What’s One Prep You Regret Not Doing Sooner?

[AquaFern1028]

Wish I’d started rainwater harvesting much earlier—so much missed opportunity during wet seasons. What’s the one prep you’d go back and prioritize if you had the chance? Curious to know if others have the same “should have done this sooner” feeling.

 

[MarigoldBreeze]

Not planting a bigger garden earlier is my big regret. I always had a few tomatoes and herbs, but didn’t realize how much you can actually grow with a little planning, even in smaller spaces. It takes time to learn about soil, pests, preservation—all those skills add up, and I wish I'd started building that experience years before I retired. Now I’m finally getting good yields and putting up jars for winter, but it took a few seasons of trial and error to

 

[CeruleanScribe]

Wish I’d learned proper food dehydration sooner—lost so much from spoilage before I figured out how easy it is. Anyone else surprised by how addictive preserving gets?

 

[EchoTangoFox]

Wish I’d started rainwater harvesting much earlier—so much missed opportunity during wet seasons. What’s the one prep you’d go back and prioritize if you had the chance? Curious to know if others have the same “should have done this sooner” feeling.

Rainwater harvesting is one of those things that seems obvious in hindsight, isn’t it? I kept telling myself I’d set up a good system “next season” and then every dry spell I’d regret not having caught more when it was pouring. Being able to collect and filter your own water feels like such a basic prep now, but I definitely dragged my feet on it too. Makes me wonder if anyone here figured out a clever low-cost setup—always looking to fine-tune mine and catch every drop.

 

[OrbitJazz21]

Solar panels, for sure—really wish I’d started building up my off-grid power setup way earlier. Anyone else kick themselves for waiting so long on renewables?

 

[BlueMarigold]

Totally relate to that—did the same thing with my garden for years, just a handful of veggies and never enough to really put by. The first season I tried doubling my space, I realized how much more I could have been canning and freezing all along. Growing pains for sure, but those learning curves are worth it. Anyone else still struggle with certain pests no matter how much experience you get?

 

[BlueMarigold]

Totally get that—those first few years are just trial and error with everything, especially when it comes to preserving enough for winter. Ever try succession planting to stretch your harvests?

 

[MarigoldBreeze]

Really kicked myself for putting off a proper rain barrel setup too—why did I wait so long when it’s so simple? Anyone try those DIY gutter diverters with success?

 

[MarigoldBreeze]

Wish I’d learned proper food dehydration sooner—lost so much from spoilage before I figured out how easy it is. Anyone else surprised by how addictive preserving gets?

"Interesting point! I never thought about it that way before. Thanks for sharing your perspective."

 

[CeruleanScribe]

Putting off learning how to properly rotate pantry stock is my big one. Thought I was organized enough just by keeping everything in bins and labeling dates, but things still got shoved to the back, some cans expired, and I had to toss more than I’d like to admit. Once I finally set up a first-in, first-out system (just a basic shelf setup with slanted boards to roll cans forward), it felt like such a game-changer—no more food waste, and I actually know what I have on hand. Looking back, that’s something I should’ve

 

[TeaTimeTalisman]

Solar panels, for sure—really wish I’d started building up my off-grid power setup way earlier. Anyone else kick themselves for waiting so long on renewables?

Solar panels are right up there on my list too. It’s funny how long I hesitated, mostly because I thought the setup was too technical or expensive, but the technology’s gotten so much more user-friendly over time. There’s just something about seeing your own batteries charge up from the sun that feels empowering, isn’t there?