Starting this adventure of suburban homesteading and working toward sustainable living has broadened my understanding of the world around me, including the cultivation and preservation of home-grown food.
When we plan our gardens, build up healthy soil, and harvest what we grow, we’re building a life that feels more connected to nature and a lot more satisfying.
Starting small is where most of us begin. Maybe your starting with just a few raised beds or a couple of chickens, or perhaps a window sill herb garden. Every new project, whether it’s collecting rainwater or building a compost bin, brings us a step closer to self-sufficiency.
I love the phrase, “We learn something new everyday” because whether we realize it or not, its true.
Learning about our Area
When we decided to start working towards homesteading, we had to consider our geographic area, how much water we get, and our seasonal weather. These things end up shaping what we grow, how we keep animals, and just how sustainable our little suburban homestead can be realistically.
When we first moved in there was a lot of work to be done. I’m sure many of you can relate when purchasing your first home. We needed to fix the garden bed which was crooked, sloping, completely over filled with clay and rock. There were three areas of the yard that were completely covered in rock.
We went straight to work leveling the garden bed and creating more garden space. We added a chicken coop and started rejuvenating the soil.
Choosing the starting Location
It may actually be easier to start learning homesteading activities and sustainable living in a suburban neighborhood. Starting the process off-grid from the beginning is significantly more challenging, especially if you have an urban background like we did. We’re beginning the process of learning homesteading now so that if off-grid living is in our future, we’ll have some foundational knowledge of how to begin and how to succeed.
Good soil, steady water, and enough room for future projects are the ideal situation. These resources can be found in a variety of places, but whether they are affordable becomes the real question. And believe it or not, in a suburban neighborhood, more land may not be the solution.
When considering how you want to live you must also think about how far you are from town. Too remote, and getting supplies (or help) isn’t easy. Too close to a city or busy road, and you might get more noise, pollution, and restrictions.
Here is a list of some starting considerations that may help:
| Factor | Why It Matters |
| Sunlight | Energy for plants and healthy crops |
| Soil Quality | Healthy crops and strong yields |
| Water Source | Daily use and irrigation needs |
| Access to Roads | Transport and supply runs |
| Room to Expand | Future gardens or livestock |
Assessing Sunlight and Water
Sunlight and water are the big ones. Most veggies want at least 6–8 hours of direct sun a day. This is when the science of photosynthesis becomes important.
“Most garden vegetables require at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth. In fact, one of the most common garden mistakes is not giving vegetables enough sunlight.” The Gardening Cook, Vegetable Sunlight Requirements (2025)
Interested in a little Plant Biology?
Photosynthesis and respiration are complementary halves of a carbon dioxide/sugar cycle. Virtually all of the oxygen that supports animal life has been generated through oxygenic photosynthesis (Hopkins, 2006). Plant biology reveals that photosynthetic cells must be close to the plant’s vascular tissue: the xylem supplies water and minerals necessary for photosynthesis, while the phloem carries the products of photosynthesis to the stem, roots, flowers, and other organs.
Now, that being said, if you have shady corners they will still work for herbs, foliage, or mushrooms but the Fruit and vegetable garden needs a minimum of 6 hours, you will get a better crop if it can get more sun.
Some of the vegetables that I had planted in partial shade areas still produced but the yield was limited and the quality wasn’t as good.
Garden Irrigation
Regular water is just as important as sun light.
This is where on-grid and off-grid living can significantly impact what your able to produce. Off-grid homesteads need a well, stream, pond, or good spot for rain barrels. And your water access may be limited during certain seasons or limited all together. When your relying on the rain to provide water, conservation and creativity are essential.
Start tracking your water usage, the highs and lows of your water resource. Considering you will need water for all aspects of life not just for watering crops tracking how much water is available at at different points in the year. You should also track how much water is required for each task, this may just be the saving grace of your homesteads water supply.
Proper tracking and calculations will help you with conserving water when needed and using water for certain activities that may not need to happen regularly. Food is always a necessity but knowing which plants need more or less water can help you determine when and where to plant them based on water needs.
Setting up rain barrels or a cistern can help you save water for those dry spells, even if you have a regular water source.
If your living on the grid, like on a suburban homestead, you do have access to water at all times and throughout the year. However, we do need to be conscious about the municipal restrictions on water usage, you wouldn’t want to be fined for using water on your lawn or garden when your not suppose too.
