If you had told me five years ago that Id be growing my own vegetables raising chickens and making compost right in the middle of the city i would ve probably laughed but today at 35 years old Im living that exact life and it all started with a tiny backyard and a big dream in this post i want to share my personal journey into urban homesteading especially how i turned a small outdoor space into a productive and sustainable garden ill also include practical tips that i wish i knew when i started
Why I Chose Urban Homesteading
Living in the US ve always been surrounded by convenience grocery stores on every corner fast food everywhere and very little connection to how food is actually grown. But something changed after I read a few articles about the problems in the food system and how much waste the average household produces. Thats when I discovered the concept of urban homesteading.
Urban homesteading isnt just about gardening it s a mindset. Its about becoming more selfreliant reducing your footprint and reconnecting with natural cycles even if you live in a densely populated neighborhood.
Starting Small My First Steps
My backyard is about 400 square feet not much honestly But I knew I had to start somewhere I began with container gardening I planted tomatoes, herbs like basil and mint, and a couple of pepper plants I didnt know what I was doing and most of that first crop died but the process was exciting
I watched YouTube videos read tons of blogs and started following people on Instagram who were also doing urban homesteading That helped a lot seeing real people make it work gave me confidence that I could do it too.
The Soil Problem (And How I Fixed It)
One of the first real challenges I ran into was soil The soil in my yard was hard dry and lifeless I learned that healthy soil is everything when it comes to gardening So I built two small raised beds 4×4 ft each and filled them with a mix of compost coconut coir and organic garden soil.
I also started composting At first I used a cheap plastic compost bin I bought online I threw in veggie scraps eggshells and dried leaves from my neighbors tree Over time I was amazed at how food waste turned into black rich compost that helped my garden thrive.
Expanding The Garden
As I gained more confidence i added more raised beds i now grow seasonal vegetables like lettuce kale, radishes and even carrots also added a vertical trellis system against the fence for beans and cucumbers vertical gardening is perfect for small spaces and it makes harvesting super easy
Eventually added a rain barrel to collect water from the roof not only does it save money but it also helps during summer when water restrictions hit its small steps like this that made me realize how urban homesteading is totally possible even in the city
Raising Chickens In The City
This was probably the boldest move i made I decided to get chickens just three hens enough for fresh eggs every few days checked my citys regulations (super important) and found out i could keep hens as long as they werent too loud and the coop was cleaned regularly
Building a small chicken coop was surprisingly fun used repurposed wood and chicken wire the hens Betty rosie and clara became part of the family they eat food scraps provide fertilizer and of course lay delicious eggs chickens do require daily care but theyre easier than i expected and you can get know from my post about how i added chickens to my small urban backyard
Mistakes I Made So You Dont Have To
Let me be real Because i made a lot of mistakes here are a few things learned the hard way:
- Overwatering is worse than underwatering i killed two basil plants that way
- Dont use cheap soil i nvest in good soil its worth every penny
- Sunlight matters more than you think i planted lettuce in the shade and it never grew
- Start small dont try to grow everything at once focus on 3 or 4 crops that you eat often
The Benefits Of Urban Homesteading
Besides the obvious stuff like fresh produce and saving money on groceries urban homesteading changed how i see the world i now appreciate every tomato every egg and every salad because i know the work behind it its also made me feel more prepared if grocery stores shut down tomorrow i know that i can still feed myself
It also helped me reduce food waste between composting reusing scraps like turning carrot tops into pesto and cooking more intentionally my trash can barely fills up each week.
Tips For Beginners
If youre reading this and thinking about starting your own urban homestead here are a few tips from someone who was clueless just a few years ago
- Dont wait for perfect conditions use what you have
- Start with herbs or lettuce theyre easy and grow fast
- Join local gardening groups online or in person the support is amazing
- Compost your kitchen scraps even a bucket under the sink is a good start
- Celebrate small wins your first tomato is a big deal
Final Thoughts
Urban homesteading has become more than a hobby its a lifestyle thats helped me slow down live more intentionally and reconnect with nature if i can do it with zero experience and a tiny yard so can you
Whether youre dreaming of chickens or just want to grow some basil on your balcony start where you are trust me its worth it