Bust the Excuse: I Don’t Have Space to Homestead

Erica Burton

This is part four of a four part series on why you don’t homestead. If you would prefer to read the posts in order (which is in a random order, by the way) you can click here. I’ll wait right here. Today’s excuse is “I don’t have any space or land to homestead!”

I DON’T HAVE SPACE.

AKA: I DON’T HAVE LAND.

You dont’ have to have forty acres to homestead. You can homestead in a 250 square foot apartment in the city! You’re probably already doing some homesteading and don’t even realize it. Here’s a list of ways you can homestead in a small space or with little to no property:

1. Garden in containers.

Ok, so you might not have sixteen acres of land to homestead, but you can homestead with no land, so don’t let that stop you. If you have a balcony, patio, porch or even a sunny window, you can grow food in containers. Take advantage of windowsills, too.

2. Make compost tea in a jar

So you don’t have room for a huge compost pile. Maybe you don’t have room for a compost barrel outside. But you have room to make compost tea in a jar.

3. Make your own laundry detergent. Wash Clothes for 2.3 Cents per Load! This is a quick and easy, three ingredient recipe for laundry detergent. You can add a scoop of scent crystals if you want, but this smells clean, as-is. Visit our website for more on your money and homesteading.

Saves money, too.

4. Go Vertical.

If you’ve ever read any organizing tips, oftentimes when a space is small, the recommendation is to “Go Vertical.”

They suggest installing shelving over door frames, for instance, to gain more storage space.

If you have a small space for gardening, you can use a trellis (I’m using a re-purposed old box frame) for climbing plants interplanted with self-supporting varieties.

5. Make your own cleaning supplies.

You don’t have to have bottles of this and that cluttering up your cabinet. You just need a few supplies and a little know how to make your own cleaning products.

Bonus: they have fewer weird chemicals to worry about. Vinegar and baking soda will work hard for you.

6. Sharpen your knife.

If you sharpen your best knife, you won’t have to store a drawerful of dull ones.

 

 

The wisdom of life consists of the elimination of nonessentials.

~ Lin Yu Tang

 

7. Join a community garden

If you absolutely have to get your hands in some dirt and you don’t have any land, you can look into community gardening to get your fix. You can also rent vacant splits of land and farm away.

8. Crochet, knit, quilt or sew

When you think about it, it’s amazing that you can create create clothing and household linens with some yarn knotted in particular ways. You can take pieces of fabric and create larger pieces of usable cloth by patching them together. With only the knowledge of a straight stitch, you can hem pants, sew curtains and pillow covers to dress your home, and extend the life of your clothing by making simple repairs.

9. Go Fishing off the Banks

In addition to being  relaxing, fishing is a primitive homesteading activity that can result in dinner for your family. Remember to get permission first and have whatever license your state requires.

 

Remember, the key to building the house is to lay that first brick, and then another, and another. You start with one homesteading skill, and then add another, and another. Soon, you’re the go-to person on homesteading. You only have to be one step ahead of someone else to be considered an expert.

Happy Homesteading.

~ Erica

 

To read the other posts in this series click below:

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