2 Simple Steps for Preparing for a Backyard Homestead

In this post, I share our simple steps for preparing for a backyard homestead.

A year ago, deciding to have a homestead in our yard was not on our radar.

We had plans to move to the country on 20+ acres and then start our dream of homesteading.

But it dawned on us, why wait?

Why not turn our yard into our dream garden, grow our own food, and maybe have a couple of chickens on our city property?

It was the moment that brought excitement and purpose.

As we are building a shed and some raised beds, there are some simple things we are preparing for a backyard homestead.

The main part of our preparations has been gathering seeds.

I placed them into this jar to preserve them until it’s time to plant.

A lot of research went into finding what company to buy seeds from.

Do I buy organic or regular seeds from the store?

I watched YouTube homestead videos and read books like this one called Backyard Homestead 2022-2023 to locate this information.

What I concluded from my research is heirloom organic seeds are best.

I found this company, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, online.

Each plant listed on their website has directions on how to care for them, when to plant, and reviews that help make the right decision.

I watched tons of videos from the Homesteading Family on YouTube and gained a lot of wisdom about some essential medicinal herbs that are useful for various ailments.

Some of the medicinal seeds I’ve collected are:

• Echinacea – good for a cold and flu. It is commonly used to strengthen the immune system. And good for female issues like fungal infections.
• Bee Balm – used as a skin antiseptic for wounds, rashes, and infections. It can help with depression, sleep, anxiety, and so much more.
• Hollyhock – good for fevers, can be used as a mouthwash for healing bleeding gums and helps sore throat, plus other added benefits.
• Chamomile herb helps to get good sleep, mouth sores, menstrual cramps, rich in antioxidants and digestion plus additional ailments.

Having seeds that have a holistic approach to health makes this whole journey worth it.

I’ve collected unusual herbs like plant soap, which creates suds. That was an interesting find.

We’re planting our favorite fruits and vegetables.

One of the things I’ve heard repeated in homestead books and online videos is to choose fruits and vegetables that you already enjoy.

This makes sense to me. It would be a waste not to do it this way.

Vegetable seeds we plan on planting:

• Cucumbers
• Peppers
• Squash – Zucchini
• Cauliflower
• Lettuce

Some of our favorite fruits we will plant are:

• Strawberries
• Watermelon
• Boysenberries

I had a small garden a few years ago that had two raised beds that were 5 ft by 5 ft square. I grew zucchini and lettuce.

It was so rewarding to bring them inside, wash them and eat them while they were still warm and fresh.

There was nothing that tasted better.

Another simple step for preparing for a backyard homestead is figuring out how to lay out the garden’s footprint.

Some plants thrive in full sun.

So, we will plant them here on this side of the yard.

While others love the shade.

We’ll add a long row of raised beds against this fence.

Potatoes, strawberries, and lettuce would do well here.

Then on the other side, we are putting up a shed.

The above photo is the before. I share a YouTube video here where I share the changes as we chopped down our tree.

And the photo below is a leveled area that is being prepared to put the shed on.

This is progress.

Seeing something come to life that was only a dream.

It is rewarding.

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into the beginnings of our adventure in backyard homesteading.

Here is the story telling what led us to homestead in the city.

For DIY projects, here is the link.

Thanks for coming by Victorian Lane Farms.