The homesteading movement is as flexible as it is popular. While in the past, homesteading was something done only by people who owned a few acres of land, definitions are quickly changing. You can now be a homesteader no matter where you live; on one or two acres of rural land, a suburb, or even a small apartment. So, how can you be a homesteader in an apartment in the middle of the urban jungle?
1. Use the space on your balcony
As long as your balcony gets a few hours of sun every day, you can fill it with edible plants. Maximize your balcony space by installing shelves, growing tables or even a mini greenhouse. Use hanging pots for plants such as strawberries or cherry tomatoes. If you have enough space you could even grow miniature fruit trees, which give plenty of fruit but don’t get taller than 1.5 m.
2. Take advantage of your windows
Even if you don’t have a balcony, many varieties of plants such as herbs, cherry tomatoes, strawberries, etc. can be grown successfully in small pots on windowsills. If your windows are not getting a lot of sunlight, opt for plants that can be grown in shade or a few hours of sun a day, such as dark leafy plants such as thyme, Malabar spinach, mint, ginger, fenugreek, and pak choi.
3. Try hydroponics
A few years ago indoor gardening was not a viable option, the most important obstacle being the lighting. However, since the introduction of full-spectrum fluorescent lighting, hydroponics has become increasingly popular. You can grow anything in a hydroponic garden, from herbs to fruit and vegetables. A hydroponic grow wall or even an entire room dedicated to hydroponics can provide a large amount of fresh food for your family at minimal costs.
If you are interested in learning how to have an indoor Aquaponic garden, read up on our descriptive article – 5 Reasons to Have an Aquaponic Garden.
4. Learn how to preserve food
There are many other aspects of homesteading besides growing your own food, and a very important one is preserving. Even if most if not all of your food is not homegrown, you can save a lot of money by stocking up on things when they are cheap and in season, and then preserving them. Learn how to make jams, applesauce, and pickles. Invest in a dehydrator to make your own dried fruit, beef jerky, and sundried tomatoes. If you are lucky enough to live next to a forest or park, learn how to recognize and preserve local edible plants such as berries, nuts, wildflowers, and herbs.
5. Try DIY
A crucial part of homesteading is reusing, recycling, and making your own things, when possible. Learning how to produce your own candles, soap and natural cleaning products can be a very satisfying experience. Repurpose and reuse everything; old clothes can be turned into rag carpets, coffee grounds can be used as a natural fertilizer, egg shells can serve as miniature growing pots for seedlings. Plastic containers can serve as flower pots for a hydroponic garden.
Being an apartment homesteader is not hard. You can grow some of your own food in a balcony garden, windowsill or hydroponic wall, just make sure to choose the right variety of plants which will thrive in the specific conditions you can provide. Preserving your own food and learning how to reuse and repurpose are also crucial parts of homesteading, which can be easily used even if you live in an apartment.
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