Land assessment 101: How to work with your land

Back in 2017, we took the leap into homesteading.

We obtained a small piece of land in the eastern countryside of France to let our dreams run wild.

Unfortunately, we had no clue what we were doing.

We didn’t know the first thing about assessing land for homesteading.

Where to place our food forests, gardens, or ponds?

We were clueless.

Yet, as excited as we were, we went ahead, installing various elements across our land.

It wasn’t long before we faced the hard truths: sections of our land were shaded for most parts of the year, while other sections turned into a mini lake every rainy season.

Our garden here, a chicken coop there—our placements seemed more random than strategic.

Without a clear guide, the risk of placing essential elements like your garden, water sources, or animal shelters in less-than-ideal spots is high.

Missteps like these can lead to inefficiency, or worse, can challenge the viability of your homesteading dreams.

Fortunately, once you know what to look for, it’s easy to come up with an efficient layout and design for your homestead that take these key aspects into consideration.

Looking back, a simple land assessment would have spared us these expensive setbacks.

Had we known the extent of the land’s downsides, we would have never even bothered with it.

So, this brings us to the crucial question: Whether you're already sitting on your piece of potential or still looking for that perfect homestead land, how do you figure out what you're really working with?

How can you identify both the potential and the limitations to avoid major errors and determine the optimal placement of various elements based on the specifics of your land?

This is where site analysis and assessment come into play.

What is assessing your land for homesteading exactly?

So, you might be wondering, what’s this land assessment all about, especially when it comes to setting up a homestead?

In simple terms, assessing your land is getting to know your land before you start diving into building your homestead.

This involves understanding the detailed characteristics of your land and what it can realistically handle.

Here we need to identify its strengths, its challenges, and note any unique characteristics that may require special consideration.

Why bother with all this?

Well, jumping into homesteading without this information can lead to some real headaches.

And I mean, real headaches.

Just like the mistakes we made on our first land ever, you might install elements on your land that shouldn’t be there.

At least not in that place.

Imagine planting your dream food forest only to find out the spot you chose turns into a swamp every spring.

And if you think planting a food forest in the wrong location isn’t that bad, what about setting up your main house in an area that’s prone to landslides, or on the ridge of your land exposed to the harsh winds and exposed to wildfires?

Like that, there are countless mistakes, we call them Type-1 Errors in Permaculture design, that you can avoid simply by assessing your land.

These are the kinds of costly “oops” moments you don’t want to have.

We need to spot the trouble before it spots you.

This will protect both your dreams and your wallet from taking unnecessary hits.

The goal of a site assessment is simple: identify the land’s potential and figure out its limits.

Maybe there’s a perfect spot for that vegetable garden you’ve been dreaming of, or perhaps a part of your land is just not cut out for the pond you had in mind.

Knowing this helps you work with your land, not against it, making your homestead more productive, optimized, and efficient in the process.

So, how do you go about assessing your land?

It boils down to looking at several different key factors.

Each of these factors contains information that tells you something about what your land can support and where you might need to pivot or adjust your plans.

Key factors in assessing land

Getting into the details of assessing land for homesteading goes beyond just a quick look and making a snap decision.

There's a whole list of key factors that need your attention to really figure out if the land you're looking for (or already have) can support what you want to achieve.

Let's break these down:

Climate

This is big. The climate dictates what can grow, how much water you'll need, and even the kind of energy sources that'll work best for you. Long, cold winters? You'll need to think about heating. Arid region? Water conservation and drought-resistant land-management strategies are your friends.

Topography

The lay of the land—its shape, which way it faces, its ups and downs—plays a huge role in how you'll design your homestead. South-facing slopes (in the northern hemisphere) can be great for solar gain in colder climates, while elevation can affect everything from wind exposure to temperature.

Water

Water is essential for any homestead. Beyond simply knowing if water is available, its quality is crucial for everything from irrigation to drinking. Consider how water access impacts your land year-round: seasonal changes can significantly affect water availability. Knowing how these elements work together is key to planning your homestead's water strategy effectively.

Access

How you get around your property is a big deal, especially when there's work to be done. Think about how you’ll move supplies, manage animals, and even how you connect to the outside world like roads and neighbors. Easy access can make life simpler and your homestead more functional.

Infrastructure

Existing buildings or utilities on your land could either be a great asset or a significant challenge. That charming old barn might look nice, but if it’s falling apart, it could be more trouble than it’s worth. Evaluate what’s already there carefully—sometimes, it can give you a head start, other times, it might need work.

