On today’s podcast episode I will be giving my thoughts on some questions from you, the listeners. I will be answering questions today on getting started raising pigs on a small scale, setting up raised bed gardens with a focus on the soil, and what makes a person a homesteader.
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Podcast Q&A
Ellie asks – I really want to start raising pigs. Only one or two at a time. I just need some advice on what I need to get started, some tips on raising them to be healthy, and maybe some troubleshooting on any obstacles I might find in my way. Also what breed to look for being a first-timer and where to get them.
- I answer this question thoroughly in this article: How To Get Started Raising Pigs On The Homestead
Raising pigs on a homestead can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially for beginners. Pigs don’t require as much space as you might think, with about 20 square feet per pig being enough. However, more space is always better for their health.
You’ll need strong fencing, like hog panels or electric fencing, as pigs are powerful animals. For housing, pigs only need simple, dry shelters that provide shade to protect them from sunburn.
Feeding pigs a high-protein diet is essential for healthy growth, and it’s important to give them clean water at all times. A good rule is to feed about a pound of food per month of age, up to six pounds a day.
Popular pig breeds for beginners include Duroc, Hampshire, and Yorkshire, and they’re usually butchered when they reach 220-250 pounds.
To find pigs, local farmers, auctions, or websites like Craigslist are great options. With the right setup, raising pigs can provide you with tasty, homegrown meat and a sense of accomplishment.
- Klober, Kelly (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 344 Pages – 12/25/2018 (Publication Date) – Storey Publishing, LLC (Publisher)
Last update on 2025-06-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Scott asks – I want to try to do a lot more planting in raised bed planters next year. I would love to hear what you have to say about getting off to a good start. What type of soil mixture/amendments to start off with? Depth of soil? Maintenance? Irrigation/drainage?
- All New Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew
- The Dirt Doctor, Howard Garrett on Raised Bed Preparation
If you’re excited to plant more in raised bed planters next year, that’s awesome! To get started, you’ll want to follow a method like Mel Bartholomew’s from Square Foot Gardening.
He recommends using a special soil mix that’s easy to work with and perfect for growing healthy plants. The mix is called “Mel’s Mix,” and it’s made of 1/3 compost, 1/3 peat moss (or coconut coir), and 1/3 vermiculite. This blend is light, holds water really well, and gives your plants plenty of nutrients right from the start. Plus, you don’t need to worry about filling the whole bed with deep soil—about 6 inches deep is all you need for most plants!
For maintenance, just keep the soil healthy by adding a little compost to the top each season. Since raised beds dry out a bit quicker than regular ground, you’ll want to water regularly, but not too much. A simple drip irrigation system works great to give your plants the right amount of water without wasting any.
Drainage won’t be a problem because Mel’s Mix is designed to stay loose and well-drained. With this easy system, you’ll have a fun and productive garden that’s super easy to manage!
- Bartholomew, Mel (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 272 Pages – 11/27/2018 (Publication Date) – Cool Springs Press (Publisher)
Last update on 2025-06-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Jamie asks – A couple of episodes ago you gave a definition of modern homesteading that made a lot of sense to me, could you say a little more about what makes a person a homesteader? I don’t have a lot of land, I grow a garden and do some food preservation but I’m not sure I would call myself a homesteader.
- Check out this article and podcast on What Is Homesteading
- For an extensive definition you can also check out my book where I dive into the definition as well.
- Thornbro, Harold (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 187 Pages – 01/12/2020 (Publication Date) – Independently published (Publisher)
Last update on 2025-06-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You don’t need a ton of land or even live out in the country to be a homesteader. What really makes someone a homesteader is more about mindset and actions than anything else.
If you’re growing a garden, preserving food, or finding ways to live more sustainably, you’re already doing what a homesteader does. It’s about being resourceful and learning to do things yourself, whether that’s making your own compost, raising a few chickens, or canning tomatoes from your garden.
Modern homesteading is flexible and can fit into any lifestyle. You might live in a small space but still want to grow your own food or reduce your reliance on stores by preserving what you grow.
Homesteading isn’t about size; it’s about making small, everyday choices to become more self-sufficient and connected to the land, no matter where you live. So, if you’re already growing and preserving, you’re definitely on your way to being a homesteader!
