Starting Your Homestead Journey: A Beginner's Guide to Growing Food

Homesteading is a rewarding lifestyle that not only connects you to the earth but also brings the satisfaction of producing your own food. Whether you're looking to reduce your environmental footprint, eat homegrown food, or simply experience the joy of nurturing plants, starting a homestead and growing your own food is a fulfilling journey. We have a simple guide to help get you started if you have never grown your own food before.

1. Evaluate Your Space

The first step in starting a homestead is understanding your available space. Whether you have a large plot of land, a small backyard, or even just a balcony, there is always a way to make it work with what you have.

• Big Yard: If you have plenty of space, you can start with larger vegetable gardens and pair it with planting annuals around your garden so the pollinators visit your garden more frequently.
• Small Yard or Urban Space: You can still grow a variety of plants with containers, raised beds, or vertical gardens. If space allows you could also squeeze in a few annuals to help bring the pollinators to your garden.
• Balcony or Patio: Herbs, small vegetables, and dwarf fruit trees are great for container gardening.

And if you don't have an outdoor space many people have success growing veggies indoors with the correct lighting conditions! Just because you don't have a large space doesn't mean you have to miss out on this opportunity.

2. Start with the Basics: Grow What You Eat

One of the most important tips for new homesteaders is to start small and grow what you love to eat. There's no need to overwhelm yourself with an entire farm’s worth of produce in your first year. Consider starting with a few staples like:

• Tomatoes: Easy to grow and perfect for various dishes.
• Lettuce and Salad Greens: They grow quickly and give you fresh veggies all season.
• Herbs: Basil, rosemary, thyme, and oregano can grow in small spaces and offer incredible flavor for your meals.

3. Start with Easy-to-Grow Crops

If you want to grow more than just the basics, certain crops are easier to grow and require less maintenance, making them perfect for beginners:

• Beans: Beans are nitrogen-fixing plants, which means they improve soil quality while growing.
• Zucchini: A prolific producer, zucchini is easy to grow in almost any climate.
• Kale: This green grows quickly and is packed with nutrients.
• Cucumbers: With enough space and a trellis, cucumbers are straightforward to grow.

4. Learn About Seasonal Gardening

Understanding your growing season is key to maximizing your garden’s potential. Your area’s zone and first and last frost dates will determine what you can grow and when.

• Cold-Weather Crops: In cooler climates, start with crops like parsley, lettuce, and kale. These are hardy and can be planted early in the season before spring has officially sprung.
• Warm-Weather Crops: For warmer regions, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants thrive in the heat. Know when to plant them after the danger of frost has passed.

5. Water Wisely

Water is vital to your plants’ health, but it’s important to water properly to avoid wasting resources on your homestead. Mother Earth gives us resources and rainwater to shower on our gardens.

• Drip Irrigation: Installing a drip irrigation system is a great way to water your plants directly at their roots, saving water and ensuring your plants thrive.
• Rain Barrels: Collect rainwater for irrigation. This reduces your water bill and is an eco-friendly option.

Homesteading is more than just growing food—it’s a lifestyle. It’s important to be patient with yourself, as learning new skills takes time. You can pick them up gradually as you go. Once you feel settled, consider exploring food preservation techniques so you can enjoy fresh produce during the winter months when your garden isn't as bountiful. Additionally, expanding your DIY skills, such as building raised beds, compost bins, and other gardening tools, can make your homesteading journey easier and more efficient.

If there’s one thing we hope you take away, it’s this: start small, experiment with different methods, and embrace the trial-and-error process. Trust in the journey, knowing that Mother Nature is on your side, helping you thrive with your homestead. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of eating food you’ve grown yourself—whether it’s a fresh tomato in summer or a winter squash you harvested and stored in the fall. The rewards of homesteading are truly immeasurable.

Happy Planting! 

QUESTIONS? Shoot them over via email to helpdesk@provenwinnersdirect.com. We have a whole team of plant experts waiting to help!