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quarter acre self sufficient homestead garden
GardeningHomestead How-to'sSmall Scale Farming

How To Create A Quarter Acre Self Sufficient Homestead Garden

by From Scratch Farmstead July 10, 2022

Year-round self-sufficiency is possible! We’ll show you our homestead garden and explain how.

A home vegetable garden is lovely. Who doesn’t love fresh produce in the summer and fall. 

But what about those long winter months? How do you feed yourself then? 

On just a 1/4 acre of our property we are able to grow well over half of the food our family consumes each year. This includes meat, fruit, and a variety of energy rich storage crops that we harvested last fall and are still eating into July.

How Our Self-Sufficient Homestead Garden Began

You can read more about how we got here in our post, Beginners Guide to Self Sufficient Homesteading. 

But to give you the condensed version, after moving onto our 5 acre homestead, relying on the grocery store for our food just didn’t seem to make sense anymore. We desired a more self-sufficient, homegrown life.

Learning the secret to feeding ourselves through the winter would be key. So, we looked at how our ancestors grew, preserved, stored, and prepared food before the era of stocked supermarket shelves.

This looked like baskets full of potatoes in the cellar. Chickens on hand to butcher for a quick source of protein any given day or week. Thick skinned squash laid out in single layers that lasted until next year’s harvest. And storage varieties of apples and other fruits that stay fresh long into the winter and early spring months.

tilling up rows for three sisters garden.JPG

Was all this possible on our land? And how big of a space did we need for all of it?

In the winter of 2020-21, the design challenge was on. Here’s a breakdown of the homestead garden we came up with and how it’s worked so far.

Developing Whole Farm Systems

No one part of any farm stands alone. Instead, we see our job as creating a whole farm ecosystem. Each piece should work in harmony and be a companion with the whole.

For instance, an orchard provides diverse habitat for beneficial insects. Raising animals allows for natural forms of land management and replenishing nutrients into your soils. Growing a diverse range or crops increases your lands resilience to drought, pest, or disease. They all make up the whole.

rows of trees and rows tilled for three sisters garden

The things we were planning to grow were:

  • Fruit trees
  • Chickens for meat
  • Three sisters garden (corn, beans, squash)
  • Potatoes
  • Other storage crops (carrots, beets, turnips, garlic, etc.)
  • Honeybees

The question rolling around in our brain is how can we establish all these things on our homestead in one single space and system that works together. Some ideas started to form and it became clear that fruit trees were step one.

Starting with Fruit Trees in our Homestead Garden

The only permanent things from the list above were fruit trees. That would be our starting point! We targeted a long, rectangular part of property that was flat with full sun. It turned out to be about a 1/4 acre.

For our 30 fruit trees we had ordered, we tilled up 3 long rows. Each row was approximately 175’ long and 3-4’ wide; trees were planted about 18’ apart in each row.

self sufficient garden rows with trees

While we knew it would be years before these trees produced fruit, it was a worthwhile investment to make early in our homesteading journey. In our post, Beginners Guide to Homestead Fruit Trees, we talk all about planning out your orchard and how to source your trees. We order from Fedco and planted unique, heirloom varieties – many of which are optimized for storage through the winter.

So, our orchard was established! But what about the rest?

planting fruit trees with kids

Planting a Three Sisters Garden

We had recently been introduced to the three sisters gardening method. This brilliantly simple companion planting method produces incredible amounts of food – corn, beans, and squash – that sustained generations of Native Americans. 

So, between the three rows of fruit trees we tilled up two more long rows – each about 150’ long. Following the traditional planting technique, we created mounds every 4’ or so where we planted corn and beans with squash plants between each mound.

self sufficient garden rows for storage crops

We probably shouldn’t have been as amazed as we were given the age-old wisdom this system carried with it. But it all flourished and did exactly what it was supposed to! The corn grew tall, the beans trellised up the stalks, and the squash created a massive ground cover over all of it.

three sisters garden with irrigation

Planting Potatoes and Other Storage Crops

Remember how we tilled up those long rows for the trees? Well, that left a lot of cultivated, fertile stretches of soil between those trees. In them we planted potatoes. Lots of potatoes. 50 lbs. worth.

established three sisters garden with potato rows

In 2022 we also planted more storage crops besides potatoes. The previous fall we planted around 100 heads of garlic. In the spring we then added root storage crops like carrots, beets, and turnips. We had previously planted these root crops in our vegetable garden. However, it made sense to relocate all of these to this self-sufficient homestead garden area focused on other storage crops.

Raising Chickens for Meat

The spacing between our rows was determined by the Suscovich Chicken Tractor we built to raise our meat chickens in. The tractor measures 6’ wide. So, between each tilled row, we left a 6’ grassed alleyway.

