You need to have this....country living.

[werner.reiche]

You could also just pay them raise an extra couple pigs, cows, etc and help with their care periodically.

That's what we're doing, I'm picking up 300lbs of pork today at $1.80/lb cut and wrapped. And we get 1/2 a grass fed beef later in the year at just $1.50/lb, because i'm doing more work to help out with the beef and it won't have had any bought feed.

That's a great deal if you can find someone with a farm to work with.

[seabast]

I'm not expert but gardening wise, there are a few things that you need to do in the fall to harvest the next season. Garlic, onion and shallots for example could be planted in the fall, transplanting small trees and plants should also be done in the fall, plow the ground and add fertilizer, and so on....
There are a lot more to it that you could easily find online.

[CptSydor]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

I hate that multiple people suggested a compact tractor. I've had that debate and finally decided on an ATV + small individual implements but now I'm rethinking (again).

The place came with a 1 year old snowblower, plus the driveway is short (house is just off the road). Maybe 75' of total snowblowing. The yard (needing to be mowed) is only about 1/6th of an acre. I figured a nice sell propelled walk behind would be sufficient. There is a 4000 sq ft garden right now. Plus I have another 2 acres that is cleared, but not prepped. I want to take about 1 acre of that and split it between more garden and an orchard. The other acre I want to plant sugar maples (none on the property).

I have budgeted 10-12K on 'equipment' to start. So that would be for an ATV, trailer, lawn mower, chainsaw, tilling equipment of some sort (either hand or something for the ATV).

It would be really nice to have a 4x4 compact tractor with a snowblower, mower and tilling implements. Not sure I can get that in my budget and I have no interest in blowing it. Might require some hard work and time over fancy equipment, but I'll have the time and don't mind the work.

I am going to get an ATV now matter as I really want one for exploring, hunting and getting around. But if I had a quality tractor, I wouldn't mind a budget used ATV that may not be that might require more work.

[line052]

Agreed Pat, plus check Rocket Stove Massheater if you have a garage or looking to suppliment hot water. Chickens and rabbits are good for hoby farmer or if you have the land or acess a portable sawmill and do custom work. Use it as a business expense...free end cuts, cash to pay for it and will produce all the lumber you need for farm projects...

Four wheel drive tractor with a quick detach bucket on the loader, 200 amp welder, 3-5 KW generated with electric start, Stihl or Husky chain saw......

[line052]

IF your looking for that equipment, Ontario is the place to buy it now, smaller market and less selection once once you get down east. Find out what dealers are in your area, no sense buying Yamaha if no dealer around for 100 miles.

[line052]

You are lucky....

[Dythbringer]

I don't post a huge amount around here, but I know there are many people that are very experienced in the lifestyle I'm about to get into and will be a big resource.

In a couple weeks I'm set to leave my job and secure life. I've purchased a 60 acre property with a 3 year old home in rural NB about 50 km outside of Fredericton. I would have liked to stayed in Ontario, but there were many forces drawing me to the east coast, one of which was price. My tiny 2 bedroom semi in Hamilton sold for 2.3x the price of the place in NB.

Bills and debts will be minimal or close to non-existent (within minimal time). The goal will be to live life much more simply. We've realized after a number trips to places of seclusive, tending to the most basic tasks makes us most happy. Our intention is to expand the already large garden, plant an orchard, have a berry patch, etc.... We won't be homesteading, but we'll strive to grow or get and make a lot of our food from very basic sources, be it our own or by buying. We won't have any animals (except our two dogs) as the responsibility of being tied down to them is not desirable, especially since we'd like to do a bit of traveling when it's permitted.

I grew up in the semi-country with a master tradesman as a father. He taught me a lot and I'm adept with my hands and tools, but by no means a expert. I spent lots of time in the back country camping and fishing, but I wasn't raised immersed daily in such an environment.

So my question is, what hints, tricks, advise to people have for living such a lifestyle? Most people have rural 'life hacks' they can't live without. Any piece of equipment you can't live without? Best chainsaw to buy? How much wood should I have in stockpile?

Do yourself a huge favour, try to obtain a soil sample of your garden area. This will allow you to pick and plant vegetables/crops which will do well right away and give you the most yield in your first year. It will also give you an idea about what you may have to do to improve your garden for other kinds of veggies. Also, since you have decided against having animals (per your posts although chickens and rabbits produce some of the best fertilizer) , become extremely friendly with your neighbours who do. You are going to want to make sure you give back to the land what you take away. Lastly, learn how to pickle and can so you can store away excess vegetables/fruits for winter. Most people know how to make freezer jam. Not everyone has the ability to can fruit which will store over the winter. A greenhouse will make your life very simple for starting your own plants too.

[Tony Mo]

Sound like you'll be living the dream!!!

I have this book....that I find interesting reading.
The Self Sufficient Life and How to Live It
http://www.amazon.ca/Self-Sufficient...how+to+live+it

[Pat32rf]

Hi speed internet will let you learn all kinds of local tricks. Your soil is probably the same as your neighbours as far as PH goes. Www.tractorbynet.com forums will answer any questions about pretty well any tractor make or design. If you only have a short driveway you can either use a blade on the ATV or a tractor bucket to clear it. An ATV blade on the front end loader frame works well too if you take it easy. Once you get the snowbanks piled too high to see over just move them with the FEL bucket...

[CptSydor]

Do yourself a huge favour, try to obtain a soil sample of your garden area. This will allow you to pick and plant vegetables/crops which will do well right away and give you the most yield in your first year. It will also give you an idea about what you may have to do to improve your garden for other kinds of veggies. Also, since you have decided against having animals (per your posts although chickens and rabbits produce some of the best fertilizer) , become extremely friendly with your neighbours who do. You are going to want to make sure you give back to the land what you take away. Lastly, learn how to pickle and can so you can store away excess vegetables/fruits for winter. Most people know how to make freezer jam. Not everyone has the ability to can fruit which will store over the winter. A greenhouse will make your life very simple for starting your own plants too.

Thanks..will be testing the soil once I get out there.

We went out on a whirlwind tour in May for a funeral and I brought out a bunch of plants and sees and threw them in the ground. Really curious what they look like now.

Once neighbour does have chickens (and a tractor and a sawmill), met him when I was out there. From the previous owner, he's a good guy to get in with.

I've been pickling a few things for the past 6-8 years, but relatively small scale, things will be getting much large.

Hopefully I'll be able to get a greenhouse up this fall for some late season gardening, then of course for spring. Looking at some good passive heating designs.