Self Sufficiency
How to Carve Out a Wooded Homestead
Searching for the perfect, and affordable, parcel of land for a prepper retreat or wooded homestead can be a very daunting task – and filled with a copious amount of variables.
How To Turn Lonely Land Into A Dream Wooded Homestead
Finding land that is almost perfect happens a lot, a whole lot. Seeking walk-onto-the-property perfection comes with a massive price tag. With a good eye, a discerning potential homesteader will easily be able to see the outstanding potential an incredibly affordable parcel of wooded acreage will ultimately provide.
There is absolutely no reason to walk away from otherwise quality land simply because it is heavily wooded – such land may actually have a plethora of benefits! Easily accessible and abundant hidden resources abound on wooded land parcels, all of which a thrifty homesteader or prepper can harvest and utilize to subsist and to earn a sizable bit of extra cash to help defray the costs of clearing the land and setting up their dream farm.
Wooded land can not only be turned into a viable homestead or bugout location, it nearly always comes at a bargain basement price. It does not take thousands upon thousands of dollars and tons of heavy equipment to clear enough of a wooded parcel of land to carve out quality and fully-functional homestead, off grid, or semi-off the grid, retreat.
Focus on the three most important aspects for any type of farm: growing food, building a home, and raising livestock when plotting and planning what needs to be done on the land to make it work for your needs. Clearing a little bit at a time to create space for the essential aspects of homesteading and then continuing the work as both time and money permit – and specific needs present themselves, prevents the overall project from becoming a money pit and overwhelming.
1. Food Production
After determining where the garden, barn, and home will be located, start clearing the least resistant portions of the land first. Removing brush and small trees to create a space for the growing of food should be the first step. Once the dense ground coverings and small trees are gone, only then will you have a complete view of the garden area and a better idea of the total growing space. Choose a location which can grow over time in anticipation of clearing more land for cultivating crops in future years.
2. Structure Building
Make use of the natural resources at your disposal and build a home and barn from wood cut from the property. This kills two birds with one stone – clearing some land and providing a place for both you and the livestock to live. Learning how to plan your own wood and spending a few thousand dollars on a portable sawmill will make building a home and barn extremely economical – and comes with the pride of doing as much of the project as possible with your own two hands.
3. Tree Removal
Cut down the large trees in the garden space and cut the bounty into logs which can be later split for firewood. Stump removal is the most taxing aspect of clearing (or ‘grubbing’) wooded land. Stump can be pulled or burnt out, but both take time and extra money. Drilling multiple holes as deep as you can get in the stumps and pouring them with an equal parts mix of Epsom salt and water will ultimately rid the property of stumps as well.
Typically tree stumps will take several weeks to two months to completely decompose. Possessing a piece of land with ample firewood not only save money but may offer a selling opportunity to help fund other necessary projects and purchases for the new homestead. If you hire a logging company to do some select cutting, part of the clearing work will be done for you – at a profit.
4. Large Livestock
Cows need a significant amount of quality pasture to maintain their proper meat production weight and flourish. Goats, on the other hand, aren’t picky at all about their habitat. They love hilly terrain and will help with the clearing of brush significantly while filling their bellies. Goats will produce both meat and milk for the homestead. In future years, once more land is cleared, areas which are less steep can be cultivated into quality pasture and standard cows, or miniature cows and steers, like Dexter cattle, which require far less grazing space than their far larger peers, can also be added to the sustainable wooded prepper retreat or homestead.
5. Small Livestock
Turkeys also thrive in thick wooded areas. The second source of meat production will hold stock the pantry shelves whether the birds are allowed to remove free and hunted as needed or kept inside a fenced in area – complete with a poultry netter cover on the top. Chickens and ducks will do just fine on a wooded homestead as well. A man-made pond will satisfy the ducks, even if it is a small one if a natural pond or creek are not present on the property.
6. Predators
Heavily wooded areas naturally boast more predators than most other types of terrain. Dogs and miniature donkeys will help keep foxes, rabbits, and coyotes away from your garden and poultry flocks. Guineas are known as the junkyard dogs of the poultry world and attack small predators, like mink and raccoons, and use their very loud clucking sounds to immediately alert you when any type of danger is present near their roosting spot – which should be near the chicken coop. They roost in trees at night but do like a hut of some type to use as a shelter as well. Feed the guineas near the coop every evening to keep them close and on guard all night.
7. Foraging
The forest is filled with wild edibles. The added source of food makes a homestead more sustainable, a prepper retreat more worthwhile, and can even add a small money-making component to the wooded property. It would be almost impossible to starve on a wooded homestead once you learn what to look for and where it grows naturally on the property.
