Homesteading; Raising, Growing and Preserving
Homesteading; raising, growing and preserving your own food can be so rewarding. Continue reading even if you live in an apartment or have no yard. Because I have ideas for you as well, especially if space or time is an issue. Raising, growing and preserving your own food is the best way to ensure it’s safe, as long as you know what is safe and what not to feed or fertilize with. Primarily I do it because it is also the most cost effective way for me to feed my family organically. However it does comes with a level of work involved depending on the extent you choose to take on.
For me I currently have a garden, a growing orchard, pigs, ducks and chickens. I’ve also raised turkeys in the past. We all have our limits though and that will be personal to each of us. We’ve considered having some cows, but currently I’m not ready yet since I have an organic farmer I am purchasing from to fill that part of our diet. Always support your local small farmer first but if you don’t have one in your area, Butcher Box is a great way to get healthier choices of meat delivered to your door. If you use their link they do offer a deal for you as well, check it out. And then Grassland Beef has the best grass-fed steaks by far.
Starting Out Start Small - Homesteading; Raising, Growing & Preserving
Homesteading; raising, growing and preserving your own food, doesn’t have to all be done at one time. Nor does it even need to be done by you, if you have no yard or time. As mentioned above try to find local organic farms to purchase from or non GMO, grass-fed, antibiotic free and hormone free farms. Warning, truth bomb; Home raised does not equal good for you. And they are not all equal, some produce farmers that sell at markets use toxic pesticides or weed killers. Those are not good for us to eat because it’s impossible to wash it off if it’s in the ground and the plant is absorbing it.
Not all home raised meats are healthy, because they may use growth hormones or antibiotics or even use GMO feed, or use toxic pesticides or weed killers on their fields or even toxic de-wormers in the animals they sell for meat. Did you know that after using a de-wormer on an animal there is a least a two week hold period before the meat can be sold. That would not the healthiest version either.
Now to avoid a debate is it healthier than the non-organic options produced commercially in our grocery stores, yes probably. Consequently this is where you need to have knowledge to make an informed decision for what is best for you and your family. Here’s a link to the EWG’s Dirty Dozen List these items should always be purchased as organic. Here’s the EWG’s Clean Fifteen List.
Grow Anywhere or Find Other Resource's
As far as a garden goes I personally feel raised beds lined with a weed block fabric is one of the better options for drainage no matter what the season brings. Here’s a 3 foot high 6 in 1 Raised Bed or a 3 foot high 9 in 1 Raised Bed. Add mulch especially for dryer climates to prevent from needing to water as often nor weeding. Even if you only have a porch or a patio, if it gets 6-8 hours of sun per day you can grow many thing in containers. Some seeds will specify that they are for container gardening specifically. However many of your basics do great, regardless. Such as Tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, herbs, cucumbers etc. Additionally I have never tried these Gardyn’s for inside your home or Garden Tower 2, but they look like another great option.
Another couple options are, find a reputable local farm sharing or growers at farmer’s markets. Some areas have local farmers that will sell in bulk too, so you can do your preserving without having to grow it. And it’s more cost effective in bulk by the bushel. Then you do not have to even grow your own. Now if you just prefer some fresh occasionally and do not want to grow your own, Misfits Market is a great option for fresh organic produce delivered right to your door.
Homesteading; Raising, Growing and Preserving
With Homesteading; raising, growing and preserving, you can start small, just a small garden or a few chickens for eggs. However please check your town ordinances on what is allowed in your community on your property first. Many people have been instructed to get rid of animals because they did not follow their community’s guidelines. And that would be so heartbreaking so do your homework first. I was lucky because my 40 acres were already zoned agriculture.
Here are some links to some of my favorite items that I use for organic farming, gardening and preserving. All of these are so rewarding, yes they do take time. However I feel every minute is worth knowing that we are eating the highest quality food available. Food can help us be healthier or sicker, heavier or leaner. And we all have to choose what is best for ourselves and our families. There are more resources under each tab. I love things that save time or costs in the end so these are the things I will show in each category pertaining towards homesteading; raising growing and preserving.
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Lots of good ideas n places to look!
Thank you Rosie!!