Episode-2369- A New Look at the Modern Homestead

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Today is an example of why you should be following @ItsAJackLife on Instagram. There were two possible shows today, Modern Homesteading or seed starting. I posted a video on Instagram asking for followers to tell me what they wanted and homesteading won about 2-1. You just never know what perks you might get if you follow and interact with us there.

Anyway today we are going to once again discuss the concept of the modern homestead. We are going to stick to properties from typical 1/4 acre suburban lots up to small acreage like say 1-5 acres and even there stick to what you can do on 1/4-1/2 of an acre. My personal opinion is as homesteading became all the rage in the past decade, too many people took the approach of how much can I do vs. what can I do that will do the most for me and that I will most enjoy doing.

It is really easy to do up an infographic or a design concept where literally every human need is taken care of by a 3-2 home on a tenth of an acre. It is quite another thing to actually build it, and yet another feet to actually be able to maintain and keep up with it. I wanted to take a more realistic approach today, one that will lead more people to figure out what they can get maximum bang for the buck out of.

Join Us Today to Discuss…

Where I think we went wrong
Let’s define “maximum bang for the buck” in this context
- Best return for work expended
- Most enjoyable to build, maintain, etc.
- Provides multiple functions, including and especially beauty
- Accepts climate, time and regional limits
The garden and perennials
- Mulch, compost, fertilize
- Start small
- Grow what you will eat and what does well where you are
- Plant productive, trees, bushes, vines
- Irrigate
Livestock – start with ONE thing
- Chickens
- Quail
- Rabbits
- Ducks
- Fish
Compost – Unless you have large amounts of material available forget turning
- Garbage Can Method
- The slow no turn pile
- Worms
- Chicken Wire Towers
- Using chickens
- Solider Flies
Seed Starting
- Do not be ashamed to buy plants
- Check small nurseries, family run, etc
- Start plants that need to be started, not everything
- Get your lights close to the plants
- Do less plants with bigger containers
Using what is around you but not on your land
- Foraging
- Fishing and Hunting
- Barter with Neighbors
- Local Markets/Farmer’s Markets
- The private economy
Some final ideas
- Create enjoyment, fire pits, etc.
- As always look for revenue opportunities and side hustles
- Spend time in your kitchen
- Take your time, go slow, especially with things that are costly or hard to change
- Eliminate work, figure out what you can eliminate
- Be honest about what you like, how much time you have, etc.
- Don’t judge your results on youtube videos or facebook posts
- Keep a journal and take pictures

Resources for today’s show…

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1 Comment

Shane

7 years ago

Rabbits:

If you live in the south, rabbits suffer 9 months of the year. They can not handle the heat. Unless you air condition the buck you will be lucky to get 2 litters a year. I live near houston and had bad experiences with california rabbits. Please do your research.