Urban Homesteading in the Time of Covid-19
It has been over a month since the school closures due to coronavirus here in Los Angeles and weeks of California’s Shelter in Place / quarantine order. The rules are changing daily and lives are looking different than ever before. Most of the country has been advised to remain in their homes and venture out as little as possible to avoid the spread of the coronavirus that causes the dangerous and deadly Covid-19 illness. When we do, we need to take precautions including social distancing, wearing gloves and now, mandatory face masks while in public.
Urban Homesteading During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Since the coronavirus outbreak, we have all found limited supplies of certain items and life would certainly be easier if we didn’t have to venture out as much. In times like this, the ability to grow our own food is invaluable. Whether it be a window herb garden, sprouts, a small farm in the city, a full-on homestead or a simply a well stocked pantry, we all want to be prepared for an emergency. Many of the old-school skills mastered by those who came before us are proving to be essential for surviving a time like this. I am fascinated with the simplicity and ease of many homesteading techniques and have enjoyed aquiring some of these skills the past few years.
It is hard to say when I actually started “urban homesteading” because at first I was simply gardening. The kids and I planted a few things in smaller containers and we began implementing a few sustainable practices. It evolved. I would like to offer some thoughts on what you can do to get started if that is your wish.
Our not-so-new practices focus on growing and preserving food by fermenting, canning and dehydrating, but also includes keeping chickens, ducks and bees. Other homemade and sustainable efforts include making our own deodorant, salves and body butters. This has been a fun hobby of mine for some time and in today’s world it certainly comes in handy. As obsessed and crazed as I have felt over the years while becoming increasingly earthy and homesteady, I now feel quite calm despite our current affairs. A homestead offers some comfort not only because it provides but also is a place of solace.
Anything you can do to see something grow in your home can create a sense of empowerment and that goes a long way as there is no end to how far you can take it. At a time like this, having fresh vegetables, fruit, eggs, dehydrated food, frozen bone broths, etc… is invaluble. Having a stockpile of valuble resources lets us rest assured that we can take care of our family (and a few friends) while hunkering down.
Alas, some, such as off grid folks and “doomsday” preppers, have been ready for an event such as this for years. While we are certainly city folk and have continued to shop in grocery stores, farmer’s markets and online just like most; we are able to get by, if necessary, without having to leave our little homestead. And of course, during the coronavirus pandemic, some of these outings have stopped completely. I am inspired to make our own mayo, pasta, sourdough bread, pickles and anything we can using our resources, including bartering.
So What Can You Do to Grow Your Own Resources?
Whether you have a garden or live in an apartment with little or no outdoor space, there are many ways to build up your own supplies. If you have a yard, a balcony or a sunny window start growing some food. If you have none of these, clear out a closet shelf or a countertop and get a grow light. Many veggies can be grown right from your kitchen scraps in water that require no soil, like lettuce, cabbage, scallions and leeks. Similarly, sprouts and microgreens all can be grown indoors with little to no sunlight.
Start a Victory Garden
If you have the space, start a Victory Garden. Seeds, seedlings or seed “starts” and propogations are great options and herb gardens are simple, useful immediately and do great in a sunny window. Lettuces, green onions and other leafy greens like arugula and kale are known as “pick and come again” plants and are wonderful options as you can come back day after day for fresh salads.
Get Preserving!
Canning, fermenting and dehydrating are perfect for current-day limitations and offer back up for when supplies at grocery stores are sparse. Of these, I recommend fermenting as it only requires a few ingredients like salt for brining or sugar as is used in kombucha or ginger beer.
No matter how simple or complicated you want to get with your urban homestead, it starts when you do!
