It has officially been six months since I realized my lifelong dream to purchase a farm of my own. The goal is to build this property into a semi-self-sufficient homestead. Naturally, I have been heavily focused on all that needs to get done, as has been reflected in my weekly progress updates. For week 26, it seemed only right to recap my first six months as a solo female homesteader:
Goal 1: Food Production
Where yard meets field, I installed three simple garden beds to mark the beginning of what will eventually be thousands of square feet of growing space that will sprawl forward into the previously unkempt field. One bed is home to strawberries, the second hosts over a hundred bulbs of garlic, and the third is ready to serve as a permanent home for asparagus come spring.
I positioned the garden beds next to a dilapidated cold frame, constructed by the previous owner and reclaimed by bramble and field grasses. I used a scythe to free the cold frame from nature’s grasp, replaced rotting boards, and filled it with compost. It has produced countless salads through fall and early winter.
On the other side of the property, I planted the beginnings of my orchard: 2 mulberry trees, 2 apple trees, and 2 pear trees. Without a clear vision for a berry patch, I tucked blackberry and raspberry on different corners of the property to see what will take root. I also installed three blueberry bushes in a neat row near the future garden.
Goal 2: Resource Acquisition & Preparedness
In a welcomed transition from apartment life to homeownership, I have made great use of my basement. The chest freezer is half-filled with homemade sourdough and homegrown produce, as well as miscellaneous leftovers to reduce waste. I purchased staples in bulk – flour, rice, oatmeal, and beans, safely sorted into half gallon mason jars and 5 gallon buckets with gamma-seal lids.
The freezer also holds several gallons of wild Concord grapes, foraged from the edges of the property. I found evidence of other wild edibles in my exploration – pheasant’s back mushroom, tiny wild aggregate berries (raspberry, blackberry, and dewberry), and four decrepit apple trees that are hanging on for dear life.
I haven’t thrifted much, but I have had some incredible roadside trash finds – saw horses, gardening equipment, a patio table, a gorgeous oak cabinet. A section of my barn is now dedicated to roadside finds that I have yet to clean/organize/put to use… which is an urgent task to be completed before the next town bi-annual bulky waste day.
Best of all, in a spectacular show of fate, a used utility vehicle found its way across my path at an unbelievable price. The three year old Gator had every bell and whistle: powerlift dump bed, all-terrain tires, roof, doors, lights, and a 6 foot snowplow. My hopes weren’t set on acquiring my own UTV for a couple of years, but this one was meant to find me.
Goal 3: Aesthetic Utility
I constructed a compost bin and two firewood racks that fulfill important roles despite their imperfect appearances. I’ve never built anything before, but I feel more equipped with each finished project.
Inside, the house feels like mine, although some rooms are unpainted and there is a severe lack of art on the walls. I am still finding popcorn ceiling dust in the crevices each time I clean. Reminders of unfinished tasks are everywhere.
I used the ‘craft room’ to construct homemade Christmas presents – a true joy to have a space dedicated to a specific task. I have big dreams for the craft room, but for right now it is a striking azure that harkens back to the teenage girl that once called it home. It’s not aesthetic, but it is functional.
Goal 4: Energy Independence
While this category has shown the most progress, it has also been the most expensive. I installed mini split heat pumps to serve as primary air conditioning and backup heat, as well as a 12-panel solar array to power them (and everything else). I replaced the 100 year old antique wood stove with a new Blaze King as a primary heat source, and also had the basement wood stove serviced – it is ready for use in the event of a major power outage or severe cold snap. I have reached energy independence for heating and cooling, although it will be next summer before I am generating enough electricity to fully cover my household needs.
Moving Forward
So, what’s next? Well, for starters, my first 6 months were best characterized by spending an unbelievable amount of money – most of the big projects required professional installation and serious equipment. So the next six months and beyond have to be a whole lot more frugal – true to my homesteading roots.
In the next six months, I intend to…
- install at least 2,000 square feet of gardening space
- build a chicken coop (on a small trailer for easy repositioning with the gator) – and acquire chickens
- organize my basement to prepare for canning and larger harvest
- expand the orchard and berry patches
It has been easy to get swept into the stress of long to-do lists and self-imposed deadlines, but nearly every day I have an out-of-body moment when it occurs to me just how far I have come. I am living my dream. I will never take that for granted.
KC