We pull the chicken tractor through those rows, moving them twice a day. This allows us to raise our meat chickens on fresh pasture. Our chickens really thrived in this system where they act out their natural foraging instincts and help offset the cost of feed.

pulling chicken tractors through garden

Moving the chicken tractor through the pastured alleyways also helps cycle nutrients and organic matter back into the soil of our homestead garden. The chickens are never in one spot for long. So, their manure is evenly distributed and not concentrated in any one area.

Adding Bee Hives

We also recently added 5 beehives to the corner of this quarter acre rectangular system. Between the trees, pasture, and crops, there is continuous flowering happening throughout the season. Since the crops growing within this system rely heavily on pollinators, we look forward to having the honeybees close by. And we can’t wait to harvest honey and beeswax!

adding honeybees to your garden

What We’ve Learned and How We Are Adapting

After one full growing season, we did make a couple changes that should help refine this system in the future:

1. Rotating Crops

We knew it wouldn’t be wise to plant the same crops in the same locations. Especially with growing crops like potatoes and squash that are susceptible to pests when not rotated. So, we planted our three sisters garden in the rows with the trees this year and flip flopped our potatoes to be in the two smaller 150’ rows. So far this seems to be working great!

2. Building a Second Chicken Tractor

Our first year went smoothly but one challenge kept popping up – fighting back the squash plants! We raised two rounds of meat chickens spanning into early August. Keeping the grassed alleyways clear of sprawling squash plants this long to pull the chicken tractor through was no simple task. To remedy this, we built a second tractor and raised a double batch of meat chickens early in the season. A less irritated gardener + happy squash plants = winning all around!

three sisters garden with chicken tractors

3. Abandoning Planting in the Tree Rows

We realize eventually we will need to stop planting in the rows with the trees. This year might be our last. The tree roots are establishing more and eventually they will get big enough to shade out whatever is growing under them. We may establish one or two more rows for planting on the outside of the current rows. Or, we may simply just plant in the two existing 150’ rows. So far, this garden system has produced more than our family needs. So, planting in less space may very well simplify things and produce an appropriate amount for our family.

The Self-Sufficient Homestead Garden Harvest

That first fall, we were blown away with how much food we produced on such a small space. Literally, we had over 1,000 lbs. of potatoes, hundreds of winter squash, buckets of beans and corn, and 40+ chickens in the freezer. This year, we already have 63 chickens in the freezer and the gardens are looking strong!

suscovich chicken tractor with metal roof

We are still in the very early stages of our homesteading journey. What we want you to know is that it’s totally possible to raise meat, fruit, and storage crops to feed your family all year round.

And it doesn’t have to look at all like what we’ve laid out. Yes, it’s possible to reproduce this exact system on some properties. But what if your property doesn’t have a full 1/4 acre for planting? Or you’re in the suburbs or even an urban setting?

young three sisters garden

You can still grow SO much food! A three sisters garden can be planted in any unused space on your property. You can build raised beds and plant root storage crops in them. You can plant potatoes in containers on your patio. Chicken tractors can be built to fit in almost any yard space. And hey, don’t limit your gardening to the backyard. As we found out when we lived in the suburbs, the front yard is a great option too 😊.

Where are you at and what steps are you taking toward self-sufficiency? We’d love to hear from you! 

Interested in more self sufficient living topics? Check out these posts:

  • Beginners Guide To Self Sufficient Homesteading
  • Cornish Cross Vs. Freedom Ranger Chickens
  • Chicken Tractor Plans For 25 Chickens
  • Beginners Guide To Homestead Fruit Trees
July 10, 2022 6 comments
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beginners guide to planting homestead fruit trees
Homestead How-to'sHomestead LivingSmall Scale Farming

Beginners Guide To Homestead Fruit Trees

by From Scratch Farmstead April 16, 2022

One of the most exciting ways to sink in your roots at your homestead, farm, backyard is planting fruit trees. If you’re new to fruit trees, here are 5 things you’ll want to consider before planting your orchard.

We Planted Fruit Trees Then Moved!

Our homesteading journey began on a 1/3 acre suburban lot. We maxed that little chunk of the planet out: gardens, chickens, bees, perennials, composting, and then… fruit trees!

We planted eight of them around our yard. Apple. Peach. Pear. All eight trees were unique, heirloom varieties that we hand selected for taste, quality, and use. It was exhilarating breaking ground and pointing those trees straight up toward the sky that early spring day!

The trees took beautifully.

family planting fruit trees

When we listed our house for sale about one year later, saying goodbye to those fruit trees so soon was hard. We still long to taste the intricate flavors of the King David apple or the Red Haven peach.

