New Beginnings in a New Homestead

Welcome to Little Desert Cottage!

Since you’re stopping by today, I am going to assume that like me, you have a level of interest in homesteading or a (semi) self sufficient lifestyle. Also like me, you’ve probably read a stack of information that is available online, in print, on television and DVD, but still have some questions.

Perhaps you are simply interested in what it is like running livestock using non-commercial methods, particularly if for your personal consumption. It might be that your climate is different to that of some other sources of information. Sometimes it’s just seeking another perspective to see which approach you will personally take.

Our new homestead

One of my frustrations in looking at other blogs, videos and books is that our climate is very unique. Being in Western Victoria, our climate is considered Warm Mediterranean – BUT – our location presents some challenges we’ve not had previously:

• Low rainfall (average less than 12 inches/300mm pa)
• Heavy Frosts during Winter and Spring
• Intense Summer heat (average 31^oC, but regularly above 42 ^oC)

The Hay Shed

This combination affects particularly what we can grow in the garden for our personal consumption, and certain fodders for livestock. The warm summers would normally suit tropical fruits with irrigation, but the heavy frosts through winter complicate that. The late frosts hamper growth of certain summer vegetables because waiting for the frosts to pass then means they get hit with intense heat in early summer. We do have a great climate for grains (wheat, oats, barley and legumes (fava beans, chick peas, lentils), but also unreliable with the last two seasons having significantly lower than average rainfall.

Long story short – join our adventure and learn from our successes and failures as we try to adapt what we’ve learned to be more self sufficient on our homestead!