Principles we learned— or had to re-learn— as we deepened our relationship with Mother Nature:
• We have to do the work, and the work doesn’ t stop once the seeds are in the ground.
• An adjustment of lifestyle is needed to accomplish your goals and ideals, which requires discipline— meaning rising and shining early; picking crops before the heat of the day; checking for pests frequently; or even stopping playing that video game in which you’ re a warrior— to become one in real life!
• Planning, rhythm, structure, discipline and determination are the building blocks upon which success is built.
• A long span of observation is necessary to understand your micro-ecosystems through Nature’ s flux.
• Beware of predators— from insects to raptors; mammals, both burrowing and ground foragers; blights and disease— or even too much, or too little of any one commodity( e. g. sun, rain and certain plants).
• Working with wind, water retention and sunlight flow is essential to happy crops.
• Building soil and maintaining proper nutrients must be a priority.
But homesteading is a lifestyle. It’ s not just about responsibilities, but is pursued out of the desire to be as self-sufficient and proficiently skilled as possible in caring for yourself, your family and the earth. Those who are drawn to homesteading tend to be people who want to work with the earth, practice organic living or just generally want to live a healthier lifestyle. Many realize the adage,“ If you want it done right, do it yourself.” still rings true. Even a tiny garden is a victory for earth stewardship and personal health.
Many people might think that homesteading is too much work due to the overwhelming responsibilities. It takes discipline and effort. Ironically, our society often lacks such fortitude due to the mass production of all of our goods. But without discipline and responsibilities, we flounder. We get depressed, bored or seek to fill the void with empty entertainment that doesn’ t improve our lifestyle or I. Q. Our family, however, desires to master and embrace the responsibilities. We want to take joy in learning to become more disciplined people, to enjoy the fact that we have the opportunity to affect and heal a small
• Implement systems that allow for beneficial life forms( e. g. bee hives or hotels, hedgerows for birds and insects).
• Have patience, as“ weeds” and pests are typically the worst in the first year; natural predators become more established the second year.
• Grass is not the end of the garden, but it does compete for nutrients.
• Be ready and able to preserve excess harvest before it spoils( e. g. via canning, drying or lacto- fermentation, etc.).
• Allow a good portion of the healthiest of your heirloom crop to go to seed, then harvest and store the seed.
• Be aware of cross pollination if you are saving seed. If you like new breeds and surprises, this can be fun. Otherwise, be forewarned that closely related species planted near to each other will cross-pollinate.
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