One of my most favorite things about the modern homesteading movement is that it is flexible.
I use to think that the only way a person could ever be considered a farmer or rancher was to have thousands upon thousands of acres and make a full-time living off of their land.
But, definitions are changing…
In the past, I’ve talked about the idea of being a modern day homesteader, no matter where you may live. An apartment, the middle of suburbia, or a couple acres on the outskirts of town. The sky is the limit these days.
So, you’ve decided to call yourself a homesteader, you’ve named your fill-in-the-blank homestead, but now what?
What does homesteading actually look like in an apartment? A tiny backyard? On one or two rural acres?
For the next several weeks, I will be running a mini-series highlighting ways that YOU truly can bring your unique homestead to life.
First up- the apartment homesteader. You are as “city” as it gets. You may be in the very heart of the urban jungle with asphalt as far as the eye can see. If you are lucky, you might have a balcony. If not, you still have lots of ways to become a homesteader!
Ideas for the Apartment Homestead:
- Go crazy with window gardens! You can grow many, many herbs successfully in pots. I have very few sunny windows in my little house, so I had to get creative this spring, but it worked. Think outside the box.
- If you have a balcony, turn it into a jungle of edibles. I love it when I’m driving through town and see an apartment balcony packed with hanging pots and container gardens. Plus, I can imagine that it provides a “back to nature” feel when you want to sit outside.
- Make your own cleaning supplies. A quick Google search will yield every sort of cleaning recipe you can imagine! Check out my recipes for homemade laundry soap and carpet cleaner.
- Forget the clothes dryer. This is a definite money saving option, especially if you are having to go to the laundromat. If your apartment regulations allow, install a simple clothesline on your balcony. If not, use a drying rack to air dry those clothes inside.
- Take part in a Community Supported Agriculture program (CSA). Pay a monthly or yearly free and have boxes of fresh, local fruits and veggies on a regular basis. Some CSA’s even have a work option where you can go get some dirt under your fingernails to help pay for your produce. More info on CSAs and where to find one in your area can be found here.
- Visit local farms and meet the farmers. In the process, you may even find sources for farm-fresh eggs and raw milk (if it is legal in your state. If not, check out your cow-share laws). Offer to volunteer and enjoy getting dirty.
- Learn how to preserve food. Fill your freezer with extra veggies and fruit that you may have found at Farmer’s Markets, CSA, or U-Pick farms. Or, learn how to can and fill your pantry with homemade pickles, applesauce, jams, tomato sauce, and more.
- Teach yourself to cook. Ditch the convenience food favorites of many city dwellers and break the mold. Learn how to create homemade breads, get creative with new veggies, and discover how to cook meat to perfection. If you have access to quality milk, learn how to make your own yogurt and cheeses- two time-honored homestead crafts.
The one thing all of these ideas have in common? They take work. And motivation. You’ll have to be willing to break the mold of the every-day-average-city dweller: Get up, go to work, eat out, come home, watch TV, go to bed, repeat…
Homesteading takes determination, drive, and a little bit of craziness, regardless of whether you are in an apartment or 200 acres.
But, taking small steps to change your lifestyle can equal better health, a new found passion for life, new learning opportunities, and fun. Lots of fun.
And just think, someday if or when you finally move to the country and find that homestead of your dreams, you’ll have the cheesemaking and herb gardening mastered, baby. 
Are you an apartment homesteader? What tips do you have for bringing homesteading alive in the urban jungle?
Other posts in this series:
- How to be a Urban or Suburban Homesteader
- How to be a Semi-Rural Homesteader
- Fill in the Blank Homesteading
This post is a part of Simple Lives Thursdays, Farm Friend Friday, Monday Mania, The Homestead Barn Hop, New Nostalgia
About Jill Winger
Great post, anyone can do it!!!
I’m an apartment homesteader! I share my clothes closet with my canning pantry, my kitchen pantry is full of dried goods I put up and I have a mini chest freezer. Even though I don’t grow anything myself I put up a lot of food to eat throughout the year… it’s so much fun!
~ Nichole from BornintheWrongCentury.com
Nichole- you are exactly what I’m talkin’ about! Keep up the great work!
Hey Nicole that sounds great. I’m an apartment dweller trying to get a start in homesteading as well. Anyone got any other tips for the apartment homesteader?
This is a great post! There are so many things any of us can do to get a bit closer to that homesteading model. I love the picture of the sheets!
