Start Homesteading in a Rental or Apartment

Yes, it’s possible—and it’s worth it.

Homesteading might conjure up images of sprawling land, chook sheds, and vegetable gardens, but here’s the truth: you don’t need acreage to start living more self-sufficiently. In fact, many Australians are homesteading right now from rentals, units, and even high-rise apartments.

If you’re renting, space-limited, or just starting out, don’t wait for the “perfect property” to begin. Start where you are—with what you’ve got.

Here’s how to make it work.

1. Rethink What Homesteading Means

At its core, homesteading isn’t about land—it’s about lifestyle. It’s about:

• Reducing reliance on supermarkets and supply chains

• Learning to make, grow, or preserve things yourself

• Living with intention, resourcefulness, and a connection to your daily needs

• Doing what you can, where you can, with what you have

You don’t need to tick every box. A tomato plant on the windowsill, some homemade yoghurt in the fridge, or a worm farm on the balcony? That is homesteading.

2. Grow What You Can, Where You Can

No garden beds? No problem. Get creative with small-scale growing:

• Balcony gardens with pots, wicking beds, or vertical planters

• Indoor herbs and greens on windowsills or shelves

• Container veggies like cherry tomatoes, chillies, capsicum, and dwarf citrus

• Hydroponics or compact growing systems if light is limited

Use movable pots and freestanding structures to keep landlords happy—no digging required. And remember, even sprouting microgreens on your kitchen bench counts.

3. Preserve Food, Even If You Don’t Grow It

You don’t have to grow it to preserve it. Buy in bulk when seasonal produce is cheap, or visit local markets to grab boxes of seconds. Try:

• Canning jams, sauces, and fruit

• Dehydrating herbs or citrus

• Fermenting vegetables, making pickles or kimchi

• Freezing soups, bone broth, and stews in reusable containers

This builds your pantry, saves money, and gives you a taste of self-reliance—all in a standard kitchen.

4. Learn the Lost Skills

Many homesteading skills don’t need land at all. You can dive into:

• Bread baking (including sourdough starters)

• Soap making or natural cleaners

• Knitting, sewing, or mending clothes

• Making homemade cleaners and simple body products

• Budgeting, meal planning, and reducing waste

The more skills you learn now, the more empowered you’ll be later—whether you stay in a rental or move to a bigger property.

5. Keep Small Livestock—If Allowed

Some Aussie councils (and landlords) allow chooks, quail, or even bees on rental properties or in urban settings. If your lease or bylaws permit it, you might:

• Set up a mobile chicken tractor or coop on a patch of lawn

• Keep quail indoors or on a balcony in well-ventilated enclosures

• Join a local beekeeping co-op or host a hive through a community group

Always check local regulations and get written landlord approval first.

6. Compost Without a Backyard

Composting is doable in small spaces:

• Worm farms are ideal for apartments or balconies (and don’t smell when managed well)

• Bokashi bins break down food scraps indoors with no mess

• Community compost hubs are available in many suburbs and councils

Turn your food scraps into soil-building gold—and reduce your bin waste in the process.

7. Make It Mobile

If you’re renting, keep things flexible:

• Use portable garden beds, grow bags, or pots you can take with you

• Store ferments and preserves in crates or pantry boxes for easy moving

• Build skills and systems, not just infrastructure

This way, when you do move, you’ll take your knowledge—and some of your setup—with you.

8. Find Your Homesteading Community

You don’t need to homestead alone. Connect with:

• Local food co-ops and swap groups

• Community gardens (great if you don’t have space at home)

• Online groups for Aussie homesteaders and renters

• Workshops or local courses on fermentation, seed saving, and more

Community is a key part of the homesteading mindset—especially when you’re doing it in a space not built for it.

Final Thoughts: Start Small, Start Now

You don’t need land. You don’t need permission from your landlord to bake bread, grow basil in a pot, or dehydrate oranges on a rack.

What you need is willingness. The courage to take the first small steps toward living more practically and independently—right where you are.

So go ahead: start a worm farm, sprout some greens, or batch-cook a few meals. That’s homesteading.

And you’re already doing it.