How to Start Homesteading with No Land

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Homesteading with no land: Learn practical ways to start growing food, raising animals, and building self-sufficiency wherever you live.

Homesteading isn’t all about owning a lot of land or a big garden. It’s a simple way to become self sufficient even if you have limited space or no land.  


While traditional homesteads might have acres of farmland, you can still homestead in an apartment or a small space. The homesteading journey is all about growing your own food, making homemade products, and relying less on the local grocery store.


Even without land, you can grow medicinal herbs, veggies, and even raise animals. 


Container gardening, hydroponics, and vertical gardening are some of the ideas that could help you get there. Don’t worry—you can learn everything you need to get started by joining local groups and online communities, interacting with local farms, and, of course, reading blog posts like this one. 


To get started, be prepared to learn about food preservation, sewing, baking, making your own cleaning products, and more. Do something with your free time and live more sustainably while potentially saving money.


Small changes, like using food scraps and grass clippings to make rich compost (so you can grow beautiful, leafy greens) or collecting rainwater, help cut down on waste and make you more self-reliant.


Homesteading is more about your state of mind and less about where you live. With the right mindset and a few simple skills, you can take the first steps toward self-sufficiency.  

Cultivating a Homestead Mindset

Homesteading starts with how you think, not where you live. Even if you don’t have a small garden, you can still take steps toward self-sufficiency. You can do by focusing on skills and habits that reduce your reliance on outside sources. Instead of waiting for the “perfect” setup, start where you are with what you have.


This means shifting your focus to what you can make, grow, or repurpose. You may need to learn a few new skills, but the more you develop now, the easier it will be to expand your homesteading efforts over time.

Embrace Self-sufficiency

Self-sufficiency is a mindset. It’s about looking at what you already have and asking, “How can I make this work?” The more you practice this way of thinking, the easier it becomes to live with less dependence on external systems.

Wondering where to start?

Begin by making more of what you use daily instead of buying it. Learn to make your own cleaning products, herbal remedies, and basic household goods to control what goes into them and save money. Cook from scratch instead of relying on processed foods.


But don’t stop there. Reduce waste. Instead of throwing things away, find ways to reuse or repurpose them. Mend clothes instead of replacing them, save vegetable scraps for broth, and use glass jars for storage. The less you rely on outside resources, the more independent you become.


What else can you do to build a beautiful homesteading lifestyle? With a little creativity, resourcefulness, and willingness, anyone can lead a self-sufficient lifestyle in the United States or almost anywhere in the world.

Research and Education

Read books, watch YouTube videos, and follow homesteaders online to pick up skills you can actually use. Look for tips on growing food in small spaces, cutting down on waste, and making everyday essentials at home.


Check out local community centers, libraries, and local farms. Many places like these offer workshops on things like food preservation, sewing, and DIY cleaning products. Even if you don’t have a garden, you can still learn to can fruits and veggies, dehydrate food, use a sewing machine, or make homemade sourdough bread and soap.


The goal is to start doing, not just reading. Try fermenting vegetables, baking from scratch, or replacing store-bought products with homemade versions. The more hands-on experience you get now, the easier it will be to build your skills over time.

Indoor Gardening

You don’t need a big yard to grow your own food. With a little creativity, you can grow fresh herbs, veggies, and even microgreens right in your home. Whether it’s a sunny windowsill, a small balcony, or a corner of your kitchen, there are plenty of ways to make it work. When it comes to indoor gardening, consider options like container gardening, vertical gardening, hydroponics, and aeroponics.

Container Gardening

Container gardening is one of the easiest ways to grow your own food. With the right setup, you can grow fresh herbs, leafy greens, and even compact vegetables right inside your home. 

Choosing the Right Containers

Look for pots with drainage holes to prevent water buildup. Fabric grow bags, ceramic pots, and repurposed containers all work well. If space is tight, stackable planters or window boxes can help maximize growing space.

Best Plants for Indoor Growing

Herbs like basil, mint, and parsley thrive indoors. Leafy greens like spinach and lettuce also do well in containers. If you have a sunny spot, dwarf tomatoes or peppers can produce right on your countertop.

Space-Saving Techniques

Use shelves, plant stands, or a rolling cart to keep plants organized and maximize space. Rotate plants occasionally for even light exposure. And if natural light is limited, consider grow lights to keep your plants nice and thriving.

Hydroponics and Aeroponics

If you’re short on space, hydroponics and aeroponics could be a great way to grow your own food without soil. These methods use water or mist to deliver nutrients directly to plant roots, making them efficient and space-saving.

What’s the Difference?

