6 Tips to Transition From Garden Plot to Homestead

Now is the time to start thinking about what you need!

Reader Contribution by Megan Wild
Published on December 23, 2016
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Unsplash/Zoe Shaeffer

If you already love gardening, then upgrading your passion to a homestead is a great way to live a more sustainable lifestyle and turn your hobby into a potential moneymaker. Whether you’re dying to start a small, farm-stand business or you just want to raise your own food and lower your carbon footprint a bit, make sure you’re prepared to make the leap.

Here’s how to begin turning your garden into a large-scale homestead:

Go Slow

There’s no rule that says you need to get out there and turn acres and acres of land into arable fields in just one season. First, consider how much time you put into your current garden chores on a weekly basis and decide how much additional time you care to spend on these activities. If you can double your time, go ahead and double your planting area. If you can only spend 25 percent more time outdoors, then only increase your planting area by 25 percent. Biting off more than you can chew will only frustrate you.

Set Your Goals

What is it that you hope to gain from your homestead? If you’re planning a cash crop to take to farmers markets, spend some time researching your local market scene so you know what niches need to be filled. If you prefer subsistence farming, calculate what your family needs for a year of good eating to plan your year’s crops.

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