14 Tips for Beginner Backyard Homesteaders
Welcome to the vibrant world of backyard homesteaders! If you’re among the proud few who’ve embarked on this journey, you know that it’s not about the size of your homestead but the passion you infuse into it.
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1.) Learn How to Make Nut/Seed Milk at Home
Living the homestead life in a tiny backyard like ours, we’ve had to get creative. No cows or goats here, just a modest 0.08-acre oasis in the heart of New Hampshire. Even chickens would be a stretch, and finding organic grass-fed milk in our area? Well, it’s like hunting for treasure. But fear not, fellow backyard homesteaders, because we’ve got a solution: homemade nut and seed milk.
Check Out These Homemade Organic Milks
Exploring Nut/Seed Milk Varieties
Before we dive into the world of nut and seed milk, let’s take a moment to appreciate the diversity in these dairy alternatives. Whether it’s almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk, hemp seed milk, or even the classic cow’s milk, each has its unique charm. Here’s a quick rundown:
Almond Milk: Low in calories, heart-healthy, rich in vitamin E, and dairy-free for those with allergies or intolerances.
Oat Milk: Fiber-rich, fortified with vitamins and minerals, creamy texture perfect for lattes.
Cashew Milk: Creamy consistency, packed with healthy fats, protein, magnesium, and phosphorus.
Hemp Seed Milk: Abundant in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, iron, magnesium, and potassium.
Not only do these milk alternatives cater to various dietary needs, but they’ve also saved our breakfast more than once. Oat milk pancakes, anyone? Our kids love them!
2.) Harvest Rainwater for Your Garden
Living in an urban setup often means city-provided water, complete with chemicals and a hefty bill. We say, no thanks! Collecting rainwater is our secret weapon for nourishing our garden.
Check your state’s regulations on rainwater collection; some even offer rebates. It’s a win-win – sustainable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly.
Wisevoter.com has a wonderful article mapping out the US states with and without rainwater regulations.
The Perks of Collecting Rainwater
- Sustainability: Reduce reliance on local water supplies, especially during dry spells.
- Cost Savings: Lower water bills by using rainwater for various purposes.
- Environmental Friendliness: Decrease soil erosion and municipal sewage stress.
- Quality Control: Filter out contaminants for clean, chemical-free water.
- Garden Benefits: Ideal for gardens, promoting plant and soil health.
- Emergency Supply: A backup water source for emergencies.
- Flood Prevention: Mitigate property flooding risks.
- Self-Sufficiency: Manage water needs independently.
- Energy Efficiency: Reduce carbon footprint compared to pumping water.
- Community Impact: Share knowledge and promote sustainable practices.
3.) Whip Up Fresh Almond Flour
Crafting your own almond flour? It’s easier than you think. When recipes call for this ingredient, don’t fret; just grab some almonds and blend away.
- Toss almonds into a high-speed blender.
- Pulse until they reach your desired consistency.
- Voilà, homemade almond flour ready to elevate your recipes!
I use this almond flour in my sweet potato brownie recipe!
4.) Create Your Own Minced and Dried Herbs and Spices
Don’t let excess veggies go to waste! Make minced garlic, onion powder, and dried rosemary to elevate your culinary game.
Minced Garlic: Simple, blend garlic cloves with oil and store in the freezer.
Garlic Powder: Thinly slice garlic, bake, blend into a powder, and store.
Onion Powder: Grate onions, dry, blend into a powder, and store.
Dried Rosemary: Tie rosemary sprigs, let them hang-dry, then store.
Stay tuned for more homemade spice ideas in our upcoming comprehensive list.
5.) Find Your Local Spring
City water might not be ideal for drinking or pets, so find your local spring for a fresher alternative. Ask local experts or check findaspring.org for leads.
6.) Grow Vertically
Don’t let space limitations cramp your style. You can grow beans, squash, watermelon, cantaloupe, specific spinach varieties, and even some tomatoes vertically. Get creative with trellises and archways to maximize your yield.
7.) Container Gardening for the Win
Limited space? No problem. Container gardening is your answer. From tomatoes to lettuce, herbs to bell peppers, there’s a whole world of veggies that thrive in containers. Read our “12 Container-Friendly Veggies” article for more insights.
Bootstrap Farmer has some great grow bags that are perfect for container gardening.
8.) Homemade Butter – It’s a 3-in-1 Wonder
A good butter is a homesteader’s staple. Whip it up at home for ultimate satisfaction and a triple treat of butter, buttermilk, and whipped cream.
Store wrapped or in a sealed container in the fridge.
9.) Know Your Sourdough Starter
Patience is key when making sourdough starter. The week-long process is worth it for the versatility it offers. From sandwich bread to bagels, sourdough is your culinary canvas.
10.) Start a Compost Pile or Try Vermicomposting
Don’t let food scraps go to waste. Vermicomposting is the answer for us space-conscious homesteaders. Worm castings are a goldmine for your garden. Red wigglers are your allies here – they eat their weight in scraps daily and multiply rapidly.
11.) Master Companion Planting
Understanding which veggies thrive together is crucial. Companion planting is like matchmaking for your garden. Basil next to tomatoes keeps hornworms away, while garlic deters pests from potatoes, cabbage, and lettuce. Whether you’re backyard homesteaders or big time farmers, it’s all about the zone. Discover more pairings in our free upcoming e-book (release date October 1, 2023).
12.) Know Your Zone
Your growing zone is your homesteading compass. It tells you what will thrive in your area and when to plant. We’re in zone 5, so bananas are a no-go. Get to know your zone, and plan accordingly.
13.) Make Homesteading Friends
Meat lovers in an urban homestead? Make friends and purchase farm animals together. Share the cost and fill your freezer with half a cow, pork, and chickens. It’s a win-win.
Have you ever made your own lunch meat? So worth it!
14.) Educate Yourself
Nothing is more important than soaking up every bit of knowledge and wisdom while on your backyard homesteaders journey. I, like a lot of you, didn’t grow up on a farm. We’ve really had to learn as we go, and that’s okay!
Thankfully, I’ve found some fantastic resources that pushed my abilities further than I thought possible. Read my post The Homesteaders Library for a list of my 7 favorite books (with bonuses).
Not included in that list is a book that I believe every single small homesteader should read. The Self-Sufficient Backyard by Ron and Johanna Melchiore is THE book for people like us. They started are full blown backyard homestead on 1/4 acre and have been living off-grid since 1980! They wrote this book to share their 40+ years of experience and they did not disappoint!
Embrace these tips, fellow backyard homesteaders, and watch your mini-homestead thrive with spunky, sustainable vigor!
