Creating Abundance and Sustainability in Your Small Backyard Homestead
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We're so excited to share our story with you because it's exactly what you might be experiencing too! Picture this: our own little "homestead on a side yard" that's just around 600 square feet. We started small with a tiny outdoor garden, but even before that, we began growing herbs and experimenting indoors. You won't believe it, but we've seen folks start their gardens right on apartment balconies! So, trust us when we say that where there's a will, there's a way.
Now, we know what you might be thinking. "I don't have a lot of space, so I can't have a homestead." But we're here to challenge that belief and prove you wrong. Even if you have a small backyard, you'd be amazed at how much creativity and homesteading potential you can unleash. That's right, your limited space can transform into a thriving haven of self-sufficiency. And we're here to guide you every step of the way.
So, if you're ready to embark on a journey of transforming your patch of land into a haven of abundance, stick with us. We'll be sharing some incredible tips and ideas on how to maximize the potential of your limited space. Prepare to be amazed as we dive into the world of homesteading, where dreams of self-sustainability come true. Let's get started, shall we?
6 Tips to Crafting your Backyard Homestead
1. Assessing Your Space
When embarking on your homesteading journey, one of the first steps is to assess your backyard and determine the optimal space for your homestead haven. Our own adventure began with careful consideration of our yard, taking into account factors such as the presence of dogs and a playful child, as well as the desire to start small without sacrificing our entire backyard.
We evaluated the best location for our garden beds, compost buckets, and future chicken or quail coop, ensuring they were strategically placed to accommodate our family's needs. One valuable lesson we learned was to check the location of our spigot for the hose. In retrospect, we regret not paying closer attention, as now we find ourselves unravelling and raveling a 100-foot hose daily, which can be quite a chore. Note to self: Opt for a hose length that suits your needs and be mindful of your furry friends' tendencies to chew.
Before diving headfirst into the world of homesteading, it's crucial to assess your space thoroughly. Consider the shape, size, soil condition, and sun exposure of your backyard. These factors will play a significant role in determining which homesteading activities are feasible and successful in your specific environment. By understanding the unique needs of your space, you'll be equipped to make informed decisions when it comes to planning, designing, and developing your very own homestead haven.
2. Creating Your Masterplan: Maximizing Space and Efficiency
Now that you've assessed your backyard it's time to roll up your sleeves and start planning and designing your layout. Trust me, this is where the magic happens!
First things first, let's talk about garden beds. Take some time to envision what you want to grow and explore the wonders of companion planting. By planting in groups and utilizing companion plants, you'll be amazed at how much you can fit into each garden bed. Forget about traditional rows—let's embrace the abundance of planting vertically and in clusters. Consider incorporating a beautiful arched trellis between two raised beds for climbing plants like cucumbers. And don't be afraid to get creative with your space! I'm personally planning to grow luffa, cucumbers, green beans, tomatoes, and if space allows, some melons and squash all on arched trellis's next year.
Now, let's talk poultry (if you are allowed to have poultry). If you're considering backyard companions like chickens, quail, guinea fowl, or ducks, it's essential to plan their space and coop strategically. Think about the size of their coop, the area where they'll roam, and whether you want them to free-range or have their dedicated space. We wouldn't want those curious little beaks getting into our precious garden beds, would we? Take their proximity into account and plan accordingly to protect your leafy greens and tender sprouts.
When it comes to planning and designing your homestead, think big picture. Set clear goals for yourself—do you envision a flourishing vegetable garden, a lively livestock area, or perhaps a harmonious blend of both? Take into consideration the unique aspects of your space, local weather patterns, and soil conditions. This knowledge will be your guiding light as you develop a comprehensive and feasible homestead plan. Get out your sketchbook and draw up a detailed map, marking designated zones for different purposes like gardening, animal pens, composting, and whatever else your heart desires. A well-thought-out homestead design not only maximizes space utilization but also ensures efficient use of precious resources.
3. Embracing the Flavors of our Homestead: Growing Variety in Small Spaces
When we embarked on our homesteading journey, we knew that growing the fruits and vegetables we enjoyed most was non-negotiable. So, we took a deep dive into our culinary preferences and decided to focus on the gems that graced our plates most frequently.
Our little one, has an insatiable love for raw veggies and we LOVE to cook every meal with fresh veggies. So, it was only natural for us to prioritize crops like crisp cucumbers, a rainbow of bell peppers (red, green, yellow, and orange), fiery chili peppers, jalapenos, tongue-tingling habaneros, fragrant garlic, invigorating ginger, and a variety of onions (from the classic yellow to the vibrant red and the versatile bunching). Then the sweet treasures we couldn't resist including—strawberries, blueberries, avocados, corn, carrots, zucchini, summer squash, grape tomatoes, and elderberries. These beauties have become our "non-negotiable plants," the superheroes that end up in 90% of our dishes in generous portions, saving us a pretty penny at the grocery store.
But we also have our "on standby" fruits and veggies. These are the lovely extras that we grow when space permits. Pumpkin, butternut squash, broccoli, cauliflower, and an array of tomatoes.
Let's talk herbs. We focused on growing herbs that we use regularly. Basil (Thai, Purple & Genovese), parsley, cilantro, fennel, lemon balm, chives, ashwagandha, rosemary, mint, dill, thyme, and oregano—all have found their home in our herb patch. We also love ourselves some flowers and weeds! We have lavender, roses, chamomile, hibiscus, cornflower, jasmine, stinging nettle, purslane, dandelion, and red raspberry leaf. These botanical treasures not only add beauty and fragrance but offer an abundance of medicinal benefits.
When it comes to growing food in small spaces, it's all about maximizing the potential of every nook and cranny. High-yielding crops like peppers, tomatoes, carrots, and herbs can be your allies, thriving in containers, raised beds, or even adorning balconies with their vibrant presence. Also a lot of these plants, flowers and weeds are great companions to other things on the lists attracting an abundance of pollinators as well as beneficial insects to eat the not so great ones never mind to strong scent some have to keep pests away all together!
4. Nurturing Our Animal Companions: Raising Livestock on a Smaller Scale
Raising livestock on a smaller scale is not only an incredible way to embrace self-sufficiency but also a meaningful step towards reducing our food footprint. However, a smaller backyard does come with certain limitations when it comes to raising animals. However, chickens, ducks, quails, bees, and rabbits can be raised on a smaller scale, providing eggs, honey, meat, and other by-products. Ensure you check with your local authorities or HOA's if you have one like us, for guidelines on raising livestock and suitable living conditions. They will provide you with valuable insights into raising livestock and ensure that you create suitable living conditions for your animal friends.
But, whether you dream of gathering freshly laid eggs each morning, savoring the golden sweetness of honey harvested from your own hive, or enjoying the tender taste of homegrown meat, raising livestock on a smaller scale can make those dreams a reality. It's a beautiful way to connect with nature, nurture our animal companions, and deepen our commitment to a sustainable lifestyle.
5. Making the Most of Your Backyard Space: Gardening Efficiency
As I mentioned earlier, efficient use of space is absolutely key when it comes to transforming your backyard into a thriving homestead haven. We want to squeeze every ounce of potential from that precious patch of land, right?
First and foremost, let's talk about maximizing space. Just because you have a limited backyard doesn't mean you have to settle for limited produce. Oh no, we're all about getting the most out of every square inch! Say hello to space-saving techniques such as: vertical gardening, square-foot gardening, companion planting, and container gardening. These ingenious methods allow you to cultivate a bountiful harvest in even the tiniest of spaces. Picture lush vines climbing up trellises, perfectly organized raised beds bursting with vibrant greens, and strategically placed containers brimming with herbs and vegetables. With these techniques, you'll be amazed at how much you can grow in your compact space.
Now, let's talk about raised garden beds. They're like the superheroes of efficient gardening! Not only do they improve soil quality, but they also provide better drainage and prevent soil compaction. Plus, they're a great way to keep those pesky critters away from your precious plants. And here's a little tip: consider incorporating efficient irrigation systems like drip irrigation or self-watering containers to minimize water waste and keep your plants hydrated without all the fuss.
When it comes to nurturing your garden, let's go organic. Embrace the beauty of organic farming methods and bid farewell to synthetic pesticides. Instead, opt for natural alternatives that will keep your produce healthy and safe for your family. Whether it's using homemade organic compost, companion plants to ward off pests, or creating a cozy habitat for beneficial insects, you'll be amazed at how nature's balance can work wonders for your garden.
6. Creating Sustainability - Managing Waste
This is a topic close to our hearts. It's remarkable how small changes can make a significant impact on our journey toward sustainability.
One of our very first transformative steps was the introduction of a compost bucket. We didn't go all out with fancy equipment; instead, we started with a humble, food-safe 5-gallon bucket. It was a game-changer! This simple system allowed us to manage our food scraps efficiently while creating rich and nourishing compost for our beloved garden beds. Trust us, you don't need to go crazy with expensive setups. It's the intention and action that truly matters.
And speaking of efficient resource management, let's talk about rainwater collection. We took the first step by setting up a small bucket to collect rainwater, which has proven invaluable for our plants' hydration needs. We have already purchased all the necessary supplies for our larger rainwater collection system. Two 50-gallon buckets eagerly await set up, ready to collect rain. Stay tuned, as we'll share a detailed post on our installation journey—it's an exciting project we can't wait to start!
While we haven't upgraded to solar power or windmill power just yet, these ideas have been buzzing in our minds. We envision a future homestead on a larger piece of land where we have solar panels, harnessing its power to fuel our sustainable homestead.
Managing resources and waste is a cornerstone of our sustainable lifestyle. Composting helps us reduce waste while nourishing our soil. Collecting rainwater saves precious water resources. And embracing renewable energy sources like solar and wind power will bring us one step closer to self-sufficiency, as complete self sustainability is the goal.
This ended up being a bit more long winded than originally intended but I get really passionate about people just going for it regardless of the size of their space. For the longest time I said, "when we get land." "when we have more space" "when we have more land" and wish I had just started sooner! I hope that these tips and our experience has inspired you to take action and start your own homestead, no matter the size of your space. Whether you have a balcony, a backyard, or acres of land, you won't regret embarking on this adventure. Remember, one of our first big changes was starting a compost bucket, using a simple 5-gallon bucket to manage our food scraps and create nutritious compost for our garden beds. We also have plans to install larger rainwater collection buckets to conserve water and share our experience with you. And while we haven't upgraded to solar or wind power yet, the dream of harnessing renewable energy drives us forward. BUT just like you all we started somewhere and we started small, all large waves start small. So, take that first step, embrace creativity, and unlock the potential of your space.
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