Gardening is full of trial and error – and I’ve had plenty of both. When we first started building our homestead, I was so eager to get everything going that I didn’t always think long-term. Now, a few years (and a few animal invasions) later, I’ve learned some lessons the hard way.
Hopefully, sharing these will help you skip a few of my mistakes and get your garden thriving sooner.
1. Building the Compost Too Close to the Garden
How It’s a Mistake:
It seemed smart at first – toss compost scraps right beside the garden for easy access. But the reality? It’s basically an open buffet for every wild animal in the area. Rabbits, raccoons, skunks, mice, rats, chipmunks, even deer – all come for the scraps and stay for your tomatoes and spinach. Even with fencing, animals are persistent once they’ve found a free meal.
Why We Did It:
When we first started, the compost went into (what looked like), the perfect corner of the property. But as the garden expanded, we realized we had built the garden beside the compost – a rookie move.
Can We Fix It?
Technically yes, but we’ve since built a solid 3-bin compost system that works well and we’re planning to move soon. So for now, it stays put.
My Mistake – Your Advice:
Plan your long-term layout before you build anything permanent. Decide where the garden, compost, and any future expansions will go. It saves a ton of work (and animal damage) later.
2. Not Planting Fruit Trees and Bushes Right Away
How It’s a Mistake:
Fruit trees and berry bushes take years to mature. We decided not to plant them because we didn’t plan to stay on this property long-term. But if we had planted them that first spring, we’d be harvesting fruit last year. That realization stings.
Why We Did It:
We didn’t want to invest in something we might not be around to enjoy. Trees aren’t cheap, and space was limited. But looking back, mature trees would have actually added value to our property when it comes time to sell.
Can We Fix It?
We did plant three pear trees a couple years ago, but we’ll likely never see their fruit. Trees take time – there’s no rushing that part.
My Mistake – Your Advice:
If you want fruit, don’t wait. Whether it’s apples, pears, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, plums, or cherries – plant them ASAP. Every year you delay is a year you lose.
Related Articles:
- How to Grow Red Raspberries (Summer-Bearing and Fall-Bearing)
- How to Grow Black Raspberries (Complete Care & Pruning Guide)
- Raspberries vs Strawberries: Which Is Better for Your Garden?
3. Not Getting Enough Egg Layers (Chickens)
How It’s a Mistake:
We started with just enough chickens for our family – or so we thought. But we didn’t account for random losses, predators, or natural death. The math looked something like: 7 – 3 + 4 – 1 – 1 + 1 – 1 – 1… you get the picture. Now, we’re down to one rooster and four hens, producing maybe ten eggs a week. If we’d started with 20+, we’d have plenty even in the slow season and enough to share or sell.
Why We Did It:
We assumed two birds per person would be fine. We didn’t realize how hard it can be to keep a flock healthy and alive.
Can We Fix It?
Absolutely. You can always add more birds and that’s exactly the plan.
My Mistake – Your Advice:
Start with more egg layers than you think you’ll ever need, like 20+. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re not buying eggs from the store again.
Related Articles:
4. Getting Chickens Instead of Ducks
How It’s a Mistake:
Don’t get me wrong – chickens are great. But ducks? They’re hardier, more weather-tolerant, and their eggs are richer and last longer without refrigeration. Ducks also handle wet conditions far better and don’t destroy your garden soil as quickly.
Why We Did It:
Chickens were the “default” option – everyone we knew started with them, so we did too. But we didn’t realize how high-maintenance they’d be compared to ducks. Plus ducks only disadvantage is they need a water source all year round. With us also backing onto a river we felt it would a little mean for them to see water but now be able to use it.
Can We Fix It?
Yes! When our current flock ages out, ducks are next on our list.
My Mistake – Your Advice:
If you’re starting from scratch, seriously consider ducks over chickens – especially if you live somewhere with harsh winters or lots of rain.
5. Not Building a Garden Fence Right Away
How It’s a Mistake:
I can’t tell you how heartbreaking it is to wake up and find half your garden eaten overnight. Deer, rabbits, and other critters don’t care how hard you worked.
Why We Did It:
We thought we could wait. Fencing is expensive, and for the first two years, we didn’t have much animal damage. But the third year? Total chaos. That’s when we finally built the fence.
Can We Fix It?
We did – and we should have done it sooner.
My Mistake – Your Advice:
Invest in a good-quality fence right from the start. Hardware cloth dug down and back filled up to 2 feet then deer fencing on the top. It’s cheaper (and far less frustrating) than losing your crops year after year.
Related Articles
- How to Become a Homesteader – Part 1: Starting with Food
- How to Become a Homesteader Part 2 – Starting Your Garden
- How to Become a Homesteader Part 3 – Harvest & Learn
- How to Become a Homesteader Part 4 – Go Bigger
- How To Become a Homesteader Part 5 – Make it Make Financial Sense
Final Thoughts: Lessons from the Garden
These might sound like simple oversights, but they’ve shaped how I will be creating our homestead at our new home now. A little forethought (and learning from someone else’s mistakes) goes a long way.
If you’re just starting out, think big picture. Plan your compost location, get your fruit trees in the ground, buy extra livestock, and fence that garden early. Your future self (and your vegetables) will thank you.
If you’re growing your homestead, you can explore all of our hands-on advice in our Gardening Basics Guides, based on what actually works here on our homestead.
We are growing our website with more articles all the time, and we invite you to grow with us. If you have any questions about these gardening mistakes I made or would like to share some of your knowledge with us please leave a comment below. Happy Gardening!
