15 Homestead Purchases You’ll Never Regret
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When you’re first starting a homestead, it’s easy to think you need everything. Social media makes it seem like every tool is a “must-have,” but after years of trial and error, I’ve learned that’s simply not true.
There are plenty of purchases I’ve made that I probably wouldn’t buy again. But there are also a handful of items that I would replace immediately if they disappeared tomorrow.
These are the homestead purchases that have proven their worth time and time again.
1. A Pocket Hose
This might seem like an odd item to top the list, but hear me out.
One of my favorite purchases has been a lightweight expanding pocket hose. During the winter, I simply coil it up (okay, I kind of just bunch it up) and keep it inside in a bucket. It doesn’t sit outside full of water, freeze solid, or become impossible to use on those warmer winter days when you suddenly need a hose.
It’s lightweight, stores easily, and has saved me countless headaches.
2. A Stirrup Hoe
If you’ve never used a stirrup hoe, prepare to wonder where it’s been your whole life.
Unlike a traditional garden hoe, it slices weeds just beneath the soil surface as you push and pull. It’s faster, easier on your back, and makes keeping the garden weed-free much less of a chore.
It’s like giving your garden a good mop. And all the weeds disappear.
So. Satisfying.
I don’t even reach for a standard hoe.
This is the exact stirrup hoe I own.
3. A Five-Gallon Chicken Waterer
Constantly refilling tiny chicken waterers gets old quickly.
A larger five-gallon waterer means fewer trips to the coop and happier chickens. During busy seasons, that’s one less daily task to worry about.
Plus, in the summer, your chickens and ducks will drink more water.
This way, you don’t have to worry about your birds being thirsty in the intense heat.
They have plenty to drink with a couple of 5 gallon waterers.
Sometimes convenience really is worth it.
These are the waterers we use!
4. Rubber Feed Bowls
Rubber feed bowls are one of those things that don’t seem exciting until you’ve used them.
Unlike hard plastic bowls, they’re flexible, nearly impossible to crack, easy to dump out, and incredibly durable.
I’ve never ever had one break. Not even the ones we’ve purchased used.
They’re one of the most versatile items on our homestead.
Here’s a link for the rubber feed bowls!
5. Large, Sturdy Livestock Troughs
If you’re buying troughs, buy bigger than you think you’ll need.
Small troughs need constant refilling, tip over easily, and often become frustrating over time.
Heavy-duty troughs last for years and work for everything from livestock water to temporary garden use and even mixing compost.
Obviously, consider the height of your animal. Shorter animals will need access to a shorter trough.
But invest in good solid troughs.
Here are the troughs we use for our cows.
6. Basic Animal Medical Supplies
You don’t need to become a veterinarian overnight, but every homestead should have a small animal first-aid kit.
One item I wouldn’t want to be without is an oral dosing syringe. Whether you’re giving medication, electrolytes, probiotics, or supplements, having the right syringe makes treating animals much easier and less stressful.
When an animal gets sick, you’ll be thankful you already have these supplies instead of trying to find them in an emergency.
7. A Trough Heater
Winter can be hard enough without hauling buckets of hot water several times a day.
A good trough heater keeps water available for your animals and saves an incredible amount of time during freezing weather.
If you live somewhere with cold winters, this is one purchase you’ll appreciate every single year.
This is one of the trough heaters we use. (we like it because there’s a clip on it)
8. More Garden Hoses Than You Think You Need
I never thought I’d say this, but you really can’t have too many hoses.
Eventually you’ll find yourself watering animals, filling troughs, irrigating gardens, washing equipment, cleaning the barn, and reaching areas that seemed much closer than they actually are.
Extra hoses mean less dragging, less frustration, and fewer trips back to the shed.
Not only that, hoses just don’t last forever on a homestead.
Honestly, I don’t think we’ve had a hose that’s lasted more than a couple of years.
Whether they freeze or accidentally get chewed on by a cow, the lifespan of a homestead hose isn’t spectacular.
Buy all the hoses. All of them.
9. A Sweeping Garden Sprinkler
A sprinkler that slowly moves back and forth has become one of my favorite gardening tools.
