Question

How can I eventually work towards permaculture on my homestead?

Tips

Make plans to harness and use natural energy and resources like solar energy, wind and rain

Everyone wants to use natural energy sources, but there are always accompanying challenges. Find a way to connect with neighbours in the area where you want to make your homestead and learn from their trials and tribulations before making any investments yourself.

Produce no waste: e.g. strategize how to use weeds as feed for your chickens and their waste as manure for your garden

Do a hypothetical audit of all the waste you will produce on your homestead and then research how those waste items might be repurposed. Plan how to save money and reduce your footprint at the same time.

Design from patterns to details: take advantage of the naturally occurring systems already in place (slope, runoff, shade from trees, etc.)

Get into daily monitoring (temperatures, rainfall, humidity, etc.) Start tracking your own data to create an excellent resource for designing and planning both initial and yearly cultivation.

Dig deeper resources:

The House & Homestead Anna and her family made the move from a Vancouver condo to a homestead in Comox Valley and now she’s create an entire resource library on everything from gardening to self-sufficiency. You can also subscribe to her Modern Homesteading Magazine for expert tips and seasonally-themed advice and inspiration.