2 Years Homesteading: What We Should Have Done Differently

In today's video we sit down and have some fun reflecting on all the mistakes we have made thus far in our two years of homesteading. Things we screwed up, things we would have done differently, while also looking forward to a bright future ahead.
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We are Austin & Sarah.
The two of us grew up as city kids and after we got married realized we dreamed of living a simpler and more self-sufficient life in the country. We packed our bags and bought our little piece of heaven in the beginning of 2021. This channel exists to document our journey of learning how to live a more self-sufficient life.
We have a lot to learn and we hope that you will join us on this adventure!

[@kathys9786]

We started out with 1800 square feet and expanded to 2500 square feet. Next spring were adding another 300 square feet to the fenced garden as well as a corn patch and a wheat patch. Adding a little more each year is helpful because we didn't have all of the cost at once. Last year we invested in landscape fabric for the whole garden as the weeds just got the best of me the year before. We also put vole mat under every garden bed as the voles got all of our peas and beans the year before. Both of these have been game changers! We bought "soil" from a gravel company and it was garbage. We have 11 more beds to undo and we are using this "soil" as driveway dirt. Expensive lesson. Home Depot has an amazing organic soil that we mix with our own soil and that was also a game changer. It was a big investment, but totally worth it! We are making our own compost now to amend the soil each spring. Gardening is definitely an ongoing learning experience. We don't have much luck starting seeds inside (not sure why). When we transplant them, they die. I am going to try one more time this spring using different dirt and see if that makes a difference! Love your videos!

[@CypressSparrowHomestead]

I think we will probably take the same path and slowly expand year over year. Thanks for the vol mat suggestion, I have never heard of those but that sounds like exactly what we need! Good luck this spring, I hope you have a bountiful garden!

[@ladonnawoodley5279]

Hey you all! I'm a new subscriber. Looking forward to your upcoming videos.

[@CypressSparrowHomestead]

Thanks for checking out the channel! We have some fun videos coming out before the end of the year. Cheers!

[@TheNorthBranchWI]

I actually planted my berries in a field without tilling it hahahaha I was just constantly mowing and weeding until I ended up moving meat chickens through the whole thing to control the grass. I plan on spreading woodchips over the whole thing to control grass and build soil long term. Great podcast guys, your setup is awesome!

[@CypressSparrowHomestead]

We didn't do a good job of weeding/mowing, that's where we screwed up. I like the idea of using wood chips though for the whole area. I'm sure you guys will have an abundant harvest once they all reach maturity!

[@TinyHilltop]

Hey Austin and Sarah, I am Evan's (The North Branch) brother, Nate. You guys have a lot of cool things going. I am going back through and getting caught up.

[@CypressSparrowHomestead]

Hey Nate we appreciate it! I loved what you guys have been doing on the North Branch channel and I didn’t even realize Tiny Hilltop existed. I just subbed and looking forward to going through the videos to see what you guys have done with the property over the years!

[@ambermh211]

When considering the size of a garden you'll need, plan it out. Get some graph paper or even a dry erase board and do a mock up of your garden. Figure out how much food you're going to need to grow for simple living and how much you're wanting to save and go from there. Personally, you said you had 2 acres, I'd be planting probably 2/3 of that. Till it once, mix in what your want and then go no till. Invest in a decent tiller. Honestly even an electric one (ryobi makes a nice one) will work (I love mine). Also, buy a good hand tiller. I highly suggest getting chickens. They'll create compost for you. They'll fertilize for you. They'll feed you. They're awesome pets. If you have predators, get an electric fence seriously. You also can train them with a drone for overhead predators. Get an automatic door for their coop as well. Put your compost pile with your chickens. Putting it in the woods will attract predators. Get some pallets and build a compost bin.

[@CypressSparrowHomestead]

Thanks for the suggestions, we did start composting a little last year in our chicken run and hoping to amp that up next spring. I have heard great things about that method!

[@ambermh211]

Just a polite suggestion... the lights behind/above your heads... I think it'd be better/more helpful/look better if you either moved them out more or in more. Right now it just looks like you both have an idea💡.

[@CypressSparrowHomestead]

Thanks!