The best part about homesteading is that you can start wherever you are! Whether you’re living in a city or on a sprawling farm, there are plenty of homesteading skills that you can learn and apply everyday. 

I first began my homesteading journey with a simple garden that me and my father planted together when I was a little girl. Tending to the garden and being able to enjoy fresh fruit and veggies sparked a desire in me to become self-sustainable and more deeply connected to my food.

While living in a small home in suburbia, I began learning as many homesteading skills as I could. From scratch-cooking, to making my own natural cleaning and beauty products, to sewing and knitting– learning these skills inspired me to keep going, and had me dreaming of one day owning my own homestead. 

Fast forward, and I now have cows, pigs, turkeys, a big garden, and chickens galore! But before I had my homestead, I had to learn how to homestead– so that I could be prepared for when the time came.

So if you’re dreaming of beginning your journey homesteading, and are not sure where to begin– then this post is for you!

Cooking From Scratch

The best way to begin your homesteading journey is to start cooking from scratch. From making your own pantry staples, to baking sourdough bread, to making homemade cheese and bone broth– cooking from scratch is an essential part of homesteading. 

Cooking your own meals and filling your kitchen with homemade food teaches you how to become self-sufficient and helps you avoid unhealthy, processed ingredients that are in foods sold at the supermarket. 

Since cooking from scratch is the cornerstone of homesteading– I created Staples Made Simple: A Beginner’s Guide to Everyday Recipes– for people just like you, who are just starting out on their homesteading journey!

DIY Natural Cleaning Products

Making your own non-toxic cleaning products, like this all-purpose citrus cleaner, is a great way to start homesteading wherever you are.

By making your own DIY cleaning supplies, you learn how to repurpose common ingredients into cleaning products that are not only super effective, but don’t contain harmful ingredients (unlike generic cleaning products sold at the supermarket).

Grow a Garden

Whether you have a big backyard or just a small amount of space in a city apartment– starting and maintaining a garden is possible! 

To begin your garden, make sure to do some research on the types of fruits, herbs, and veggies that would grow best in your local conditions. Consider sunlight, temperature, soil quality, and the watering needs of the plants! Remember to start small and give yourself grace, as you continue to learn through the process!

Canning and Preserving

Canning and preserving food is actually much more simple than you think! All you need is a big pot of water and some canning jars and lids. If you have a big harvest from your garden– then canning is a great way to preserve your harvest.

If you haven’t began gardening just yet, don’t fret! You can still can local produce, bone broth, apple sauce, pie fillings, soups, and more! The options are really endless when it comes to canning!

Learn more about canning and preserving here.

Fermenting

Another great way to preserve food is through the process of fermentation. Have you ever had raw sauerkraut, kimchi, or kombucha? These are all fermented foods that are packed with gut-healthy bacteria.

Fermentation is the process of using bacteria and yeast to break down sugars in food, which in turn help to preserve it. Learning to make your own fermented foods at home is a fun and simple step on your homesteading journey.

Herbal Remedies

Learning to make herbal medicine, like salves, tinctures, and health-boosting tonics– can be a fun and fulfilling part of your homesteading journey.

There is an herbal remedy for almost every ailment you can think of. One of my favorite simple herbal remedies to make is fire cider– which is an age-old folk remedy consisting of herbs, vinegar, and honey. Check out my fire cider recipe and prepare your very first herbal remedy for the winter season ahead!

DIY Non-Toxic Bath & Beauty

Living a non-toxic lifestyle is intrinsic to homesteading. You can make your own bath and beauty products with simple and healthy ingredients that work just as good as the toxic brands sold at stores. 

Making your own goat’s milk soap, tallow butter, and fruit-pigmented makeup are simple products to start making at home!

Start Composting

Composting is the process of recycling organic matter like food scraps, coffee grinds, and egg shells, into a fertilizer that enriches soil. Composting reduces food waste and helps your plants grow at the same time! 

You can use compost for your garden to nourish your veggies, fruits, and herbs– but you don’t need a garden to compost. You can make a compost tea to help your house plants grow by brewing your compost in water so that the nutrients and beneficial microorganisms are released.

Sewing, Knitting and Crocheting

Sewing, knitting, and crocheting are all wonderful skills to learn on your homesteading journey that reinforce self-sufficiency and mindful living.

You can create blankets, clothing, scarves, pillow cases, dish rags and so much more. You will also be able to repair damaged materials, like if a curtain rips or your favorite apron gets snagged– you will have the skills to repair the items without needing to replace them!

Foraging

Learning how to forage for wild-edibles in your area is a timeless skill that will benefit you greatly on your homesteading journey.

Some of my favorite things to forage are berries– like elderberries for medicine making, mulberries, raspberries and blackberries, mushrooms like reishi or chicken of the woods, edible flowers and herbs like dandelion, stinging nettle, mullein– and so much more!

The world of wild-edibles is endless. Just make sure to do your research and know what is safe to eat! 

Cooking from Scratch Pantry Staples: Milkmaid Farm Selina

Have you started your homesteading journey yet?! Let me know in the comments! And to keep up with the latest recipes on the blog, check out my recent posts: