While picturesque, homesteading doesn’t require sprawling acres in the country. Urban homesteading is a growing movement that allows people to live more sustainably, reduce their dependence on commercial systems, and embrace a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle all while living in the city. Whether you’re looking to grow your own food, conserve resources, or learn traditional skills, you can create a thriving homestead even with land limitations. Here are 12 practical tips for homesteading in the city.
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1. Start with a Plan when Homesteading in the City
Before diving into urban homesteading, take time to assess your goals and resources. Ask yourself:
- What do I want to achieve? (ex: grow vegetables, reduce waste, learn new skills)
- How much space do I have?
- What is my budget?
There are many avenues that you can pursue when homesteading, so when you are working with limited space it is important to prioritize our goals. Once you decide on your top 3 goals for your homestead as well as a budget, you can begin mapping out what your homestead will look like. You can also create a timeline for when you will accomplish your goals.
2. Maximize Your Space
Urban areas often come with limited space, but creative solutions can make even the smallest areas productive. Consider:
- Vertical Gardening: Use trellises, wall-mounted planters, or hanging baskets when working with limited space.
- Container Gardening: Grow herbs, vegetables, and even small fruit trees in pots
- Grow Micro Greens: You can grow nutrient-packed micro greens inside with a setup that takes up very little space.
One vertical gardening tool revered by countless homesteaders is the GreenStalk Garden. These planters have multiple tiers and just take up a little bit of space with their vertical design. The are perfect for gardeners who are living in a rental or who don’t have much space for a garden.
3. Grow Your Own Food when Homesteading in the City
Even a small urban garden can yield an impressive amount of fresh produce. Start with easy-to-grow plants like:
- Herbs: Basil, mint, parsley, and thyme thrive in small spaces.
- Salad Greens: Lettuce, spinach, and arugula grow quickly and don’t require much space.
- Root Vegetables: Carrots, radishes, and beets can be grown in deep containers.
Companion planting and crop rotation can help you make the most of your growing season and keep your soil healthy. You can also prioritize and grow your favorite plants to eat. Each year, I grow garlic, potatoes, and onions because I have had success with them and they store well.
4. Compost Your Food Scraps
Turn kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich compost for your garden. Even in the city, composting is possible with options like:
- Worm Bins: This compact method can be done in apartments.
- Small Outdoor Compost Bins: If you have a backyard, dedicate a corner to composting.
Composting reduces waste and enriches your soil, creating a sustainable cycle. Here is a step-by-step guide for how to build your own compost bin for little to no cost!
5. Keep Small Livestock when Homesteading in the City
Many cities allow residents to keep small livestock, such as chickens or rabbits. Check your local regulations before getting started. Benefits include:
- Chickens: Provide fresh eggs and natural pest control.
- Rabbits: Produce nutrient-rich manure for your garden and can be raised for meat in some cases.
- Bees: Urban beekeeping is increasingly popular and supports local pollination.
Even without livestock, you can create a pollinator-friendly garden to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. My family raises backyard chickens, ducks, and honeybees on our 2.5 acre homestead. We eventually hope to get some small livestock like goats or sheep. Even if you don’t have acreage, you can keep small poultry or rabbits on limited space.
6. Learn to Preserve Food
Homesteading often involves preserving the food you grow. Learning techniques like canning, fermenting, dehydrating, and freezing helps you enjoy your harvest year-round. Start with:
- Making jams and jellies from fresh fruit.
- Fermenting vegetables like cucumbers into pickles or cabbage into sauerkraut or kimchi.
- Dehydrating herbs for teas and seasonings.
Preserving food reduces waste and is a way to become more self-reliant. If you don’t have a garden yet, you can start homesteading by preserving food.
Dehydrating with a dehydrator like this is one of the simplest methods. You can vacuum seal and freeze food to help it last longer. Canning and fermenting require some more tools and time, but they are relatively simple once you get the hang of it!
7. Reduce and Reuse
Urban homesteading embraces the principle of minimizing waste. Look for ways to reuse items and reduce consumption:
- Repurpose Containers: Turn jars, cans, and old buckets into planters or storage.
- Upcycle Furniture: Use pallets or crates to build garden beds or shelving.
- Cloth Alternatives: Swap disposable items for reusable options like cloth napkins, shopping bags, and cleaning rags.
Every small change adds up to a more sustainable lifestyle. You can start by drilling holes in old food containers to start seeds. Ditch the paper towels for old towels or plastic bags for reusable ones. Whether you live in an apartment or on 100 acres, these small changes add up over time.
8. Harvest Rainwater when Homesteading in the City
Water is a precious resource, especially in urban areas. Install a rain barrel or collection system to harvest rainwater for your garden. Make sure to:
- Check local regulations on water collection.
- Use filters or screens to keep debris out.
- Store water in covered containers to prevent mosquito breeding.
Collecting rainwater not only helps lower your utility bills, it is a sustainable conservation method especially in times of drought. Here is a how-to guide for making your own rain barrels.
9. Build a Community when Homesteading in the City
Urban homesteading doesn’t have to be a solitary pursuit. Connect with like-minded individuals through:
- Community gardens.
- Local homesteading or gardening groups.
- Social media forums and workshops.
If you don’t have the space for a garden, perhaps you can trade home-canned goods or sewing skills for fresh produce from a friend. I often think community sufficiency is more of an attainable and meaningful goal than self-sufficiency.
10. Learn Basic DIY Skills
Learning to mend things yourself is not only more sustainable, it can also save you money. You can learn:
- How to sew or mend clothing.
- Basic carpentry for building raised beds or repairs.
- How to fix household appliances or tools.
I learned to sew after my first baby and enjoy making clothes for my family. Here are some of my beginner sewing tool recommendations to get you started!
Since moving to our homestead, my husband has acquired a range of tools and has taught himself how to make repairs on our home and vehicles. It has saved us thousands of dollars in the long run. There is so much you can learn from Youtube!
11. Support Local Food Systems
If you can’t grow everything you need, support local farmers and artisans. Visit farmers’ markets or shop at co-ops like Azure Standard. Buying local is a way to be more sustainable, support the local economy, and have fresher food.
There is also something so special about meeting the people who grow your food. Many local growers can tell you exactly how the plants or animals were cared for unlike if you buy the same ingredients from the grocery store.
12. Embrace a Mindset of Gratitude and Simplicity when Homesteading in the City
Urban homesteading is a mindset, a way of life. Embrace the philosophy of slowing down, living intentionally, and appreciating what you have instead of always wanting more. It is important to focus on your progress and not dwelling on everything you haven’t accomplished yet. Homesteading skills take time to acquire but are worth the effort!
Homesteading in the city may have some barriers, but it can become your reality with creativity, resourcefulness, and a willingness to learn. By growing your own food, reducing waste, building community, and embracing a simpler lifestyle, you can create a thriving homestead in the city.
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