Suburban Homestead

I have a habit of checking out my town friends' yards. I survey the "lay of the land" and figure out what could be done to make them more self-sufficient. I have come to the conclusion that most people could easily become "homesteaders" even on a small city lot. Shall I share my conclusions with you? I imagine you all nodding encouragingly, so here we go.....

Most people think of a city yard in a certain way. A large lawn, front and back, some flowers and bushes around the foundation and maybe a few flowering or shade trees around the perimeter. That pretty much sums up the majority of yards I have seen. With just a little imagination and "try" you could change that cookie cutter yard into a producing homestead.

 First, instead of flowering or shade trees, why not plant fruit trees? Dwarf variety fruit trees mature at about 6-8 feet tall. They can begin producing in as little as 2-3 years from planting. They require no more care or pruning then the average ornamental tree yet they can provide for your family. Even if you only planted along your fence or property line, the average lot has room for 6-12 dwarf fruit trees. Just think, you could walk out  your door and harvest bushels of fresh, homegrown, organic(if you so choose) fruit to feed your family. And don't forget berry bushes! Tuck a few in between your fruit trees or along your foundation.

Next is the vegetable garden. I have yet to see a yard that didn't have room for SOME kind of veggie garden. It's possible you may have to till under some of your Kentucky Blue Grass, or maybe you could make raised beds or do container gardening on your deck. There are so many ways and means to grow your own food and it is so delicious and satisfying to walk out the door and gather your salad. Maybe you can grow tomatoes in buckets? How about peas and beans up a trellis or your fence? The veggie garden needn't be totally utiliatrian either. Plant colorful varieties and add rows of flowers. Marigolds are a beautiful addition to the garden and serve as a natural pest control. Gardening is a wonderful project for the whole family. I truly believe there is no easier way to get a child to eat healthy, than to let them plant, tend and pick their own food. My children go through the garden rows, pulling off green beans, peas, tomatoes, spinach, even broccoli, and eating it raw, right there. What you can't eat fresh freeze or can. What you cannot freeze or can give to your neighbors, they will love it.

Many towns and cities allow for the keeping of hens, even in the suburbs. A small coop with a run, filled with happy hens laying healthy eggs, is a wonderful thing.  A few hens to tend are a fine way of teaching children responsibility as well as where eggs really come from. A coop is a simple thing to build or if you have carpentry skills you can create something elaborate and decorative. I have seen hen houses that look like playhouses, complete with window boxes. The soiled bedding and chicken manure can be composted to dress your garden and fruit trees.

An often overlooked aspect of Suburban Homesteading is the rabbit. You now have fruit, veggies and eggs on your homestead, but what about meat? One buck and 2 does (3 small animals in small hutches) have the potentail of providing 600 pounds of meat in a year. Yes that is correct. Even if you only raise half that amount, you are doing pretty good. Rabbits make no noise, regular and simple cleaning of hutches ensures no smell and the manure can be directly applied to your garden and trees. Rabbits are easy to raise, easy to butcher and delicious to eat. Your neighbors may never even realize you have them until you invite them over for some yummy fried rabbit.

So if you have a homesteaders heart but are living in the city, take heart! You can still homestead on your suburban lot. With some planning and imagination you can have a mini-farm right in the heart of your neighborhood.

Blessings.