Letter to a New Homesteader
I heard the news—you finally bought your land!
Your own little piece of heaven on earth.
I am so happy for you.
I remember that feeling like it was yesterday—equal parts excitement, wild dreaming, and sheer “what have I done?” terror. So much to build. So much to grow. So much to learn.
I’ve been down this path a few times now, and each time, it is the same - but different. If you are new to homesteading, I'd like to share some tips from my experience.
First: Start slow.
I know you want to do all the things—the garden, the chickens, the orchard, maybe bees, maybe a milk goat, maybe a pig named Bacon. And I get it. I did the same. On my first homestead, I tried to put in a garden, build a coop, plant fruit trees, install water lines, preserve food, and learn permaculture —all at the same time. (Oh, and I had a demanding off-homestead job - because that's part of how we afforded our little place in the sun!)
I burned out. Hard.
By the time I got to my second homestead, I was an expert gardener, had had chickens and ducks for years, was pretty good at some food preservation techniques. I had a newly minted permaculture design certificate - and I over-did it again. New climate, new land patterns and more mud than I had ever seen. And, while I had a better plan and I slowed down, I still tried to do too much too fast on the homestead while climbing the corporate ladder.
I burned out. Not quite as hard. Not quite as fast. There was a summer I didn't garden at all.
So here’s what I recommend: do one or two small things this first season—things where the mistakes aren’t too costly, too heartbreaking, or too permanent. Plant a few herbs in pots. Build a single raised garden bed. Get your compost system going. Plant a tree.
And while you’re doing that, observe everything. Watch the sunlight move across the land. Notice where the wind always comes from, where the frost lingers, where the ground squishes under your boots after rain. Your land has a voice—it will tell you everything, if you’re willing to listen. (In permaculture we call this "Sector and Zone Analysis.")
Journal it. Map it. Dream it.
Print out a satellite map and scribble on it. Sketch. Walk. Take photos. Keep a notebook. Write down the wildflowers you see, the birds that visit.
Make lists of “maybe someday” projects and give yourself permission to dream big, but to not to act on them yet.
You don’t have to “do nothing” for a whole year (very few of us have the patience for that - so yeah, do as I say?!), but start slowly. Give your land and your body time to breathe and connect. You're putting down deep roots. You're going to be a perennial here.
Infrastructure before production (most of the time)
Before you build a giant garden or order 25 chicks, ask yourself:
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Do I have water access where I need it?
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Do I have fencing and other protection?
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Do I have dry, secure places to store feed, tools, or harvested food?
These are the unglamorous things that make the rest possible. They won’t show up in your Instagram grid, but they’ll save your sanity come August.
Of course, I always grow something—even if it’s just a cherry tomato in a bucket. So if your soul needs that, do it. Just don’t start more than you can tend joyfully. And if you must have chickens that first year, start with three, not twenty-five. And maybe get pullets that are almost ready to lay to save on all the brooder setup and baby care that first year.
Learn one new thing pretty well.
Pick a thing or two that intrigues you—maybe composting, bread baking, or learning your local wild herbs—and focus there. You don't have to be black belt proficient but go deep with it. Become a solid "advanced beginner." The rest will come.
And please, remember that not everything you see online is real. Many of those “perfect homesteads” are staged, edited, or built by people who have staff, sponsors, or ten years of mistakes behind the scenes. You are not behind. You’re right on time. Part of the joy that I find in this homesteading lifestyle is that I can go as fast or slow as I like - to be on my, my family, and my land's timeline.
Most of all: enjoy it.
Build a sit spot. Walk barefoot in the morning dew. Sip tea on the porch and feel the sun on your face. This land is not just your job—it’s your partner, your mirror, and your future.
You’ve got this.
I’m so proud of you.
Karla
Author's Note:
Wild Blackberry Apothecary is the dream of a one-woman homesteader in the middle of Middle Tennessee, USA. I currently work full time and homestead part time with 4 dogs, 12-30 chickens, several domestic blackberry and raspberry plants - and thousands of wild blackberry vines that are trying ot take over every inch that they can. My husband of 30+ years does not homestead, but indulges me. As we look towards our retirement years, we hope to further develop our property and perhaps add more rescue dogs, more blackberries and trees, and have me move to homesteading full time.
Disclaimer:
It is the policy of Wild Blackberry Apothecary to not advise or recommend herbs or herbal concoctions for medicinal, nutritional or health user. This information is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation and an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment. The reader should do their own research and consult with a licensed health care provider concerning their medical, nutritional and health care concerns. In addition, some plants are poisonous or can have serious adverse health effects. It is the responsibility of the reader to conduct their own research and to ensure for themselves the proper identification and use of all plants. Always seek the guidance of your qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or medical conditions.
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