The South African Homesteader

Freshly Pressed

The basics to get you started

Regardless of whether you plan to build your homestead in a rural or suburban area, these tutorials will provide you with a strong foundation.

Land selection and preparation

Choosing land with good soil, water access, and sunlight is critical for homesteading.

Food production and preservation

Learn sustainable agriculture, animal husbandry, and food preservation for homesteading.

Self-sufficiency and off-grid living

Be self-sufficient for shelter, food, and resources, and know off-grid basics for homesteading.

Community building and networking

Network with fellow homesteaders for support and knowledge-sharing.

Growing your own food

Growing your own food is a fulfilling and eco-friendly way to enjoy fresh produce, save money, and promote a healthy lifestyle. Whether you have a large backyard or a small balcony, there are many ways to get started.

Planning your homestead garden

Plan your homestead garden by considering the available space, crop types, and special requirements. Factor in irrigation, pest control, and crop rotation for a productive garden.

Choosing the right crops for your climate and soil

Learn sustainable agriculture, animal husbandry, and food preservation for homesteading.

Sustainable gardening practices and techniques

Practice sustainable gardening by using natural fertilizers and pest control, companion planting, and efficient watering to promote a healthy ecosystem and reduce environmental impact.

Harvesting, preserving, and storing your homestead bounty

Harvest, preserve, and store your homestead bounty using proper techniques. Maximize yields with harvesting techniques, preserve with canning and freezing, and store with root cellaring and canning to enjoy fresh produce all year long.

Do it yourself

DIY projects in homesteading involve creating structures and systems for self-sufficient living. This includes building barns, coops, and root cellars, as well as setting up water and waste management, and energy production. DIY homesteading projects allow for learning new skills, saving money, and contributing to a sustainable lifestyle.

Building structures

Building essential structures such as barns, sheds, coops, and greenhouses for sheltering and protecting livestock and crops. These structures also serve as functional workspaces for homesteading activities.

Growing food

Growing food through gardens, orchards, and hydroponic systems. These projects require planning, knowledge of gardening techniques, and skills in building structures for plant growth.

Energy production

Projects for renewable energy involve setting up solar panels, wind turbines, or hydroelectric generators. These require knowledge of electrical and mechanical systems to set up and maintain the equipment.

Waste management

Setting up systems for waste management such as composting, greywater recycling, and septic systems.

How to fund a homestead

Selling produce

Growing fruits and vegetables, raising livestock, and harvesting honey and maple syrup can provide a source of income through selling at farmers markets, roadside stands, or online platforms.

Selling handmade goods

Homesteaders can sell handmade items such as soap, candles, textiles, and woodcrafts online or at local markets.

Selling firewood

If you have access to trees on your homestead, you can sell firewood to homeowners or businesses in your area.

Selling seedlings or starter plants

Homesteaders can grow and sell seedlings or starter plants for vegetables, herbs, and flowers to other gardeners or farmers.