10 Simple Ways to Get Started with Micro-Homesteading As A Beginner

Living sustainably is a lifestyle that many people aspire to in today’s era. You may want to start homesteading, but perhaps you cannot move to a rural area for various reasons.

With so many people residing in cities and towns, not everyone can relocate to the countryside instantly.

This reality is especially true in today’s economy, where purchasing land to start your homesteading dream can be financially challenging.

But I have good news for you. 

The good news is that you can still become a micro-homesteader, regardless of where you live—whether in an apartment or a small house. You can still make a difference in creating the lifestyle you desire.

In this article, you will learn simple ways to get started with micro-homesteading, especially if you’re a beginner. This guide will provide practical information you can apply right away.

So, keep reading and learn along the way.

What is Micro-Homesteading?

I believe micro-homesteading doesn’t have a single, fixed meaning, but I am sure it’s a lifestyle and attitude you can adopt to live sustainably, whether you reside in an urban area (a small apartment or limited space) or a rural one (a farm).

Do you recycle?

If so, you might not realize it, but that’s already a great practice for micro-homesteading.

Do you use food scraps to make compost, even in a small garden in your backyard?

Then you’re already excelling at micro-homesteading—even if you’re not aware of it.

Micro-homesteading is about making small changes in your daily life to become more self-sufficient, like growing your own food, reducing waste, and adopting simple habits that benefit the environment.

You don’t actually need a big garden or land. Even a small balcony in your apartment or a sunny windowsill can be enough to start micro-homesteading—even if you don’t have any available land for planting at all.

Growing in containers, joining a community garden, or even just buying from local farmers are all excellent ways to support yourself, the environment, and the people around you.

Why Micro-Homestead?

I’m sure many of us, even those already engaged in gardening, wanted to be self-sufficient, which is actually a good habit for your lifestyle and for the planet. 

By relying less on stores or artificial products you've been purchasing, you're not only shifting to healthier consumption habits but also learning to be independent in ways you might not have expected (like cooking your own food instead of ordering takeout, mending your own clothes, or making your own jam).

Not only that, you can learn new skills as well like gardening (like lasagna method), cooking, and preserving food that are a must in living sustainably.

You also gain control over what goes into your food (by avoiding harmful chemicals and enjoying fresh produce right from your garden).

Another great reason to think about micro-homesteading is the money you can save. When you grow your own fruits and vegetables, even in a small space, you can really cut down on your grocery bills.

You see, micro-homesteading also helps you live a simpler life.

With less focus on buying outside, you can start to enjoy the little things more—while becoming self-sufficient.

These are just some of the reasons—there is no shortage of reasons why you should start micro-homesteading.

But in the meantime, let’s take a look at the 10 ways on how you can get started on micro-homesteading.

10 Ways on How to Get Started in Micro-Homesteading

1. Enjoy Growing Your Own Herbs

This might sound like familiar advice, but it’s effective: start small. By this, I mean begin with plants that are easy to grow, like herbs such as basil, parsley, or mint.

These herbs require minimal care and can thrive in small spaces, so you don’t need to worry about your living conditions.

If you live in an apartment with limited space (or even none at all), consider planting them in pots or containers and placing them on your balcony or windowsill.

Not only can these herbs be used for cooking, but they’ll also add a touch of greenery to your home, making it more aesthetically pleasing.

This is a simple yet effective way to begin living sustainably.

2. Try Container Gardening

This method is one of the best practices you can adopt in gardening. It’s both innovative and efficient.

If you have limited outdoor space, look for containers (recycled ones work great) around your home where you can plant tomatoes, peppers, or even lettuce. Just make sure the containers are the right size to provide adequate space and nutrients for each plant.

Fill the containers with high-quality potting mix that offers good drainage and moisture retention to help your plants thrive.

To make things even easier, consider using self-watering containers or adding a layer of mulch on top of the soil. This will help retain moisture longer and prevent weeds from growing.

Container gardening also gives you a chance to get creative.

You can mix different plants in one pot or select colorful containers to brighten up your space.

3. Compost Food Scraps

Do you usually throw away kitchen scraps like vegetable or fruit peels? Did you know you can actually use those scraps to create your own compost?

Now is a great time to start a composting habit.

Setting up a compost bin in your kitchen or backyard allows you to recycle kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich soil for your garden.

You can compost items like fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, and grass clippings. Just remember to avoid adding meat, dairy, and oily foods, as these can attract pests. Over time, the scraps will break down into dark, crumbly soil perfect for garden use.

If you have a larger lawn and want to try to make compost quickly, then check out our article on a 18-day compost method.

