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    Home » Best Of

    27 Inspiring Reads for New Homesteaders Ready to Get Started

    Sarita Harbour.
    Modified: Apr 9, 2025 by Sarita Harbour · This post may contain affiliate links·
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    Starting a homestead comes with a lot to learn, but the right books can make it easier. These inspiring reads give new homesteaders practical advice, time-tested skills, and the motivation to keep going. Whether you’re looking to grow your own food, raise animals, or live more sustainably, there’s something here for you. Learning from experienced homesteaders can help you avoid common mistakes and build confidence along the way. If you're ready to get started, these books are a great place to begin.

    Potager Gardening for Beginners

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    Potager Gardening for Beginners. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    A potager garden blends beauty and function, making it a great option for new homesteaders learning to grow food. This guide covers simple layouts, plant pairings, and easy ways to keep your garden productive. It’s an ideal starting point for a practical, homegrown harvest.
    Read the Article: Potager Gardening for Beginners

    Best Homesteading Books for Beginners

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    Best Homesteading Books for Beginners. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Learning homesteading skills takes time, but the right books make the process easier. This list features must-reads for new homesteaders, covering everything from gardening to livestock care. A solid reference collection is key to building self-sufficiency.
    Read the Article: Best Homesteading Books for Beginners

    How to Plant a Pollinator Garden in Your Backyard

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    How to Plant a Pollinator Garden in Your Backyard. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    A thriving homestead needs healthy pollinators, and this guide makes it easy to attract them. With simple plant choices and layout tips, new homesteaders can create a garden that supports bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. It’s a small step with a big impact.
    Read the Article: How to Plant a Pollinator Garden in Your Backyard

    Forage, Cultivate, Create: Homestead Skills to Master

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    Forage, Cultivate, Create: Homestead Skills to Master. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Homesteading involves a mix of old and new skills, and this guide highlights key ones to learn first. From foraging wild foods to preserving the harvest, it’s a great resource for new homesteaders. Building these skills early leads to long-term success.
    Read the Article: Forage, Cultivate, Create: Homestead Skills to Master

    How to Build a Cinder Block Garden

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    How to Build a Cinder Block Garden. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    A cinder block garden is an easy way to grow food without spending a fortune. This guide walks new homesteaders through building a durable, low-maintenance setup that works in almost any space. Simple, practical, and built to last.
    Read the Article: How to Build a Cinder Block Garden

    45 Best Homestead Blogs for 2025

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    45 Best Homestead Blogs for 2025. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Learning from experienced homesteaders makes the process easier, and these blogs offer practical advice on everything from gardening to off-grid living. New homesteaders will find inspiration, troubleshooting tips, and step-by-step guides. It’s a great way to stay motivated.
    Read the Article: 45 Best Homestead Blogs for 2025

    Easy Lemon Curd Recipe

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    Easy Lemon Curd Recipe. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Homemade lemon curd is a simple way to add fresh flavor to baked goods or breakfast spreads. With just a few ingredients and basic techniques, new homesteaders can make a batch in no time. It’s a good recipe to practice cooking from scratch.
    Read the Article: Easy Lemon Curd Recipe

    How to Store Cucumbers from The Garden

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    How to Store Cucumbers from The Garden. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Keeping cucumbers fresh can be tricky, but the right storage methods help extend their shelf life. This guide breaks down easy ways to store them so new homesteaders can enjoy their harvest longer. No waste, no hassle.
    Read the Article: How to Store Cucumbers from The Garden

    7 Ways To Start Homesteading Today

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    7 Ways To Start Homesteading Today. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Getting started with homesteading doesn’t have to wait—these seven steps help build self-sufficiency right away. From growing food to learning basic DIY skills, new homesteaders will find practical ways to begin. It’s all about making small changes that add up over time.
    Read the Article: 7 Ways To Start Homesteading Today

    Backyard Homesteading for Beginners

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    Backyard Homesteading for Beginners. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Even a small backyard can support a homestead with the right setup. This guide walks new homesteaders through raising food, keeping chickens, and making the most of their space. No acreage required—just a little planning and effort.
    Read the Article: Backyard Homesteading for Beginners

    Homestead Gardening

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    Homestead Gardening. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Growing your own food is one of the best ways to build self-reliance, and this guide covers the basics. New homesteaders will learn about soil health, plant selection, and seasonal planting. A well-planned garden is the foundation of a productive homestead.
    Read the Article: Homestead Gardening

    5 Things to Know About Growing Organic Seeds

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    5 Things to Know About Growing Organic Seeds. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Starting with strong seeds is key to a healthy garden, and this guide explains what new homesteaders should know. From selecting the right varieties to storing them properly, these tips help set up a successful growing season. Good plants start with good seeds.
    Read the Article: 5 Things to Know About Growing Organic Seeds

    Best Ever Homemade Sourdough Donut Recipe with Glaze

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    Best Ever Homemade Sourdough Donut Recipe with Glaze. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Making sourdough donuts at home is easier than you’d think, and they’re a great way to use up extra starter. This step-by-step recipe helps new homesteaders turn simple ingredients into something fresh and homemade. No need for store-bought treats when you can make your own.
    Read the Article: Best Ever Homemade Sourdough Donut Recipe with Glaze

