It takes nearly an hour to get anywhere. Our driveway is a 3 mile bumpy, off-road adventure in itself. We don’t often go to museums or kid-centric places. And calling in takeout will never be an option.

But I hope they remember this life fondly.

May they someday look back and appreciate the silence of living in the middle of nowhere.

May they develop a sense of adventure and autonomy by running wild on this land.

May they feel a connection to nature and appreciation for growing.

It’s impossible to know what the future brings. But I so dearly hope this unusual life lays a foundation of exploration, self-sufficiency, and connection.

I don’t know what I’m doing most of the time. And I certainly can’t claim to be doing it well.

But I hope they know they were loved. And that even with kids in-tow, we decided to seek adventure. Despite society telling us to speed up and get ahead, we made the concerted effort to slow down, change course, and raise ’em wild.

The post Raise ‘Em Wild appeared first on Wild Mountain Homestead.

Matt has an endless list of farm to-dos and I’m maxed out trying to wrangle three kiddos under 5, cook, clean, start seeds, and get them involved in the garden whenever possible. We run around a bit wild much of the day. And then enjoy a sunset farm walk, which makes it all feel worth the effort.

Here are a few bits from the week. May we always remember, learn, and grow.

The most exciting news – we got dairy goats! We’re lucky to be surrounded by many enterprising and talented farmer friends. Among them the dairy goat king and queen, aka Anne and Jerome of the Westcliffe Cheese Co.

Meet Floppy (cream colored female) and Stuart (the dark colored male). They are a mix of Nubian and Saanen dairy goats. They are sweet little ones and we can’t wait to one day be able to have our own milk and cheese.

The garden is filled with lettuces, leafy greens, kohlrabi, cabbage, beets, carrots, and radishes.

Spring in a high altitude garden means the plant babies require constant care and attention. The covers must go on at night as temps dip to freezing. But our strong Colorado sun means tunnels will quickly overheat if not opened first thing in the morning.

Luckily, Juniper is always ready to help in the garden. As soon as Matt gets his shoes on she runs for the door. “I need my boots!” she hollers. “I go outside to help dad!”

To be honest, it can be a bit of a hassle sometimes to include so many little hands. But then I remember that’s the entire point of being out in the middle of nowhere. The efficient-driven person inside of me needs to step aside and remember the entire goal of all of this is to be in the garden together as a family.

It’s the process, not the end point. Breathe, slow down, repeat.

The peonies are budding and I cannot wait for the explosion of color. Peonies are quickly becoming my favorite flower. And I may have impulsively ordered 240 more peony plants that will arrive in October.

Those are the weekly highlights. Of course there were also endless snacks, walks, silly songs, and never-ending chores. Such is life on the homestead.

The post This Week on the Homestead: May 29th, 2023 appeared first on Wild Mountain Homestead.

The Best Vegetables for Homestead Living

Before jumping in, it’s worth noting that your growing zone will play a part in the best vegetables. That said, I live at 8,000 feet elevation in zone 4b and have found a way to successfully grow most every vegetable. You simply may have to adjust your timing and methodology.

Let’s jump into the list of the best vegetables for homestead life.

Radishes

Radishes are an often underappreciated, yet prolific veggie. They grow quickly, can be direct seeded and require little care. We have found that radishes grow in just about any soil and can withstand periods of slight drought.

Snap Peas

Peas taste great and since they grow vertically, you can maximize your space by co-growing them with other vegetables.

Kale & Chard

Most people either love or hate hardy greens like Kale and Chard. Once you know how to cook them, I think you’ll become a fan.

Carrots

These classics are super tasty and relatively easy to grow. Direct seed according to your seed packet, water, and watch grow. Carrots do best in loose soil. For best success choose two varieties – one for quick-growing, fresh-eating and one for storage.

Beets

Beets are an absolute all-star. They grow quickly, can be direct-seeded, and you can eat the entire thing! That’s right, enjoy the root fresh, cooked, or pickled and don’t forget to use the greens, too. We enjoy them sauteed in a little butter and garlic.

Kohlrabi

Honestly, I didn’t know much about this veggie until my husband’s grandpa insisted we try some while visiting. It was crispy, fresh, and delicious uncooked with a little salt. We’ve found they grow well and store for several weeks.

Spinach & Lettuce Greens

If you’re looking for the quickest growing vegetables, it’s hard to beat spinach and lettuce greens. Simply spread the seeds over soil, cover lightly, and water. In just 20-24 days you’ll have a bunch of leafy deliciousness on your hands.

Cabbage

Cabbage store well and are super versatile. They do well being started and transplanted or direct-seeded.

Winter Squash & Pumpkins

The ultimate in winter storage, pumpkins and winter squash (acorn, spaghetti, etc.,) are a great addition to the homestead garden. The downside is they can take up a lot of room and take a long time to mature. So only plant these if you have the space and time to allow for it.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are certainly tasty and can be prolific. That said, they take anywhere from 60-100 days to mature and can be a bit finicky. If you’re growing a high elevation vegetable garden you’ll need to cover them and choose varieties that mature quickly (hello cherry tomatoes!).

FAQ: The Best Vegetables for Homestead Living

Conclusion: Homestead Vegetables

As you can see there are a lot of choices when choosing the best vegetables for a homestead. Consider your zone, weather, soil, and water. Plant a mix of fast-growing and long-storing vegetables to maximize your harvest.

And if it all seems overwhelming, just start planting a few things. Throw out some seeds, water them regularly, and see what grows. The best way to see what thrives in your area is to start gardening now. We would’ve never thought we’d have so much success growing strawberries in Colorado, but they’ve become one of our favorite and most prolific garden plants.

So don’t overthink it. Seeds are cheap and experimentation is the best way to learn. Get out there and get growing.

The post The 13 Best Vegetables for Homestead Living appeared first on Wild Mountain Homestead.

When you’re confused about how that artist in North Dakota is a relation, you ask Grandpa Bub. When you can’t recall exactly how we’re connected to the iconic Gene Autry, you ask Grandpa Bub. When you want to hear the story about how Kit Carson’s son shot an ancestor, you call up Grandpa Bub.

He has carefully organized photo albums and a mind for details. He has the ability to tell a story and the memory to make it accurate. Most of all, though, he has patience and the willingness to answer the same question time and time again.

He doesn’t get discouraged. Instead he’s just pleased that you’re trying. “I’ve had years to get this in my mind, it’s gonna take you a little while to remember it all,” he says.

I’m a 6th generation Coloradoan, raising a 7th. My ancestors traveled long distances to get here and worked hard to make inhospitable land livable. I don’t fully grasp all the details. But I want to.

The Homestead Heritage series is my attempt to solidify the stories in mind and share what sound like incredible western tales, but are in fact simply the truth of my family.

If you know these stories, please feel free at any time to send me more details, images, or factual corrections. I hope this series is accurate and entertaining. May it keep the memories alive and the stories rolling.

This one goes out to all the memory keepers, especially Grandpa Bub.

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