Instead of standing outside with a hose, I can let the sprinkler evenly water large sections of the garden while I tackle other chores.
Homesteading is busy enough—anything that saves time is worth considering.
And I mean, they’re really enjoyable to watch.
And they double as an exciting summer activity for your children.
This is the sprinkler I’m talking about.
10. A Quality Metal Hose Sprayer
Skip the cheap plastic hose sprayers. Trust me.
After replacing several broken plastic versions, I finally invested in a solid metal sprayer.
It has lasted much longer, feels sturdier, and handles daily use far better than the inexpensive alternatives.
Sometimes buying quality once really is cheaper than buying cheap over and over.
And honestly, there are plenty of the metal sprayers that really cost about the same as the plastic ones, anyway.
They might not have a bunch of adjustable settings on them, but you won’t be replacing them several times a year.
I just kind of hold the handle looser or tighter depending on my spraying needs. That’s a good enough “setting” for me.
And if you want the best of both worlds, this is a great hose nozzle.
11. Removable Garden Fencing
One of the smartest purchases we’ve made is portable electric-style garden fencing.
The best part? We don’t even use it with electricity.
It’s lightweight, easy to move, quick to set up, and works wonderfully for protecting gardens, creating temporary spaces, or keeping curious animals where they belong.
The flexibility alone makes it worth having.
Plus, you can take it down entirely, mow around the very edge of your garden, and then set it right back up.
It’s been an absolute game changer.
Here’s a link for electric fence netting!
12. A Quality Playground Set
This one isn’t technically for the homestead—it’s for the people living on it.
Our children spend countless hours outside because they have a safe place to play.
A sturdy playground, like the Lifetime brand, has been one of the best investments we’ve made for our family. While we’re tending gardens, feeding animals, or working outside, the kids are right there with us making memories.
We try to add a little more to our playground each year.
As an added bonus, it makes our house the “fun house” for our children’s friends and cousins. It’s fun to be the fun house.
Homesteading isn’t just about producing food—it’s about building a life together.
This is the very first set of swings we bought years ago. We love it because it’s taller than a normal swingset, and has grown beautifully with our children as they have gotten older.
We also love our airplane teeter totter. It fits so many children on it at once and is such a hoot!
Another great hit on our homestead playground is this climbing dome.
13. A Good Pressure Canner
If you only buy one canner, make it a quality pressure canner.
Not only can you safely preserve low-acid foods like meats, beans, and vegetables, but many pressure canners can also double as a water bath canner for jams, pickles, and tomatoes.
It’s one tool that opens up an entire world of food preservation.
This is the exact pressure canner I own. (it doubles as a water bath canner)
14. Homesteading Books
The internet is wonderful, but there’s something reassuring about having trusted books on the shelf.
One of my favorites is the old Back to Basics book (I just collect copies when I see them and give them away to anyone who wants it, that’s how good of a book it is), but there are many excellent homesteading books worth collecting.
When the internet is down—or when you simply want reliable information without endless scrolling (sigh. yes please.) —those books become invaluable resources.
I have actually just learned while writing this blog post that they’ve actually updated the Back to Basics book from the one I have, which excites me terribly. Here is the most recent edition of Back to Basics.
15. Buy Quality the First Time
If there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it’s this:
Whenever possible, buy the better version first.
I’ve replaced too many cheap tools, hoses, sprayers, and supplies that simply didn’t last.
Do you know how many full sized shovels my husband has broken? Yes, shovels. From digging. Normal holes. Not even just the handle of the shovels, the metal digging part of it. C’mon.
Quality equipment often costs more upfront, but it usually saves money—and frustration—in the long run.
Final Thoughts
Every homestead is different, and your “can’t-live-without” list will probably look a little different than mine.
But these are the purchases that have consistently made life easier, saved time, and held up through years of daily use.
If you’re just getting started, I hope this list helps you spend your hard-earned money on things you’ll still be grateful you bought years from now.
What homestead purchase have you never regretted? Let me know in the comments—I’m always looking for recommendations from fellow homesteaders!
