How to homestead in a city? My life long dream is to have a farm or homestead of my own. However, I have grown up in a city all my life. This summer, I have decided to start working on ways I can prepare, even though I don’t live in a rural area. This article is dedicated to all the ways on how to homestead in a city or urban environment.
Activities:
Gardening
Gardening is the most common starter way to begin homesteading. You can plant pretty much anything you would want if you have a small backyard. If you are living in an apartment, you can still grow plants with raised beds and small potted plants scattered around your living space.
This summer a project of mine is to build raised beds out of troughs and attempt to grow microgreens. Microgreens are vegetable greens that are about 1-3 inches tall and in their earlier stages of growth. Herbs are another great source of nourishment. With herbs, you can make herbal teas, extract the oils for infusions, and be used for medicinal purposes. Lavender, chamomile, lemon balm, and peppermint are fun herbs to grow for such things.
Compost
Composting is something that can be done anywhere. Compost is using stuff like coffee grounds, vegetable peelings, and grass clippings to form organic fertilizer. Be careful to not include things like egg shells for they do not break down as easily as other materials.
Composting compliments gardening. It enriches the soil and helps the plant to grow. Many hardware stores now carry composting containers. It is an easy way to homestead while still living in the city.
Thrifting
Shopping at local antique and thrift stores is another good practice. It encourages frugality as well. By doing so, you will in turn, save more money than you would by buying at large department stores.
Personally, my room is adorned with several thrift store hauls. Smaller mom and pop stores are where its at. The larger thrift stores like Goodwill aren’t always best. Flea markets are another great way to find good deals. You never know what may be hiding around the corner.
Finally, discount stores like Ross and TJ Maxx are great places to find new items at a discounted price. Businesses can only sell so much of a product before they are at a loss. Thus, companies such as these greatly benefit from buying other businesses extra products.
Water Filtration
Filtering water is an activity you can do no matter where you live. Approximately, 75% of all of the United States water contains fluoride. Fluoride is bad for the pineal gland and thyroid. If you live in on the east coast, then you live in the “gravel belt” known for the minerals in its water to cause the highest per capita of kidney stones.
For example, the Berkey Water Filter system is something my family uses currently, even though we live in the city.
This skill will be very important if you choose to homestead off-grid. You may have to have well water or some other sort of method to collect water and something like a Berkey will be useful. It’s a system that you have to make sure is always full, for fear of the filters drying out. In doing so, you being making a big step into self-sufficiency.
Stock Supplies
A simple activity you can do anywhere is stock up on supplies. Previously, we’ve talked about thrifting and shopping at discount stores, but this takes things a step further. A lot of homesteaders are, by default, preppers. You don’t have to go all end of the world like, but having a good inventory of basic supplies is always smart.
Supplies like: toilet paper, canned goods, batteries, matches, water purifying tablets, MREs, candles and energy bars are a good way to start.
Conclusion
There are several ways to start homesteading wherever you are, these are just a few ways to get started. Leave a comment below of what other ways you think should be on this list!