Backyard garden, chickens, cooking from scratch, and line drying clothes outside. That is the beginning of a Suburban Homestead. Did you picture a farm with large animals, lots of fences and grazing pastures? What you are picturing is a rural homestead. There is a difference. Incorporating these skills in the city would be a City Homestead. See, you can have a homestead wherever you are at. It is more about the skills and less about the location.
Creating a backyard homestead is a process, but it is possible. Time, patience and the desire to create a homestead is important because it is work. Now for instance, I love gardening but weeds still have to be pulled. My hobby doesn’t come without cost. But, I love it. Gardening is enjoyable to me. Weeding for 20 minutes a day isn’t the worst until I have to do it in 90 degree weather. Let me walk you through the steps to starting a homestead.
Suburban Homestead Backyard Chickens
Chickens are one of the easiest animals to raise on a suburban homestead. They are resilient in drought and cold weather conditions, as well as easy on feed. Summertime is our cheapest time because we feed them all of our fresh vegetables and in the fall they get part of our garden harvest. After that our chickens get the Halloween and Thanksgiving pumpkins which in turn are great for worming.
Another great aspect of owning chickens is the fact of the wonderfully delicious eggs they produce. Nothing beats fresh eggs. After trying fresh eggs the idea of store bought seems ridiculous.
Cooking from Scratch on a Suburban Homestead
Cooking from scratch is a recent skill I have decided to work on in the past year. As a suburban homestead enthusiast it is important to note that this is a skill to increase in quality. Likewise, it is like an exercise program. To get better you have to practice. Try all things homemade. Learn to cook from your pantry and you will get better at cooking from scratch.
In addition pantry cooking is saving money at the grocery store. Not a lot of packaged meals are needed. Likewise, try some freezer meals. Getting used to cooking in large batches is a work in progress, but well worth it.
Line Drying Clothes Outside
Line drying is a must do on a suburban homestead. If you feel stressed out, unorganized and quite simply tired then this is the chore for you. Why? Hanging clothes on the line is one of the most peaceful and satisfying chores to complete. On a hot summer day, first thing in the morning grab your wet laundry and hang it. Even better, have your children come outside and help you. if they are little then watch them play, and if they are big have them help. The conversations are fulfilling.
Aside from being a huge money saver because you aren’t running the dryer, line drying is beneficial to launch. Did you know the sun perfect for white clothing? White clothes will get bleached naturally outside.
Growing Food in a Backyard Garden Space
Backyard gardens are a great hobby to start. Not only will you grow your own food and be healthier, you will save money. My mantra is “grow what you will eat”. My lessons in gardening were hard in the beginning. First, I grew beets. I don’t like beets and neither did anyone else in my family. So, beets were given away.
Next, one year I bought sixty-six tomato plants. Planting that many took me a week. I will never do that again. Now, my goal is to plant what I can and freeze. Last year wasn’t great for tomatoes and I ended up buying my tomato sauce for the year.
Six years’ ago I started my journey towards a suburban homestead and have not regretted that decision. If you are thinking of starting a homestead I would encourage you to start this year. Amazon has a lot of great books on the topic.
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