If you’ve spent any time in gardening circles or on Instagram lately, you’ve probably come across the term homesteading. Maybe it’s a photo of someone proudly holding a basket of just-picked vegetables, or a rustic kitchen full of home-canned jars. But homesteading isn’t just a trendy aesthetic—it’s a way of life.

At its core, homesteading is about self-sufficiency. It’s about reconnecting with the land, growing your own food, making more of what you use, and relying less on outside systems. And while it might conjure up images of a remote cabin in the woods, homesteading can happen anywhere—from a 20-acre farm to a suburban backyard, even a city balcony.

So, what exactly does it mean to homestead, and how can gardening fit into that picture? Let’s dig in.

The Heart of Homesteading: Self-Sufficiency

Homesteading is a broad term, and it means different things to different people. But at its heart, it’s about doing more for yourself, and depending less on stores, corporations, or modern conveniences.

This can include things like:

• Growing fruits and vegetables
• Raising chickens, bees, or other small livestock
• Canning, fermenting, or preserving food
• Making your own bread, soap, or even clothing
• Learning skills like woodworking, herbalism, or sewing

You don’t have to do all of these things to be a homesteader. Many people start small—with a tomato plant on the patio or a few hens in the backyard—and build from there. It’s a gradual process, and there’s no one “right” way to do it.

Homesteading Isn’t Just Rural Anymore

Traditionally, homesteading was associated with rural living. In fact, the word comes from the U.S. Homestead Act of 1862, when the government offered free land to settlers who agreed to farm it. But today’s homesteaders are a more diverse group.

Urban and suburban homesteading is on the rise. People are planting gardens in front yards, keeping bees on rooftops, and turning city lots into mini-farms. The goal remains the same—more independence, less reliance on the grid—even if the setting looks a little different.

So, whether you live in the country or a townhouse, there’s probably a way you can homestead right where you are.

Gardening: The Gateway to Homesteading

For most modern homesteaders, gardening is where it all begins. There’s something incredibly empowering about growing your own food—pulling a carrot from the ground, harvesting sun-warmed tomatoes, or snipping fresh herbs right outside your door.

Gardening teaches patience, observation, and the rhythms of nature. It helps you appreciate where your food comes from. It also saves money, reduces packaging waste, and can even improve your health.

Here are a few simple ways gardening ties into homesteading:

• Kitchen gardens for herbs, greens, and everyday veggies
• Companion planting and natural pest control methods
• Seed saving from season to season
• Composting food scraps to build your own rich soil
• Crop rotation to support soil health and reduce disease

Even if you’re just getting started, growing a few edible plants is a great way to dip your toes into the homesteading lifestyle.

The Slower, Simpler Life

Homesteading isn’t always easy—it takes time, effort, and a willingness to learn—but for many, that’s the point. In a world that’s constantly speeding up, homesteading invites us to slow down.

Instead of rushing to the store, you bake your own bread. Instead of scrolling through your phone, you plant seeds. You learn to observe the weather, the soil, the seasons. You start to notice what works and what doesn’t. And with each small success—a jar of pickles, a loaf of sourdough, a fresh egg—you gain a little more confidence and connection.

Many homesteaders also find that this lifestyle brings unexpected joy. It can create stronger family bonds, greater appreciation for nature, and a deep sense of fulfillment that’s hard to come by in our modern hustle culture.

You Don’t Need to “Go Off the Grid”

One of the biggest myths about homesteading is that you have to live off-grid or give up all modern conveniences. That’s simply not true.

Plenty of homesteaders still use electricity, internet, and smartphones. What matters more is your mindset: are you choosing to be more intentional about how you live? Are you trying to build resilience, save money, and reduce waste?

Homesteading isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress.

Start Where You Are

Homesteading doesn’t require 40 acres or a barn full of animals. It starts with a decision—to grow a little food, make something from scratch, or learn a new skill. It’s a journey toward more mindful living, one that looks different for everyone.

If you’re a gardener, you’re already part of the way there. That handful of basil, that bed of lettuce—it all adds up. And who knows? Maybe your garden will lead you to chickens, canning jars, or homemade soap.

Homesteading is less about going back in time and more about moving forward with purpose. So go ahead—plant that seed. You might be surprised where it leads.