10 Homesteading Books You Need in Your Home Library (For 2024)
Inside: A collection of the best homesteading books for anyone looking for a more homegrown and self-sufficient lifestyle.
If you are like many people who are starting a new lifestyle out in the country or just trying live simply in the city of suburbs, the whole thing feels very new to you. So many homesteading skills have a big, big learning curve or are downright scary at times (like beekeeping!).
There’s nothing like a book to help you learn or build up your confidence. Books are also wonderful for inspiring you to keep going, try new things, or just see the beauty of your new lifestyle. Books can also make thoughtful Christmas gifts for the stay-at-home mom.
Of all the many books out there, I recommend a few above the rest. Here are my favorites!
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How to Live on Almost Nothing and Have Plenty
This book is out of print and the author is no longer living. But of all of the books on this list, it’s probably the best and most well-rounded.
It is one of those rare books that feels like sitting down with a friend who’s done this all before and is telling you the truth. It covers everything from starting seeds in a greenhouse to raising pigs to making handmade Christmas gifts from your homestead.
Rather than doing a boring presentation of the facts and all the different ways to accomplish something, she is not afraid to offer a real opinion and tell you the best way to do things. So, so, valuable if you can get your hands on it.
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
This book is not exactly a “how to homestead” manual. It is the true story of Barbara Kingsolver, a writer who moves to a Virginia farm with her family with the dream of eating a local diet. It manages to celebrate self-sufficiency and eating locally without being preachy and annoying, which is a difficult task.
And although it is mostly a story, it is extremely inspirational and will remind you why you are doing all this work on days when it all seems like too much. (And those days will come.) I have read it many times and will read it many more.
Fresh Eggs Daily
This is a chicken-keeping book, but it’s more than that! This book helps you look at your flock of hens and make sure they are healthy and happy so that you enjoy them and they provide you with plenty of fresh eggs.
The author has a gift for animals and the joy she finds in homesteading and keeping chickens shines through. This is a wonderful book to have before you even buy a chicken to get you excited about them, and also a lovely reference to keep on your shelf.
Gardening When It Counts
This is another book that goes against the grain of some of the more common homesteading books. Rather than just repeating the same thing every other book does (“plant your vegetables in rich, well-drained soil!”), the author goes in-depth as to why your garden should be arranged and fertilized in a certain way.
The Women’s Heritage Sourcebook
This is a beautifully photographed, coffee table-style book that goes over a broad range of homesteading activities. There are sections on keeping animals, homestead cooking, how to have kids help on the homestead, and many other topics.
I tend to prefer books that are deep and narrow, and this one is broad. But it’s so lovely and inspiring that it deserves a place on this list.
Vegetables Love Flowers
Looking to add a little something extra to your vegetable garden this year? Why not try interplanting flowers and vegetables! Not only will it make your garden look more beautiful, but it can also provide a number of benefits for your plants.
The book Vegetables Love Flowers offers detailed advice on how to get started with this type of gardening. You’ll learn about the best flowers to plant alongside your veggies, how to design a cutting garden and the importance of pollinators and beneficial predators. Plus, you’ll get plenty of general gardening guidance featuring natural methods.
The Four-Season Harvest
This is one of those homesteading books that focuses on one narrow topic but covers it backward and forwards.
It is solely devoted to extending your growing season with low-energy methods (that is to say, not using an expensive heated greenhouse). But this is one of the most important skills for homesteaders to learn because it allows you to extend your months of fresh vegetables. You will learn how to use row covers, soil warming methods, and choose the right veggie varieties to harvest lettuce, spinach, and much more all through the winter.
A great choice for the more experienced gardener who is looking for a challenge
Homegrown Pantry
There is more to a self-sufficient garden than planting a million things and watering them. Almost more important than the work of the garden is the work of planning it. This book helps you know how much to plant and how to use it. It included ideas for using your harvest, and even better, guides on how much to plant depending on how your family will consume it. The author also has a few books that include detailed garden plans that are very helpful.
Her writing is very enjoyable and this book reads almost like a novel. One of my favorites.
The Encyclopedia of Country Living
The encyclopedia of country living is the perfect book for anyone interested in homesteading or living a more self-sustaining lifestyle. This classic book, which has been around for over 50 years, is chock full of useful information and wisdom about everything from gardening to survival skills.
Whether you’re a homesteader, an urban farmer, or just someone who wants to be more prepared and independent, this book is a must-have. Keep your family safe and healthy, regardless of what’s going on in the world, with the help of this book..
The Holistic Orchard
If you ever wanted to grow your own fruit but didn’t know where to start, The Holistic Orchard is the book for you. It breaks down the basic skills needed to be a successful orchardist in an easy-to-understand way. You’ll learn about everything from choosing the right site for your orchard, to planting and caring for your trees.
And best of all, you’ll see that producing fruit is not about manipulating nature, but fostering it. So whether you’re a beginner or have some experience with growing fruit, The Holistic Orchard will show you how to do it the right way.
More Simple Living Book Collections
Like most things, the best way to learn is by doing. You will read a lot of these and your experience will be different. But they are so useful to have as reference, a starting point, and inspiration.
- Browse my list of the best books for soap makers of every level.
- If you enjoy home preserving, you’ll love these canning books.
- And homemakers will appreciate my favorite homemaking books.
So grab a cup of tea, curl up , and get ready to be empowered on your path to a more self-reliant life.
By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.
