Great Ways to Start Homesteading in an Apartment

The biggest hurdle to homesteading is believing you need more space to start. I am a firm believer that homesteading is just as much a mindset as it is an activity, and you can begin no matter what your living situation is. Below you will find some ways you can start homesteading even in an apartment.

Can You Really Start Homesteading in an Apartment?

In Merriam Webster’s Dictionary the second definition of “homesteading” is “the act or practice of living frugally or self-sufficiently (as on a homestead) especially by growing and preserving food“.

Many people practice these ideals without necessarily labeling themselves as homesteaders. Homesteading today brings ideas of canning, gardening, and chickens, but really the heart of it is living a simple, sustainable lifestyle.

So whether you are in a farmhouse on acreage or in a college dorm, you can begin practicing this lifestyle today. Don’t let anyone fool you that you need land, or even a yard to begin.

Great Ways to Start Homesteading in an Apartment

1. Learn how to forage

Foraging is a wonderful way to practice recognizing the uses of your local plants. Find out what grows around you that is medicinal, good for teas, or even good to eat. You may be surprised at what you find. This is a fantastic skill to build when you don’t have land of your own to grow on.

Cautionary Notes:

1. Beware of misidentifying plants! Make sure you know without a doubt that something is safe before you ever consume it or put it on your skin. Never eat anything that you are unsure of. Apps are not a reliable guide when foraging. I highly recommend learning this skill from someone who is experienced in it within your area.
2. Make sure you forage where you are allowed and what you are allowed. There are plenty of plants and spaces that are protected. Make sure you know the restrictions before you begin.
3. Don’t forage on someone else’s property.
4. Don’t forage where land is being treated. For health reasons, you don’t want to pick up anything where chemicals or heavy pesticides are being used.

2. Grow Food on Your Windowsill or Balcony

Make use of the space you do have in your apartment. There are many herbs and other small plants that thrive on a small windowsill. I recently learned that ginger does really well on a windowsill! You can grow enough herbs for one person from one or two windowsills. Get a few small pots, do your research, and begin!

What to Grow on a Windowsill

• Mint
• Basil
• Cilantro
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Chives
• Ginger

What to Grow on a Sunny balcony (or Patio)

• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Kale
• Spinach
• Strawberries
• Arugula

What to Grow on a Shady balcony (or Patio)

• Swiss Chard
• Lettuce
• Green Onions
• Radish

Tips for Success

• Do not grow plants on a North-facing window. There is not enough light.
• Plants will do even better if you can keep them on the outside windowsill when possible.
• Look into companion planting if you want to grow different herbs, but have limited space. There are many that can grow together in the same pot.
• If growing on a balcony, be sure to choose plant varieties that are suited to your climate.

3. Join a Community Garden

A community garden is a gardening space open to people within a certain area. If you have a local community garden that you can gain access to, I highly recommend doing so. It is a great way to volunteer, learn some gardening skills, and sometimes you can even take the food you grow.

Keep in mind that these gardens vary a lot. Some of them assign specific plots to people while others are completely open. Some donate the food grown while others allow the gardeners to take everything they grow. Some are free, and some require a fee.

For someone who lives in an apartment, this is one of the best ways to grow your own food despite your limited space.

4. Source Locally and Eat Seasonally

If you truly want to move towards a homesteading lifestyle, start eating seasonally. In today’s world, as odd as it is, eating foods that are in season is a skill you have to learn. Everything has become so easily accessible that sometimes you don’t even know what’s in season. But if you start growing your own food, you learn pretty quickly that it isn’t normal to be getting everything year-round.

A good way to learn how to eat seasonally is by going to farmer’s markets. This is where you will find fresh, local food. Getting your food locally and in season allows you to support farmers and ranchers in your area. Knowing where to get wholesome, healthy food from sustainable sources that you can trust is a great skill to practice.

5. Cook From Scratch

Living in an apartment with limited space makes it tempting to not want to stock whole ingredients in your fridge and pantry when it’s a lot more convenient to have frozen or boxed meals. But you can’t very well live a homesteading lifestyle if you’re not willing to cook your food. The ability to cook food from basic, whole ingredients is perhaps one of the most fundamental skills in homesteading.

If cooking intimidates you, start small and take it a step at a time. Learn to cook something basic first, such as rice, beans, or even bread. The more you do it, the less overwhelming it becomes, and then you can start making something else. Eventually, you will have the skills and knowledge to cook all your meals from whole, healthy ingredients. Just take it a step at a time.

6. Make Your Own Yogurt and Butter

If you are already cooking from scratch, start challenging yourself by making your own dairy products such as yogurt and butter. Butter is deceptively easy, and there is something satisfying about making it yourself. In fact, it’s so simple that my school teaches our 2nd graders how to make it every year. If seven year-olds can do it, you can to! This is a great way to encourage yourself if you are frustrated by the limited space while homesteading from a small apartment.

7. Make fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir

This is one thing that some roommates may be adverse to. Fermented foods can smell strong and sometimes look sketchy, but they are a great way to build up your probiotics and gut health. Fermenting is also a great way to preserve food. Fermenting foods doesn’t have to be intimidating, and can actually be extremely simple. Try starting with something easy such as sauerkraut.

8. Learn how to sew

Sadly, sewing is a dying art, but it is essential in cultivating a more sustainable lifestyle. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend going out and buying a bulky sewing machine to store in your apartment, but there is a lot you can do with just some thread and needles. With these simple tools we hem our own clothing, darn our denim jackets, and reattach buttons.

If you are overwhelmed with the amount of things you can start on, pick one. The key to successful homesteading in an apartment or anywhere else is a slow adaptation. After all, it is a lifestyle you are cultivating, not a mere activity.

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What Skill Will You Start Working On First? Comment Below!