Learn about the Back To Eden method of modern homesteading.
Back to Eden: Building the Landscape From the Soil Up
At our “Modern Homestead,” Roadstead Farms, we use the Back to Eden approach as a foundation for landscape management. By covering exposed soil with natural materials—particularly arborist wood chips—we imitate the protective floor of a woodland. This covering helps conserve moisture, moderate soil temperature, suppress weeds and gradually build healthier soil as it decomposes. Rather than continually disturbing and depleting the ground, we allow natural processes to improve it. The result is a more resilient, lower-maintenance landscape that supports productive gardens, ornamental plantings and the long-term health of our homestead.