Comments on: 4 Mistakes to Avoid for the Novice Homesteader http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/05/4-mistakes-to-avoid-for-the-novice-homesteader/ Articles on topics about sustainable living. Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:30:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Greg Seaman http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/05/4-mistakes-to-avoid-for-the-novice-homesteader/comment-page-1/#comment-35059 Greg Seaman Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:26:36 +0000 http://eartheasy.com/blog/?p=2794#comment-35059 Thank you Alease for your comment. One of my biggest concerns over the years of developing this website is that site visitors may feel that our experience does not apply to urban and suburban environments. To the contrary, there are many sustainable living practices that apply to all lifestyles, and it is gratifying that you see this.
Greg

]]> By: Alease Michelle http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/05/4-mistakes-to-avoid-for-the-novice-homesteader/comment-page-1/#comment-35057 Alease Michelle Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:27:29 +0000 http://eartheasy.com/blog/?p=2794#comment-35057 I love this website and how it helps guide and inform people on homesteading. There are so many good tips that are also applicable to city dwellers—that is why I love reading it.

]]> By: Pat http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/05/4-mistakes-to-avoid-for-the-novice-homesteader/comment-page-1/#comment-34552 Pat Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:39:33 +0000 http://eartheasy.com/blog/?p=2794#comment-34552 A great resource for choosing a homesite on your land is the book A Pattern Language. This book was written a long time ago but the ideas still apply today. Lots of wise advice and ideas to take into consideration before you begin to build.

]]> By: Dean http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/05/4-mistakes-to-avoid-for-the-novice-homesteader/comment-page-1/#comment-33568 Dean Fri, 05 Aug 2011 15:25:00 +0000 http://eartheasy.com/blog/?p=2794#comment-33568 I am looking ahead to retirement (about ten years). I want to buy property in a place called Glacier View Meadows in the foot hills above Ft Collins, CO. Its at about 6500 ft. It offers basic amenities but would require extensive investment to make it livable (clearing, well, septic etc). There are wonderful views, trees, and other residents near-by but not on your doorstep. Its quite rockie as you would expect in the …Rockies. Still, it looks great.

I can’t begin to caution readers enough to take Gregs first warning to heart: Check your home site. I was in Ft Collins for another reason just before Spring. The wife and I thought we’d check out the site in a different season than when originally viewed (late Spring early Summer). Well, I found the development but I couldn’t find the road to my lot. I mean there was snow everywhere and the signs were not always visible, not only that, but my truck couldn’t negotiate the road that had become slick in spots and loose in others. I cant begin to convey my disappointment but then, I hadn’t bought yet either. Caveat Emptor.

Thanks for listening

Dean

]]> By: Greg Seaman http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/05/4-mistakes-to-avoid-for-the-novice-homesteader/comment-page-1/#comment-33319 Greg Seaman Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:52:54 +0000 http://eartheasy.com/blog/?p=2794#comment-33319 Great comments Kimberly. During the Depression would-be homesteaders moved to the B.C. Caribou region only to learn there was no winter game available.
And practical vehicles is another good suggestion. They can be bought at low prices once they have a few dents and scratches.
Here is an article with more on the subject: http://eartheasy.com/blog/2009/04/choosing-land-f…

]]> By: Kimberly McCauley http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/05/4-mistakes-to-avoid-for-the-novice-homesteader/comment-page-1/#comment-33317 Kimberly McCauley Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:28:48 +0000 http://eartheasy.com/blog/?p=2794#comment-33317 If you have children, I would highly recommend a dog or a few dogs that are prepared to protect the land from coyotes or mountain lions as they WILL try to take any opportunity possible for an easy meal.
Mules are a GREAT addition to any homestead: They are hardy, loyal, sure footed and can be used to carry large loads, game, play with the children and protect the home from coyotes. They are also more intelligent than horses and can help avoid unecessary risks.

]]> By: Kimberly McCauley http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/05/4-mistakes-to-avoid-for-the-novice-homesteader/comment-page-1/#comment-33316 Kimberly McCauley Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:28:28 +0000 http://eartheasy.com/blog/?p=2794#comment-33316 I think a few more things to consider are the access to wild game. Preparations for harsh weather including unexpected droughts, snow storms that can block you in your home. Ways to keep rodents, bugs and dangerous reptiles from around your home that are non-toxic. And being aware if you are in a flood zone, or in an area that could potentially flood if a damn were to break or be released. In certain areas to be a homesteader, it is recommended that you try to incorporate the natural defenses of the earth (meaning buildng into or creating your home into a hill) to protect your investment from natural disaster such as tornadoes. Vehicles should be practical and suited to the needs of your family and chores, not to how they look or the "cool features". Fuel conservation should be considered in a vehicle as generally a homestead is far from a town where fuel stations are located.

