Overcoming the Drawbacks of Small Scale Urban Homesteading: Introduction
Living on a homestead which is really just a suburban garden, means that I've been learning to upscale gardening practices and downscale, or adapt, homesteading practices. I'm still learning as I go, but hope to share what I have learnt so far and what I have yet to learn in the future. So today, as an introduction, I'd like to share some of the challenges urban homesteaders face that may not be such an issue in the country.
Firstly and probably the most obvious is land size. This limits how much you can grow, what animals you can keep and it's less likely you'll be able to self sustain for all your food needs. Something else which can affect what animals you keep are council regulations and close neighbours. Because, let's be honest, you don't expect to be living around farm animals in the suburbs.
It's hard to provide for all your needs even on a large piece of land, but in the country others are doing things similarly, so trade is an option for your excesses. In urban areas the chances of your neighbours also being interested in growing food plants are low, so you tend to have to rely on the shops more.
With regards to any animals you do keep, they are more likely to have to be confined to one area for long periods making parasite build up in their environment more of a concern. Also, confinement means that manure has to be well managed. You certainly don't want to be upsetting your neighbours with smells!
So these have been the main problems we've encountered as we try to provide for ourselves in an urban setting. In theory everything has a balance if scaled correctly and I want to strive to get closer to that balance. So in future posts I'll be sharing what is working so far and what hasn't worked out for us.
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I so agree. I started out in a tiny yard in the city long before taking the leap and moving to the country. Even on that small plot of land I gardened and learned to preserve my harvest. Actually, I was much more efficient on that small parcel than I am on all these acres. I'm looking forward to your next post.
I don't feel very efficient at the moment. Lol!
Haha, I understand that! We rarely see in ourselves the inspiration we provide for others. You are yards ahead of most folks. Think of all those surrounding you that haven't a clue, as to how to even grow food. One foot in front of the other and you got this!
Isn't that the truth! It still surprises me the awe that some pepole have expressed on what we've done so far. We are or most critical judges aren't we?
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Right there with you! I'm on a 1/4 acre in the suburbs. I really do have a good amount of space to work with but the rules on animals really bum me out and close neighbors are just the pits. No roosters, no goats, and neighbors that complain about anything and everything... but for now, we make do and try to ignore the ignorance.
Oh no! Sorry to hear your neighbours are complainers! I'm grateful that mine have been really good (so far).
Oh yeah it's nice to have good neighbors. I have angels on one side and devils on the other (;
Oh, the poo! It's dreadful and builds up terribly in a garden - there's only so much manure you can rot down. I end up having to bag it up and get rid of it which I HATE, but there's few other options - currently talking with a local allotment about them taking it off my hands.
I certainly would say urban smallholding is do-able, but you're right in terms of animals. They take a lot more maintenance due to the smaller space...but it's worth it.
Great post! :D
Thank you. 😊
So far, I'm doing okay with the manure management. I'm just working on a post on that. I guess it would also depend on how many animals you have for the space though? A bit of a balancing act.
Thats a great idea to share it around though to allotments where it will be appreciated. much better than landfill.
Upvoted and followed!
Thank you