Homesteading as a singleton?

[Katie]

I know that we've got a few homesteaders on here, and I hope you'll be really honest with me. How difficult would it be to start homesteading as a single person?

 

[OhSusanna]

I'm not a homesteader, but I think it can be done as a single gal. It probably depends on what you're hoping to get out of it.

 

[jjp8182]

Depends on how far you go, and what your limitations are. ...and what your definition/vision of "homesteading" entails.

For example: I started down a "homesteading" path single and due to my day job requiring travel (occasionally without much prior knowledge) that pretty much prevented me from keeping animals. Granted I probably could have asked others in my area for assistance, but I wasn't really willing to put people on the spot like that with short notice.

However, cooking, gardening (in-ground or in containers),and food preservation (especially freezing) is all very doable. It may just start (or even stay) a supplement to purchased foods, but the difference in taste and increased choice of foods can make the effort worthwhile.

Tomatoes, peppers and even vine crops can be grown in containers to good results. ..... and when it comes to hot peppers growing your own might be the only way to get some fresh. I've yet to see fresh cayenne peppers being sold in stores (at least not in Northern Alabama).

Now on the other hand if you're talking about "homesteading" as shown in the extreme cases on youtube where a couple buys a plot of bare land, clears it, and builds a home, garden and everything else on their own that's significantly more difficult, and will require either hiring help and/or acquiring a fair amount of machinery (and the skills to use them).

Really (in my opinion) "homesteading" should be more about doing more for your own household rather than always hiring or buying what is needed.....and that's something everyone can do. Even if it's not all done by yourself acquiring the skills & knowledge to do the tasks correctly (not just the quick hack methods) is helpful even if you end up having to hiring a job out since it means you have a better idea of what it is you're paying for to be done/bought.

 

[Urban Homestead]

Homesteader here. If you were planning to move to the wilds of Alaska and set up a homestead from scratch as a single woman, then yes, I think it would probably be a struggle. You can start homesteading anywhere. Heck, I live in an urban area and I homestead. Just start with what you have. Homesteading is all about self-sufficiency.

 

[Katie]

Really (in my opinion) "homesteading" should be more about doing more for your own household rather than always hiring or buying what is needed.....and that's something everyone can do. Even if it's not all done by yourself acquiring the skills & knowledge to do the tasks correctly (not just the quick hack methods) is helpful even if you end up having to hiring a job out since it means you have a better idea of what it is you're paying for to be done/bought.

Those are all good points. I guess I was looking at it as some grand adventure, especially since I've never raised livestock and I didn't grow up on a farm. Luckily, I have a few of the typical homesteading skills already. I'll start expanding on those.