The Challenges and Joys of Starting a Homestead From Scratch

When I say I started my homestead from scratch, I mean scratch. Three years ago, I bought a modest 3/4-acre plot of land just five minutes from the Tennessee River and National Wildlife Refuge. To some, 3/4 of an acre might sound tiny, but for me, it’s a perfectly sized blank canvas.

This land, untouched and uninhabited for over 20 years, boasts a precious treasure: 100% organic soil. Since most pesticides linger in the ground for decades, the long period of disuse makes this a prime spot for planting my homestead dreams.

Let me tell you—starting from nothing has been one heck of a journey. As a 49-year-old single woman with no husband or boyfriend to lend a hand, progress has been slow but steady. It’s just me, tackling each challenge as it comes. Let me walk you through how it’s all unfolded so far.

Step One: Clearing the Land

The first order of business was clearing the land enough to move my mobile home in. This meant creating a driveway, bringing in two loads of gravel, and preparing a stable foundation for the home. The gravel not only keeps the mobile home secure but also prevents it from sinking into the ground.

Homestead From Scratch: Turning 3/4 Acre Into a Southern Haven

Once the home was delivered and set up, I breathed a small sigh of relief. It felt like the first piece of the puzzle had finally clicked into place, but the road ahead was far from smooth—literally.

Step Two: The Battle of the Rocks

One of my biggest headaches has been the relentless storms here in Tennessee. Between the wind, rain, and occasional tornado threats, my gravel driveway has turned into a rock-spewing machine. Every storm washes heaps of rocks out of the driveway and into my yard. Over the past three years, I’ve spent a staggering 60 to 80 hours raking those pesky rocks back into place. Let me tell you, it’s exhausting work—especially with my lower back problems and disc issues.

But here’s the thing about homesteading: you’ve got to get creative. When life throws you rocks, you make… rock barriers. Using some felled trees from the back of the property, my son cut logs that I lined along the edges of the driveway. This simple solution has been a lifesaver, keeping the gravel mostly in place and saving me from countless hours of yard cleanup.

The Road to Self-Sufficiency: Starting a Homestead From Scratch

This journey has been anything but easy, but the dream keeps me going. There’s a quiet pride in every small victory, every rock raked, and every log set in place. I’m building something that’s mine—a little Southern haven where I can live off the land and embrace a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.

There’s still so much to do. Clearing more land for planting, building garden beds, and setting up spaces for fruit trees and berry bushes are all on my to-do list. Eventually, I hope to have a flourishing homestead that reduces my grocery store trips to near zero.

So, while it’s hard, backbreaking work, it’s work worth doing. Every storm, every setback, and every sweaty, dirt-covered day is one step closer to the life I’ve envisioned. And when that vision becomes reality? You’d better believe I’ll be sitting on my porch with a glass of sweet tea, watching the fruits of my labor grow.

For anyone else dreaming of starting from scratch, here’s my advice: take it one step at a time, get creative with your solutions, and don’t give up. Your little patch of paradise is worth it.