Random thoughts on town/city homesteading

[steve-in-kville]

I was hoping that someone here has tried this or seen it done. There is a possibility that we might be moving into town (church mission effort... long story...). We want to buy a home so I can make modifications to it. There is small tract of land. From what I've read, I can raise rabbits on a moderate scale but chickens are out of the question. There is access to a roof which is semi-flat, so I'm thinking some gardening up there might be in order.

Also brain-storming over a solar panel or two. Not sure what direction we're gonna go yet... still thinking the situation over.

[MariaAZ]

I asked what other urban homesteaders are doing, and got a lot of really great responses. Maybe this thread will give you some ideas.

[Pelenaka]

For me I have found that having limitations puts me into high gear, to think outside the box. Doubt that I would be soo retentive if I had a few acres nor work as hard.
That was a great thread Maria!
God's Blessings on your new opportunity.

~~ pelenaka ~~

[backwoodsboy]

we just moved from South Dakota to a small town in north central Kansas. we bought a 12x70 mobile home on 3 lots with a garden shed, a large root/tornado cellar. All for $5000!!! The house is hooked up to city water but we also have a well on the property. The well had an electric pump but we are looking for a hand pump. I put in a very small garden this year, next year will be much bigger. I am also thinking of raising rabbits on a small scale and looking into solar generated electricity. Wanted a place in the country but could not afford it, so it looks like we will be urban homesteaders to. The next couple of years should be very busy!!

[MariaAZ]

Thanks Pelenaka, but I have to say you are one of my urban agriculture heroes! When my yard grows up I want it to be just like yours.

[ChristyACB]

Beginner Urban Sustainable Homesteader here. There is LOTS you can do but some of the best ones do take a little investment. The upside of that investment is that most of them are significantly positive gainers if you should ever sell the house.

Given your location, you may be in a good spot to get a solar hot water heater rather than electricity panels. A nice Evac tube system, rated for 65 gallons (20 tube SunMaxx) blended into your existing hot water heater can provide significant savings
over the long run and give you independence from other supplies. This system is meant to be "handy owner" friendly in terms of installation. And instead of 10K plus needed to do much with electricity and stay within aesthetics needed to sell again, you can get this very attractive and useful system for 2 to 3 grand, 1600 if you do the installs yourself.

The green roof idea is great, but if the roof wasn't originally designed for it, you can have serious liability issues so check thoroughly with your insurance first!

Naturalize and cultivate all that yard. Anything not under the plow can be naturalized so that it takes less water and maintenance. Blend permaculture into that and it is a double whammy of good for nature and good for you.

Remember the drip! If you don't have it already, install rain diverters into 55 gallon barrels at your downspouts for the gutter system. You'll get a bounty of good stuff for your garden. If you are forced to run AC then install barrels or 13 gallon trash cans below the drips for them. Because of high humidity here (and the intense smoke from wildfires forcing windows closed) I am collecting 20-26 gallons from my split system every single day.

Check into the rules for bees in your area. Many places simply forgot to put that into their agricultural restrictions. Here they didn't so it is a no-go, but even a single hive is going to be great for your garden and a bonus of honey for you.

Dual use trees and decorations. Instead of standard plantings when I built, but in order to stay in good with my neighborhood, I made sure almost all of my plantings are dual use. A sprawling rose has great hips. Bayberry gives visual interest and gives me bayberry and scented foliage (and some pest control). Mulberries (which were accidental) are now being tended for shade during summer and fruit during spring. You get the idea.

Since you are looking now with that in mind..remember to study the position of the home with regard to exposure, shade during different seasons and so on. Southern exposure is great, unless it is only on the front of the house without proper eves during summer. Be sure it is hitting the right spots.

Keep us updated on your search and good luck

[ajaxlucy]

One nice side benefit to urban homesteading is that's it's not as difficult to find housesitters who will care for livestock. We've been able to find several nice and responsible young men who are willing to stay here (with high-speed Internet access) and care for chickens, turkeys, sheep and dogs while we occasionally go out of town.

[ldc]

steve-in Kville, one trick if you end up wanting to use the roof as a garden - is to use large containers, but fill the bottom third or so with styrofoam peanuts, not soil. Then fill the remaining 2/3 with soil. Makes the planter a third lighter, in terms of possible roof stress. I've even done up to half peanuts, with good results. I think it works b/c some veg plants really appreciate DRAINAGE, good drainage. Best wishes with this! ldc