Are you thinking about starting homesteading? Are you unsure where or how to get started? Well, the simple solution to your dilemma is simple…start homesteading where you are!
Homesteading isn’t about waiting to own land or a home in the country. It isn’t about waiting until you learn all the skills. It’s about doing what you can where you are. It is about trying to make a better and healthier life for you and your family. You can try checking on the Skills Page for some great new skills to learn.
This post will guide you step by step through the simple processes for starting homesteading. I will be your guide as you start your homesteading journey. With that said, let the journey begin…
Starting Where You Live
Many people are scared when homesteading because they think they must live on a rural property. That’s simply not true at all. Of course, having a large piece of property can be advantageous but it is not necessary. Homesteading can happen regardless of where you live.
Apartment Dwellers
Do you live in an apartment? You can start your homestead journey right in your apartment. No, you won’t grow acres of vegetables and raise cows obviously. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t other aspects of homesteading you can’t take part in.
Do you have a balcony or patio? Why not grow some vegetables and herbs in pots out there? You can buy produce on sale or at a local farmers market and use canning methods to preserve the harvest. Start baking your own bread. You can make your own cleaning products.
Look at some of the skills you can do while living in an apartment. These skills can be done regardless of where you live; an RV, apartment, home, etc… Click the links to learn these skills.
Simple homestead skills to practice:
- baking from scratch.
- canning/dehydrating and drying foods.
- DIY cleaners.
- make unpaper towels.
- prepare an emergency kit.
- make your own candles.
- make your own butter.
- grow vegetables in containers.
- start an indoor herb garden.
- Recycle.
Residential Neighborhood
Maybe you live in a residential neighborhood. This allows you to have some land to play with. Why not start a garden or grow some fruit trees in your backyard? Check with the local zoning department and see if you can have a few backyard chickens. Do you have a garage? Use the space for pursuing projects like building pallet furniture or as a work area to profit from a skill you have.
Living in a small yard allows you to do the previous set of skills with the addition of a few more as listed below.
Simple Skills To Practice
- Learn to use a clothesline to dry your clothes.
- Grow a small vegetable garden.
- Start growing herbs outside.
- Plant a few fruit trees.
- Have chickens? Collect and sell the eggs.
- Too many eggs? Start selling them.
- Learn to make your own spice blends.
- Learn to sew, knit, or crochet.
- Start a small compost pile.
- Collect rainwater.
- Raise Rabbits.
Living on Land Less Than 5 Acres
Maybe you have a lot somewhat bigger than a typical residential lot. More options have opened up for you now. Raise small livestock like goats, pigs, or sheep. You can grow much larger gardens. You may be able to add a greenhouse. Think about the ways you can get the most from your land, regardless of the size.
Living on a larger property when starting homesteading opens up opportunities to try new skills. Try some of the following skills and projects.
Skills and Projects for 1 to 5 Acres of Land
- Raise goats, sheep, or pigs for meat.
- Raise chickens for eggs and meat.
- Breed your livestock for additional income.
- Build a greenhouse.
- Grow wheat or another grain.
- Install a larger rainwater catchment system.
- Start an aquaponic system.
- Learn how to build fences.
- Start a 3-bin compost pile.
- Install solar panels.
5 Acres Plus
Maybe you already own or live on a large piece of property. The possibilities are endless for you. Spread out and use every bit of land you can benefit you and your family.
Skills you can learn may include:
- Raise a dairy cow.
- Raise horses or board them for others.
- Set up a food forest
- Build a barn.
- Install a cistern to preserve water.
- Design your own sprinkling system.
- Learn to operate a larger tractor or farm equipment.
- Set up a produce stand to sell your harvest.
- Set up self-sustaining projects for your home.
- Make an income from your land.
Final Thoughts…
As you can see, it doesn’t matter where you live or how much land you have to work with. The beauty of starting to homestead is that it can happen anywhere! Use the space you have to start on the minor skills. As you learn each new skill you will increase your experiences at homesteading. Don’t put it off anymore, just start where you are!
If you are curious about the costs of getting started at homesteading you may enjoy The Cost Of Setting Up A Homestead written by Our Simple Homestead.
“The greatest fine art of the future will be the making of a comfortable living from a small piece of land.”
Abraham Lincoln
Other Resources
Listed below are links to other related posts to help you get started, as well as more information to help you begin your journey into homesteading. Please feel free to email me at annie@roadtoreliance.com or simply go to my contact page and message me there.
Homesteading Websites
These are some of my favorite sites for homesteading. I have learned a lot from these sites and I know you will too. If you visit them, let them know I sent ya! Click each site name to be taken to that website.
Are you ready for starting your homestead journey? Do you have other suggestions? Are you still hesitant or have fears? Let me know in the comments!