Building A Drought Resilient Homestead - The Small Town Homestead

Building A Drought Resilient Homestead

On this episode of the Modern Homesteading Podcast, Harold and Rachel talk about how to make a homestead more drought resilient.

The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 149 – August 3rd, 2022 – Building A Drought Resilient Homestead.

Listen To The Podcast

Listen and Subscribe On Your Favorite Podcast Player

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music | Pandora | Pocket Casts | Castbox | Anchor | YouTube | RSS

We discuss what has been happening on our individual homesteads and the recent drought that has been affecting us. We dive into several methods that can make a homestead more drought resistant.

Topics of Discussion

Types of mulch and how it works to retain moisture and build soil.

Using shade and creating microclimates to reduce water use and increase retention.

We discuss our current rainwater collection and how we might be able to do better.

Watering Systems and Drip Irrigation for better use of the rainwater we collect and wasting less water.

Swales for retaining and using water more efficiently throughout a property.

Improving soil with organic matter and biochar

Intensive planting and planting in cover crops to shade the soil and retain water.

Listener Questions and Feedback:

Harold asked a question in the group this week about using and preserving cabbage

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HomesteadFrontPorch/posts/5187531334633982/

Resources Discussed In The Podcast

How to Grow More Vegetables: Than You Ever Thought Possible on Less Land Than You Can Imagine by John Jeavons

https://amzn.to/3buqlFe

No products found.

The Independent Farmstead by Shawn and Beth Dougherty

Book: https://amzn.to/3vDVdtD
Website: https://onecowrevolution.wordpress.com/

No products found.

Craig Schaaf – Biochar On A Small Scale.

He has a five-part short video series on GAB. A great trustworthy resource.

https://tv.gab.com/channel/schaafcraig/view/making-biochar-part-1-61aab0e2df861af71cb362b2

Swale Resources Mentioned

Watch This Podcast Episode Video

[starbox]

Authors

Harold Thornbro

Author, blogger, podcaster, homesteading and permaculture enthusiast. I have a passion for sharing what I learn and helping others on their journey. If you're looking for me, you'll usually find me in the garden.

View all posts
Rachel Jamison

An aspiring permaculturist and urban homesteader who loves to teach and inspire others to grow where they are planted.

View all posts

Post author:Harold Thornbro, Rachel Jamison
Post published:August 3, 2022
Post category:The Modern Homesteading Podcast
Post comments:0 Comments
Post last modified:October 5, 2024

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Support the work of Redemption Permaculture at the Small Town Homestead and the Modern Homesteading Podcast

Yew on The Benefits Of Urine In Permaculture
How often can urine be used on plants? Is there any other uses for urine? I'm thinking I will have…
Elaine on Honey Locust vs Black Locust: What’s The Difference Between Both
Thanks! I was about to go check Sam's book because I was sure I ate a whole bunch of the…
Lori on Is Purslane a Friend or Foe of the Garden?
Purslane is easy to grow and tasty! I recommend it highly to folks looking for new goodies to add to…
Allelulia on 10 Ways To Use Comfrey On Your Permaculture Homestead
You ve got me hooked. thank you so much for sharing your education with the world. You are a good…
Nadya on Jostaberry: A Homesteader’s Dream Berry for Permaculture Gardens
Thank you for this lovely overview. I was delighted to find a Jostaberry at our Edible Landscaping of Yamhill Co.…

Lessons from the Hive
"Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
— Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

Today I spent some time watching the activity around my honey bee hive. It seemed like every bee had a purpose. Some were leaving the hive in search of nectar and pollen. Others were returning with their legs covered in golden pollen. There was a constant flow of movement—busy, organized, and productive.

As I stood there watching, I was reminded that none of those bees were working for immediate reward. They weren't gathering nectar to enjoy it that afternoon. They were working for something larger than themselves. Every trip, every flower visited, every load carried was contributing to the health and future of the hive.

It made me think about my own life.

So much of what I do on the homestead feels like that. Planting seeds. Building soil. Repairing fences. Pruning fruit trees. Many of these tasks don't produce immediate results. They require faith that the effort invested today will bear fruit tomorrow.

The Christian life is often the same.

Galatians 6:9 reminds me not to grow weary in doing good. Sometimes I want to see results right away. I want the garden to grow faster, the project to be finished sooner, or the answer to prayer to come immediately. But God often works through seasons of patient faithfulness.

The bees don't quit because they haven't made honey yet. They continue their work day after day, trusting the process God designed for them. Likewise, God calls me to remain faithful in the work He has given me, trusting that in His timing there will be a harvest.

Watching that hive today reminded me that small acts of obedience matter. A prayer offered. A kind word spoken. A task completed. A seed planted. None of it is wasted when it is done for the Lord.

One day, the harvest comes. The honey is stored. The fruit ripens. The prayers are answered. But until then, God calls me to keep working faithfully.

Reflection Questions
- Am I growing weary in an area where God is calling me to remain faithful?
- What "small acts" of obedience might God be using to accomplish something much larger?
- Where do I need to trust God's timing instead of demanding immediate results?
Prayer

Lord, thank You for the lessons You teach through Your creation. As I watched the bees today, remind me that faithfulness matters even when results are not immediately visible. Help me to work diligently in the tasks You have given me and trust that You are bringing a harvest in Your perfect timing. Keep me from growing weary and strengthen me to continue doing good. Amen.

×