8. Tree Tapping
It is a common misconception that only Maple trees can be tapped for syrup. While Maple trees give the most common form of honey in abundance, nearly 25 other trees which commonly grow throughout the United States do as well. Odds are very good that many trees on a wooded homestead can be tapped for the sweet breakfast treat. Once again a wooded homesteader will likely have more syrup than necessary to share with the family and the abundant and readily available resource could be sold locally or online to earn some extra cash on a seasonal basis.
9. Hunting
It is far easier to turn wooded acreage into quality pasture land than it is to turn a pasture into good woodlands. A heavily wooded homestead most likely will offer plenty of wildlife to hunt virtually year around. Depending upon where the land is located, seasonal hunting permits are available for deer, bear, wild boar, rabbits, raccoons, turkey, and waterfowl, exist. You could also purchase a breeding pair of pheasants or quail, or raise and release your own flock onto the property for future hunting opportunities for years to come – without having to spend time or money building them a habitat or purchasing feed to sustain the flock.
10. Beekeeping
Honeybees raised on the wooded homestead will help your garden grow, provide honey, and wax for candle making, and offer yet another moneymaking opportunity to help sustain the homestead.
Looking for an inspiration for your dream wooded homestead? Watch this video and be amazed!
Starting a wooded homestead may require a bit of an adaption of your mind’s eye view of what a dream homestead or prepper retreat looks like, but the opportunities for a sustainable farm are just as attainable on a heavily wooded patch of land as they are on a highly manicured stretch of flat pasture!
What is your dream homestead? Where do you plan to have it? We’d love to hear some of your thoughts! Leave them in the comment section below!
Earning while living life to the fullest? Check out these ways to make money on your homestead!
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How To Make Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut In A Mason Jar
The thing about homesteading is you get to create your own ingredient right from scratch! Cheese, yogurt, butter and now sauerkraut, a delightfully sour and crunchy ingredient you can use on your meals — or consume by itself — while on a homestead, or while facing this health crisis!
This homemade sauerkraut is a great meal because it has a long shelf life. You can either make plain sauerkraut or mix it with herbs and spices. In this tutorial let us make Lacto-fermented sauerkraut that preserves all the good probiotics in a jar, good for your guts.
So how to make sauerkraut in a mason jar?
RELATED: How To Make Buttermilk On Your Homestead
Delicious Sauerkraut Recipe Every Homesteader Should Know
Why Make Sauerkraut?
Not only does sauerkraut spoil a long time, but it is also a meal in itself, and it is also easy to make! You don’t need to be an expert cook, all you need to do is follow these simple steps.
So let us get started. Here are the steps in making sauerkraut in a mason jar.
Ingredients:
- 1 head of cabbage or 2 1/2 lbs cabbage
- 1 tablespoon of salt
Tools Needed:
- knife
- bowl
- mason jar
- smaller jar
- rubber band
Step 1: Wash & Clean the Tools & Ingredients
Wash all the equipment and utensils you need. Wash your hands too.
You don’t want to mix your sauerkraut with bad bacteria, anything that is going to make you sick.
Next, remove the faded leaves from your cabbage. Cut off the roots and the parts that don’t seem fresh.
Step 2: Cut the Cabbage Into Quarters & Slice Into Strips
Cut your cabbage into quarters and remove the core. Then, slice it into strips.
Step 3: Place in a Bowl & Sprinkle With Salt
Put the stripped cabbage into a bowl. Sprinkle the cabbage with 1 tablespoon of salt.
TIP: Use canning salt or sea salt. Iodized salt will make it taste different and may not ferment the cabbage.
RELATED: Homemade Yogurt Recipe
Step 4: Massage the Cabbage
Massage the cabbage for five minutes or more to get the juice out.
TIP: You’ll know it’s ready when you see a bit of juice at the bottom of the bowl and will look similar to coleslaw.
Step 5: Press Cabbage Into the Mason Jar
Add the cabbage to the mason jar gradually. Press it in hard to allow the juice to come out. Do this every time you add about a handful of cabbage.
IMPORTANT: Food should be covered by the liquid to promote fermentation. Add any excess liquid from the bowl to the jar.
Step 6: Press a Smaller Jar Into the Mason Jar
You want to squeeze every ounce of that juice from the cabbage. To do this place the mason jar in a bowl and get a smaller jar.
Fill it with water or marble to make it heavy. Press it into the bigger mason jar. Allow any juices to rise to the surface.
