Big news for this community! Something new has been quietly taking shape behind the scenes and today I’m excited to finally share it with you. We’re officially launching the Yardstead Society. For a long time I’ve believed something simple: You don’t need acres of land to build a more self-reliant life. You just need to start with the yard you have. More and more people are waking up to this idea. They want to grow food, build useful things, raise animals, and create backyards that can actually sustain them. That’s what Yardstead is all about. This free community will continue to be the place for sharing builds, asking questions, and connecting with other DIY builders. But for those who want to go deeper, we’ve opened up a paid tier inside Yardstead Society. Inside the Society members unlock: • Build & Yardstead Calls with me — live support on your projects, planning, and ideas • Yardstead Masterclasses — monthly sessions where we dive into specific topics around growing food, backyard infrastructure, and productive living • The Yardstead Resource Library — guides, tools, and resources to help you build a more productive backyard • Expert Sessions so we can learn together from expert homesteaders who have already mastered the skills we aspire to learn • A place focused not just on projects… but on actually living the Yardstead lifestyle We’re also opening this up with Founding Member spots. The first 50 people who join will lock in founding member pricing for life as a thank you for helping build this community from the beginning. If you want to join in and unlock all of these features you can do so here: https://www.skool.com/yardsteadsociety/about Want more info on what it's all about? Learn more here: https://thehillsidemarket.com/pages/yardstead-society Really excited to watch the yardsteading movement gain momentum and to see what this community grows into 🌱

Couldn't wait to start. Still have 3 feet of snow. This will sit on a base of crushed limestone!!

Hey friend! I'm so glad you're here. I'm Carolynne—the one behind every plan, testing every build with my husband Eric in our Alberta backyard, and running Hillside Market from our little homestead in Zone 3 Canada 🇨🇦. I created the Yardstead Society to support you in two ways: 1️⃣ Build Support (Free) Get help with your DIY projects from start to finish. Whether you're building a greenhouse, chicken coop, or backyard retreat, ask questions, share progress, and get guidance from the community. Eric and I are both here to help with build questions. 2️⃣ Yardstead Support (Paid Membership) Weekly calls with me, expert interview sessions, and access to resources for actually living the lifestyle—growing food, raising chickens, preserving your harvest, and working toward real self-sufficiency. 👋 Start by introducing yourself! Tell us where you're from, what you're building, or what you're hoping to grow or raise. Already finished a project? Post it under Progress Pics so we can celebrate with you. 📚 Explore the Classroom: - Build Spotlights – See what others have created - Project Planning Tools – Checklists and resources to help you succeed - Yardstead Resources – Growing, raising, and preserving (paid members) - Plus all Yardstead Society members get monthly discounts on guides and gear Tag me (@Carolynne Hill) or Eric (@Eric Hill) anytime with questions or to share what you're working on. Let's get building! ✨ — Carolynne PS: Say hi below! 👇

I would love to see images or plans of what people have done or are planning to do with the inside of their Iris when using as a greenhouse.

Has anyone tried a barn door on tracks instead of a hinged door?