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Do you live in a city or suburb because of schools or jobs and want a piece of the homestead life? There are lots of small steps you can take to live a more self-sufficient life even if you don’t have lots of land. In meantime, join Helping Homestead for free and earn some side cash while farm sitting over the weekend!

Gardening

I have been surprised with how much we can grow with a relatively small part of our yard devoted to our garden. Check out our blog post Gardening: What you Need to Know to Get Started to learn more about starting a in the ground or raised bed garden.

Vertical Gardens

Are you working with a very small yard, or maybe even just a patio or balcony? You can still have a garden! There are amazing options for “vertical gardens” that can go on your wall or even a rail.

Check out these options on amazon:

• Stackable Planters
  • These planters can be an excellent way to make good use out of a small space on a balcony or patio. You may need to rotate them frequently to get all the plants in the sun, but they drain well and can be great for herbs or even strawberries.
• Wall Planters
  • What better way to save on outdoor space than to grow things right on the wall? These wall planters are adorable and allow you to place plants however you'd like. Keep in mind which direction your wall faces and how much sun each plant you choose prefers

Window Gardens

If you are working with no outdoor space at all but have a window that gets good light, you can grow many of your favorite herbs in a window garden. We have this adorable greenhouse (pictured above) that is a succulent house now, but when we lived in an apartment I kept parsley, basil, rosemary, and other herbs in it. There are even options for kitchen gardens that have grow lights!

This option on amazon is on the pricey side, however if you have no access to good light it will get the job done! Just keep in mind with your budget that the $55 is before you buy plants!

• Another more affordable option is this cute, small window herb kit.
  • This option will get the job done as long as you have good light! The drain tray is an added plus to avoid any mess on your counter or window sill.
• The greenhouse we have isn’t made anymore, but here is Ikea’s latest version! At only $22.99 you can add a really cute feature to your indoor plants.

Renting a Community Garden Plot

Do you need some more space that you just wont be able to get where you live? Consider renting a plot at a community garden. I’ve seen these plots absolutely bursting at the borderlines. They tend to be strategically located in a very sunny area, so any produce or flower that loves sun will do great if you can get there often enough to take care of it. 

Making your own Bread

I decided a couple years ago that once my kids were a bit older and I had more time that I would learn how to make bread and make all the bread for our family from scratch. I told this to my mom and then for Christmas she bought me a compact bread maker! I don’t think I’ve had as much fun with a Christmas present since I was a little kid. I do hope to learn all the ropes of kneading, proofing, scoring and even sourdough - but for now I can put in all the ingredients, press a couple buttons, and done! With a busy schedule and little kids at my feet, it is the perfect thing for our family right now. My toddler even loves to help pour in the ingredients. This is a small step that makes me feel great since we haven’t bought bread in over a year and I know my family is eating a healthier, preservative-free option. 

• The link to the exact compact bread maker that I have can be found here. It has about the same footprint as a toaster, but stands a little taller. It works great with our limited counter and storage space.

Are you ready to dive all the way in? Go for it! Check out my inspiration board on Pinterest for homemade bread and how to make and care for a sourdough starter. 

Shop Locally for Produce at Farmer's Markets

Whether you grow your own produce or not, a farmer’s market is a good way to get fresh and local produce you need! They are of course more popular in the warmer months, but some cities have less frequent winter farmer’s markets as well. Check the local business association website in your town and see what they have to offer!

Raising Chickens

Have you always wanted fresh eggs straight from your own backyard? You might be able to make that a reality! Check out our blog post: Are Backyard Chickens for me? Pros and Cons and Local Laws to learn more about the laws and logistics of raising chickens in a non-rural area.

These are all small steps that you can do in any type of housing situation. If you are itching to get out to a bigger, more diverse farm or hobby farm, join Helping Homestead for free and provide sitting services for a Homesteader! Experience is always great, but many homesteaders are willing to show you the ropes so you can help them out with their gardens and animals while they are away. Click here to join for free today!

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