Hello and welcome back to the Gubba podcast, I’m Gubba, a first time homesteader following in the footsteps of my homesteading forebears.
In this podcast, I talk about homesteading, prepping, and everything in between. Today, I want to talk about urban homesteading. I am often asked how you can start homesteading if you don’t have land or if you live in the city.
I kindly reminder people who ask me that that land is not required for homesteading. You can homestead from anywhere and homesteading is more of a mindset than it is having land or animals.
Homesteading is often associated with living on large tracts of rural land, where the opportunities to grow food, raise animals, and live off the land seem endless. However, again, the notion that you must live in a rural area to be a homesteader is a myth.
Throw that out of your mind, and don’t let it hold you back. Homesteading is a mindset. It’s about self-sufficiency, reducing your reliance on external systems, learning practical skills, and although you are learning to be self-sufficient, you are learning to cooperate and build your surrounding community as well. The good news is, you can homestead anywhere, even in the city. I stand by this.
Can you homestead in the city?
Whether you’re in a small apartment or a townhouse, there are ways to embrace homesteading in an urban environment. The beauty of homesteading in the city is knowing that you don’t have to leave a space you love to live the life you want. So in today’s episode, we’ll dive into the logistics of how you can homestead in the city, with a focus on key areas such as growing food, raising animals, making your own products, and implementing other homesteading systems into your lifestyle.
I have a homesteading guide that can help get you started wherever you are at. I will put it in the show notes for you.
Growing Food in Small Spaces
How do you grow a garden in a small space?
One of the most rewarding aspects of homesteading is growing your own food. Truly, walking out to your garden and grabbing some berries or a tomato is an incredibly fulfilling feeling. But how do you grow food in the city, where space is often limited?
Well, the answer is by maximizing every inch of space you have available. Even small spaces such as balconies, windowsills, front door steps, and even countertops can be turned into mini gardens. I remember when I lived in a multiple unit living area, the guys below me had tons of grow bags that filled their front porch, and because none of the other tenants cared, they just dispersed grow bags around the outside of the building.
I thought that as neat. If you’re living in a tiny apartment, you can grow herbs, leafy greens, and even vegetables in containers, hanging baskets, or wall-mounted planters. Vertical planters are incredible space utilizers when it comes to gardening and using every inch of space you have.
What can you grow in container gardens?
So container gardening is an ideal solution for urban homesteading. Plants like basil, parsley, spinach, and lettuce do well in small pots, and these types of crops grow quickly. Tomatoes, peppers, and beans are also great choices for container gardens. These plants tend to be more compact and thrive in small spaces and will give you a good yield.
What is vertical gardening?
Vertical gardening takes container gardening a step further, allowing you to use vertical space to grow crops. You can install trellises for climbing plants such as cucumbers, peas, or beans. There are also vertical planters that allow you to stack pots to maximize space. If you have access to a wall or fence, installing a garden tower or other vertical system can increase your yield without taking up much ground area. In fact, even in apartments, you can grow herbs and small crops on a windowsill that gets sufficient sunlight. You could do a whole vertical garden of strawberries because they will vine and transplant into the other pots. And I love strawberries that’s why I mention them.
If you’re lucky enough to have a community garden in your area, this can be a fantastic opportunity to grow your own food in a larger, dedicated space. Many cities have community gardens where you can rent a plot and plant vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Community gardens are a great way to share knowledge, network with like-minded people, and grow a larger variety of crops than you might be able to grow on your own.
Preserving Your Harvest
How do you preserve your garden produce?
Once you start growing food, you’ll quickly realize that preserving it is just as important as growing it. Fresh produce is wonderful, but preserving it for later use ensures that you have a year-round food supply. You don’t’ want your hard work to go to waste. There are various methods you can use to preserve food, and they can all be done in a small apartment or urban setting.
What is canning?
Canning is a great option for urban homesteaders. This technique allows you to preserve fruits, vegetables, meats, and even stocks. While canning requires some equipment—jars, lids, a canner, and sometimes a pressure cooker—it’s still feasible to do in an urban environment. Search the thrift stores for supplies. Usually the secondhand stores are filled with canning supplies and sometimes you can even find canners for a steal.
