A Year on the Homestead: Weekly Insights, Tips, and Projects

This Week On The Homestead – Week 8

As winter begins to thaw, now is the ideal time to check in on your perennial plants. Prune fruit trees, clean up dead growth, and assess the health of your soil. Early spring maintenance is key to a thriving garden.

This Week On The Homestead – Week 7

Permaculture isn't just about plants—it's about creating a sustainable, self-sufficient system. This week, look into water conservation techniques such as rainwater harvesting and swales, preparing your garden for efficient water use in the upcoming growing season.

This Week On The Homestead – Week 6

Let’s focus on using winter downtime to sharpen your tools and improve your infrastructure. Properly maintained tools make garden tasks more efficient and will last longer, saving resources in the long run.

This Week On The Homestead – Week 5

With frost still on the ground, it’s time to explore the concept of food forests. By integrating trees, shrubs, and perennials into your garden, you can create a resilient system that mimics natural ecosystems and provide abundance for your homestead.

This Week On The Homestead – Week 4

With snow on the ground (depending on where you live), now is an excellent time to research the best companion planting strategies. By grouping beneficial plants together, you can boost your garden’s resilience and reduce pest pressure in the coming seasons.

This Week On The Homestead – Week 3

As the days slowly start to lengthen, consider focusing on planning perennial guilds. These plant combinations mimic natural ecosystems, reducing the need for external inputs while improving the health of your garden.

This Week On The Homestead – Week 2

Winter is a time for reflection and planning. Now is the perfect moment to dig into seed catalogs and research the best varieties for your local climate. Consider native plants that require fewer inputs and foster biodiversity.

This Week On The Homestead – Week 1

The new year offers a fresh start in the garden. This week, focus on designing your permaculture space. Map out zones and elements, keeping in mind the flow of water, sunlight, and wind to create an efficient, productive system.

This Week On The Homestead – Week 52

As the year comes to a close, take the time to celebrate your achievements in the garden. Whether it was a bumper crop or a season of learning through challenges, every step you take toward sustainability makes a difference. Reflect on the lessons learned and look forward to a new year of growth and renewal.

This Week On The Homestead – Week 51

This week, take a moment to review the concept of permaculture ethics: care for the earth, care for people, and return the surplus. As we look toward a new year, consider how you can incorporate these principles into your garden and lifestyle in the months ahead.

This Week On The Homestead – Week 50

As the holidays approach, consider sharing the fruits of your garden with family and friends. Homemade preserves, dried herbs, or seeds from your garden can make thoughtful, sustainable gifts that inspire others to grow their own food.

This Week On The Homestead – Week 49

With winter solstice approaching, it’s a good time to reflect on the cycles of nature and how they influence your garden. Consider how you can better align your gardening practices with the natural rhythms of the seasons for a more sustainable and productive system.

This Week On The Homestead – Week 48

This week, focus on evaluating your composting system. Whether you’re using traditional bins, vermicomposting, or bokashi, assess how your system can be improved to better handle food and garden waste next year.

This Week On The Homestead – Week 47

This week, focus on building wildlife habitat in your garden. Birdhouses, insect hotels, and water sources can provide shelter and attract beneficial species that help maintain the balance of your ecosystem.

This Week On The Homestead – Week 46

As the holidays approach, it’s the perfect time to explore indoor gardening. From microgreens to windowsill herbs, you can keep growing fresh, nutritious food even during the darkest days of winter.

This Week On The Homestead – Week 45

As the leaves fall, take advantage of nature’s bounty by collecting them for compost or mulch. Leaf mold is an excellent soil conditioner that improves soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability, setting your garden up for success next spring.

This Week On The Homestead – Week 44

With the growing season behind us, now is the time to focus on soil health. Sheet mulching, also known as lasagna gardening, is a great way to build soil fertility over the winter by layering organic materials that decompose and enrich the earth.

This Week On The Homestead – Week 43

As the fall harvest winds down, it’s time to think about storing your bounty. Consider building a simple root cellar to store root vegetables, apples, and other produce through the winter months. This simple addition can significantly extend the life of your harvest, ensuring a fresh supply of food even in the coldest months.

This Week On The Homestead – Week 42

This week, focus on cleaning up your garden and preparing it for winter. Remove dead plants, amend and cover the soil, clean tools, and organize your seed collection, so you’re ready to hit the ground running when spring arrives.

This Week On The Homestead – Week 41

With the growing season winding down, now is the perfect time to reflect on the role of perennials in your permaculture system. Perennials like fruit trees and berry bushes not only provide food but also help build soil with biomass and support biodiversity.