As crazy as that sounds, it is possible. In my area, homes are given a water schedule. Homes with odd and even addresses are split so they are watering on opposite days. The odds might have Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and the evens have Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. I’m not entirely sure what is suppose to happen on Sunday. It all feels a little micromanaged, but that’s California for you.
In either case because you have access to water regularly, you are able to grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in the garden. However, be aware that you will be paying for water, and the more water you use the more expensive it gets, at least in my area that stands to be true. That being said, you may also find it beneficial to set up rain barrels or a cistern to catch rain water in the winter for watering the garden in the summer.
There are various ways you can water a garden, but I have found Drip lines or soak hoses make watering a lot more efficient. They send water straight to the roots with limited waste. That’s a lifesaver during a hot summer whether your on the grid or off the grid.
Homestead Soil – Climate and Hardiness Zones
Garden Soil is a variable when considering your garden and the homesteads ability to self-sustain. The type of soil present and a survey around the property will tell you about the native plant life and whether your soil is rocky, sandy, or clay-heavy. The type of soil you uncover will allow you to start planning your set up: Will you need to build your soil or is it already suitable for gardening?
Guess what? There’s an app for that! Scientists at the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with support from USAID, have developed the Land-Potential Knowledge System (LandPKS) app for iOS and Android. This tool helps farmers and gardeners monitor soil and vegetation conditions so they can make better decisions about irrigation, weeding, and fertilization.
Also, depending on where you get your seeds, there may be a description of when and where that crop and grow. For my first few years it was all trial and error. Surprising.ly, one year my kids decided to plant the seeds; they scattered different kinds of seeds all over the garden. We had amazing foliage that year, but the vegetable harvest wasn’t the greatest lol.
If your interested in learning more about your location and the agriculture that does well in your region, checking the USDA hardiness zone helps provide information on which crops are best suited to our area. It takes into consideration the seasons, particularly the winter weather. “The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which perennial plants are most likely to thrive at a location.”USDA Agricultural Research Service (2023)
Tracking your progress is a great way to help you navigate what crops work well in your soil. Not everything is going to work the way you hope, not all your vegetables are going to produce enough food to supplement your grocery trips. Over time, you will figure out what works best for you and how to rotate what you grow to ensure you don’t strip all the nutrients from your soil.
Planning the Homestead
This is my favorite gardening journal, it gives you crop information, best planting practices, and the best season to start growing. Plus, a notes page to jot down your experience with a specific crop. It’s Awesome!!
My garden has had the best luck with cherry tomatoes, carrots, swiss chard, and strawberries. So far…I’m hopeful for my gardening future.
We get way more out of our gardens when we actually think about the layout, pick the right plants, and use natural methods that boost our harvests. It’s not just about how many rows can fit into the space.
Paying attention to where things go and what grows well together makes the gardening itself more sustainable. When plants are paired properly they compliment the nutrient balance of the soil and can support a healthy insect eco-system.
There are a ton of resources out there on companion planting. I just added Jeff Tucker and Amelie Des Plantes to my library of resources. Both of these books have good ratings from a variety of reviews. These help me learn more about supporting a sustainable garden creating less work when it comes to pest control and cultivation.
Permaculture is the long-term goal, but setting up for success is always the best place to begin.
Access to Roads and Expansion
You will find these resources listed in the table of things to consider when starting a homestead. However, they have more to do with safety, and the building of structures for live stock or other expansion needs.
These items are not always factors when looking at suburban homesteading. Typically, we have timely access to healthcare and emergency services, and we’re often restricted in what we can build DIY in suburban communities.
Nevertheless, when you move on to the next stage of your life, consider whether these items need a second review for your safety and the sustainability of your future homestead.
References
Hopkins, W. G. (2006). Plant biology and photosynthesis. In Photosynthesis and Plant Vascular Systems. Academic Press.
The Gardening Cook. (2025). Vegetable sunlight chart: How much sun do vegetables need? Retrieved from thegardeningcook.com
USDA Agricultural Research Service. (2023). USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Retrieved from planthardiness.ars.usda.gov
USDA Agricultural Research Service. (n.d.). Land-Potential Knowledge System (LandPKS) mobile app. ARS, Las Cruces, NM.
Penn State Extension. (n.d.). Understanding sunlight requirements for plants. Retrieved from extension.psu.edu
Photo Credits
Photos by Isabella Angélica, Shyam, Zoe Richardson, and Marine Le Gac on Unsplash
Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate (and/or affiliate of other programs), I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions expressed are my own.
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