How to Get Started on a Smallholding – Part Two

Are you interested in becoming a smallholder? Would you like to find out what is involved in getting set up on a parcel of your very own land? Here is part two in a series intended to help you turn your smallholding dreams into reality!

So, you now own a smallholding or a property with potential. Congratulations!

This post will cover your initial priority big projects and considerations as you begin your smallholding journey.

House

If you have moved into a new home, does it require any work to make it habitable? Obviously you need a clean. dry, warm space to live in.

Are there any less urgent projects that you have in mind? These may range from minor re-decoration to major updates which form part of your off-grid, self-sufficiency agenda. Start a to-do list for later.

Outbuildings

Does your property already have any outbuildings? What state are they in?

I would highly recommend investing some time to ensure you have at least one outbuilding that is secure with a water tight roof. You will likely have garden tools, animal feed and/or hay, and possibly some machinery which will all need to be stored in a safe, dry location.

Fences and Boundaries

Walk the boundary of your property and carefully inspect any hedges, fences or stone dykes. Are they all secure? Will they keep any livestock in? Do you need to worry about keeping any pests out?

Do you intend to install any additional fencing or boundaries within your property? For example, to delineate the border of your vegetable garden, or to keep inquisitive sheep out of your polytunnel? Do you want to try your hand at doing this job yourselves, or would you prefer to contract it out?

The answers to these questions will obviously depend upon your budget, skill set and time constraints.

Animal Shelters and Housing

If you are planning to keep any livestock, have you decided which animals you would like and settled on a sensible head count?

Birds will need a secure house for overnight. Can you build this yourself, or do you intend to buy one instead? Do you have a barn, stable or an alternative shelter for larger animals? If not, are you able to build one?

If you are keeping sheep, goats or other large livestock, you will also need some hurdles to catch and pen them for essential checks.

It is best to make sure you have all these essentials set up before bringing your new furry, fleecy or feathered friends home. Check out my animal husbandry category for a deep dive into the essentials of caring for a variety of animals.

Vegetable Garden

Are you itching to get started in your vegetable garden? Is it already laid out as a productive garden, or do you need to do some work to get it there?

If you want to rapidly establish a suitable space to grow crops in your first year, you could try lazy beds. We did this for growing potatoes in our first year on the smallholding, while we were getting the rest of the vegetable plot dug over in preparation for the following year.

If you want a polytunnel or a greenhouse, get this set up sooner rather than later! They are quite a lot of work to put together, so you will want to maximise your returns by having them set up in good time.

Food Storage

Are you prepared for produce to start pouring in from your garden? Don’t allow those early gluts to take you by surprise!

You could consider a cold store room for fresh produce. A big freezer and plenty of space to store canned goods are also essential!

Top Tips

• As you look around your new property and see all the potential, your excitement may quickly turn to panic when you realise how much work you need to do to fulfil your dreams. SLOW DOWN. Take a deep breath and start prioritising. What needs to be done this week? In the next month? Six months? Year? Five years? And so on.
• Prioritise jobs that will speed you along towards self-sufficiency.
• Functionality wins over aesthetics every time!
• Always have a few jobs on the go at once. One outdoor job that requires good weather. Another outdoor job that can be done even if it is cold and wet. And an indoor job to fall back on when it is dark or thoroughly miserable outside. That way, you can always be making progress with something!