Over the last few years, we have moved a few different times. So to say that we are adept at this beginning homestead thing, is a little bit of an understatement. I’m sharing more than 40 resources to help those who are learning homesteading for beginners – the very basics to help get you started.
Long story short, we have started our homestead journey, got settled, built structures, created new gardens, set up fencing, etc. Just in time to move within a couple of short years.
We’ve had our share of building from scratch. And then doing it all over again and yet again. It hasn’t been a bad experience, we have kind of gotten the hang of this.
However, it would be great to finally settle into one place for a bit longer term. And I believe this is our next journey. We have moved onto my husband’s family ranch and the process of building/moving a new home has begun.
It will be a long road ahead. We need to build all of the animal structures, fencing, and gardens over again. But it will be a joyous road for our family.
Preparing the land. Digging for the new homestead basement. Fox blocks for basement walls. Using a crane to move the new home.
Homesteading for Beginners
Are you a beginner homesteader? Where do you begin when you need to start from scratch? I’m sharing some of my favorite resources for the beginner homesteader.
Of course, you don’t need to have a ton of acres to begin homesteading. I think one of the most important things about beginning a homestead journey is to start small.
To learn a variety of different skills.
For us it may look like having an acreage on the ranch, raising animals, and growing a variety of foods.
For you it could be totally different. Like growing a small patio garden or herb garden in the kitchen window and food preservation. And then for the next person it could be fiber arts and other trades.
So, homesteading really is what you can do where you are and within your means, skill level, and ability.
I think if you make a plan to learn a new skill a little at a time, you will really set yourself up to be successful.
Beginning Homestead Skills
Homesteading for Beginners (40+ Resources!)
Here are a few great resources from some of my amazing and inspirational homestead blogger friends. They have shared a lot of great information on how to get started with many great skills. These are so jam packed & full of information that you’ll want to save this list and come back to it a little at a time to learn all of the basic homesteading skills.
Self Sufficiency on the Homestead
15+ tips for learning self sufficiency as you begin your homestead journey.
How to Start Your Homestead When You Don't Have Any Money (It's ALL About Attitudes of Independence & Self-Reliance)
Homesteading is a state of mind. Get started on your homestead journey where you currently are!
Having the Courage to Homestead
Are you ready to make the leap into homesteading, but also aren’t sure that you have it in you? Here you will find inspiration and the courage to do so!
30+ Basic Homestead Skills to Start Learning Today
Everything from learning how to preserve your own food to cooking outdoors and learning basic first aid, get inspired to homestead here.
My Top Five Homesteading Lessons
Five years of homesteading and the top five lessons learned from beginner homesteaders.
10 Tools to Make Homestead Life Easier
10 tools that we have used to make our homesteading life easier. These our the must haves for our homestead projects.
70+ Homesteading Essentials for Self-Sufficiency
Get the essentials for homesteading with this handy list of resources.
Organize Your Build: The Owner-Builder Home Planner
Are you building your homestead from scratch? Grab a copy of this essential owner/builder home planner as your guide.
The Homestead Goal Planner - The Free Range Life
A simple, yet practical planner that will help you get organized and productive on the homestead!
13 of the Best Farm Finance Tracking Tools
Keep track of your farm related expenses and finances with this list of best farm tracking tools.
Using a Complete Homestead Management Binder | Faithful Farmwife
Stay organized, and keep track of all of your homestead records with this homestead management binder.
15 Beginner Gardening Tips + Garden Planning Resources
Are you new to gardening? This list is for you! Get inspired in your garden with these 15 tips for beginners.
Herb Gardening for Beginners
Starting a basic herb garden is a great addition to any homestead. Learn about starting both culinary and medicinal herbs, easily.
5 Easy Herbs to Grow
Continue on with your herb garden growing with learning about these 5 easy herbs to grow.
How we grew HUNDREDS of pounds of food without weeding or watering a single time!
Save time on maintaining your garden beds with these amazing tips. Learn all the basics of growing a Back to Eden style garden.
Permaculture Basics
Have you considered trying a permaculture design for your homestead garden? Here are the basic details you need to get started.
Growing Food At Home Was Never Easier!
