This post is all about micro homesteading.
Micro Homesteading: Getting Started
A lot of people are intrigued by the idea of homesteading, but don’t have the desire to go all in. And that’s completely fine! Do not let that stop you from taking small steps towards increasing your self-sufficiency. You don’t have to go off-grid, or be totally self-sufficient to reap the benefits of homesteading. Have you ever heard of micro homesteading? If you want to take some level of control of what you put in your body, and where your food comes from, micro homesteading may be the perfect fit for you. It’s especially great for those that live in urban areas, or if you simply don’t have a lot of land. It’s essentially homesteading, on a smaller scale.
Our Backyard Bounty firmly believes that homesteading and micro homesteading can look different for everyone. There isn’t a list of strict rules. People thinking that it has to be all or nothing, are missing out on the simple joys that come with areas of homesteading.
In this post we will give you 10 ideas to get started with micro homesteading. The purpose of these ideas is to take small areas of your life, and improve them by switching out harmful processed ingredients and replacing them with fresh ingredients, or self-sufficiency.
As a means for providing for my family, I may earn commissions if you shop through the links on this page at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
10 Ideas For Starting Your Micro Homestead:
1. Grow Your Own Food (Some of it)
You don’t need to have a giant green house, or acres of farmland. Just start a small raised garden bed in your yard, or even on your porch or deck. In fact, raised garden beds offer multiple benefits compared to in-ground gardens for growing food.
Benefits Of Raised Garden Beds:
Improved Soil Quality: You have full control over the soil in your raised garden bed which gives you the ability to create nutrient rich, well-draining soil.
Extended Growing Season: The soil in raised garden beds warms quicker, so you can start planting earlier in the spring!
Reduced Soil Compaction: Since you won’t be walking on the soil, it stays lose and aerated which is beneficial to root development and drainage.
Easier Weed Management: Adding weed free soil allows you to minimize weed growth in your raised garden bed. Additionally, since it has borders, it makes weeds easier to remove and manage when they do show up.
Higher Yields In Smaller Spaces: Because the soil is more nutrient rich, you can plant things closer together, creating higher yields, in a small space.
Aesthetic Appeal: Raised garden beds can be neatly organized, and have a visually appealing look to them. This makes them a great addition to a small backyard, or porch/patio.
Top Rated Raised Garden Beds For Micro Homesteading
Best Choice Products Raised Garden Bed
- LARGE PLANTING SPACE: 8.4 cubic feet of space can support your choice of flowers, succulents, vegetables, and more
- PROPER DRAINAGE: Six drainage holes help the roots aerate and allow excess water to escape, encouraging long-term growth while helping prevent rot or mineral build-up
- ALL-WOOD CONSTRUCTION: Naturally durable Chinese fir wood provides a durable, weather-friendly structure that will avoid warps and sagging over time
- ERGONOMIC HEIGHT: The 30-inch tall design removes the need for bending or kneeling, preserving your back and knees as you tend to your balcony, deck, or patio garden
- PROTECT YOUR PLANTS: An elevated bed discourages pets, rodents, and other animals from invading your garden space and ruining your hard work; OVERALL DIMENSIONS: 72″(L) x 24″(W) x 30″(H); WEIGHT CAPACITY: 300 lbs.
Best Choice Products Raised Garden Bed w/Lockable Wheels
- EASY MOBILITY: Built with a set of locking wheels to move the planter from place to place and capture the right amounts of sun and shade
- ERGONOMIC STRUCTURE: Stands 32 inches tall, making it perfect for those who struggle to bend down or lean over while gardening
- GARDEN BED LINER: Separates wood from the soil, keeping planter in excellent condition and preventing weeds and other invasive species from interfering with plant growth
- MAXIMIZE SPACE: Get the most out of your planting and storage space thanks to the large bed with a built-in storage shelf for your favorite garden accessories
- 4 DRAINAGE HOLES: Allows excess water to drain out, preventing root breakdown and oversaturation while keeping the soil fresh; OVERALL DIMENSIONS: 48″(L) x 24″(W) x 32″(H); Weight Capacity: 100 lbs.
Land Guard Galvanized Raised Garden Bed
- Spacious planting space: Raised garden bed with legs, 48x24x32 inches, 48 gallons, 400 capacity
- Unique design: raised garden beds outdoor for vegetables, it is our custom-designed style The upper part of the garden bed is galvanized sheet, the middle bottom plate is a stainless steel shelf, and the lower 4 legs are aluminum alloy legs, which are more durable than wooden and anti-rust performance keeps it in the best condition for a long time. The 4 corners above and below the raised garden bed are protected with pads, which not only effectively prevent sharp corners from poking people, but also prevent the floor from being scratched.. The garden box is exquisite and stylish, it brings great convenience to our planting life.