• Hydroponics: Plants grow in a water-based system with added nutrients. Systems like the Kratky method (a simple, non-circulating setup) or deep water culture (where roots sit in oxygenated water) are easy to start at home.
• Aeroponics: Instead of sitting in water, plant roots hang in the air and get sprayed with nutrient-rich mist. This method uses less water and can produce faster growth but requires more setup.

Getting Started

Many beginner-friendly hydroponic kits are available, or you can DIY a simple setup using plastic containers, air pumps, and nutrient solutions. Leafy greens and herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow this way. No garden beds needed. 

Vertical Gardening

When floor space is limited, think up instead of out. Vertical gardening allows you to grow food on walls, balconies, or even inside your home.

.Best Vertical Gardening Setups

• Wall planters: These are great for herbs and small greens. They save space while helping you naturally add greenery to any room.
• Hanging baskets: Use hanging baskets for trailing plants like strawberries or cherry tomatoes. You want to hang them near a sunny window or on a balcony.
• Trellises and ladder shelves: Climbing plants like peas and beans can be trained to grow upward, while tiered shelves let you stack multiple plants without taking up much room.

Tip: Since vertical gardens rely on stacked or raised setups, ensure each plant gets enough light. Rotate planters as needed, and water carefully. Higher planters may dry out faster than lower ones.

Community Resources

Plenty of communities have shared spaces and programs that let you get involved, whether it’s through a local garden plot, a land-sharing arrangement, and other urban farming opportunities. With a little effort, you can find ways to grow fresh food while connecting with people who have the same goals as you.

Community Gardens

Community gardens give you a place to grow your own food without needing a backyard. These shared spaces, often run by local groups or city programs, let members plant and harvest their own crops. 

Well, some have a waitlist, so it’s a good idea to check early and see what’s available in your area. If there isn’t one nearby, do something about it. You might be able to start one with neighbors or through a local nonprofit.

Many cities even offer grants or unused land for community gardens. Besides fresh food, these gardens also create a sense of community and let you learn from other gardeners.

Land Sharing

Land sharing is exactly what it sounds like, using someone else’s land to grow your own food. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a neighbor letting you use a patch of their yard in exchange for a share of the harvest. 

Other times, it’s through organized programs like WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms), where you can live and work on a farm in exchange for food and hands-on experience. 

Some online platforms and local groups also connect landowners with people looking for space to garden. If you don’t have your own land, this is a great way to start growing. No more excuses for not growing your own fresh produce and becoming food secure!

Urban Farming Opportunities

Urban farming is becoming more common these days. Many cities are making it easier to grow food in unexpected places. Think of rooftops, vacant lots, and even shipping containers. 

Some cities have programs that help people start small-scale farms, while others offer shared farming spaces where you can rent a plot. 

There’s also guerrilla gardening, where people plant food or flowers in neglected public spaces. While it’s not always legal, some communities encourage it as a way to make use of abandoned land. 

Whether through official programs or creative workarounds, there are plenty of ways to grow food even if you live right in the middle of a city.

Small-Scale Animal Husbandry

Raising animals might seem out of reach if you don’t have land, but it’s actually more doable than you’d think. Plenty of small-scale options exist, even in urban settings. 

Whether it’s keeping a few hens for fresh eggs, raising quails in a compact space, or trying out an aquaponics setup, you can find a way to add all kinds of small animals to your homesteading efforts.

Backyard Chickens (If Space Allows)

If you have a little outdoor space, chickens can be a great addition to your setup. But before jumping in, be sure to check your local laws. Some cities allow hens but not roosters, while others have restrictions on coop size or placement. 

Even if backyard chickens aren’t an option for you, don’t give up just yet. Because there are still ways to keep poultry in smaller spaces.

Chickens in Urban Settings

If you have very limited space, a compact chicken coop on a patio or balcony could be an option. Look into vertical coop designs or movable chicken tractors that make the most of whatever space you have. 


Some urban chicken keepers even use deep-litter systems to manage waste more efficiently. If your area doesn’t allow keeping chickens at home consider joining a local community farm that lets you raise poultry on shared land.

Micro-Livestock

If chickens aren’t practical, smaller livestock might be the way to go. Quails are a great alternative. These birds are quieter than chickens, take up very little space, and still provide eggs and meat. 


Rabbits are another great option, especially if you’re looking for a sustainable meat source that doesn’t take up much space. If you want to get creative, you could even raise fish like tilapia in an aquaponics system, where they help nourish plants while growing in a small tank.

DIY and Upcycling

Even if you live in a tiny apartment surrounded by all kinds of urban environments, you can still find ways to create a sustainable lifestyle. You can become more self-sufficient by reusing, repurposing, and getting creative with everyday items.

