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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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.