I too was an apartment dweller some years ago and I got into trouble having a growing container on my balcony. They said it was not for heavy soil etc. I am glad I did not live there for very long. Just wanted to comment in case any of you chose to read and then do this, you might wish to check and see what they have to say. Also in gated communities and others you might have to check with the association as to if you can hang laundry or plant a garden. They often have strict and I think stupid rules. Good luck to all and I hope you can grow all you wish without anyone ruining it.
Good points Rebecca. Some associations are pickier than others regarding laundry lines/ gardens/ etc. It’s always a good idea to double check your rules and regulations. That being said, I agree with you and think the rules are rather stupid, too.
I don’t have any idea of what homesteading is until I found your blog. The way you write in the last part of your post seems to me that you’re having fun with it. Nice post!
-Adrian
I didn’t know I was a homesteader until now reading this entry.
Living in an apartment has its complications since there are so many regulations you have to follow. I try to make my pots and plants to look nice and aesthetic as possible even when my tomato plants get wild and grow like crazy. Besides different types of herbs, we have peppers and tomatoes. With a great harvest this year, we still have some tomatoes in the vines.
We transformed our laundry room into a laundry/pantry room.
It takes time to prepare you own canning, grinding your own corn for
tortillas but it is very rewarding.
Great post.
Mely
Mely- you rock! And yes, I would definitely consider you a homesteader.
Keep up the great work!
They have some nice indoor aquaponics kits if you want to grow any “livestock” along with your crops. For instance this.
Thank you for writing this post. I live in an apartment with my husband and 2 children and no balcony. So I had figured our options were very limited but you have inspired me to learn new skills
That’s what I love to hear Katrina! It just takes a little bit of a different mindset, but it’s totally do-able.
Concerning neighborhood associations and their rules: talk with your neighbors. Find out how open-minded they are and/or what their interests are. Rules can be changed. The association was set up to serve the neighborhood, not the other way around.
Excellent point AnnDenee- How wonderful would it be to get together with your neighbors to change the “silly” rules. Thanks for the suggestion!
Great ideas! I love how this makes homesteading so accessible to so many people, no matter their circumstance.
Love it.
And, I have a crush on my Dutch Oven.
Last night it was pot roast.
Gotta love one pot wonders!
Thanks for all the inspiration.
I have always dreamed to be a homesteader and live in rural area. That has not happen yet. Besides watching the Little House on the Prairie to comfort myself, I have decided to learn some homesteading skills while I wait. So far, I have learned to make homemade yogurt (although I don’t eat it but my family loves yogurt and my hubby always call it “my huggy’s yogurt.”
)I made my own pizza crust. I tried making pie crust but have not quite mastered it. I made my own laundry detergent and cleaning solution. Baking soda is my new best friend. Oh yes, and we home school.
This coming February will mark our 18th year living in this 800 sqt. condo. I am about to tackle the small side yard soon – that has been my stumbling block of gardening due to the six-foot outside wall being so close to the glass door, I feel closetiphobic sitting out there. One thing at a time. I have so much more to learn (and re-learn)but, life is full, so as my heart.
I live in an apart that is actually in a town of about 600. I am lucky enough to have parents with a large garden (they are part of the local farmer’s market). I have friends who are farmers so I have access to vegetables my parents do not grown. My cousin has chickens so I trade for eggs from her. My oldest will be moving out at the end of the month. I have plans to turn her room into a storage/pantry including adding a 5.0 cubic ft freezer my friend is selling me for $50. Also I am getting shelving to house my canned goods in the closet. My cupboards are overflowing with sale items so much so that I one of my closets in the kitchen has three half shelves on one side full. My friend calls me a food hoarder. I call myself ready. If should run short for the month or something happen where I am able to purchase goods from a store, I will be in good shape for a good, long time.
One cautionary word – fire escapes are not the same as balconies. You can get in a lot if trouble if you start putting things on those, totally aside from the safety risks if there ever is a fire.
Thanks for the great tips. I love reading your blog–so much great inspiration for natural living. This article is particularly applicable since I live in an apartment, and homesteading requires much more creativity.
Indeed it does– but kudos to you for doing it anyway!
Hi,
From your article I see I’m already a homesteader, yay!
A few years ago, I decided to start growing some veggies on my apartment balcony. The first year, we were overrun with tomatoes! Things are a lot more manageable this year. I’m planting tomatoes, amaranth, beets, salad greens and chili peppers. Just learned to make body butter/cream and toothpaste,wow. One learns new things everyday. Trying to learn how to make laundry soap. Yup, homesteading does take a lot of work but it’s oh so rewarding.
Sounds like you have a wonderful homestead– keep up the great work!