You live in an apartment, but you can’t help be drawn toward the homesteading lifestyle you see your favorite farm girly influencer portray on instagram. You dream of collecting your own eggs from your backyard and growing some big, beautiful, blushing tomatoes one day. Because you don’t have a house, you feel like you can’t possibly HOMEstead, but homesteading is quite simply just a self-sufficient lifestyle which is something you can definitely work toward while still living in an apartment. I’m here to tell you not only is apartment homesteading possible, but you can start doing it today with these 10 simple things.
1. Establish Your Value Systems
Homesteading starts with a mindset that is not just self-sufficient, but that also means you’re naturally rooted in identifying ways for self-sufficiency to be easier. This is primarily done by learning how to maximize and manage your resources. What are your resources? Many things, but specifically your finances, your food, your water, your waste, and your energy. When it comes to finances you’re aware of where they’re going – not just what you’re doing with it, but also who you are giving it to and what their values are. (This lines back up with your values.) Being energy efficient is another important aspect. You can reduce your energy consumption by using energy-efficient light bulbs, unplugging electronics when not in use, and using natural light whenever possible. Apartment homesteading can give you the opportunity to really process and establish your value systems when it comes to homesteading whether that’s on a small or large scale.
2. Buy Local. Buy Farm Raised.
You may not be able to have livestock animals, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still choose what you’re putting in your body. Yes, sometimes it can be a greater financial investment, but you will know you’re not consuming a bunch of hormones and instead you’re consuming real meat and real food. Referring back to number one, if you’re managing your finances then you will put more money where your values are and generally that also means choosing a higher quality food that you’re putting into your body. This is why it’s important to lay those ground rules at the beginning so you know what you’re chasing after.
3. Vertical Gardening
Not only is vertical gardening is an excellent way to grow plants in a small space, but vertical gardening will also allow you to grow more plants than what you could normally. Most apartments have a balcony or an outdoor patio, if you’re at ground level, that you can use to create your garden haven, but if you have a lot of light, you can also grow indoors. Some options for vertical gardening include hanging planters, wall-mounted planters, and trellises. Not only can you practice, but you can hone your skills with a limited and specific species until you master gardening that one plant then you can move onto the next. You can also practice your seed sowing skills with limited space indoors.
4. Experiment in the Kitchen
Cooking is a huge part of homesteading. When food is involved – and food is always involved in homesteading – you probably want to learn how to make it well. What you’re sourcing or producing might be the best of the best, but if you don’t know how to prepare it – and prepare it a way that it satisfactory to the taste buds – what good is it? Practice your cooking skills from the basics to different types of food. Challenge yourself, but trying to cook as close to scratch as possible. That’s true homesteading cooking.
5. Food Preservation
Preserving food is another essential aspect. You can preserve food by canning, dehydrating, and freezing (or freeze drying). These methods allow you to store food for longer periods of time and reduce waste. You can practice preserving food with food you’ve grown, but also food that you’ve sourced … even if it’s from the grocery store. Sometimes it can be daunting to learn a new skill like pressure canning in addition to worrying you won’t have enough produce from your garden to make it worthwhile. There’s nothing wrong with honing your food preservation skills on herbs and produce from the farmer’s (or super) market.
6. Compost
Composting is the process that involves breaking down organic material into nutrient-rich soil that can be used to fertilize plants. You can create a compost bin in your apartment by using a small container and adding vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells. Not only is composting a great way to minimize waste and be resourceful, but it gives you an opportunity to turn your leftover veggies into soil for your vertical gardening.
7. Forage
Did you know that foraging has been an important part of human history and culture for thousands of years? Not only can foraging help you connect with nature and develop a deeper appreciation for the environment, but it can also provide you with an opportunity to gather fresh and natural foods free from chemicals and preservatives that you may not have had an opportunity to try before. Given, don’t just walk out into the forest and take a chomp out of the first pinecone you see. Part of this means researching and being aware of the types of specimen in your environment that are consumable.
8. Homemade Cleaners
It’s super easy to learn how to make your own cleaners and it’s a great way to reduce your exposure to harsh chemicals and save money. You can create cleaners using simple ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils. You can also learn how to make cold process soap which is a little more complicated, but certainly still doable for apartment homesteading.
9. Learn a New Skill
There are so many skills that can be beneficial to homesteading. You just have to use your imagination and line it up with your interests. Not only can you focus on honing the skills for one of those above, but you can also lean into other areas whether that’s educating yourself on chickens for when you do leave your apartment or another craft like woodworking, candle making, or clothes making (sewing, knitting, crocheting, weaving).
10. Community Involvement
Homesteading in an apartment can be a great way to connect with your community. You have a whole building full of people you can connect with. Creating community means that there’s also a mutual exchange of benefit where you help others, but others are willing to help you. See if any of your fellow apartment building mates want to start a community garden, attend workshops on sustainable living, or knowledge share. Even if you hit a stalemate with those in your apartment complex, you can still hone your networking skills and reach out to other community members who might share your interests and shared values.
Challenges
Homesteading in an apartment does come with its challenges. Limited space, noise restrictions, and zoning laws can all make homesteading more difficult. However, with creativity and a willingness to adapt, these challenges can be overcome.
Benefits
Homesteading in an apartment can have numerous benefits. It can save money on groceries, reduce your carbon footprint, and help you to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Apartment homesteading may not be easy, but it is certainly possible. By utilizing space-saving techniques, composting, preserving food, and being energy-efficient, you can live a more self-sufficient lifestyle in your apartment. With a little bit of creativity and determination, you can create a homestead that is both practical and sustainable.
Want to learn more about how to start a homestead? Join our Facebook community where you can learn and connect with others who are interested in and pursuing homesteading.