    Homesteading and Survival

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    Homesteading and Survival. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Living a homesteading lifestyle means knowing how to be prepared for anything. This guide covers essential skills new homesteaders need, from food preservation to off-grid power options. Building these habits early makes long-term self-sufficiency easier.
    Read the Article: Homesteading and Survival

    Easy Homemade Oregano Salve Recipe

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    Easy Homemade Oregano Salve Recipe. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Herbal salves are useful for everyday cuts and scrapes, and this oregano salve is simple to make. With just a few ingredients, new homesteaders can create a natural remedy straight from the garden. It’s a good way to start learning home medicine skills.
    Read the Article: Easy Homemade Oregano Salve Recipe

    Modern Homesteading: How to Get Started

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    Modern Homesteading: How to Get Started. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Modern homesteading blends traditional skills with today’s technology, and this guide breaks it down step by step. New homesteaders will learn about growing food, keeping livestock, and making the most of their resources. A great introduction to self-reliant living.
    Read the Article: Modern Homesteading: How to Get Started

    How to Freeze Rhubarb at Home

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    How to Freeze Rhubarb at Home. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Freezing rhubarb is an easy way to preserve the harvest for later use. This guide shows new homesteaders how to prepare and store it properly so it stays fresh for months. Simple techniques make a big difference in food storage.
    Read the Article: How to Freeze Rhubarb at Home

    How to Make Homemade DIY Compost Starter

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    How to Make Homemade DIY Compost Starter. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    A good compost pile starts with the right balance of ingredients, and this DIY starter helps speed up the process. New homesteaders will learn how to make compost rich in nutrients using materials they already have. Healthy soil leads to better crops.
    Read the Article: How to Make Homemade DIY Compost Starter

    How to Make Herbal Bath Salts with Wild Roses

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    How to Make Herbal Bath Salts with Wild Roses. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Herbal bath salts are a simple way to use homegrown or foraged flowers for self-care. This recipe helps new homesteaders turn wild roses into a natural, fragrant bath soak. A great way to make use of backyard blooms.
    Read the Article: How to Make Herbal Bath Salts with Wild Roses

    Stovetop Sourdough English Muffins Recipe

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    Stovetop Sourdough English Muffins Recipe. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    These homemade sourdough English muffins are cooked on the stovetop, making them perfect for a homestead kitchen. New homesteaders will appreciate how simple they are to make with just a few ingredients. Fresh, homemade bread without an oven.
    Read the Article: Stovetop Sourdough English Muffins Recipe

    Easy Step-by-Step Sourdough Pizza Dough Recipe

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    Easy Step-by-Step Sourdough Pizza Dough Recipe. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Learning to make pizza dough from scratch is a useful skill for new homesteaders. This recipe walks through the process step by step, turning basic ingredients into a homemade meal. A great way to practice working with sourdough.
    Read the Article: Easy Step-by-Step Sourdough Pizza Dough Recipe

    10 Best Treats for Goats and Goat Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

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    10 Best Treats for Goats and Goat Oatmeal Cookie Recipe. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Happy goats are productive goats, and these homemade treats keep them healthy and entertained. New homesteaders will find easy snack ideas for their herd, plus a simple goat-friendly cookie recipe. A little extra care goes a long way with livestock.
    Read the Article: 10 Best Treats for Goats and Goat Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

    Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Cookies

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    Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Using sourdough discard in cookies is a smart way to cut down on waste while making something delicious. This recipe helps new homesteaders turn extra starter into soft, homemade cookies. A practical way to use every bit of what you have.
    Read the Article: Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Homemade Plant Food: 7 Easy Natural Fertilizer Recipes

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    Homemade Plant Food: 7 Easy Natural Fertilizer Recipes. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Keeping plants healthy without store-bought fertilizer is important for self-sufficient gardening. These natural recipes give new homesteaders simple ways to feed their soil using common household items. Strong soil means better harvests.
    Read the Article: Homemade Plant Food: 7 Easy Natural Fertilizer Recipes

    Micro Homesteading: Your Path to Sustainable Living

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    Micro Homesteading: Your Path to Sustainable Living. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Homesteading doesn’t have to mean living on acres of land—this guide shows how to do it on a small scale. New homesteaders will learn about container gardening, small-space food production, and simple self-sufficiency tricks. A great way to start with what you have.
    Read the Article: Micro Homesteading: Your Path to Sustainable Living

    10 Free Garden Planners for Beginner Gardeners

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    10 Free Garden Planners for Beginner Gardeners. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Keeping a garden organized is easier with a good plan, and these free planners help make that happen. New homesteaders will find helpful layouts, planting schedules, and tracking sheets. Growing food starts with a little planning.
    Read the Article: 10 Free Garden Planners for Beginner Gardeners

    What is Homesteading? What to Know to Get Started

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    What is Homesteading? What to Know to Get Started. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Homesteading is all about self-sufficiency, but getting started can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks it down into simple steps so new homesteaders can begin growing, preserving, and making more from scratch. A practical starting point for anyone interested in this lifestyle.
    Read the Article: What is Homesteading? What to Know to Get Started

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    Sarita Harbour.

    I'm Sarita. My family and I lived off the grid for 11 years in Canada's far north. If I did it, you can too.

    Learn more here →

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