If you would’ve told me a few years ago that I’d be raising chickens, tending to bees, baking off my own sourdough loaves, and hauling compost to grow vegetables in our backyard… I probably would’ve immediately said you’re mistaken as I recount the times I burned frozen pizza.
But here we are.
And I gotta be so real with you… I didn’t expect to love it this much.
What started as a little curiosity (sparked by a local sourdough class I took with my mom!) has grown into something so meaningful, so grounding, and honestly? So fun. Somewhere between kneading bread dough and dreaming up a slower pace of life, I found myself Googling smart chicken coops and ordering wildflower seed mixes for the bees. It’s safe to say… the homestead pipeline might be the best funnel I’ve ever gotten myself into. My ADHD is nodding along, too.
Welcome to our micro homestead.
What Is a Suburban Micro Homestead?
I know that I’m throwing a lot of terms and jargon at you, so let’s break it down!
- A micro homestead is exactly what it sounds like: taking the core values of homesteading (self-sufficiency, sustainability, simplicity) and scaling them to fit a smaller suburban or urban property.
- Some people call it micro-farming or having a ‘microfarm’
- I don’t technically live in what looks like your average suburbia, but I still wouldn’t say I’ve got a full blown farm to say the least!
- You don’t need any acreage to even consider yourself a microfarm… just a little patch of land (some folks do this on their apartment balconies or sideyards!), a lot of heart, and a willingness to learn as you go.
- The goal isn’t perfection. It’s to enjoy the process, become a little more connected to where your food comes from, and maybe, just maybe, to raise a few chickens in your basement until the snow melts.
Our Chickens: A Year in the Making
Last year, at my branding shoot, I made a vision board filled with cozy, down-to-earth images… and yes, a lot of chickens. At the time, I joked that I was manifesting a flock, and here we are! Our chicken coop from SmartCoop has been a dream come true. We’ve been talking with their team for over a year, and once Drew got on board (after a year of convincing and many farm egg breakfasts), the whole family was in.
We’re still learning, of course. One thing I never expected? The sound of chicks chirping from our basement. But it’s been such a sweet process watching the girls gently care for them, name them, and get involved. Lesson learned? Chickens are hilariously curious, and they’ll follow you around like you’re the queen of the yard.
The Bees: A Backyard Science Class
We added our first beehive last year! It’s a Flowhive, and let me tell you: beekeeping is pure wonder. I grew up with a healthy fear of bees (swat first, ask questions later), but now? I’ve learned so much about their rhythms and importance, and it’s one of my favorite parts of our homestead.
It’s become this magical thing for the girls to watch up close, too. This entire ecosystem just doing its thing right in our backyard. It’s educational, yes, but also kind of awe-inspiring when you really observe it. Fingers crossed we get honey this year… considering the amount we use in our house, it would be such a full-circle moment.
Our Garden: Trial, Error, and Epic Upgrades
Last year was one giant experiment. I hauled hundreds of pounds of soil (turns out, dirt is heavy), figured out where to splurge vs. save, and slowly learned how to actually grow things in Northern Minnesota.
This season, we’re doing a major upgrade with the help of Epic Gardening, one of the most incredible resources out there. The’ve got a huuuuuge YouTube channel if you’re looking to learn. In fact, you can watch this video of when they came over and seriously helped me upgrade! We’re replacing our old beds with beautiful cedar ones, expanding our layout, and even planning out a perimeter garden for the chickens to forage from.
Lesson learned? Nature doesn’t always follow your Pinterest plan, but it will teach you patience, creativity, and how to pivot when the tomatoes don’t ripen on time.
Other Things We’re Growing (Literally and Figuratively)
Fostering Puppies
Our home just feels more alive with pups running around. We’re hoping to always have a foster dog in the mix, though let’s be honest: potty training in the Minnesota winter deserves an award. We’re excited for the warmer temps and to let these sweet pups explore the land (and hopefully not eat the chickens!)
Our Self-Sufficiency (and Sanity)
It’s not about doing everything ourselves. It’s about doing a little more with our own hands. Getting outside, slowing down, and teaching our kids where food comes from. It feels like we’re circling back to something ancient and sacred. My grandma was a gardener. My grandparents were farmers. And somehow, all of this feels like coming home to myself.
The Challenges of Suburban Micro Homesteading
It’s not all sunshine and fresh eggs, though sometimes I wish it were.
There are days when everything blooms… and days when everything wilts. Sometimes the bees act weird, or the plants don’t take, or the chickens find their way into a part of the garden they definitely weren’t invited to.
But it’s worth it. All of it.
Suburban Homesteading Tips and Lessons I’ve Learned the Hard Way
Here’s what I’d say:
- Start small: one raised bed, a few herbs, or a beehive if you’re feeling brave.
- Learn as you go. Mistakes are part of it.
- Involve your kids (they’re better helpers than you think!).
- Support local. It’s amazing how much wisdom lives right in your community.
- Keep it light. This isn’t about homesteading perfection; it’s about joy.
And if you ever need someone to cheer you on from afar? I’m just a DM away.
Suburban Homestead Questions You Might Be Wondering
Q: Do I need a lot of land to start a suburban homestead?
A: NOPE! We’re doing this on a small lot in our backyard. And it works great! A few raised beds, a chicken coop, and a bit of creativity are all you need to start.
Q: What animals can you raise on a suburban homestead?
A: We started with chickens and bees! Research your local ordinances, but you’d likely be surprised at how many small animals are allowed in neighborhoods. From there, just do your research. You don’t need to overwhelm yourself (or the animals) by biting off more than you can chew, especially when you’re first starting out.
Q: How much time does it take to maintain a micro homestead?
A: Honestly, way less than you might think (I was pleasantly surprised!) We fit it into family and work life pretty easily. Between school drop-offs, before or after meals, and before or after bedtime routines. I am not growing year-round, so I get to have longer (i.e., sunnier) days in the summer to be able to be outside. We invite the kids to participate wherever possible, too. It’s a chore we all adore.
Come Say Hi!
I’d love to hear from you! Are you growing your own food, dreaming of chickens, or knee-deep in compost like me? Drop your questions or micro homestead goals in the comments, or come hang with me on Instagram where I share all the behind-the-scenes moments… especially if you want to catch the cutest glimpses of all our foster dogs as they make their way through the Kutcher household!
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