Post by braided-rug on Oct 14, 2008 13:18:40 GMT 10
Getting Started With Urban Homesteading
By Jennifer Carpenter
The term homesteading is usually associated with the Homesteading Act that allowed certain Americans to claim land before the law was done away with in the 1970s. However homesteading as an activity is alive and well and moving into the cities and suburbs of America and many other countries.
Homesteading goes by many other names; simple living, country living, getting back to basics and self-sufficient living. No matter what you call it, it boils down to doing more for yourself and relying less on consumer goods and services. Urban homesteading is simply homesteading without the benefit of a large amount of land, such as in the city. Some of the ways people practice urban homesteading is by container gardening, sewing their own clothes, finding alternative sources of energy, and conserving water through the use of rainwater collection and greywater use.
The first thing you should do if you are interested in homesteading (urban or not) is plan. Plan, plan and then plan some more. The last thing you want is to be stuck not knowing what to do and wasting all your previous efforts. Following are four questions you should ask yourself after you have decided to try your hand at urban homesteading.
What Do You Want To Accomplish With Your Homestead?
Are you interested in just growing fresh herbs and vegetables or do you want to go as far as creating your own clothes, furniture and home furnishings as well as grown your own food? The answers to these questions will have a lot to do with the amount of time and effort you want to, and can, dedicate to homesteading as well as the amount of space and resources available to you. The best idea might be to write a list of your ultimate goals and then start by working towards one at a time.
What Supplies Do I Need To Get Started?
What you need to begin is going to depend largely on what you want to accomplish. To start container gardening you will need at least some large containers (they do not have to be flower pots, any container will do), some potting soil, seeds, and fertilizer if you decide to use a commercial product instead of going organic. Coffee grounds make a decent organic fertilizer if you do not want to but a commercial product.
If you are going to making your own clothes, obviously you will need a sewing machine, fabric, and other sewing supplies. Soap making has its own supplies as does candle making, canning, drying, etc.
What Types Of Alternative Energy Are Possible For Me?
If you own your home, you may be able to go whole hog and install solar panels. If you live in a small apartment or any residence that you do not own, you may have to settle for a small solar generator, or only a solar oven. You can usually hang your clothes outside to dry rather than using a dryer but some areas do not allow clotheslines to be hung so you have to check the local laws. Collecting rainwater is a good way to save water for watering your garden but you need to be careful that your rainwater bins have lids otherwise you will attract mosquitoes. To get started go to your local library and research some alternative energy methods, do not be afraid to think outside the box (the breaker box that is) and commit to whatever you decide.
How Will I Deal With Criticism?
Simple living is not looked upon highly by most people in our consumer goods driven society. Odds are you will have friends and family members that will think what you are doing is pointless and over the top. Consider how you will deal with people criticizing the changes you are making, even going so far as to say that homemade goods are not safe or as good as those bought in a store. Above all, stick to your guns and do not let naysayers make you doubt that you are doing the right thing.
For more information on urban homesteading, visit www.tryurbanhomesteading.com
Jennifer Carpenter is a work at home mother of three, two teens and a preschooler. She is a writer and Internet marketer who is currently working towards financial freedom through working online. Read more about her incredible journey at www.livingmybigdream.com
Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Carpenter
By Jennifer Carpenter
The term homesteading is usually associated with the Homesteading Act that allowed certain Americans to claim land before the law was done away with in the 1970s. However homesteading as an activity is alive and well and moving into the cities and suburbs of America and many other countries.
Homesteading goes by many other names; simple living, country living, getting back to basics and self-sufficient living. No matter what you call it, it boils down to doing more for yourself and relying less on consumer goods and services. Urban homesteading is simply homesteading without the benefit of a large amount of land, such as in the city. Some of the ways people practice urban homesteading is by container gardening, sewing their own clothes, finding alternative sources of energy, and conserving water through the use of rainwater collection and greywater use.
The first thing you should do if you are interested in homesteading (urban or not) is plan. Plan, plan and then plan some more. The last thing you want is to be stuck not knowing what to do and wasting all your previous efforts. Following are four questions you should ask yourself after you have decided to try your hand at urban homesteading.
What Do You Want To Accomplish With Your Homestead?
Are you interested in just growing fresh herbs and vegetables or do you want to go as far as creating your own clothes, furniture and home furnishings as well as grown your own food? The answers to these questions will have a lot to do with the amount of time and effort you want to, and can, dedicate to homesteading as well as the amount of space and resources available to you. The best idea might be to write a list of your ultimate goals and then start by working towards one at a time.
What Supplies Do I Need To Get Started?
What you need to begin is going to depend largely on what you want to accomplish. To start container gardening you will need at least some large containers (they do not have to be flower pots, any container will do), some potting soil, seeds, and fertilizer if you decide to use a commercial product instead of going organic. Coffee grounds make a decent organic fertilizer if you do not want to but a commercial product.
If you are going to making your own clothes, obviously you will need a sewing machine, fabric, and other sewing supplies. Soap making has its own supplies as does candle making, canning, drying, etc.
What Types Of Alternative Energy Are Possible For Me?
If you own your home, you may be able to go whole hog and install solar panels. If you live in a small apartment or any residence that you do not own, you may have to settle for a small solar generator, or only a solar oven. You can usually hang your clothes outside to dry rather than using a dryer but some areas do not allow clotheslines to be hung so you have to check the local laws. Collecting rainwater is a good way to save water for watering your garden but you need to be careful that your rainwater bins have lids otherwise you will attract mosquitoes. To get started go to your local library and research some alternative energy methods, do not be afraid to think outside the box (the breaker box that is) and commit to whatever you decide.
How Will I Deal With Criticism?
Simple living is not looked upon highly by most people in our consumer goods driven society. Odds are you will have friends and family members that will think what you are doing is pointless and over the top. Consider how you will deal with people criticizing the changes you are making, even going so far as to say that homemade goods are not safe or as good as those bought in a store. Above all, stick to your guns and do not let naysayers make you doubt that you are doing the right thing.
For more information on urban homesteading, visit www.tryurbanhomesteading.com
Jennifer Carpenter is a work at home mother of three, two teens and a preschooler. She is a writer and Internet marketer who is currently working towards financial freedom through working online. Read more about her incredible journey at www.livingmybigdream.com
Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Carpenter