Step 7: Cover the Jars With Cloth & Tie With Rubber Band
Leave the small jar on. To keep your jars clean from annoying insects and irritating debris, cover your jars with a clean cloth. Then, use a rubber band to tie the cloth and the jars together, putting them in place.
Step 8: Set Aside & Check Daily
Set it aside in a cool dry place, away from direct sunlight. Check the water level daily. It should always be above the cabbage.
Step 9: Taste Your Sauerkraut & Keep at Cool Temperatures
After about five days, you can taste your sauerkraut. If the taste is to your liking, tightly cover it with the lid and store in the fridge or cellar.
NOTE: If after five days it’s still not your desired taste, leave it for a few more days. This will allow the fermentation process to continue.
You can now enjoy your sauerkraut in a mason jar. Enjoy its goodness! You can use it as a side dish or mix it with your favorite sandwich.
Things to Remember in Making Sauerkraut
- Store away from direct sunlight and drafts.
- Colder weather will make the process longer. Spring is the best time to make them since the warmth helps activate the fermentation.
- Always make sure that the cabbage is below the water level during the entire fermentation process.
- If the water level decreases during the fermentation process, you can make a brine and add it.
Let us watch this video from Kristina Seleshanko on how to make delicious Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar!
So there you have it! Making Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar is as easy as slicing the cabbage into strips. Remember that as long it remains unopened, your sauerkraut can last for months. Best of all, you can partner this sauerkraut in many recipes.
What do you think of this homemade recipe? Share your best sauerkraut recipe in the comments section below!
Fellow homesteaders, do you want to help others learn from your journey by becoming one of our original contributors? Write for us!
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Self Sufficiency
9 SPRING VEGETABLES FOR YOUR GARDEN
Having plants in the house will bring peace to people. Having a little garden with vegetables is even better! You can grow these vegetables in your backyard garden easily as well!
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In this article:
Growing veggies in your garden will give you an opportunity to understand what you eat and value it more. Early spring is when most vegetables are being planted. Keep reading to learn about 9 spring vegetables that anyone can grow in their garden!
Tomato
Tomato is the most popular garden vegetable in the States! There are different varieties to choose from. Tomatoes need to be planted in early spring because they won’t survive a frost.
Because tomatoes are consumed daily, try adding them to your garden! They’re not difficult to grow either.
Eggplant
Eggplants are known to have low-calorie, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Plus, they are delicious! So why not plant them in your garden?
Eggplants shouldn’t be planted too early because they won’t be able to survive a frost. So you could consult an expert in your area before you plant your eggplants.
Beets
Beets are known to be a superfood for its various health benefits. They’re easier to grow in the garden, usually around late March or early April.
If the weather is always cool, beets will keep getting bigger and bigger. Once the weather starts to warm up, you’ll need to harvest them, or they’ll go to waste.
Spinach
Spinach is a delicious early spring veggie, and it’s also very beneficial for health. And it’s not difficult to grow spinach in your garden!
Spinach needs cold weather to grow. Getting spinach to grow is easy, but keeping it growing will require some extra care.
Pea
Peas are usually planted in late April. Peas will die in freezing temperatures, but they also won’t survive the heat either. So make sure you plant your peas in early spring.
Peas are widely used in many different ways, and there are different types of peas. The soil you’ll be planting your peas should be suitable for them, so make sure you ask while buying seeds.
Carrot
There are different types of carrots, but regardless of their size and color, it’s a fact that carrots are both delicious and rich in vitamins.
They’re root vegetables, so with proper sun and watering, they can be picked up as baby carrots as well.
Radish
A radish is an excellent option for beginners because it doesn’t require too much care. Radish is easy to harvest.
Radish grows fast, so it’s better to keep an eye on it after a few weeks. Radish usually is grown pest-free, but there’s always the chance of unwanted guests, so watch out for worms. Radish can be eaten raw or can be added to garnish recipes.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower isn’t the easiest vegetable to grow at home, but it is very popular.
Cauliflower grows better in colder weather, so before you plant it, consider the climate of your garden. Cauliflower can be eaten raw or cooked, and it is known to be very beneficial for health.
Asparagus
Freshly picked, tender asparagus is very delicious!
Asparagus plants get more productive with each harvest, and mature asparagus harvest can last for months! Make sure you plant them at the correct time, or else they might go to waste.
All the vegetables listed above are great for your healthy diet, and it’s fun to watch them grow. So don’t miss out on the opportunity to grow your own veggies and eat healthy this spring!
So tell us which veggies will you be growing this spring? Tell us in the comments section!
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