12 Must-Have Books for the New Homesteader

Being a new homesteader can seem daunting at first. There are so many tasks that compete for your attention and it can seem too overwhelming to even start. But don’t fret! Beginning your homesteading journey is much easier with the right resources and there are a ton of them out there that can help.

The following books can give you a solid foundation for managing your path to self-sufficiency. Here are 12 must-have books for the new homesteader:

Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving

The authority in home preservation, the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving should be in every homesteader’s library. Step by step instructions made simple, gorgeous photos and reliable recipes, you’ll be a  preserving pro in no time!

The Home Creamery

This book shows the ins and outs of making your own fresh dairy products. There is nothing like fresh milk, butter, and cheese! 

Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond 

As a homesteader, learning to work with the weather and land can be one of your greatest strengths. Learn how to harvest rainwater to feed your crops and beyond.

The Homesteader’s Herbal Companion

Learning to utilize the herbs around you will prove useful time and again. This guide helps you learn how to grow, harvest, and transform your herbs into helpful products and medicine.

40 Projects for Building Your Backyard Homestead

A very practical resource to keep on hand, 40 Projects for building your homestead walks you through homesteading projects that are helpful and useful. 

The Beginner’s Guide to Backyard Homesteading

A great book to cover all the bases, the beginner’s guide to backyard homesteading will take you through what you need to be successful step-by-step.

Propagating Plants: How to Create New Plants for Free

Learning to propagate plants is a useful skill that will save you money over the years. This book covers how to get started!

Back to Basics

A classic, in-depth guide to all the homesteading skills needed to succeed in this lifestyle and a great resource to have on hand in the homesteader’s library.

BACKYARD CHICKENS FOR BEGINNERS

What’s a homestead without chickens? This book covers everything you need to know to get started raising your own. And when you’re ready, check out some more posts on this site to follow along on my family’s homesteading journey.

The Complete Guide to Your New Root Cellar

Food storage is an important aspect of homesteading. This book teaches you how to build an underground root cellar so that you can store your seasonal bounty in a natural way.

Seed to Seed

If you really want to maximize your gardening efforts, learn to save seeds. Saving seeds will provide you tons of food for free for years to come. Seed to Seed is THE authority on how.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook (Old Farmer’s Almanac (Paperback))

Another great reference book to have, The Old Farmer’s Almanac Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook has tons of reliable information that you’ll refer to over and over.

Remember: you don’t have to know it all at once to be a successful homesteader.

Pick one or two skills to work on, study, and master those and then move on to the next thing you want to learn. The key is to have a plan that builds from one year to the next.

Homesteading is a rewarding lifestyle.

Homesteading, even on a small level, is so rewarding. From gathering eggs every day from your beloved chickens to picking and preserving fresh produce, you’ll find it well worth it right from the very first year. And you’ll continue to reap the benefits of learning these skills for many years to come.