- Multipurpose: The galvanized raised garden bed is durable and strong load-bearing, it can provide ample growing space for plants. We can use it to grow vegetables, fruits and herbs. This metal raised beds for gardening can be used both indoors and outdoors, it is suitable for gardens, backyards, balconies and other places.
2. Get Chickens!
If you have the itch to start micro homesteading, getting chickens is a great place to start! Start with a small flock of 4-5 chickens. Not only are chickens fun to raise, but they of course offer the benefit of farm-fresh eggs! Fresh eggs are fresher and more nutrient dense than store-bought eggs.
Studies show that fresh eggs have less cholesterol and saturated fats that store-bought eggs. Additionally, fresh eggs have more vitamin A, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and omega-3 fatty acids. They’re also shown to have more antioxidants and nearly 6 times the vitamin D than store-bought eggs!
Another important fact to consider is the horribly inhumane conditions that chickens in many farm factories are made to endure. Knowing that you’re not supporting those operations, and rather getting your eggs from your own well cared for chickens is extremely rewarding.
If that all isn’t reason enough…store bought eggs can be up to 60 days old by the time you buy them!
You don’t need a lot of space to raise chickens (See: How Much Space Do Chickens Need), and there are tons of great Beginner Friendly Chicken Breeds to choose from.
You can buy adult chickens that are already laying eggs, or start from baby chicks. If you want to raise your chickens from baby chicks, check out our e-book on Raising Baby Chicks!
3. Start Composting
Composting offers many benefits. Using compost in your gardens enriches soil by adding nutrients, improving structure, and enhancing moisture retention, which supports healthier plants and higher yields. (A perfect way to create nutrient dense soil for your raised garden bed!)
Composting also reduces landfill waste, cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions and the need for chemical fertilizers. Lastly, recycling organic waste into a valuable resource, composting saves money, reduces environmental impact, and encourages sustainable, climate-friendly practices.
You can get a nice rotating compost bin to keep in your yard, or you can even get a small countertop compost bin if that better fits your needs for starting out.
Vivosun Rotating Compost Bin
- Twin chambers: Two separate chambers allow one side to finish composting while leaving the other side available to add fresh wastes; Constant alternation of the two sides will create an uninterrupted stream of nutritious compost
- 360⁰ Tumbling Design: The rotating design prevents you from digging or mixing the pile by hand; And the deep fins on eight panels make it easier to turn the compost bin
- Excellent Aeration: Air vents can make the air fully circulate and will not cause an explosion due to excessive internal pressure; Deep fins can better break the clumps, which is conducive to the full fermentation of oxygen
- Sturdy & Durable Construction: Constructed of premium metal frame and high-quality pp plastic body, this tumbling composter is corrosion-resistant, weathering-resistant, sturdy, and durable for long-lasting service life
- Garden Gloves Included: The gloves that not only protect your hands from injury, but are also waterproof, making them easy to clean; With 4 durable ABS plastic claws for easy digging, planting and other gardening work
Tiyafuro 2.4 Gallon Kitchen Compost Bin for Counter Top or Under Sink
- Lid Can Effective Prevent Odor From Escaping:” Indoor hanging compost bin with lid designed specifically as a hidden non smelling, super easy access for load and unload; The compost bucket is the odorless storage for kitchen waste in your home, no charcoal filter costs
- Wall Mount Trash Can:” Trash bin is easy to install hanging, mount accessory ( 1 hook, 2 adhesive hooks and 20 pcs trash bag ) included, fit for most cabinet doors, pantry doors, cupboard, the thickness of the door should be less than 0.95 inch(2.5 cm); Our trash can is not only fit for kitchen countertop, but also fit under sink
- Premium Material and Enough Capacity:” Compost Trash Can is made from ABS plastic, sturdy and durable; Dimension: 10.2 * 6.3 * 11.6 inch, capacity: 2.4 gallon; The Kitchen Pail is easy to clean with soap and water, no crevices for dirt, grime, or liquids to get trapped in
4. Preserving Food
Preserving food is another easy and small way to start micro homesteading. You can start simple with dehydrating or canning food. You can preserve seasonal produce for later use by drying herbs, canning tomatoes, or making pickles. Another option is to freeze herbs in ice cube trays for later use. Just chop herbs, mix with olive oil or water, and freeze for quick use in recipes.
You can easily dry herbs in the oven, then put them in these beautiful glass seasoning jars. Not only is it healthier, and fresher, but the flavor is so much better than store bought herbs that aren’t nearly as fresh.
