Book Review: The Weekend Homesteader by Anna Hess
The Weekend Homesteader by Anna Hess
The Weekend Homesteader is organized by month—so whether it’s January or June you’ll find exciting, short projects that you can use to dip your toes into the vast ocean of homesteading without getting overwhelmed. If you need to fit homesteading into a few hours each weekend and would like to have fun while doing it, these projects will be right up your alley, whether you live on a forty-acre farm, a postage-stamp lawn in suburbia, or a high rise. You’ll learn about backyard chicken care, how to choose the best mushroom and berry species, and why and how to plant a no-till garden that heals the soil while providing nutritious food. Permaculture techniques will turn your homestead into a vibrant ecosystem and attract native pollinators while converting our society’s waste into high-quality compost and mulch. Meanwhile, enjoy the fruits of your labor right away as you learn the basics of cooking and eating seasonally, then preserve homegrown produce for later by drying, canning, freezing, or simply filling your kitchen cabinets with storage vegetables. As you become more self-sufficient, you’ll save seeds, prepare for power outages, and tear yourself away from a full-time job, while building a supportive and like-minded community. You won’t be completely eliminating your reliance on the grocery store, but you will be plucking low-hanging (and delicious!) fruits out of your own garden by the time all forty-eight projects are complete.
The vibe
Straightforward and refreshingly drama-free. No “my family lived off-grid and so can you” monologues—just clear, doable projects broken down by season, with a realistic look at the time, money, and effort required.
What it’s actually about
This isn’t a homesteading fantasy novel. It’s a practical guide to making small, seasonal changes that move you toward more self-reliance—whether that’s growing herbs in a container or making better food choices. Think of it like: What can I reasonably do this weekend that doesn’t involve buying a tractor or moving to a yurt?
What slapped
- The pacing. Projects are broken down month by month, which makes the whole thing feel way less overwhelming.
- Honest takes on time, cost, and feasibility. No surprise $800 compost toilet builds here.
- Helpful for folks who want a little more independence without quitting their job and going full farmcore.
What sucked
- There’s a chapter about slaughtering your own meat, which… nope. That’s a no from me, suburban mom edition.
- Some stuff is clearly geared toward people with land, time, and a different lifestyle. But you can pick around that.
- Not everything is suburb/apartment friendly, but it doesn’t pretend to be.
Who this book is for
Anyone curious about becoming more self-reliant without giving up weekends, sanity, or plumbing. Especially good for people who don’t want to commit to a full lifestyle overhaul – but still want to start doing something.
Who this book isn’t for
If your only “yard” is a fire escape and you’re looking for strictly urban prepping advice, this won’t fully hit. Also, if you’re squeamish about the more intense aspects of homesteading, like animal slaughter, there are chapters you’ll want to skip.
One solid takeaway
You don’t have to do it all and you definitely don’t have to do it all at once. A little seasonal planning goes a long way toward building resilience without burning out.
Bonus points: think about your financial sufficiency too when it comes to shit possibly happening. That was a nice reminder throughout this book and definitely atypical compared to other books in this space.
Buy, borrow, or skip it?
Tempted to buy it. This one feels like a keeper to refer back to as your time, space, or chaos levels shift. But also – library first never hurts.
