Want to live a simpler, more self-reliant lifestyle while remaining in
the city or suburbs? You don’t have to move to a farm to grow some of
your own food, cut your reliance on the grid, reduce your waste output
dramatically and save a whole lot of money. Urban (or suburban)
homesteading is all about re-learning basic skills that most of us have
exchanged for ‘convenience,’ and feeling more connected to the items and
processes that sustain us, bringing those things from faraway factories
back into our own hands. Here are 14 ways to get started.
Get Gardening
The single most important step you can take is to produce even a small
amount of your own food by starting a garden. You can do this even if
you don’t have a yard, with planters in windows or on a balcony. Whether
you just have herbs and a few tomato plants or you rip out your entire
lawn and replace it with food, there are few things in life that are
more rewarding than eating homegrown produce right off the plant.
Plant Fruit Trees
If you want to ease into the process of growing your own food, and can’t
commit to a lot of upkeep right away, plant some fruit trees. They take
a few years to get established and start producing fruit, and require
almost no maintenance. Pears, apples, cherries, figs, avocado, plum and
pomegranate are just a few options available depending on your local
climate. Consult a plant nursery in your area to find out what varieties
would be most likely to flourish.
Start Composting
All of the banana peels, coffee grounds, egg shells and grass clippings
you’re currently just tossing in the trash could be an ideal source of
free, high-quality, plant-nourishing garden soil free of chemical
fertilizers. Composting is a basic component of growing your own food,
turning waste into something valuable. It’s also easier than you might
think. Your compost pile could be as simple as a circle of chicken wire,
though some people prefer to purchase self-contained units. Starting a
simple compost pile on bare earth allows worms and other beneficial
organisms to aerate and fertilize the compost. Get the fundamentals at EarthEasy.com.
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