We’ll Grow All Of Our Food! And Other Misconceptions I Had About Rural Life – Frugalwoods
What began as an idyllic dream of total food independence has evolved into a pragmatic, balanced approach to rural living. Elizabeth Willard Thames (known to her readers as Mrs. Frugalwoods) and her husband, Nate, have moved past the “preconceived notions” of the homesteading life to embrace a philosophy of selective cultivation. Their journey provides a critical case study for the burgeoning "homesteading" subculture, highlighting the tension between the romanticized image of the American larder and the grueling labor required to maintain it.
Main Facts: The Reality of the Homesteading Dream
The core of the Frugalwoods’ transition involves the dismantling of a "gargantuan assumption": that a family can, and should, grow all of its own food. Upon moving to their expansive property in May 2016, the couple initially aimed for a "modern-day sustainable, free-range, organic paradise." This vision included not only vast vegetable tracts but also meat chickens, pigs, goats, and a dairy cow for home-churned butter and cheese.
Seven years later, that vision has been intentionally scaled back. The primary discovery was not a lack of capability, but a lack of desire to commit to the "all-consuming, full-time job" that true subsistence farming demands. Elizabeth Thames notes that while such a lifestyle is technically possible, it often results in "chaining oneself to the vegetable garden," a dynamic she found remarkably similar to the corporate "rat race" they had initially sought to escape.
Today, the Frugalwoods homestead operates on a model of "joy, time, freedom, and space." Instead of attempting to replace the industrial food system entirely, they have opted to grow what they enjoy, harvest what they can manage, and support local professional farmers for the rest. This shift marks a significant departure from the "perfectionist" homesteading aesthetic often promoted on social media platforms like Instagram.
Chronology: From Urban Professionals to Realistic Ruralists
The Frugalwoods’ journey into the woods followed a distinct trajectory of idealism, overwhelm, and eventual recalibration:
May 2016: The Arrival
The family moved to their 66-acre Vermont property with a larder-full of expectations. The early years were defined by staggering infrastructure projects, including fencing, building raised beds, and establishing perennial fruit crops. The initial focus was on "The Big Garden," a fenced-in area designed for high-yield annual vegetable production.
2018: The Kale and Chard "Apocalypse"
A pivotal moment in the family’s agricultural philosophy occurred during the summer of 2018. In an attempt to maximize their yield, they planted, weeded, and watered 80 kale and chard plants. The resulting harvest was so massive it required the use of a children’s plastic wading pool and multiple giant tubs as rinsing stations.
The processing of this single harvest—washing, de-stemming, blanching, and vacuum-sealing—took several days of grueling labor. Despite the effort, much of the preserved food eventually spoiled in the freezer before it could be consumed. This "demoralizing realization" served as the catalyst for their current "less-is-more" approach.
2020: The Shift to Proximity and Raised Beds
In 2020, Nate Thames constructed four raised beds in close proximity to the back porch. This represented a shift from "production farming" to "convenience gardening." By moving herbs, greens, and strawberries closer to the kitchen, the family prioritized ease of use over sheer volume.
2023: The Seventh Anniversary Assessment
As of May 2023, the Frugalwoods have reached a state of "acceptance." They have abandoned the guilt associated with not being "perfect" homesteaders. Their current operations are a blend of perennial maintenance and small-scale annual planting, designed to fit around their lives rather than dictate them.
Supporting Data: The Logistics of a 66-Acre Garden
The Frugalwoods’ current agricultural footprint is divided into three distinct zones, each with its own management requirements and success rates:
1. The Porch-Side Raised Beds
These beds are dedicated to high-turnover, low-maintenance crops.
- Beds 1 & 2: Strawberry patches.
- Beds 3 & 4: A rotation of herbs (cilantro, dill, basil, parsley, oregano, chives, thyme) and greens (kale, chard, lettuce, spinach).