]]> By: Greg Seaman http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/05/4-mistakes-to-avoid-for-the-novice-homesteader/comment-page-1/#comment-33260 Greg Seaman Sat, 16 Jul 2011 14:44:53 +0000 http://eartheasy.com/blog/?p=2794#comment-33260 Great comments. It's obvious that you live off grid! The last line of your comment says it all.

]]> By: Jennine http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/05/4-mistakes-to-avoid-for-the-novice-homesteader/comment-page-1/#comment-33259 Jennine Sat, 16 Jul 2011 13:40:09 +0000 http://eartheasy.com/blog/?p=2794#comment-33259 Patience needs to be on the list. Even with the most modest designs, everything will take longer than you plan when you're off-grid, remote, and doing it yourself. It's good to develop a slightly ambitious schedule and plan because it helps keep you motivated, but being over-aggressive ultimately leads to burn-out and frustration. As long as you focus on the critical projects and get those done in time, anything else you can get done is icing on the cake. If something non-critical slips the schedule or doesn't get done exactly the way you planned it, that's ok… you've got more time and you've learned something :) Give yourself a break and enjoy the process; remember, you got out of the rat race to reduce your stress!

]]> By: Robyn Stanley http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/05/4-mistakes-to-avoid-for-the-novice-homesteader/comment-page-1/#comment-32811 Robyn Stanley Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:35:00 +0000 http://eartheasy.com/blog/?p=2794#comment-32811 Sustainable housing practices should be at the forefront of our minds. The use of various sustainable techniques and materials, and facilitating green practices will enable a more sustainable life. The impact of maintenance and construction on the planet should be minimal. To enable more sustainable transport options, housing developments should be in close proximity to vital services such as shops, schools, employment and public transport. Alternatively they may be self sufficient ‘off-the-grid’ houses that require no public water, sewerage, or power services. Sustainable homes may also be linked to a power grid that is supplied using sustainable energy resources, or the homes may generate their own energy through renewable sources that may be fed back into the grid.
Robyn Stanley
Simple, Sustainable Living

]]> By: Jugar Bratz http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/05/4-mistakes-to-avoid-for-the-novice-homesteader/comment-page-1/#comment-29520 Jugar Bratz Wed, 25 May 2011 16:54:43 +0000 http://eartheasy.com/blog/?p=2794#comment-29520 This is a nice article who wants to improve himself in gardening,

]]> By: Miller http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/05/4-mistakes-to-avoid-for-the-novice-homesteader/comment-page-1/#comment-29385 Miller Tue, 24 May 2011 18:21:11 +0000 http://eartheasy.com/blog/?p=2794#comment-29385 So true. Pie in the sky ideas about living free from the land dont work without money.

]]> By: TerryG http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/05/4-mistakes-to-avoid-for-the-novice-homesteader/comment-page-1/#comment-28868 TerryG Fri, 20 May 2011 17:27:03 +0000 http://eartheasy.com/blog/?p=2794#comment-28868 I'm glad you include commnity in your list. We depend on each other in my little corner of the world, and it sure helps to get along.

]]> By: maychild http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/05/4-mistakes-to-avoid-for-the-novice-homesteader/comment-page-1/#comment-27115 maychild Fri, 06 May 2011 19:47:01 +0000 http://eartheasy.com/blog/?p=2794#comment-27115 Good advice all around! My suggestion is to build good soil and your garden efforts will be rewarded. Take the time to develop soil, and not rush into planting seeds in questionable soil. This is what I have learned the hard way!

]]> By: Denny http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/05/4-mistakes-to-avoid-for-the-novice-homesteader/comment-page-1/#comment-26735 Denny Thu, 05 May 2011 17:08:05 +0000 http://eartheasy.com/blog/?p=2794#comment-26735 I think a mistake people make is not having savings or a way of generating income. You can try to be self sufficient but you still need money for lots of things like land payments, taxes, utilities and food you can't grow.

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