A lot of gardeners like to have a detailed plan for what they’re going to grow, and where they’re going to put each of the plants. I am not one of those gardeners. This approach, which I call Homesteading from the Hip, allows for more flexibility and spontaneity in my gardening.
That’s not to say that I don’t daydream about all the plants I’m going to set in the ground in the Spring. Or that I don’t think about harvesting bounties of fruit on a daily basis. I really hope I’m awash in fruit in a few months while enjoying the process of Homesteading from the Hip. I made it up, so of course I’m going to enjoy it.
Planting by Feel
However, my plans are not very detailed. I do get the big picture stuff kind of planned out. I want a decent amount of space between my fruit trees so I can plant supportive herbs and flowers in between. But I don’t think I’ve ever taken a measuring tape out to my garden. I just plant trees where it looks and feels right to me. It’s certainly not the most precise way of doing things. But I don’t think a garden needs to be precise. In fact, I much prefer an untamed, wild garden anyway.
I think that’s why the concepts of permaculture and food forests have appealed to me. Cleary, nature is chaotic, and in my opinion, many humans try way too hard to tame nature rather than work in tune with nature. Food forests are really the natural state of the earth. I’m just looking to create a food forest that supports human life in the way any other forest supports the life of other animals. So, I will continue homesteading from the hip and see how my land is transformed.
Overthinking is Just as Bad as Underthinking
So, “Homesteading from the hip” really just means to do your research, but don’t overthink. For example, does it really matter if you select a blueberry bush variety that yields berries that are not the most flavorful blueberries you’ve ever tasted? I mean, how often are you disappointed by blueberries you get from the grocery store? Pretty often, I bet.
I guess Kevin James’ standup titled “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” had a lasting effect on me. Or Timon and Pumba’s Hakuna matata. Or it’s just that I’ve survived enough b.s. in my life that I realize that not having a super detailed plan is okay. You and your homestead will be fine, just keep working on it! When in doubt, remember you are Homesteading from the Hip, and nature is resilient and you are part of nature.