The beauty of canning is that it’s a long-lasting form of preservation, and once you’ve mastered the basics, you can store your preserves for months or even years. You can can a wide range of foods, such as jams, sauces, pickles, and even meats, providing a nutritious and cost-effective alternative to store-bought items.
What is fermentation?
If you don’t have a lot of storage space or prefer simpler preservation techniques, fermentation is an excellent choice. Fermenting vegetables and fruits is an age-old technique that not only preserves food but also enhances its nutritional value. You can make fermented pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi, and even fermented beverages like kombucha and kefir.
Kefir is one of my favorite fermented foods because it is fermented milk, so it is like a yogurt but full of more beneficial bacteria and gut-building goodness. For fermentation in general, all you need is a clean jar, salt, water, and the right conditions, it doesn’t have to be difficult. Many urban homesteaders enjoy the benefits of fermentation because it’s a simple and effective way to preserve food, while also supporting gut health and creating a sustainable lifestyle.
For a more immediate preservation option, freezing your food is another great method, especially if you have a freezer. Freezing fresh produce, meats, or prepared meals allows you to stockpile food for later use. You can freeze just about anything, from vegetables to soups and casseroles, ensuring that you always have homemade food on hand. Properly sealing your frozen food with vacuum-sealed bags will also help reduce freezer burn and extend the shelf life. Just keep in mind that if the power goes out, you need to have a plan so the food in your freezer doesn’t spoil. I would suggest canning food from your freezer or freeze-drying it and having a rotating plan for that.
Raising Animals in the City
Can you raise livestock in the city?
Now, let’s talk about one of the most exciting aspects of urban homesteading: raising animals in the city. While it may seem impossible, there are several types of animals that you can raise in even the smallest of urban environments. Raising animals in the city is all about being strategic, focusing on small, low-maintenance animals that provide a lot of benefits with minimal space.
What do you need to raise chickens?
One of the most popular urban homesteading animals is the chicken. Many cities allow residents to keep small flocks of hens (usually 2-6 birds), provided they follow local regulations. Chickens are excellent for beginners because they’re low-maintenance and easy to care for. They require a secure coop for protection, food, water, and a place to roost, but that’s about it. Hens will provide you with fresh eggs daily, and in urban environments, they can thrive in small backyard spaces or even rooftops, depending on your local regulations. You could even consider quail which are smaller than chickens and provide eggs as well.
Can you raise chickens in a small area?
If you have a small backyard, you can easily fit a chicken coop, which can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. Many people build their own coops, ensuring that the chickens are safe from predators and have space to move around comfortably. In an apartment setting, if you’re allowed to keep chickens, you can even set up a small coop or run on a balcony, patio, or terrace, though you will need to ensure that your chickens have access to sunlight and protection from the elements.
I would just keep two chickens in this scenario, so they can keep each other company and 1-2 eggs a day is plenty. You will need to consider winter cover for if you live in an area where it gets cold. You will have to refresh water daily, and keep them safe from the elements.
Honestly, if you had a small coop, just wrapping with tarping would work. People think chickens need heat lamps, but if they have heat lamps, they never acclimate to the cold.
Another animal you can raise in the city is bees. Yes, beekeeping is growing in popularity in urban settings, especially in cities that have a lot of rooftops or community gardens. Urban environments are excellent for beekeeping because there’s often an abundance of flowers, fruit trees, and gardens that bees can pollinate. If you’re interested in beekeeping, you can start by taking an introductory beekeeping class to learn the basics of caring for a hive.
Beekeeping is totally possible in a small space.
Beekeeping requires a bit of investment upfront for hives, equipment, and protective gear, but it’s an incredibly rewarding practice. You can harvest honey, beeswax, bee pollen, and even propolis. Beyond the practical benefits, beekeeping also supports biodiversity by helping to pollinate the plants around you. If you have a balcony or rooftop or front doorstep, this can be the perfect spot to place a beehive, ensuring you have a steady supply of honey and a sustainable hobby.
