We are not get-up-early people around here (the kids and I at least). I think there’s this stigma around sleeping in that if you aren’t getting up before the sun you aren’t working hard enough and that’s just not true. I do more best work 10am-11pm and forcing myself to get up early just makes for an unhappy mama. I do wish to be someone who can hop out of bed before the sun so that I could work outside before it’s horribly hot but for now that’s just not me and if that’s not you, that’s ok! What time you wake up has no indication of how motivated or hardworking you are.
Gardening is hard. Gardening in the high desert is really hard. Our last frost isn’t until mid June/potentially never and our first frost is mid September or earlier leaving us an extremely short growing season with really hot days and nights in the low 40’s. Not ideal weather for plants (or me lol). I have no tips as of now besides start things inside really early and up pot as many times as you need. Other than that, I’d say skip growing warm weather crops outside and put them all in a greenhouse if you can.
Chickens are where I tell everyone to start their homesteading journey if they can. I had my first flock of 12 when I lived in town, four times more than I was legally allowed to have (oops) and ever since it’s been an addiction. We currently have close to 100 chickens/ducks/Guineas combined and I never want to live without them… Well at least without the chickens and ducks.
p.s. coffee + ice + maple syrup + raw cream, you won’t regret it!
I am not well traveled. I’ve never flown on a plane. I’ve never been north of Ohio or west of Texas.I’m not as well traveled as some may say one should be, but this piece of land has housed all of my fondest memories…
Do you ever worry that your kids will miss out because of this homesteading lifestyle choice? This fear crosses my mind time to time. I’m sure many, if not most of you, could agree that it can be extremely difficult to get extended time away from the homestead for more than a full day, especially in the busy summer months when daily chores demand our regular attention…
I don’t know a single person that can’t find some joy in flowers – whether it be their color, shape, or smell, a bouquet of fresh posies is sure to brighten anyone’s day. It’s no wonder that growing a cut flower garden has become increasingly popular among small farmers and homesteaders as a means of diversification…
“In some Native languages the term for plants translates to ‘those who take care of us’ … the land knows you, even when you are lost.” – Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass…
Babies, Business, and Bumper Crops: How I am Learning to Homestead with Babies in Tow
Have you ever had one of those days? You know the days when you are cleaning the baby’s diaper, milking the cow, scooping poop in the barn, wiping noses, and cleaning more poop off of kids’ shoes…
Hey there, Homesteading Mama’s!
I’m Rachel from @frontier_homesteading. My husband Ryan, three children and I have been homesteading for about 10 years now, first in Wyoming and now in Alaska.
We currently have milk goats, pack goats, sheep, a pig, a cow, chickens, rabbits, bees and a dog. Seasonally, we also have more pigs, meat chickens and turkeys….
Stained glass windows date back to the 7th century. With the earliest known reference dating
from 675 AD when workmen were imported from France to Britain to Glaze the windows of a
monastery…
Homesteading and growing food is not the easy way out of this life, i would say it is the hard way as there’s nothing convenient about it. It’s a lifestyle, a life change not a trend or hobby. Well, that’s my opinion any way…
Awakino Station is a child’s dream. There is the river to splash in, tussock covered hills to explore, animals to raise and a bustling kitchen with a baking tin full of something yummy to eat…