If you really want to live sustainably, this is a great practice since it’s not only helpful for your garden but also for the environment (by reducing the waste that ends up in landfill).

This simple step allows you to live more sustainably while making the most of what you already have.

4. Practice DIY Skills

Learning basic DIY skills can be incredibly useful in daily life.

Skills like sewing, woodworking, or repairing household items not only save you money but also give you a sense of accomplishment when you complete projects on your own.

For example, if you know how to sew, you can easily mend clothes instead of discarding them. It’s a simple way to keep your favorite outfits in use and reduce waste at the same time.

There’s something special about wearing something you’ve repaired or even made yourself. When my mother taught me how to sew, I felt a sense of pride—and independence—each time I mended my own clothes by hand.

You’ll be surprised at how many items can be repaired with just a little effort.

Practicing DIY skills encourages you to be more self-sufficient. It helps you think creatively about how to take care of your home and belongings. 

So, why not start small? Pick one skill that interests you and give it a try. 

You might find it’s more enjoyable and at the same time sustainable than you expected.

5. Raise Backyard Chickens and Animals 

Have you ever thought about raising a few chickens in your backyard? 

If it’s allowed in your area, keeping chickens can be a practical choice. 

Taking care of chickens is simple. They don’t need a lot of space, so even if you have a small yard, you can still make it work.

My family has a small plot of land on a farm, and my mother raises three goats there. I’ve seen firsthand how easy it can be to care for them, just like caring for chickens.

All you need to provide are food, water, and a safe place to sleep at night, along with a bit of space for them to roam and scratch around during the day.

This is a practical addition to your homesteading efforts, since they give you fresh eggs and meats you can consume, so if you’re looking to become more self-sufficient in food production, raising chickens (or even goats, if you have a passion for animals) is a great option to consider.

6. Buy at your Local Farmers’ Market

Buying at the farmers market is a great practice for micro-homesteading. 

The produce at farmers markets is usually fresher than what you find in grocery stores. Since it’s often picked right before being sold, it tastes better and has more nutrients.

This means you’re not only getting better-tasting food but also healthier options for you and your family.

Aside from that when you purchase locally grown food, you support nearby farmers and help keep small farms in business.

Not only can you support local farmers, but you also have the opportunity to talk directly with them, which allows you to learn about how your food is grown and the practices they use.

You might even pick up tips to apply in your own home.

7. Try Cooking From Scratch 

I’ve seen how passionate my mother is about cooking our own food for a few reasons—eating healthier and saving money.

When you make food at home, you get to choose exactly what goes into your meals. This means you can use fresh ingredients and skip the preservatives and unhealthy additives often found in store-bought foods.

It also lets you be creative in the kitchen and try new recipes, which is even more fun if you grow your own vegetables or herbs.

You don’t need to be an expert cook; even basic cooking skills are already a good start.

If you're willing, there are plenty of resources online, from how-to videos to articles, that can help you improve your cooking skills.

8. Make Homemade Cleaning Materials

For anyone interested in micro-homesteading, making your own cleaning supplies is another great practice.

Instead of using chemical-based products from the store, you can use simple ingredients like vinegar (you can use this mixture to kill weeds), baking soda, and lemon juice to create effective cleaners that are safe for your family and the environment.

For example, a mixture of vinegar and water works well for cleaning windows and surfaces.

In our household, we often use baking soda to scrub sinks and remove odors from carpets. You can even add a few drops of essential oils for a pleasant scent and extra cleaning power.

You see, these homemade solutions are often just as effective as store-bought cleaners but much cheaper.

9. Collect Rainwater

A simple yet effective way to conserve water is to set up a system to collect rainwater from your roof.

You can store it for future uses around your home and garden. This not only gives you a free source of water but also helps reduce the pressure on local water supplies.

Try using a rain barrel placed under a downspout to catch water running off your roof. If you have a larger roof, multiple barrels can help you collect even more.

Whenever it rains in our area, we set out a few buckets under the roof to catch the rainwater, and my mom uses it for tasks like cleaning the toilet or washing tools.

So, it’s a win-win when it rains—not only do the plants get watered, but you also collect water for other household uses.

10. Join a Community

By joining gardening or homesteading communities, you can talk about your experiences and learn from what others have done. 

If you have questions about gardening, taking care of animals, or preserving food, you can ask for advice and get helpful tips from people who have more experience in micro-homesteading.

You can also find local groups or online forums where people who share the same interests with you in growing food, raising animals, or living sustainably.

This is one of the practical ways you can learn micro-homesteading. By joining such communities, you allow yourself to receive support and encouragement as you work on your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)