7 Must-Have Skills to Build While Waiting For Your Dream Homestead

Inside: The best skills to master for homesteaders, wherever you live right now. Reading is fun, but practicing is a million times better. Roll up your sleeves and work on these now.

It’s so easy to wish away your whole life, waiting for your dream property, dream job, dream whatever. And when you’re living in the city or suburbs, wishing you were homesteading, it can feel like your whole life is on pause.

But it isn’t! There is so much you can do and learn right now, wherever you are. And these skills will serve you so well in the future, but more importantly, right now.

From preserving food to gardening, DIY home and personal care products, and even animal husbandry, there’s so much we can do to get ready for the homesteading life.

1. Cooking and Baking Skills

One of the most essential skills I’ve been focusing on is cooking from scratch using whole ingredients. It’s incredible how much you can create with just a few simple components and techniques, even in a tiny city kitchen.

• Cooking From Scratch Using Whole Ingredients. Learn to make hearty soups, stews, and sauces using fresh vegetables, herbs, and meat or bone broth. These one-pot meals are not only delicious but also economical and easy to prepare in large batches for leftovers or freezing.
• Cooking with cast iron. I love how versatile cast iron pans are – I can use them on the stovetop, in the oven, or even over a campfire. I’ve been perfecting my cornbread recipe and learning to sear meats to perfection.
• Baking bread and pastries. Baking is another essential skill to master. There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through my apartment. I’ve been experimenting with different types of bread, from simple no-knead loaves to more complex sourdough and artisan bread.
• I’ve also been trying my hand at making pastries, pies, and cakes from scratch. It’s amazing how a few simple ingredients like flour, sugar, and butter can transform into something so delicious and comforting.
• Fermenting and Culturing Food. Start with something simple like yogurt, then move on to sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickles. These fermented foods are a great way to preserve vegetables and add flavor to meals. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make – all you need is some salt, vegetables, and a little patience.

As you improve cooking and baking skills, you gain confidence and save money. It has so benefits you can take advantage of right now.

2. Preserving Food Skills to Learn Before Homesteading

Another crucial set of skills to focus on is preserving food. Learning how to extend the shelf life of fruits, vegetables, and meats is essential for any aspiring homesteader, and it’s something you can practice even in my small city apartment.

Epic Homesteading: Your Guide to Self-Sufficiency on a Modern, High-Tech, Backyard HomesteadBall WIDE MOUTH Quart (32 oz.) Glass Food Preserving Pickling Canning Mason Jar with Lid and Band, Clear, 6-CountHomesteading Canning and Preserving! (Homestead Series Book 1)Hula Home Premium Soap Making Kit – 44oz Purple Silicone Mold with Wooden Box, Cutter, Measuring Tools and 100 Bags – Ideal for Adults, Melt and Pour or Cold Process SoapThe Homesteading Handbook: A Back to Basics Guide to Growing Your Own Food, Canning, Keeping Chickens, Generating Your Own Energy, Crafting, Herbal Medicine, and More (Handbook Series)Proofing Set, by Kook, Sourdough Bread, 2 Rattan 9 Inch Banneton Baskets, 2 Basket Covers, Metal Scraper, Plastic Scraper, Scoring Lame, 5 Blades and Case, Baking Kit, Dough Bowls, Round Shape

 

• Water Bath and Pressure Canning Techniques Step into the world of canning, starting with simple water bath canning for high-acid foods like jams, jellies, and pickles. It’s incredibly satisfying to see the rows of colorful jars lined up on your shelf. Learn about pressure canning, which allows you to safely preserve low-acid foods like vegetables, soups, and meats. It’s a bit more involved than water bath canning, but it opens up a whole new world of possibilities for preserving food.
• Dehydrating. It’s amazing how much flavor is concentrated in a dried tomato or a piece of jerky. Experiment with different fruits, vegetables, and meats, learning how to slice them thinly and dry them until they’re perfectly crisp. One of my favorite things to make is fruit leather. It’s a great way to use up overripe fruit, and it makes a delicious, healthy snack. You simply blend the fruit, spread it thinly on a dehydrator tray, and let it dry until it’s chewy and delicious.
• Freezing. Learn how to blanch and freeze vegetables like green beans, peas, and corn, so I can enjoy them throughout the year. Try experimenting with freezing fruits like berries and peaches, which make great additions to smoothies and baked goods.
• Root cellaring. This is a simple and traditional method of storing fruits and vegetables in a cool, dark place. This might not work for people in hte citty, but many suburban homes have basement spaces that would be perfect for this.

These skills are not only practical but also deeply satisfying, connecting you to generations of homesteaders who have preserved food for their families.

3. Gardening and Growing Skills

Gardening is tough to do without land, but not impossible. And starting your own seedlings, even if you can’t plant them, is still a good idea. You can sell them relatively easily, donate them to plant sales, or trade for things you need.