Vegetation & wildlife

Getting to know the flora and fauna on your land can refine your strategies and increase your land's productivity. For example, introducing native flowering plants to support local bee populations and designing landscapes that provide habitats for beneficial insects can lead to a healthier, more productive homestead.

Microclimates

Your land might have special spots where the climate feels a bit different—like shady areas that stay cool or sunny spots that are great for heat-loving plants. Recognizing these microclimates can help you make the most of your land's diverse conditions.

Soil

Soil is where your food grows, so you'll want to know what you’re working with. Understanding your soil's type, health, and what it might need to become more fertile can dictate what you’ll be able to grow successfully. Sometimes, you might need to improve the soil, while other times, you might discover it’s perfect as is.

Legal & zoning considerations

Before you get too far into planning, make sure you know what’s allowed on your land. Zoning laws and regulations can limit the types of buildings you can construct or what animals you can raise. It’s better to know these details upfront than to run into legal issues down the line.

Local economy & community

The people and services around you can be just as crucial as the land itself. Local markets, agricultural services, and community support can make all the difference in your homesteading journey.

History of your land

Knowing the history of how your land was used is vital. Prior activities, like farming or construction, can affect soil quality, water availability, and more. Knowing this history allows you to plan more effectively, addressing any issues before they become problems.

Evaluating the land’s potential

These are the key factors you need to analyze and assess to truly understand what you’re working with.

This will help you set up a successful homestead that operates efficiently, taking full advantage of its unique characteristics.

For each of the points we've outlined, you’ll need to dive deep into the specific potential opportunities and limitations.

This is a strategic evaluation to understand how each aspect of your land can support or challenge the vision you have for your homestead.

How to come up with potential solutions to potential problems?

Whether it's leveraging a natural water source to plan your irrigation, adapting your plant choices to the soil and sun exposure, or positioning your buildings to take advantage of or protect against prevailing winds, each decision is based on a deep understanding of your land's potential.

Let’s say your land’s got a slope that’s perfect for catching the sun, making it an ideal spot for solar panels or a greenhouse.

That’s a clear win.

But, maybe that same slope means water runs off a bit too quickly, making the soil dry out much faster than the surrounding land.

Could a series of swales or diversion drains turn that challenge into an opportunity, capturing water where you need it most?

Or after doing a site assessment, maybe you’ve discovered a shaded area, seemingly not-so-great for your main veggie gardens.

Instead of writing it off, could this be the perfect spot for cool-loving plants or a relaxation area during the summer heat?

Or let’s say you’re assessing the history of your land, and you find out your new land was once used for intensive agriculture.

That might explain why the soil feels more like a brick than a fluffy chocolate cake.

It’s not great news, but it’s not a deal-breaker either.

Knowing this, you might plan for deep soil amendments or breaking up the soil compaction pan with a tractor plow (like the Yeoman’s plow) to bring life back to the land.

Or say you discover an old orchard on your property.

Those neglected trees could be revitalized with some pruning and care, bringing you fruits sooner than starting from scratch.

Plus, they’re living proof your land can support fruit trees—a big plus for your future planning.

In each case, it’s about seeing beyond the immediate “good” or “bad” to how each element of your land’s character can play into the bigger picture of your homestead.

So, when you're standing on your land with your survey in hand, remember this: every decision, from planting your food forest's first trees to building your raised garden beds, should be based on your land's characteristics and aligned with your life's vision.

And that's the real goal, right?

To create a productive homestead that thrives, bringing your dreams to life in a way that respects the land and lays a strong foundation for generations to come.

Takeaway

Doing a land assessment helps you pursue achievable goals based on your land's actual potential.

This way, you won't end up just winging it and facing unexpected problems later on.

Instead, your homestead is built on solid, realistic foundations in a way that works with nature, not against it.

Now that you’ve got the basics of land assessment down, you might be wondering, "What comes next?"

Understanding your land is the first step.

The next step is turning that knowledge into a well-organized homestead layout.

How do you take this knowledge and turn it into a practical and productive homestead?

That's exactly what we're diving into in our next article: "How to create an efficient layout for your homestead.”

Thank you for reading this article.

I hope it was helpful.

See you soon,

Moreno

Whenever you're ready, and if it's the right fit, here are 4 ways I can help you:

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