by Lenna Gonya

Created on: July 22, 2010

An urban homestead is based on the very old idea of homesteading in the country. The difference is that it is done in the city, or the suburbs.

It isn’t only those who own land in the country that are concerned with becoming more self sufficient, organic, and environmentally friendly. Those who must live in the city or suburbs are just as concerned, and just as determined to live a more independent life. Urban homesteading, however, does offer a whole new set of challenges for the homesteader, and takes a little creativity and imagination to pursue.

At first glance, you wouldn’t think that most homes in the city have facilities for homesteading in any form, but city dwellers and suburbanites have come up with creative methods of growing their own produce, supplying their homes with self sustaining alternative energy, and in some cases, even raising animals.

Drive down any city street and you will probably notice that yards and porches are changing. Front and back yards, regardless of the size are more than grass these days in many cases. Front flower beds are now vegetable patches, planter boxes hold tomatoes and peppers, and sidewalks are lined with squash vines. Where yard space is at a premium, porches may hold pot gardens, and miniature fruit trees.

Back yard gardeners are rethinking their landscape, and planting fruit trees where shade trees were once the only option. Berry bushes and strawberry patches are taking the place of flowering plants and ornamental shrubs. And, greenhouses, which come in about any size to fit any space are appearing everywhere.

Even those living in high rise apartments who are lucky enough to have balconies, are trying their hand at raising vegetables.

Suburban homesteaders, or those who live just far enough outside of the main city centers, are even taking a crack at keeping some animals, where codes permit. Small animals are the general rule. Rabbits, chickens, and possibly a sheep or two, for wool, are the most common. Rabbits provide material for compost piles, chickens, of course, become a source of eggs, and, in an age when many people are actually making some of their own clothing and yarns, sheep provide the necessary wool.

Wind turbines and solar power are helping to cut down the cost of high energy bills, and with the introduction of less expensive solar panels and rooftop turbines, more and more homes will have the space to use these alternatives.

Urban homesteading is just one more example of the ingenuity of those diehards who are farmers at heart. They are providing food for their families, saving energy, and planting green, growing things that help to clean up the air.

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