Plan your garden with these five worksheets. Also includes a 30+ page guide to seed starting.
Garden Planning in Zone 5
Do you live in growing zone 5? This how-to planner will help you with planting a garden in zone 5! Plus resources for other zones!
DIY Compost Bin with a 5 Gallon Bucket | Faithful Farmwife
Make your own compost bin at home with this easy and very frugal DIY tutorial.
How to Build a Greenhouse (plus supply cost & what to plant)
Add a greenhouse to extend your growing season and store your seedlings on your homestead. This DIY project will help you build your own!
What to Grow in a Greenhouse
What can you grow in a greenhouse? How long can you extend your growing season or which plants do best in the colder and hotter months? Find out with the greenhouse growing guide.
The Confident Herbalist: A Guide to Home Herbalism
Do you want to learn everything there is to know about becoming a home herbalist? This course is definitely one to check out! It is jam-packed full of valuable herbal information!
How to Create a Potager Garden
Plan & create your own home potager style kitchen garden with this helpful guide.
Herbs and Flowers for a Potager Garden Design
Here is a list of my favorite herbs and flowers to add to your potager garden design.
5 Things I Wish I'd Done Before the Harvest
After the growing season, prepare yourself for harvesting season! What do you need to do before you harvest your garden vegetables?
Food Preservation Planner by The Free Range Life
A wonderful tool for keeping track of all of your food preservation efforts - canning, freezing, and dehydrating. Plan, organize, and track your preserves & storage.
Quick Start Guide to Water Bath Canning - 28 Recipes Included!
This guide will get you set up for water bath canning success! An essential for every new home canner.
Quick Start Guide to Pressure Canning | A Step by Step Guide
This resource is perfect to keep in your kitchen after the garden harvest. You’ll find it full of useful information for beginning your pressure canning experience.
Raising Chickens: The Basics
Do you want to add chickens to your homestead? This guide will teach you everything you need to know to get started.
5 of Our Favorite & Best Chickens for Pets
The most friendly chickens that you can keep on your homestead as pets. These chickens are perfect for beginner homesteaders and those with families.
Chicken Predator Control & Out of the Box Solutions
Learn the basics of keeping your chickens safe from predators with these ideas.
How to Introduce New Chickens to the Current Flock
Planning on introducing new chickens to an established flock? Here is how we have done it to keep all chickens happy and safe.
Ducks VS Chickens - What are the differences?
Which is best for your homestead - chickens or ducks? Learn the differences for keeping them on your property.
How to Hatch Duck Eggs
Learn how to hatch your own duck eggs at home with this simple guide.
Raising Goats for Beginners
Everything you need to know about getting started with raising goats at home for beginners.
5 Best Breeds of Goats to Keep as Pets
A list of the five best goat breeds to raise as pets at home.
10 Best Dairy Goats for Beginners
Want to raise dairy goats at home? Here are the 10 best dairy goat breeds to get you started.
10+ Dairy Goat Essentials for Your Small Herd
New to raising goats for dairy? Here are the essential tools that you need to get set up for success.
Pregnancy and Postpartum Goat Care
Learn all of the basic information about helping your mama goats through their pregnancy and to ensure a successful kidding season and postpartum health.
The Essential Baby Goat Care Info You Need to Know!
After the kidding season, make sure you have all of the resources you need to care for your baby goats.
How to Build a Super Frugal Goat Shelter
Need to build a simple goat shelter for pasture grazing and small areas? This DIY is simple and frugal!
How to Build a Simple Goat Feeder
Goats are notorious for being picky eaters. Limit waste by keeping hay in a simple feeder.
The Busy Homesteader's Goat Management Binder
Keep all of your goat records in this perfect binder system! A quick resource to goat diseases, symptom checker, medications, health tracking, and much more!
21 Best Homesteading Books, E-Books, and Printables
A wonderful list of homesteading related books to add to your home collection!
The Art of Sourdough by A Modern Homestead
Everything you need to know for amazing sourdough products!
More Homestead Book Recommendations:
These are just a few of my favorite books to help the beginner get started with homesteading.
Everything I Want To Do Is Illegal
Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide