How to Homestead Wherever You Are: A 12-Step Guide
First, let’s talk about what homesteading is. Homesteading is more of a mindset than anything else. It’s about embracing self-sufficiency, sustainability, and resourcefulness in your everyday life. Whether you live in a city apartment or a rural farm, it’s all about making the most of what you have, growing some of your own food, and finding creative ways to do things yourself. It’s a way of thinking that focuses on living simply and being more connected to the world around you.
One: Define Your Goals
First, it’s essential to determine your goals for homesteading. Why do you want to homestead? Are you aiming for complete self-sufficiency, or do you simply want to reduce your reliance on the grocery store? Perhaps, you want to focus on raising animals. Deciding on your ultimate goal will help you prioritize your time, energy, and resources effectively.
Make a list of the skills and projects you’d like to tackle and start working through them, one at a time. If you learn one new thing each month, you’ll have mastered 12 new skills in a year. If you take on one new task each week, that’s 52 new skills in a year. Remember, you don’t need to do everything all at once. The key is to start with one thing and build from there. How do you eat the homesteading elephant? One bite at a time.
Two: Start with What You Have
Start right where you are, with whatever resources you have! Don’t hold off until you can acquire acres of land or raise livestock. The crucial step is to simply begin. Take a close look at your current living situation and explore what you can do. Can you cultivate plants on your apartment balcony? Can you carve out a garden patch in your front yard? How about supporting a local CSA and mastering the art of canning their produce? Or perhaps diving into the world of sourdough baking right in your own kitchen? The key is to take that first step without waiting for the perfect living situation to materialize.
Three: Start Small
Deciding to start homesteading can be overwhelming. All of a sudden you feel like you should know how to salt cure meat, how to milk a cow, how to grow 50 different things in the garden, how to pressure can meat, etc. There’s so much to learn and so many different directions you can go, but it’s just best to start small and with something you’re excited about.
Revisit your initial goals to help guide your first steps. If you aim to lessen reliance on the grocery store, begin by mastering homemade pantry staples. For example, if your family loves tacos, start by learning to craft your own taco seasoning mix. Instead of trying to tackle every aspect of homesteading at once, concentrate on a few key areas that align with your ultimate goal. By taking manageable steps and building your skills gradually, you’ll set yourself up for success on your homesteading journey.
Four: Grow Your Own Food
Learning to grow your food doesn’t have to mean a humungous garden where you try to grow 100% of your family’s food. Start small and focus on growing the foods your family loves or those that taste infinitely better when homegrown, like sun-warmed tomatoes. There’s no need to force yourself to grow broccoli if it’s not a favorite at your dinner table. By growing what everyone enjoys, everyone can get excited and you can avoid feeling like your efforts were wasted.
Begin with simple-to-grow herbs on your windowsill or opt for vegetables that thrive in containers. If space is limited, explore vertical gardening techniques to maximize your growing area. Even growing just a few things can be incredibly satisfying.
Five: Start Composting
Starting to compost your waste is a simple yet impactful step towards reducing food waste and nourishing your garden. Begin by placing a small compost container on your kitchen counter and tossing your food scraps inside. Once full, transfer the contents to your compost pile or bin outside.
Creating a compost bin doesn’t have to break the bank. You can fashion a free compost bin using pallet wood, repurpose an old barrel, or even score one on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
Composting not only diverts organic waste from landfills but also produces nutrient-rich compost that helps your plants grow bigger, stronger, and healthier. By embracing composting, you’re not only minimizing waste but also actively contributing to the health of your own garden.
SIX: Preserve Your Harvest
Preserving your harvest is a skill that can be learned gradually. You don’t have to master all the methods at once; instead, take it one step at a time.
Start by freezing vegetables, which is one of the easiest and most versatile preservation methods. Learn how to properly prepare and freeze your favorite vegetables, and experiment with different freezing techniques. It’s not enough to just freeze them. You also will need to know how to properly thaw and cook them.
Once you’re comfortable with freezing, you can move on to drying herbs. Hang them to dry or use your oven on a low setting to remove moisture and preserve their flavor.
Finally, when you’re ready to tackle canning, start with small batches of fruits or pickles. Invest in some canning equipment and follow tested recipes to safely preserve your harvest in jars.
Feel free to approach food preservation one small step at a time, rather than feeling overwhelmed by the need to master every food and method all at once.
Seven: Practice DIY Skills
Start honing your DIY skills by delving into activities like sewing, knitting, or home repair. Instead of tossing out items with minor flaws, such as jeans with a hole, challenge yourself to mend them rather than splurge on replacements.
For the upcoming holiday season, consider giving homemade gifts. Try making homemade vanilla extracts, artisanal soaps, or jars of jams and jellies – and surprise your loved ones with thoughtful handmade gifts. Additionally, try your hand at concocting your own cleaning products and personal care items. From handmade soaps to versatile all-purpose cleaners, the possibilities are endless.
You can also try to fix things yourself rather than calling in a professional. Learning how to troubleshoot and repair household items on your own boosts self-sufficiency and empowers you with valuable know-how. The next time your garbage disposal acts up, why not consult a YouTube tutorial and tackle the issue yourself? With a little practice, you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish!
eight: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Embrace a sustainable mindset by cutting down on waste and repurposing items whenever possible. Transform old t-shirts into practical bags or repurpose pallet wood to craft functional pieces like garden trellises. In a culture that often prioritizes convenience and quick fixes, homesteading offers a different perspective—one that values mindfulness and resourcefulness. It’s about making do with what you have, whether it’s giving new life to used items or finding creative solutions to everyday challenges. By adopting this approach, you not only reduce your environmental impact but also cultivate a deeper connection to your possessions and the world around you. It helps you to slow down as well.
nine: Raise Small Livestock
If you have the space, consider raising small, manageable animals like chickens or rabbits on your homestead. Many cities and towns now permit backyard chickens. When we lived in the city we were allowed to have four chickens as long as the coop was situated far enough away from fences. We also had to check with our neighbors to make sure they were okay with us keeping chickens.
Backyard chickens provide a sustainable source of fresh eggs and can bring joy to your daily routine.
Rabbits are another excellent starter option for homesteaders, requiring relatively low-maintenance care compared to larger livestock. They just need a clean, dry shelter, regular access to fresh water, and a balanced diet of hay, pellets, and vegetables. What’s more, rabbits don’t demand much space and can thrive in small enclosures or hutches, making them suitable for both urban and rural homesteads.
ten: Connect with Your Community
Get involved with local gardening clubs, homesteading groups, or online communities to connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion. These forums offer valuable opportunities to exchange knowledge, swap goods, and support each other’s endeavors. Whether you’re seeking gardening tips, advice on raising animals, or simply a sense of community, these groups provide a welcoming space to learn, grow, and thrive together. Joining forces with fellow homesteaders fosters a sense of camaraderie and enables you to pool resources, share successes and challenges, and ultimately cultivate a stronger, more resilient homesteading community.
Eleven: Utilize Local Resources
Make use of community gardens and attend public workshops to enhance your homesteading skills. Community gardens provide accessible green spaces where you can cultivate your own crops, exchange gardening tips, and build relationships with fellow gardeners or homesteaders.
Workshops offer hands-on learning opportunities, covering topics ranging from composting and organic gardening to food preservation and animal husbandry. By participating in these communal activities, you’ll expand your knowledge base, forge new friendships, and start building a community that you can rely on.
Twelve: Keep Learning
Commit to ongoing education by exploring resources such as books, online videos, and hands-on experiences to deepen your understanding of homesteading practices. Whether you’re delving into topics like permaculture, herbalism, or sustainable building techniques, there’s always something new to learn and discover. However, when you are learning try to do it from a place of curiosity and wonder and not a place of “I have to learn to do all of these things, or else I am not a real homesteader.” Putting that stress on yourself will only take the fun out of learning and won’t help you learn things any faster.
conclusion:
In a nutshell, homesteading is all about flexibility—it’s a lifestyle that can be tailored to suit any living situation. Whether you’re in the heart of the city or out in the countryside, you can start small and slowly integrate the above steps to build a self-sufficient and sustainable homestead. Remember, homesteading isn’t just about growing veggies or raising chickens—it’s a whole lifestyle. From setting goals and learning new skills to connecting with your community, there’s always something to do, wherever you are. So, whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been at it for a while, remember to take it one step at a time and enjoy the journey.
Lauren
Follow Along
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