Growing some of your family’s food is an excellent way to save money and eat organically without spending too much. As food prices keep rising, many families are discovering that backyard farming can provide high-quality food affordably. The desire for better food and concerns about costs are driving more people to start these gardens at home.
North America has about 20 million acres of lawns, and we spend a fortune maintaining them with chemicals. Imagine if we all turned our yards into small farms, even with just a few container gardens. We’d see more local food available and lower costs. This idea is gaining traction as more homeowners find creative ways to farm in cities.
Some families use their backyards solely to grow food for themselves. These small urban farms vary from simple raised beds to complex setups with animals, bees, and even ponds. Anyone can start small-scale backyard farming, be it with a container garden or larger plots with chickens or beehives.
The book “Backyard Farming on an Acre (More or Less)” offers lots of tips for farming in a limited space. It even suggests layouts and organization to maximize productivity. The authors showcase their productive microfarm, featuring chickens, rabbits, goats, and sheep, along with a garden, fruit trees, nut trees, and beehives, all on just one acre.
Backyard farming can also be a source of income. Before I knew it, my friend Daniel recommended “The Urban Farmer: Growing Food for Profit.” It’s about a commercial urban farmer who grows for markets, restaurants, and his own needs. After some research, I found many people earn $30-$50K in extra income from just 1/10 acre! These mini-farms range from simple gardens to greenhouses with raised beds, bees, aquaponics, and chickens.
I’d suggest every family try growing something in their yard. Gardening offers numerous health benefits, including spending more time outside and connecting with your food source. Our family is working towards living more locally and growing more of our food. Even on our acre, we’ve been impressed by what we can produce. Our small garden helps cut our food bill, and our kids have learned a lot about where food comes from by helping out. My son’s beehive provides local honey and some income too.
If you haven’t started yet, consider backyard farming, whether it’s a small window plant or a more extensive garden on your land. New gardeners might want to begin with a small square-foot garden or try vertical gardening if space is tight.
A little garden has dual benefits. Even just a few kitchen microgreens can be a good start. For those who feel more ambitious, grow a surplus to share or sell at a farmers market. Try growing microgreens in a simple greenhouse for local restaurant sales. They’re quick to grow with minimal costs, making them an ideal first crop.
Living in the city may limit you from keeping a cow, but many cities allow small backyard animals. Honeybees are fantastic, too. Most places allow them, and with their populations dwindling, bee-keeping can benefit your community. Bees don’t just provide honey; their wax is useful in homemade beauty products like lotions and bars.
What are you doing in your home? Share your homesteading activities and experiences!