Crafting from Waste

A lot of what gets tossed in the trash could actually be put to good use. Food scraps and grass clippings? Potted plants and balcony gardens need high-quality soil, and you can fertilize it with compost made from food scraps, grass clippings and more. 

Citrus peels? Soak them in vinegar for an easy homemade cleaner so you can stop using those harsh chemicals and even save a cent or two in the process. 

But that’s not all. 

You can do something with old fabric, glass jars, and cardboard boxes. You can repurpose them into storage, seed starters, or useful household tools. Instead of letting things pile up in a landfill, why not turn them into something you or someone else could actually use?

DIY Projects

You don’t need a big backyard to tackle simple, practical projects. 

A small rain barrel setup on a balcony can collect water for plants.
A solar oven on a sunny rooftop, balcony, or patio can cook food without using electricity.

Or you could grow beautiful, healthy herbs in repurposed containers on a kitchen counter, giving you fresh ingredients year-round. 

All these little projects prove that homesteading is more about creativity and resourcefulness than owning a big piece of land. 

It’s all about making small adjustments to your mindset and doing more with less without sacrificing personal happiness and satisfaction.

Food Preservation and Storage

When you’re living the homesteading life without a ton of land, you learn to get creative with space and resources. Whether you’re stocking up on seasonal essentials from the local farmer’s market or preserving produce you’ve grown yourself, it’s all about working smarter, not harder. 


Let’s break down some practical tips for bulk buying, storage, and food preservation that’ll help you keep your pantry stocked and your meals fresh, even if you’re working with a small space.

Preservation Techniques

Canning

Canning is a tried-and-true method that works for everything from jams to soups. All you need for water bath canning is a large pot, some jars, and a bit of counter space to get started. It’s perfect for long-term storage, and the jars can be stacked neatly in a closet or under the bed.

Dehydrating

This is another great option for saving space. You can use a dehydrator or even your oven to dry fruits, veggies, and herbs. Once they’re dried, they take up way less room and can be stored in airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags. Plus, they’re lightweight and easy to stash anywhere.

Fermenting

Fermentation is a great way to add some probiotics and bold flavors to your diet. Stuff like sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickles just need a jar, some salt, and a cool, dark spot to do their thing. It’s a simple, low-tech way to preserve food while making it even healthier.

Freezing

You can make the most of a small freezer by using vacuum-sealed bags or flat-packed containers. Blanching veggies before freezing keeps them fresh, and freezing fruits on a tray before bagging them stops them from clumping together. With a little creativity, your freezer can hold way more than you’d think.

Building a Support Network

Whether you’re growing herbs on your apartment balcony, canning veggies in a small kitchen, or raising chickens in a shared backyard, having a community to lean on makes a huge difference. 

Local homesteading groups and online communities are full of people who get it—they’ve been there, done that, and are happy to share what they know. 

Let’s talk about how these connections can help you build a support network that makes homesteading easier and more fun.

Local Homesteading Groups

Local homesteading groups, whether they’re official clubs or just a bunch of neighbors hanging out, are a great place for swapping tips, sharing tools, and even trading goods. 

These groups often host workshops or meetups where you can learn skills like composting, beekeeping, or making your own soap. If you don’t have land, these groups can hook you up with shared garden spaces, tools, or even chances to pitch in on a community farm.

Bartering is a big part of homesteading life. Got too many zucchini? Trade them for a jar of homemade jam. Made a bunch of candles but need fresh eggs? Someone in your group probably has you covered. 

It’s not just about saving money. It’s about building relationships and helping each other out. To find a group near you, check out local bulletin boards, farmers’ markets, or Facebook. You might be surprised how many people in your area are into this stuff.

Online Communities

Online homesteading communities are a lifesaver, especially if you’re starting without land. Places like Facebook groups, Reddit threads, or forums are full of people sharing tips, advice, and even seeds. 

You can learn how to grow tomatoes in pots, build a rainwater collector, or swap seeds with others. It’s a great way to connect, get inspired, and find solutions to challenges, all from the comfort of your home. 

Plus, it’s free and super easy to join! I mean, how hard is it to subscribe to that homesteading YouTube channel or getting accepted into that Subreddit? 

Wrapping Up

The homesteading lifestyle gives you a peace of mind in a way very few other pursuits can. It works no matter where you live, whether it’s an apartment, a small house, or even a shared space. 

Start small with something easy, like growing herbs in a pot or trying a simple DIY project. 

As you get more comfortable or if you have more room later, you can add on. 

Take your time, learn as you go, and enjoy the process. 

You’ll get there!