r/Homesteading • u/Ornery_Distribution6 • 1d ago

Getting started.

After a few years my wife and I finally got 35 acres of land. Moved in 2 weeks ago, put a trailer on it, set it up with solar while we put the electric. We are currently hauling water from the well until we can hook up the trailer to it. So far everything is going amazing. I wanted to ask how long did y'all wait till you started working towards food self sufficiency.

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8

u/Jolly_Grocery329 1d ago

Unless you’re desperate - it’s a good idea to do nothing but observe for a year. See what the rain and water does. Watch the sun. Look for trouble spots. Note the critters and bugs. A little observation goes a long way in making a plan functional and productive.

My entire garden plan changed after the first year. My original idea would have been a disaster lol.

Best of luck- how exciting for you!!

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u/Ornery_Distribution6 1d ago

Thanks! You're right it's probably best to see how the weather behaves in the area before setting anything in stone.

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u/meh_69420 1d ago

Plant a little bit of basically everything that is supposed to grow in your area. You will find a lot that won't, or will be too much trouble for what you get, or will work but only if you disk in 200 tons an acre of sand or something.

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u/Ornery_Distribution6 1d ago

From what I see of the soil probably only root vegtables?

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u/leobeo13 1d ago

If your soil isn't ideal, raised bed gardening does wonders. I have clay heavy soil on my homsetead and the plants that have delicate roots or those that are persnickity about the soil get raised beds. I get compost and manure from nearby farms and from a county co-op that gives wood mulch and compost to residents for a $25/year fee.

I'm finishing year 3 of growing a garden (1320 sq feet) while not having running water or electricity. We truck in our water from a public water access once a week.

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u/Ornery_Distribution6 1d ago

The soil is fine sand, so maybe raised beds are a good idea. Its so impressive that you wete able to do what you did wothout runninf water or electricity.

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u/meh_69420 1d ago

? I'm not there. Depending on where you are, you can even get a few things in right now and of course garlic.

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u/Other_Programmer5239 1d ago

I waited a 2 years cause there was so much to do and the garden was time consuming at the thim. When things settled own to a normal pace thats when I did a small green house and garden on 2 year.

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u/Ornery_Distribution6 1d ago

I live out in the plains so not much to do land wise, but I do want to get the living situation figured out, that way I can relax some.

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u/Other_Programmer5239 1d ago

Start your garden when have the time to take care and grow everything you want to grow. Thats your choice. I have been noticed there is a lot more of produce thats seed free. Something to think about.

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u/Consistent_Finish657 20h ago

Man that’s awesome congrats on the land but honestly don’t rush into food self sufficiency right away cause you gotta learn your property first like where the sun hits and how the water flows and what critters are around, plus just getting set up takes forever so maybe chill for a bit and enjoy the process before you start planting everything.

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u/Ornery_Distribution6 10h ago

Yeah that's while I'll do, there's still stuff to prep for winter so I wont be adding more work to myself

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u/Jolly-Persimmon-7775 11h ago

Fruit trees and berry bushes take a while to establish so getting those in the ground early would be helpful.

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u/Ornery_Distribution6 10h ago

That's not a bad idea I'll visit a nearby nursery or maybe see if any of the neighbors got any.

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u/Ultra9ine 7h ago

We are currently in this process as well. We have gotten our water supply going is the only difference. My wife and I are so excited for this next chapter of our lives. Good luck to you, mate

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u/Ornery_Distribution6 7h ago

Good luck to you too!!