Essential Homestead Tools: Every Homestead Needs

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Last updated on February 9th, 2026 at 04:22 pm

So many people today want to slow down, get back to their roots, and eat fresh produce, meat, bread, and eggs. Many—myself included—found ourselves on this path because of personal health issues. Others were burned out by city life. And some discovered truth and simply could not go back.

In this post, I’m sharing the essential homestead tools every homesteader needs—not just the physical tools, but the mindset and preparation that will help you stay when things get hard.

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Who This Homestead Tools Guide Is For

This post is for those who are just starting their homesteading journey, those who feel overwhelmed, and those wondering if they can really do this long term. Whether you’re already caring for animals or still dreaming from your kitchen table, this guide is meant to help you start with confidence and clarity.

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The Reality of Homesteading: Hard, Beautiful, and Worth It

Because homesteading can be difficult and discouraging, many people who start this journey end up leaving within five years. I don’t want that to be you.

I want you to be successful. I want you to feel as prepared as you can be.

Nothing truly prepares you for losing a milk cow after she gives birth or a baby goat passing unexpectedly. Those moments are heartbreaking. But there is also so much joy in this life.

The joy of working hard and caring for animals every day.

The joy of lambing season when new life is everywhere.

The joy of feeding your family with food you raised yourself.

It truly is such a blessed life.

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What Tools Do You Actually Need to Start a Homestead?

When most people decide to homestead, their first question is simple:

“What do I actually need to make this happen?”

Below is a foundational list of essential homestead tools—starting with the most important ones and building outward. This post is designed to be a pillar guide, meaning you can return to it as your homestead grows.

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The Most Essential Homesteading Tool: A Growth Mindset

Out of everything you will need, this is by far the most important.

A growth mindset is the ability to look at mistakes and see them as learning opportunities instead of failures. Homesteading often feels like more mistakes than successes, but if you can view those moments as growth, you are gaining far more than you are losing. It also helps you to stay with it.

At the end of the day, homesteading is about stewardship and a different kind of freedom. You may not travel as much or be able to leave the house because an animal is sick, but the joy of learning to care for yourself and provide for your family in a more self-sustaining way is deeply fulfilling.

I highly recommend the book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success if you are wanting to learn more about growth mindset.

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Accept That This Life Is Hard

This life is hard—and the sooner you accept that, the better off you’ll be.

Our society teaches us that if something is hard, it must be bad. We get upset when a webpage doesn’t load fast enough. But working hard and walking through difficult things is what God intended for us.

This is where we grow.

This is where we become stronger and more confident.

And most importantly, this is where we become humble and submissive to God’s will.

The hard seasons teach us how to endure—and the difficult times often bring the greatest joy.

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Essential Physical Tools for Every Homestead

Now that we’ve covered the mental tools, let’s talk about the physical tools you actually need to start and maintain a homestead.

Basic Homestead Tools

These are the backbone of daily homestead work:

• Shovel – compost, garden beds, fence posts, and general digging
• Rake – clearing debris, leveling soil, garden prep
• Hammer and basic building tools – repairs, fencing, simple builds
• Axe – firewood
• Chainsaw – firewood and cutting fence posts
• Wheelbarrow or sleds – hauling feed, wood, soil, and water (we still use sleds)

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Gardening Tools for Growing Your Own Food

A productive garden doesn’t require fancy equipment—just reliable basics.

• Seeds – choose what grows best in your climate
• Watering method – watering can, bucket, hose, soaker hose, or irrigation (whatever fits your needs and budget)
• Fencing or trellising – to protect plants and support growth

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Animal Care Tools for a Healthy Homestead

If you plan to raise animals, these tools are essential for daily care and long-term health.

Basic Animal Care Supplies

• Buckets – for feed, water, and storage (local bakeries often sell used ones cheaply)
• Waterers – troughs, bowls, or 50-gallon water drums
• Fencing – appropriate for your animals and land

Fencing Tools We Rely On

(These are my husband’s recommendations—his family owned a fencing company, and he built fence for 15 years.)

• Good pliers
• Hammer
• Barbed wire stretcher (great for short stretches can work for longer stretches: 100-300 feet) or Come-along with wire dog (best for long stretches: 200+ feet)
• Hand diggers
• Digging bar
• Post Driver

Animal Health & Prevention

• First aid supplies
• Minerals – proper minerals and adequate space prevent many health issues
• Herbal remedies – I prefer Dr. Jones herbs along with my own herbal preparations

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Kitchen Homesteading Tools (When You’re Ready)

We’re all on different paths and at different stages. Some are ready to do everything at once, while others take things one step at a time. Both are perfectly fine.

If you’re ready to homestead in the kitchen and home, here are my must-haves. If not, save this list for later.

Kitchen Essentials

• Cast iron cookware – durable and free from harmful coatings
• Large stock pot – broth, canning, and bulk cooking
• Grain mill – start with what you can afford and upgrade later
• Mason jars and lids – food storage and preservation
• Kitchen scale – non-electric if possible
• One-year supply of food and backup water
• Bonus: Dehydrator (helpful, but an oven works too)

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Home & Household Homesteading Tools

Homesteading doesn’t stop at the barn or garden—it continues inside the home.

• Sewing kit – mending and repairs
• Natural cleaning supplies
• Herbal medicine supplies

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How to Start a Homestead Without Going Into Debt

At the end of the day, you can do without a lot. Start small and work your way up.

With finances feeling out of reach for many right now, try not to go into debt. Look at what you can stop paying for and redirect that money toward your homestead. Borrow tools when possible and buy secondhand when you can. Want to have more animals or a bigger garden, see if there is someone in your area looking for someone to use their land. Here is some ways to help you start on a budget.

Get creative. We cut 50-gallon food-grade drums in half and used them for water and hauling instead of a wheelbarrow. We still don’t own a wheelbarrow.

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Final Encouragement: Start Where You Are

Homesteading isn’t about having everything—it’s about starting with what you’ve been given. Have fun with the process. Do a little here and a little there and in before you know it you will have the homestead of your dreams.

I hope this essential homestead tools list helps you on your journey toward becoming more self-reliant. This life isn’t easy, but it is worth it.

If you’re walking this path too, I’d love to know—what tool has been the most important on your homestead so far?

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