Starting Seeds Indoors and Transplanting. One of the first skills to master is starting seeds indoors. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch tiny seedlings emerge from the soil and grow into strong, healthy plants. I recommend experimenting with different seed-starting setups, from simple trays on your windowsill to a more elaborate grow light system.

Extending the Growing Season with Cold Frames and Greenhouses. Finally, explore ways to extend the growing season. You can build a simple cold frame out of some old windows and scrap wood, which allows you to start my cool-weather crops a bit earlier in the spring and keep them going a bit later in the fall.

As you continue to build your gardening and growing skills, you’ll find that they are not only practical but also deeply nourishing for the soul.

4. DIY Soaps, Cleaners, and Sewing

Not only are these products often cheaper and healthier than store-bought alternatives, but they also allow you to be more self-sufficient.

• Soapmaking. One of the best skills to learn is soapmaking. I started with a simple melt-and-pour method, using pre-made soap bases and adding my herbs, essential oils, and other natural ingredients. I’ve since graduated to cold-process soapmaking, which involves combining lye with oils to create a completely custom soap.
• Homemade cleaning products. Experiment with natural cleaning products, like vinegar and baking soda.
• Herbal medicine and natural remedies. Learn about the healing properties of different herbs and how to use them to make teas, tinctures, salves, and other natural remedies. You can grow herbs on a balcony, like mint, chamomile, and echinacea, and wild-harvest others from nearby parks and green spaces.
• Sewing, Mending, and Other Fabric Crafts. Start with simple projects like cloth napkins and pillowcases, and I’m working my way up to more complex garments. Don’t forget about mending and repurposing old clothes and fabrics. I’ve darned socks, patched jeans, and even turned an old shirt into a reusable tote bag. These skills not only save me money but also help me reduce waste and appreciate the value of the things you own.

5. Animal Husbandry Skills

These are going to be quite limited in an apartment, but suburbanites can definitely do chickens and maybe bees, depending on neighborhood rules.

But you can still learn and research. Another valuable skill to practice is cooking with grass-fed meat. There is a learning curve to cooking with large roasts, whole chickens, and other meats that are butchered locally or at home. Even if you can’t raise your meat animals, you can learn how to properly prepare them once you do.

Look for opportunities to learn and practice in your community, like volunteering at a community garden, taking a beekeeping workshop, or joining a local food preservation group. You might be surprised at how many resources and like-minded people you can find, even in the heart of the city.

6. Time Management and Productivity

Living on a homestead is an incredibly rewarding experience, but it’s no walk in the park. It demands a lot of hard work, from tending crops and raising animals to maintaining your land and equipment. The good news is, the waiting period before you move to your dream homestead is the perfect time to develop the skills you’ll need to thrive.

• Embrace the Hustle: Homesteading isn’t for the faint of heart. There’s always something that needs fixing, planting, or harvesting. Learning to love staying busy and tackling challenges head-on is a crucial first step.
• Master of Your Time: Time management becomes paramount. You’ll need to juggle a variety of tasks, from daily chores to long-term projects. Learning to prioritize, schedule effectively, and work efficiently will be essential for maximizing your productivity.

The key to enjoying homesteading is embracing the hard work. If the idea of a constantly busy schedule fills you with dread, it’s perfectly okay! This waiting period is a chance to discover your preferences.

7. Build a Network and Improve Social Skills

While homesteading emphasizes self-reliance, a strong community is at the heart of a truly fulfilling experience. Here’s why developing your social skills is vital:

• Bartering and Trading: Homesteaders often trade goods and services. Building positive relationships facilitates fair exchanges, from swapping extra produce to sharing equipment or skills.
• Alternate Food Sources: If you can’t produce everything you need, it’s crucial to connect with local farmers and producers. Building rapport helps you reliably source meat, dairy, or specialty items.
• Networking and Shared Knowledge: Learning from experienced homesteaders accelerates your skill development and helps avoid trial-and-error. Join local groups, attend workshops, and make friends with those who’ve been doing it for a while. Their wisdom specific to your area is invaluable.
• Local Support in a Pinch: Homesteading can be unpredictable. Having a network of neighbors you can call on for emergency assistance, livestock help, or a fresh perspective on a problem can be a lifesaver.
• Combatting Isolation: Homesteading can sometimes feel isolating. You might have a pioneering spirit but you don’t need to do it alone.

How long does it take to learn to homestead?

The truth is, that becoming proficient in homesteading skills is a lifelong journey. There’s always more to learn and ways to improve and adapt. This is good news and bad news.

So wherever you live, I encourage you to start building your homesteading skills today. Start small, with a simple herb garden or a batch of homemade bread. Learn from books, workshops, and mentors in your community. And most importantly, have fun and enjoy the process of becoming more self-sufficient and connected to the natural world.