- Management: These require the most frequent attention but offer the highest "return on effort" due to their proximity to the house.
2. The "Big" Vegetable Garden
This is the site of the family’s annual vegetable production.
- Infrastructure: To reduce labor, Elizabeth installed cattle panels for vertical trellising. This allows tomatoes, snap peas, and cucumbers to "vine up" naturally, eliminating the need for individual plant staking.
- Educational Component: The couple has allocated specific rows for their children, "Kidwoods" and "Littlewoods," to manage. This teaches the mechanics of growth without the pressure of subsistence.
- Crops: Tomatoes, beans, squash, peppers, and pumpkins/gourds for autumn decoration.
3. The Perennial Orchard
Managed primarily by Nate, this area represents a long-term investment in the land.
- Diversity: The orchard includes apples, plums, pears, cherries, blueberries, elderberries, and raspberries.
- Lead Times: Data from the property shows the significant patience required for perennial agriculture; apple trees took approximately six years to bear fruit, while blueberry bushes required two years.
- The "Varmint" Factor: The family reports a near 100% loss of plums and cherries to local wildlife, dubbed the "Clever Varmint Patrol" (CVP). Despite netting and fencing, wild turkeys and other animals frequently claim the harvest the moment it reaches peak ripeness.
Perspectives: The "Official" Frugalwoods Stance
In her retrospective, Elizabeth Thames offers several "official" conclusions regarding the homesteading lifestyle, which serve as a rebuttal to the "perfect homesteader" trope:
- On Labor and Mental Health: "I’ve learned that chaining myself to my vegetable garden is really no different than chaining myself to my desk and computer. A garden has endless needs, does not care about your time/energy/plans and exerts a lot of time-bound pressures."
- On Community Interdependence: Thames has pivoted from self-reliance to community support. "I actually feel good about buying food from our farmer neighbors who commit to this work full-time. I like supporting their efforts. Plus, they’re a lot better at it than me."
- On the Trap of Perfectionism: She warns that the pressure for perfection—often seen in school or traditional careers—can easily migrate into hobbies and homesteading. "It’s no longer a race to ultimate homesteader for me."
Implications: The Evolving Face of Rural Self-Reliance
The Frugalwoods’ shift in perspective has broader implications for the "homesteading" movement and the rural economy.
1. The "Homestead Burnout" Phenomenon
The 2018 "Kale Apocalypse" highlights a common issue in the back-to-the-land movement: burnout. When the labor of preservation exceeds the joy of the harvest, the sustainability of the lifestyle is called into question. The Frugalwoods’ narrative suggests that "moderate homesteading" may be a more viable long-term model for those moving from urban environments.
2. Supporting Local Agricultural Ecosystems
By choosing to buy from neighbors, the Frugalwoods are contributing to the rural economy in a way that total self-sufficiency does not. This acknowledges that specialized, professional farming is more efficient and often more environmentally sound than amateur attempts at "doing it all."
3. Redefining "Success" in the Country
The Thames family is redefining success not by the number of quarts canned, but by the "balance and freedom" their life allows. This includes the ability to hike, visit local lakes, and enjoy live music on neighboring farms—activities that were previously sacrificed at the altar of garden maintenance.
4. The Educational Value of "Failure"
The recurring losses to the "Clever Varmint Patrol" and the whims of Vermont’s volatile weather (late frosts and ice storms) serve as a reminder of the inherent risks of agriculture. The Frugalwoods’ willingness to document these failures provides a necessary counter-balance to the "everything-is-flourishing" narrative of lifestyle influencers.
In conclusion, the Frugalwoods’ seven-year retrospective serves as a pragmatic guide for the modern homesteader. It suggests that the true value of rural life lies not in total independence from the grocery store, but in the freedom to choose how one’s time is spent. As Elizabeth Thames notes, whether she cans a few quarts of applesauce or none at all, the ultimate goal remains the same: a life of gratitude and presence in the woods of Vermont.