- ALL YOU NEED ARE IN ONE PACK: Contains 24 glass square spice jars, 24 shaker lids, 492 labels of 3 different types for identifying, a marker and a collapsible silicone funnel for refilling. All accessories essential are provided in this pack, no need of other purchases.
- PREMIUM THICK GLASS JARS: These spice jars is made of thickened glass with square shapes of high-transparency visibility, you can see the contents in the jars directly with what’s inside and how much left. Food-grade glass is healthy for food ingredients, totally BPA free, lead free and shatter-resistance.
- DUAL FUNCTIONAL SHAKR LIDS: For both powder and herbs, we have a special 2-in-1 shaker lid for jars with 2 kinds of sprinkle ports, one is porous for powder ground spices and one is flip for herbs and grains. It can be used according to the type of spice without changing the lid. In addition, the cute and airtight bamboo lids to keep the spice fresh and dry.
- 3 TYPES OF IDENTIFIABLE LABELS: Totally 492 pieces in all of 3 different styles of preprinted labels to help name ingredients on similar jars. The labels contain almost all the spices and food contents even leave some blank labels and a marker for you to write exclusive spices. Unified stick on the jar not only has a distinguishing role but also decorative role, and placed in a row looks more beautiful and coordinated.
5. Make Your Own Vegetable Broth
When chopping vegetables for other recipes, save the scraps! Put them in a baggy or container, and store them int he freezer. Once you have a good collection, use them to make your own vegetable broth. Sautee some onion and garlic in olive oil, then add your vegetable scraps, a bay leaf and water. Then just simmer for about 45 minutes or until it has the flavor you’re looking for. Strain, and you’re all done!
6. Make Your Own Pizza Sauce/Spaghetti Sauce
Ditch all the preservatives and make your own! Pizza sauce and spaghetti sauce are some of the easiest sauces to start making at home. Ideally, you’d use fresh tomatoes from your garden (or store), or perhaps canned tomatoes if you start canning! But even using No Salt Added Tomato Sauce/Tomato Paste is much better than buying the jar stuff. There’s less preservatives, and you can control the amount of sodium. The premade sauces are typically full of unnecessary sodium. You’re much better off making it at home.
7. Collect Rain Water
Save on your water bill by collecting rain water to use to water your lawn and garden. This also comes in very handy if your area is ever experiencing a drought. It’s great to have this collection of water on hand.
50 Gallon Rain Water Collection Barrel
- 50-Gallon Capacity: Provides ample storage for harvested rainwater, ideal for watering gardens, lawns, and plants.
- Durable Construction: Made from UV-resistant polyethylene for long-lasting durability and protection from the elements. Made of 100% Recycled plastic.
- Overflow Valve: Built-in overflow valve for managing excess water and the option to connect multiple barrels for increased storage.
8. Make Sourdough
Jump on the sourdough bandwagon! A lot of people are intimidated to dive into the world of sourdough, but it’s actually very simple. As with all things, making bread at home cuts out the extra preservatives and mystery ingredients. It’s a much healthier way of life. Sourdough is also shown to be much better for gut health and digestion than other types of bread. It also helps keep blood sugar levels in check more so than white bread. You don’t need much to get started. See below for everything you need to start on your sour dough journey!
- Ultimate Banneton Bread Proofing Basket Set: This premium bread baking kit (9″ Round & 10″ Oval) is your secret to flawless artisan sourdough loaves—perfect texture and bakery-quality crust every time.
- Handcrafted for Perfect Proofing: Our natural Indonesian rattan proofing baskets for sourdough bread baking offer splinter-free comfort, ideal moisture absorption, and easy dough release every bake.
- Effortless Baking with Pro-Grade Bread Making Tools: Mix, scrape, and score confidently using stainless-steel Danish whisk, scrapers, and precision bread lame—tools loved by passionate bakers.
- Inspire with a Complete Sourdough Bread Kit: Gift the joy of baking; an ideal sourdough starter kit, it delights beginners and seasoned bread enthusiasts alike, creating moments worth sharing.
- Trusted Sourdough Bread Baking Supplies: Crafted to perfection, our comprehensive bread kit includes everything for stress-free baking, backed by ABIOTO’s commitment to quality and artisan excellence.
- 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴: Supports 5 units (oz/lb:oz/fl’oz/g/mL), tare function, and includes 2 AAA batteries for hassle-free operation
- 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀: Accurately weighs up to 11 lb/5 kg with 1 g increments
- 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 & 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁: The small and sleek scale is a perfect fit for most kitchens, occupying little space and easily storable in cabinets
- 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻: Just wipe down the 304 food-grade stainless steel surfaces to keep clean
- 𝗟𝗖𝗗 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆: Backlit LCD screen with large fonts for easy reading
9. Team Up With Friends and Family
Do you have any family and friends that are interested in micro homesteading? Partner up with them! They can tackle one small area of micro homesteading, and you can take on another. Then you can swap goods! Perhaps you bake sourdough bread, and your friend grows fresh herbs. You could even use some of their fresh herbs in the sourdough bread that you bake! Continue to expand your network, or take on more tasks as you and your friend become more comfortable. Teamwork is a great way to reap bigger benefits, without having to take it all on yourself.
10. Grow Your Own Herbs
Growing herbs is another very easy step to micro homesteading. You can grow herbs outside during the appropriate months for your zone, but it’s also a great idea to have an indoor herb garden so you can enjoy those fresh herbs year-round. Herbs are a fantastic way to add flavor to your foods in a healthy way. And growing those herbs at home, without pesticides is even more beneficial to your overall health.
- Grow Fresh Herbs and Vegetables Indoors: energy-efficient LED grow lights ensure your plants thrive no matter the weather.
- Get Started Right Away: Just drop in the included plant pods, fill the water reservoir, and plug the self watering planter in – your herb garden starter kit is good to go.
- Explore New Plants: Choose from over 50 pre-seeded plant pods for your herb garden like cilantro, basil, lavender, wild strawberries, thyme, and even chili peppers.
- Grow Anything and Everything: Try the seedless plant pods and give your indoor garden kit the power to grow whatever you like. No green thumb needed!
- Your Own Plant Nursery: Transplant your herbs and veggies once grown to your favorite wall, hanging or window planter indoor or outdoor.
- High planting efficiency: Start an indoor herb garden with the Ahopegarden hydroponic growing system, which includes a water reservoir, an overhead LED grow light, and a circulation system that keeps the water fresh. The hydroponic setup and lighting systems allow plants to grow up to faster and healthier in controlled conditions. Simply add plant seeds, water, and nutrients to the reservoir and watch the plants grow
- 10 Pods & Water Level Window Included: This indoor grow kit with light offers 10 growing stations, The reservoir of our hydroponic vegetable garden kit also comes with a see-through water level window, so with a glance, you can see how much water is in the reservoir and when it’s time to add more water.
- 2 Growing Modes for Veggies, Fruits & Flowers: The grow light of our indoor veggie growing system features full-spectrum lamps that simulate natural sunlight, and you can choose between two different light modes (vegetables or flowers&fruit ) based on what you are growing, blue for vegetables and red for fruit. Flowers also can be grown in this indoor plant grower system
- 14.5 Inches Height-Adjustable Light Post: Our harvest indoor hydroponic garden comes with a bright grow light that can be adjusted in height as the plants grow taller. Plants can grow up to 15.3 inches. What’s more, the grow lights are on a 16-hours-on, 8-hours-off timer. So with an automatic light timer, there’s really not much you have to do to get your plants growing u
- The Perfect Gift for Women Who Love Freshness and Creativity: Surprise her with a thoughtful, practical gift that keeps on giving. This herb garden kit brings joy, relaxation, and the satisfaction of growing fresh, aromatic herbs right at home—an ideal present for birthdays, holidays like Christmas, Mother’s Day, or even a house warming gift.
- Complete, Gift-Ready Kit with Everything She Needs: This beautifully packaged set includes 8 herb seed packets, 2 different colored pots, soil pellets, plant markers, and a step-by-step instruction guide, making it the perfect gift for any gardener, whether she’s a gardening pro or just starting out.
- A Special Touch of Green for Any Space: The compact, stylish design fits perfectly in kitchens, balconies, or living areas, adding an elegant touch of nature to her home without requiring a lot of space.
- Simple, Low-Maintenance Gardening for Busy Lifestyles: No green thumb? No problem. This easy-to-use kit is designed for minimal upkeep, making it ideal for her even if she has a packed schedule.
Are you ready to start your micro homesteading journey?
Don’t wait! Start today! So many people spend years just thinking about how they want to start micro homesteading, or simply just cutting back on preservatives and other harmful ingredients that are found in the foods from the store. It’s time to take action. As you can see from this post, there are many small steps you could take. Making even just one of the changes in this post would be beneficial to you and your family’s well-being. So let’s do it. Choose ONE things from this post, and get started now! You won’t regret it.
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What You’ll Find Here
Are you eager to embrace the homesteading lifestyle, but worried about not having enough land? Fear not, for you don’t need vast acres to become a mini homesteader. With a little creativity and effort, you can transform your backyard into a thriving homestead, complete with chickens and a garden. Imagine the satisfaction of growing your own food and using it to whip up delicious, healthy meals. And if you’re ready to take the plunge and raise backyard chickens, you’ve come to the right place. This is where we’ll guide you through the world of modern homesteading.
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