Can you keep rabbits in a small space?
Finally, if you’re interested in raising livestock for meat or manure, rabbits are a fantastic option for urban homesteaders. Rabbits require minimal space and are quiet, making them well-suited for city life. You won’t have neighbors complaining, just ensure you clean their runs, so they don’t stink. Same with chicken runs as well. You can keep them in small cages or pens, which don’t take up much room. The best part about rabbits is that they reproduce quickly and produce a lot of meat in relation to their size. They also provide high-quality manure that’s perfect for fertilizing your garden.
Rabbits are relatively low-maintenance animals. They need food (a diet of hay and pellets), fresh water, and a clean living space. A small backyard, balcony, or even a garage can house a few rabbits comfortably. Many urban homesteaders choose to raise rabbits for their meat, but they’re also great for their waste, which can be composted and used to nourish your garden. They eat grass as well, so if you have a yard they can help on your journey to self-sufficiency.
Mending Clothes
Another key skill of any homesteader is the ability to mend and repair clothing. When you’re living a more self-sufficient life, you learn to take care of your possessions rather than throwing them away. This is not only practical but also a great way to save money. Mending clothes can be done with just a few basic tools: a needle, thread, fabric patches, and scissors. Learning how to patch torn clothing, sew on buttons, and even hem pants can save you a lot of money in the long run. I think consumer mentality of buy, buy, buy and throw anything away that has wear can be a bit silly. Obviously some items will run through their life, but we have become so accustom of just buying new things every season for every style.
Rather than throwing away items that have small issues, you can mend them, breathe new life into your clothes, and avoid contributing to the wastefulness of fast fashion. By mending clothes, you’re also developing a deeper connection with your belongings. It’s a skill that will serve you well, especially if you’re looking to become more resourceful and independent.
Synthetic vs. natural fibers
I sew occasionally, but I do basic mends to my clothing when there are holes or buttons missing. I’m currently in the process of replacing my clothing with natural fibers. So not purchasing anything that is synthetic like polyester or nylon anymore but instead opting for 100% cotton, wool, or linen. When you go down the rabbit hole, you discover what you wear affects your hormones, like everything else. Natural fibers are beneficial for us though. This is something everyone can do.
Composting in the Kitchen
Another thing you can do in an urban setting is composting. It is an excellent way to reduce waste, recycle organic material, and enrich the soil for your plants. In an urban setting, you might not have a large compost heap in the backyard, but that doesn’t mean you can’t compost. Kitchen composting is an easy way to recycle food scraps and turn them into nutrient-rich soil for your plants. One of the simplest ways to compost in a small space is by using a worm bin or bokashi bucket.
How do worm composting bins work?
Worm bins are small containers that house composting worms, such as red wigglers. These worms break down food scraps quickly, turning them into rich, dark compost that can be used to fertilize your garden. Bokashi composting, on the other hand, is a fermentation-based process that doesn’t require worms. Instead, food scraps are placed in an airtight container with a special bokashi bran. The process is fast and odor-free, making it ideal for apartment dwellers.
Both methods allow you to compost in a small space, such as under the sink, in a closet, or on a balcony. The resulting compost can be used to enrich the soil of your plants, creating a sustainable cycle where nothing goes to waste.
Conclusion
Urban homesteading is not only possible but it is incredibly rewarding. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can embrace a more self-sufficient lifestyle, no matter where you live. Don’t forget that engaging with your community is another form of homesteading so attending those farmer’s markets or joining homesteading groups with other individuals seeking the same kind of hobbies and lifestyle as you. You will grow and learn together.
From growing your own food in small spaces to raising animals and practicing sustainable habits like composting, urban homesteading offers a way to reconnect with your environment and community and live a fulfilling, independent life.
It’s all about taking control of your resources and finding solutions that work for your space, your schedule, and your values. You may not think you have time to do this, but you do. Whether you’re growing herbs on a windowsill or harvesting honey from your rooftop, homesteading in the city can be as rewarding as it is empowering. So, start small, and see how much you can grow—both in your space and in your skills.
