a tiny homestead on 1/3 of acre in a small KS town. We have four large garden spots on where we grow enough vegatables to keep a family of 7 fed through the winter. We also have two dairy goats to supply our milk and meat, chickens for eggs and meat and rabbits for meat and fur. We go to the stor once a month for supplies we can not grow. Our goal is to find and old farm house on a few acres so we can enlarge our dream. We also have fruit vines and trees.

**champagnium** · 04-16-2008, 12:43 PM

*sigh* someday I will have a homestead too...someday

For now I just like to work int eh barn I lease at and daydream...when I have MY barn I'll do this..and that...and have this here........

**FrugalMomof3** · 04-16-2008, 12:54 PM

No advice just wanted to say I am jealous, you have what I have been wanting for so long, maybe one day.

I just say enjoy it!

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**Dave88LX** · 05-12-2008, 02:04 AM

Do you still work? Is it retirement? "Country living"?

**freyadog** · 05-12-2008, 08:34 AM

My fall and winters are for quilting and sewing up and at things I didnt get done over the spring and summer. Crafts etc.

Chickens and rabbits are fed morning/night here. Gotta sing to my chickens. Now with 2 goats they are in the mix in the morning to milk Arwen and give Moses(6 weeks old mini) a good scratch or two. Always have a few Oyster crackers in my shirt pocket for a tad of snack.

Then comes the baking breads, cinnamon rolls, whatever for dinner and rest of the week. Gotta get in cooking for freezer meals for later in the month.

Have the garden to keep weeded, hay to gather, etc.

**forHISglory** · 05-12-2008, 10:06 AM

Bears? Hiking? Yikes!

But as to your question of what to do, some of that depends on whether your homestead is more for relaxing and recreation or whether it is for survival.

If for survival, then you have to seriously garden, weed, plant, harvest, can, freeze, dry, etc. You will be setting out fruit trees and grape arbors and aspargus beds and strawberry beds and other types of berries. You will be raising chickens and rabbits, maybe a goat or sheep, and maintaining your pond for fish production. All of this involves a lot of chores during the day.

If for recreation and relaxing, then kick off your shoes, grab some tea and read! I like to write and the solitude and beauty of the property would give me a lot of inspiration. Work on making homemade decor for your house, such as grapevine wreaths or other items made from things you find on the homestead. (My father crafts wooden items from trees off his farm. What a treasure! My hubby makes walking sticks and aforementioned wreaths from items off our property) Experiment with cooking; try a firepit, or dutch oven. Work on landscaping. We have loads of rocks on our property and we have built all kinds of retaining walls and flower beds with them over the years. Make homemade games and play them on those dark winter nights. Try making candles and using them in place of lights sometimes. About making soap?

What a great opportunity you have! Just watch out for the bears.....

**dolphin** · 05-22-2008, 04:52 PM

I just wanted to say that I'm jealous too! LOL

You're living my dream!

Go to your local library and read up on Homesteading and Living off the Land. There's lots of current information there with step by step instructions on how to live off the land. If you're planning on doing any kind of farming or gardening, I recommend "Mother Earth News" magazine.

Also be sure to go to your local County Extension Office. They have relavent information about your particular climent.

Good luck with your new Homestead! Happy, Happy, Happy for you!