While we were destined for bigger and better things, parting with those trees left us eager to find a more permanent place we could really sink our roots into. In 2020 we found it and moved to our 5 acre homestead.

One of the things on the top of our agenda – planting homestead fruit trees!!

backyard suburban fruit trees

Our 5 Considerations When Planting a Homestead Orchard

Planting fruit trees is an investment. Both in money and time. You want to make sure you have considered some important topics before diving in.

For us, there were 5 important considerations that guided our orchard planning and fruit tree selections on our homestead. Here’s some things to consider if you are thinking about fruit trees on your homestead or farm:

1. Where To Source Your Fruit Trees From

We are frugal homesteaders, but when it came to fruit trees saving money wasn’t a primary concern. Quality matters with trees and we were willing to pay for it. We looked for two things:

1. Root Structure – A tree is only as healthy as its roots. If a tree starts with a strong root structure it will be much more likely to establish itself and thrive. It was important we found a reputable nursery that focused on producing trees with strong root health.

healthy fruit tree root structure

2. Heirloom Tree Varieties – If you’ve only ever had honeycrisp apples and bartlet pears, then you’re missing out on a whole world of unique flavors and qualities. There’s nothing wrong with those varieties and we actually have both in our orchard. Fruit varieties in the grocery store are typically selected for how they hold up in shipping and look on the shelf. But heirloom fruit can often have tastes and traits that are much more intense and diverse. Some would say you’ve never truly had an apple before until you’ve tasted certain heirloom varieties.

Our tree source of choice that meets these criteria is Fedco in Maine. It may seem odd to order trees through the mail, but we’ve ordered from them three times now and been impressed with how healthy looking the trees and roots come right out of the box.

Other nurseries, both locally and across the country, are definitely worth considering too. Finding native varieties to your area can also be worth looking into. In fact, when we wanted to add two paw paw trees to our property, we found a local nursery that carried the paw paw variety native to our state.

One thing to note – if you do order trees from Fedco you’ll want to order them in the fall or early winter. Their trees do tend to sell out. Sign up to receive their amazingly helpful catalog (one of my favorite reads!) and be blown away by a whole world of unique fruit tree varieties that will rock your world!

homestead orchard

 2. When To Plant Your Fruit Trees

To clarify, we’re not talking about when seasonally – spring or fall – to plant trees. That does matter, but the bigger picture decision is when to plant your orchard in the life of your homestead or farm. 

We get it – trees are exciting and the sooner you can get them in the ground the sooner you’ll enjoy their fruit. As the old Chinese proverb goes, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” But you’ll also want to make sure it’s the right decision. As in the case of our suburban home where we planted fruit trees then moved, we’re clearly missing out on the benefits from that investment!

Letting your long-term goals and vision for your homestead property simmer for a bit to take shape is important before investing in an orchard. Trees are a permanent thing after all.

filling hole planting fruit trees

Here are some questions you might consider before planting homestead fruit trees:

  • How clear is my long-term homesteading vision?
  • How does having an orchard move that vision forward?
  • What size of orchard is appropriate for the goals we have?
  • Might the land we’re dedicating for an orchard conflict with any future land use plans?
  • Might our orchard integrate into other areas of our homestead?

Have some good, honest conversations around these types of questions and you’ll feel so much better about moving forward, or not moving forward, with an orchard on your homestead.

One last thing to note here is that it doesn’t all need to happen at once. Your orchard can be planted in stages. Maybe you just plant one or two trees a year. We have done ours in three separate plantings so far to help make it more affordable and manageable.

3. Where To Plant Your Fruit Trees

Before you make any tree selections, step one is knowing your land. Soil types, water drainage, wind breaks – these all take time to observe. We felt it was important to wait at least one full year and observe our property in relation to all four seasons before establishing an orchard.

Each tree type will have different environmental preferences. Some prefer full sunlight. Others prefer a bit of shade. Some like well drained soils while others thrive in soils that hold more moisture. Some are more susceptible to weather extremes and need good blockage from winds.

You’ll also want to place your orchard in a location where it will not be neglected. Just like a garden, orchards need some monitoring. Pests, diseases, damage from wildlife – all things that could pop up at any moment. When Asian beetles started eating the leaves off our apple trees last year, we were thankful to have found it early enough to remove the beetles by hand each day until the situation was back under control and no trees were lost.

homestead meat chickens in chicken tractor

You should also know that trees, and an orchard for that matter, are never a singular thing. They factor into the entire ecosystem of your land. Integrating trees into other systems on your farm can have many benefits. Last year, between our rows of fruit trees, we raised storage crops like squash, potatoes, corn, and beans, and raised around 50 meat chickens on pasture that allowed us to be self-sufficient through the winter.

