Show me/ tell me abt your micro/mini homestead

[Red Mangrove]

I am in zone 6b. I've not started any fruit trees yet.. but have plans...

I sincerely recommend citrus trifoliata, aka flying dragon. It's cold hardy down to zone 5, and serves as a fruitful, beautiful barrier or rootstock

If you were somewhere warmer I would also recommend prickly pear cactus. It's a true miracle plant

 

[TheFatBlueCat]

Ooooh yay what a great thread! I am mini-homesteading on 1/3 acre and have been for a few years now. I am bumbling along using permaculture principles are a guide. I'm pretty happy with my results so far, I produce 80% of our fresh produce plus a fair amount put away as preserved food. 100% of our eggs. I'd be producing 100% of our chicken meat too if I could bring myself to butcher, but I can't so I haven't yet. I give the young boys away to families who want to eat them.

I'd like a little more land but not a whole lot more. My goal isn't full self sufficiency, just producing great and nutritious food for my family and living a more grounded life. My husband has recently started a very intense job that has him working 60-70 hours per week, so we have decided I will quit my job at a farm store so I can take care of the houseold and parenting related tasks. Otherwise we might both go insane. Can't say I'm thrilled about returning to full time wifeness but it's the best way forward for us.

I have plum trees and black berry bushes, with more plum, hazelnut and berries going in this winter (it's winter here).

In the past I've had many horses, a milk cow, several sheep and several milk goats. Now just chickens, for time and space constraints.

You can meet me and see what I'm up to on our youtube: www.youtube.com/@onceuponafarmnz

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Soay sheep got added to my wishlist for later on in 5+ years

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

I'd like a little more land but not a whole lot more. My goal isn't full self sufficiency, just producing great and nutritious food for my family and living a more grounded life.

I'd like a bit more land too, but honestly with having an outside job this is all we can handle.

But we are doing what we can with what we have!!!

I have plum trees and black berry bushes, with more plum, hazelnut and berries going in this winter (it's winter here).

We just planted cherry bushes!!! They took to the ground so well!! I am very pleased. We also found a black cherry tree on the property. Not sure if it'll ever be edible but they sure are supposed to be after being pitted.

I have some seeds to plant but haven't yet.

I'd love to see your garden set up!!!

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

Soay sheep got added to my wishlist for later on in 5+ years

Why sheep???

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Why sheep???

I like sheep, lamb is delicious, and if you can find a professional shearer, their wool can be worth a lot. Enough to at least pay for some of their feed

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

I have integrated my hatch chicks into GenPop in the chicken chalet. They are my little nuggets and will be harvested around 14-16wks.

I was hoping for more boys for the coop but they have characteristics I don't like for the breed. The boys have dark legs, and they are supposed to be yellow.

I am fixing on cutting down the Hen Hut numbers and will replace next yr. I'll be going from 26 to 8. I'll be getting rid of my cinnamon queens, golden comets, and a few EEs.

The garden is doing well...but needs some serious weeding!!


I also waterglassed my first gallon jar of eggs.

Also, my dual purpose coop (the Galaxies in the chicken chalet) started laying!!!!

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

I like sheep, lamb is delicious, and if you can find a professional shearer, their wool can be worth a lot. Enough to at least pay for some of their feed

I've never had lamb!!!
But that is so awesome!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I've never had lamb!!!
But that is so awesome!

It's super good. We used to raise Suffolk and Suffolk/Targee crosses for fair before we got out of large animal in 4H

 

[Sally PB]

Wool for hand spinning....

As a hand spinner, if you put jackets over their coats, the wool stays MUCH cleaner. Cleaner wool fetches a premium price.

I don't know what breeds are meat breeds; I'm more familiar with the ones raised for wool.