10 Essential Tools Every Backyard Homesteader Needs (And Where to Get Them Cheap!)
Starting a backyard homestead doesn’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, with the right tools from the beginning, you’ll save money, time, and a whole lot of frustration. Whether you have a sprawling backyard or just a few raised beds, these 10 essentials will set you up for success from day one.
1. A Quality Garden Trowel Set A good trowel is your most used tool in the garden. Look for one with a comfortable grip and stainless steel head that won’t rust. I use mine every single day during growing season. [Check the best rated trowel sets on Amazon]
2. Mason Jars Mason jars are the backbone of any homestead pantry. Use them for canning, fermenting, storing dry goods, or even drinking out of. Start with a variety pack of pints and quarts. [Grab a mason jar variety pack here]
3. A Seed Starting Kit Starting from seed saves hundreds of dollars compared to buying transplants. A basic seed starting kit with trays, dome and growing medium is all you need. [Best seed starting kits on Amazon]
4. A Quality Water Filter Clean water matters — for you and your garden. A reliable water filtration pitcher is an easy first step toward water independence and tastes infinitely better than tap. [See top rated water filters here]
5. The Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving If you only buy one book for your homestead journey make it this one. It covers canning, pickling, fermenting and more. Consider it your homestead bible. [Get your copy on Amazon]
6. Heavy Duty Gardening Gloves Protect your hands from thorns, rough soil and blisters. Get a pair that fits snugly and is machine washable.
7. A Compost Bin Turn your kitchen scraps into black gold for your garden. A simple compost bin pays for itself within one growing season.
8. A Garden Hose with Adjustable Nozzle Sounds basic but the right hose setup saves enormous time. Look for a kink resistant hose with a multi setting nozzle.
9. A Food Dehydrator Preserve fruits, vegetables and herbs for months without canning. Dehydrators are beginner friendly and incredibly versatile.
10. A Raised Bed Garden Kit If you’re starting from scratch a raised bed kit gives you total control over your soil and drainage. Perfect for suburban yards with poor native soil.
You don’t need all 10 of these on day one. Start with the trowel, gloves and mason jars — that’s enough to get you started immediately.
Want a complete checklist of everything you need to start your suburban homestead? Grab my free Suburban Homestead Starter Checklist below — it covers tools, pantry essentials, food preservation basics and your first weekend action steps.