The bottom line is to know your land. Know the nuances and microclimates that exist. Know your patterns of foot traffic for people and wildlife. And let those conditions speak into where to plant your orchard, and ultimately, what types of fruit trees your land will best support.

4. Types of Fruit Trees

Selecting fruit tree varieties is the most exciting part of planting an orchard! But we don’t have it as consideration #1 for a reason! If you’ve gotten this far and planting an orchard is right for you and your land, then here’s what we recommend you consider when selecting your fruit trees:

1. What grows best in your area?

Fruit trees are diverse. Some are tropical. Some are cold hardy. You’ll need to know your growing zone and do some research on which types of trees grow best in your climate. You’re not going to be growing oranges in a northern climate just like apples may not tolerate the heat of southern climates.

2. What do you like to eat?

This may seem overly simplified, but there is a lot more to consider than just taste.

For instance, some fruit varieties are best suited for pies and baking. Others are really good storage varieties that can keep fresh fruit on hand for you all winter and into the following spring! Some are best for fresh eating. And others might be considered for ciders or juices. Plus, different varieties ripen at different times – summer, fall, and anywhere in between – allowing your orchard to produce consistently throughout the season.

homestead apple

We have 36 fruit trees on our property. Apple, pear, plum, peach, cherry, and paw paw. Most are unique varieties that we selected for pairing well with what’s happening in our kitchen seasonally.

You may also want to consider types of fruit trees that you don’t come across every day. We were very excited when we learned that paw paws are the northern most growing tropical fruit and that they were native to our area in growing zone 5. We’ve never tried one, but they’re described to be a cross between a mango and banana. Yum!

Mulberry trees are also a prolific growing fruit tree. They are delicious and can pair well with animals if you plan to incorporate any silvopasture type grazing into your orchard in the future. Our family milk cow is absolutely obsessed with mulberry leaves! Orchardist, Eliza Greenman, has a great read on why mulberries might very well be the most versatile tree on the planet! 

It’s also very interesting to look at what other homesteaders prefer when it comes to fruit tree varieties. This post – The Best Food Producing Trees Favored by Preppers & Homesteaders – highlights many different fruit tree options from different growing zones, along with some nut trees, and why they’re preferred.

5. Type of Rootstock

In addition to the types of trees you select, certain trees are available in different rootstocks. Not all nurseries will offer different rootstocks. But if they do, it’s worth considering what rootstock will best suit your homestead.

The three types of rootstock are Standard (full-sized), Semi-dwarf, and dwarf fruit trees. Standard trees will have your most well-established root structures making them best suited for cold climates. This also makes them the right tree for incorporating animals into your orchard area.

Dwarf trees can be as small as 25% the size of standard sized trees. They grow less aggressively yet typically will fruit sooner than larger rootstocks. A smaller tree means a smaller root structure, which typically makes for a shorter lifespan

Not all nurseries will offer different rootstock varieties. Fedco is one that does. But if you do find different rootstocks, it’s worth considering what size is right for you. The bulk of our fruit trees are standard or semi-dwarf trees. But we do have four dwarf apple trees near our garden that we thought would make a fun, kid-friendly orchard area 😊.

kid friendly dwarf apple orchard

So What Will It Be?

Whether you’re planting just a couple fruit trees, or 36 like we did, we hope these considerations help you land on the perfect orchard to fit your homestead. Yes, there’s a lot to consider, but don’t let it all overwhelm you. Planting fruit trees is so much fun! 

Think it through. Find a good source of trees. Select the perfect fruit varieties to compliment your kitchen. And you’ll be enjoying amazing fruit for decades to come!

If you are going after your dream orchard on your homestead, or maybe have already started, we’d love to hear from you in the comments! What considerations resonate with you? What trees are you planting?

April 16, 2022 0 comment
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Hi! We are Jim and Joelle. We love sharing homestead how-to’s, from scratch recipes, and natural do-it-yourself projects to help you nourish your family. To learn about our story, click the image above!

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From Scratch Farmstead
  • About
  • Homestead How-to’s
    • Family Milk Cow
    • Gardening
    • Chickens
    • Small Scale Farming
    • Buying A Homestead
    • Homestead Living
  • Nourishing Recipes
    • Home Dairy
    • Food Preservation
    • Breakfast
    • Main Course
    • Sides
    • Dessert
    • Sauces & Condiments
  • Natural Living
    • Skin Care
    • Home Essentials
    • Living On A Budget
    • Our Healing Journey
    • Homestead Skills
    • DIY
    • AGA Stove