10 Best Homesteading Books for Beginners

Kickstart your journey to self-reliance with our top homesteading books for beginners. Your blueprint to sustainability!

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If you’re interested in homesteading but don’t know where to begin, or if you’re a novice homesteader seeking guidance, there are numerous resources available to help you on your journey. One of the most beneficial resources is books by homesteading experts who share their real-life experiences and valuable insights. In this article, we’ll explore our picks for 10 best homesteading books for beginners that cover all the essential topics from gardening to raising livestock to preserving food. These books will help you achieve your homesteading goals, whether you’re seeking a self-sufficient lifestyle or merely exploring sustainable living.

Table of Contents

1. THE FIRST-TIME HOMESTEADER

the first time homesteader homesteading book

In “The First-Time Homesteader: A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Starting and Loving Your New Homestead,” Jessica Sowards of Roots & Refuge Farm shares her personal journey of transitioning from city life to homesteading. She offers practical advice based on her own experiences and mistakes, making it an incredibly relatable resource for beginners. This book covers all the essential topics, such as selecting land, choosing livestock, and growing a garden, but it also dives into more specific subjects like cheese-making and soap-making. Sowards also includes helpful tips on how to balance homesteading with everyday life and find joy in the process. Whether you’re just starting or are already on your homesteading journey, “The First-Time Homesteader” is an excellent resource to have on your bookshelf. Check price on Amazon.

2. THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO BACKYARD HOMESTEADING

Lisa Lombardo’s “The Beginner’s Guide to Backyard Homesteading” is an all-encompassing manual for those looking to cultivate their own backyard. The book delves into gardening, raising chickens, and beekeeping, providing readers with an abundance of tips and tricks. Lombardo, a seasoned homesteader, draws from her own expertise to offer practical advice and personal anecdotes throughout the book. Check price on Amazon.

3. THE BACKYARD HOMESTEAD

“The Backyard Homestead” by Carleen Madigan is an essential guidebook with all the necessary aspects of a self-sufficient lifestyle. With helpful tips, tricks, and illustrations, even beginners can easily understand step-by-step instructions for gardening, raising livestock, preserving food, and much more. The book is thoughtfully organized, and the author’s friendly and approachable writing style makes it a pleasure to read. Designed for guidance and inspiration, it’s a resource you’ll want to come back to time and time again. Check price on Amazon.

4. THE SELF-SUFFICIENT LIFE AND HOW TO LIVE IT

the self sufficient life homesteading book

“The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It” by John Seymour is your ticket to diving deep into the world of self-sufficient living, covering everything from the basics of growing your own food and raising livestock to more advanced topics like building your own home and generating your own energy. And with John Seymour, a true pioneer in the field, at the helm, you can rest assured that you’re getting the very best advice and expertise from someone who’s been there and done that. So if you’re ready to leap into a self-sufficient lifestyle, this book is the perfect starting point. Check price on Amazon.

5. SMALL-SCALE HOMESTEADING

small scale homesteading book for beginners

“Small-Scale Homesteading: A Sustainable Guide to Gardening, Keeping Chickens, Maple Sugaring, Preserving the Harvest, and More” by Stephanie Thurow and Michelle Bruhn is a sustainable guidebook that covers everything from gardening and raising chickens to DIY projects and natural homemade alternatives. Learn how to grow and preserve your own food, compost, tap maple trees for homemade syrup, and much more. With over 35 years of combined experience, the authors provide expert guidance and practical advice to help you live a self-sufficient lifestyle. Check price on Amazon.

6. ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF COUNTRY LIVING

encyclopedia of country living homesteading book for beginners — Source: Amazon

“Illustrated Encyclopedia of Country Living” by Carla Emery is a comprehensive and beautifully illustrated guidebook to country living. From gardening to raising livestock and preserving food, this book covers all aspects of homesteading in an easy-to-follow manner. The book is well-organized, making finding the information you need easy, and the helpful illustrations make it even more engaging and enjoyable to read. Check price on Amazon.

7. THE ROOTED LIFE

the rooted life homesteading book for beginners

In “The Rooted Life: Cultivating Health and Wholeness Through Growing Your Own Food,” permaculture expert and YouTube homesteader Justin Rhodes shares his passion for growing your own food and living a more connected, sustainable lifestyle. After struggling to provide wholesome food for his family, Justin discovered the miraculous potential of working with nature to grow his own food. Whether you have a lot of space or just a little, this book provides resources, including gardening plans, chicken-raising tips, and recipes for home-grown goodness. With beautiful photographs and practical wisdom, The Rooted Life is an invitation to a more abundant, healthy, and connected life. Check price on Amazon.

8. THE SUSTAINABLE HOMESTEAD

In “The Sustainable Homestead” by Angela Ferraro-Fanning, Angela of Axe & Root Homestead shares her expertise in permaculture. She offers techniques and tips for creating synergy between soil, plants, animals, and trees. Whether you’re a new or experienced homesteader, you’ll find detailed information on site selection, soil regeneration, growing techniques, pasture management, animal care, composting, and overstory planting. With Angela’s guidance, you’ll learn how to make the most of your land and work with it, not against it. This book is a must-read for building a stronger, more sustainable homestead. Check price on Amazon.

9. SELF-SUFFICIENCY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

self-sufficiency for the 21st century homesteading book for beginners

“Self-Sufficiency for the 21st Century” by Dick and James Strawbridge is a comprehensive guidebook to modern self-sufficiency. From growing your own food to generating your own electricity, this book covers a wide range of topics in an approachable and easy-to-understand manner. The authors, both homesteaders and TV presenters, bring their years of expertise and experience to the table, making this book an invaluable resource for anyone looking to live a more self-sufficient lifestyle. Check price on Amazon.

10. BACKYARD HOMESTEADING

David Toht’s “Backyard Homesteading: A Back-to-Basics Guide to Self-Sufficiency” provides a practical and easily understandable guide to homesteading in your own backyard. Whether it’s container gardening, raising chickens, or making your own cheese, this book covers all aspects of backyard homesteading in an engaging and simple manner. With a friendly and personable writing style, David Toht makes reading this book a pleasure and a valuable resource for anyone looking to start homesteading. Check price on Amazon.

FINAL THOUGHTS on the Best Homesteading Books for Beginners

To summarize, if you’re a beginner seeking self-sufficiency, these ten homesteading books for beginners are essential for your journey. They delve into topics like animal husbandry, gardening, preserving food, and traditional skills, providing valuable advice and tips. Whether you’re new to homesteading or have some experience, these books will lay a strong foundation for you. Keep them handy as you embark on your homesteading journey. Wishing you a happy reading and successful homesteading!