So, you're ready to start your homesteading journey—and it's summertime. Good news: summer is one of the best seasons to dive in! With long days, warm soil, and a flurry of outdoor activity, there’s a lot you can accomplish right away.
Here’s what you can do to get your homestead off the ground during the summer months:
🌱 1. Start or Expand Your Garden
Summer is a great time to grow fast-maturing crops like:
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Zucchini, cucumbers, and bush beans
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Tomatoes and peppers (if you're in a warm zone)
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Herbs like basil, dill, and cilantro
Already missed spring planting? Don’t worry—now’s the time to plan your fall garden and prep garden beds for next season. Add compost, mulch, and improve your soil while it's active.
🐓 2. Raise Chickens or Small Livestock
If you're adding animals to your homestead, summer offers:
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Easier access to fresh forage
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Warmer weather (less stress for chicks or baby goats)
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Plenty of daylight to get fencing, coops, and shelters set up
Just make sure to provide shade, ventilation, and clean water—heat stress is real!
💧 3. Set Up Water Systems
Rain might be scarce, but it’s a great time to:
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Install rain barrels or cisterns for upcoming wet seasons
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Test or dig irrigation lines or gray water systems
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Learn how your property handles drought and water runoff
🔨 4. Build and Repair
Warm, dry weather makes summer the perfect time to:
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Build raised beds, compost bins, and animal shelters
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Set up fencing, trellises, or garden infrastructure
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Repair or reinforce sheds, roofs, and outdoor tools
Start small and focus on essential infrastructure first.
📚 5. Learn, Plan & Observe
Use this time to:
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Journal your property’s sun patterns, wind, and wildlife activity
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Study your growing zone and native plants
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Learn homesteading skills like food preservation, soap making, or herbal remedies
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Connect with local farmers, markets, and homestead groups
🧺 6. Preserve the Season’s Harvest
Even if you're not growing much yet, you can still:
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Buy produce in bulk from local farms or markets
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Practice canning, fermenting, freezing, or drying
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Build up a winter pantry while learning valuable food preservation skills
🌾 Final Thoughts
Starting your homestead in the summer doesn’t mean you’re late—it means you’ve stepped in at one of the most active and abundant times of year. Use the season’s energy to get outside, get your hands dirty, and start building the systems, habits, and skills that will sustain your homestead for years to come.
Remember, homesteading isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress and connection. Start where you are, use what you have, and enjoy the journey.