How to Start Homesteading in the Suburbs (Even with a Small Backyard)
Are you dreaming of living a more self-sufficient life but think you need acres of land to start? The good news is that suburban homesteading is possible—even if you only have a small backyard. We’ll show you how to maximize limited space and take the first steps toward a homesteading lifestyle, no matter where you live.
What is Suburban Homesteading?
Suburban homesteading is all about adopting sustainable practices like gardening, raising small animals, and preserving food, even when you live in a neighborhood. The goal is to produce more of your own food, reduce your reliance on store-bought goods, and live a simpler, more intentional life—without needing a sprawling farm.
Why Start Homesteading in the Suburbs?
Homesteading isn’t reserved for rural areas. With the right mindset and tools, you can start your journey toward self-sufficiency right in your backyard. Suburban homesteading offers several benefits:
Healthier food: Grow your own organic vegetables and fruits, or purchase from a local farmers market.
Cost savings: Reduce grocery bills by producing some of your food.
Sustainability: Cut down on waste and reduce your carbon footprint.
Sense of accomplishment: Enjoy the rewarding feeling of growing, preserving, and preparing your food.
Getting Started: Make the Most of a Small Space
If you’re concerned about space, don’t worry—homesteading on a small suburban plot is entirely doable. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
1. Plan Your Garden Wisely
Start by growing vegetables, fruits, or herbs in raised beds or containers. These space-saving gardening methods allow you to produce a lot of food in a small area. Raised beds provide better soil drainage and make it easier to control the growing environment. Consider vertical gardening options, such as trellises for vining plants (like cucumbers or tomatoes) or stackable planters for herbs.
Pro Tip: Opt for plants that thrive in smaller spaces, like salad greens, peppers, or strawberries. You can also plant in succession to maximize your harvest throughout the growing season.
2. Consider Small Livestock
Believe it or not, you can raise small animals like chickens, rabbits, or bees, even in a suburban backyard. Many municipalities allow for a small number of chickens, and they’re excellent for producing fresh eggs. Rabbits can be raised for meat, and bees are wonderful for honey and pollination.
Check local ordinances to ensure you’re in compliance with zoning laws before bringing in any animals.
3. Composting for a Healthier Garden
Composting is essential for reducing waste and creating rich, nutrient-dense soil for your garden. Even with limited space, you can set up a small compost bin in a corner of your yard. Composting food scraps and garden waste not only helps your plants thrive but also cuts down on household waste.
4. Use Your Home’s Microclimate
Even within a small suburban yard, there are likely spots that are warmer, shadier, or more protected from wind. Take advantage of these microclimates to grow a wider variety of plants. For example, plant heat-loving crops like tomatoes near a sunny wall, while placing herbs that prefer cooler conditions in shaded areas.
Small Backyard Homesteading: A Year-Round Guide
Homesteading isn’t just a summer activity. You can continue to grow and preserve food throughout the year, even with limited space. Here’s how:
Spring and Summer: Focus on planting vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Raised beds and containers are your best bet for maximizing yields. Use vertical space for climbing plants like peas and beans.
Fall: Plant cool-weather crops, including kale, broccoli, carrots and beets. Preserve the fruits of your summer labor through canning, freezing, and drying.
Winter: Indoors, grow herbs or start microgreens. You can also start seeds indoors to be ready for early planting in the spring.
Suburban Homesteading Resources
To succeed in suburban homesteading, you’ll need the right tools and equipment. Here are some must-haves for your small-space homestead:
Raised garden beds: Perfect for optimizing limited space and creating a more organized garden.
Vertical planters: Grow herbs, flowers, or small vegetables upward instead of outward.
Compost bins: Compact composting systems for turning food scraps into nutrient-rich soil.
Rain barrels: Collect rainwater to use in your garden and conserve water.
Start Your Homesteading Journey Today
You don’t need a sprawling farm to start living a more sustainable, self-sufficient life. With a little creativity, you can transform even a small suburban backyard into a productive homestead. Start small, and as your confidence and skills grow, so will your homestead.