Come see how we started a backyard homestead on just 1/4 acre! Tour our chicken coop, garden and outdoor space, then learn simple tips to start your own simple living charm right in your own backyard.
What is backyard homesteading?
When most people picture a homestead, they imagine acres of rolled hay bales, big red barns and endless rows of crops. But our version of homesteading looks a little different–just 1/4 of an acre tucked into the suburbs of a small town, centered around our cozy little blue house. Here, we’ve created a backyard homestead filled with chickens, ducks, goats, garden beds and the smell of fresh bread baking in the kitchen.
To me, backyard homesteading is about making the most of the small space you have and choosing to live a little more simply and sustainably. It’s raising a handful of chickens for fresh eggs, planting gardens that feed your family, or baking bread from scratch instead of buying it from the store. It’s not about perfection or acres of land–it’s about creativity, intention, and finding joy in the everyday rhythms of home.
Backyard homesteading is taking the homesteading lifestyle (growing your own vegetables, living simply, etc) and applying it to fit your own lifestyle, or small space.
For us, backyard homesteading looks like goats munching in the yard, ducks splashing in a little pond, vegetables growing in raised beds and bread rising in the kitchen. But it can look completely different for you.
The heart of backyard homesteading is creating a home that nourishes you (or your soul), your family, and maybe even your community, right where you are.
Why we wanted to homestead on 1/4 acre
Homemaking, gardening, outdoor living, and hosting have always been passions of mine, but it was here-in this little blue house-that I discovered just how much joy can come from slowing down and creating a simpler, more intentional way of life.
Growing up, my grandpa always had a backyard garden.
I vividly remember my grandpa tending to his small garden, with plants tucked into 5 gallon buckets and a an old rusty swing set lined with containers full of plants underneath. There was even this one time, I talked him into getting backyard chickens. A few weeks later, we headed to a chicken farm where he let me pick out a few young chicks, we stuck them in a cardboard box and home we went! My grandpa built his own backyard chicken coop out of scraps he already had (which looked much different than our DIY backyard chicken coop now) and eventually started collecting eggs in his backyard.
These pictures are from my grandpas garden, his produce and the backyard chickens we raised in 2012.
My grandfather was operating his own backyard homestead on an even less space than I am now. He even called himself a farmer, wore overalls and had an endless amount of cowboy hats. My grandma made homemade meals from scratch and pickled the jalapeños he grew.
At such a young age, he inspired the dream and love for backyard homesteading into my soul. This was always supposed to be a part of my story.
Come tour our backyard homestead!
It’s time friends! Come take a peak behind the fence and see how we’ve turned this quarter acre into a cozy backyard homestead filled with animals, gardens and simple living charm.
We have our backyard homestead completely fenced in with a privacy fence and in each corner, we’ve created a space for animals, gathering or growing! See all the animals, our small garden and more below.
Meet the animals:
Raising backyard chickens:
We have about 15 chickens on our backyard homestead. We have a variety of chicken breeds that all lay different colored eggs!
A few breeds of chickens we have are Olive eggers, Easter eggers, Rhode Island reds, Barred rocks, and many more breeds.
The egg colors we get from these breeds come in a range of colors! From dark browns, to greens, blues, creams and sometimes even a pink.
Chickens were the first step in our homesteading journey. My dad helped us build this beautiful DIY chicken coop and we’ve loved them ever since!
Raising backyard ducks:
Backyard ducks came next for our mini homestead. We have 3 ducks that free range in our backyard.
We have 2 pekin ducks and 1 Indian runner duck. Ducks have been such a fun animal to add to the backyard homestead. We have a small pond in our backyard for them to swim in, you can read all about our backyard ducks and how we made a pond for them HERE!
PS..ducks actually do serve a purpose here on our backyard farm! They lay eggs daily and keep the bugs out of the garden.
Raising backyard goats:
Ah, the trouble makers. Just kidding. Our 2 goats, Goose and Frankie are very sweet. They are both dwarf breeds (a popular option for small backyards)
P.S..Our dogs are bigger than our dwarf goats ever will be!
The goats are mainly pets right now, but we do plan to add dairy goats to the backyard goat pen eventually! You can read more about our backyard goats and how we made a pen for them HERE!
The farm dogs and barn cats:
Ok, these guys are not actually farm dogs or barn cats but they do belong here on our small farm! The dogs serve us no purpose on our backyard homestead (other than being our beloved pets) but the outdoor cats really do have a job here! They help keep the critter population down (ask me how I know, lol)
Some of our friends jokingly ask us if they need to pay admission to enter our ‘petting zoo’ This always makes us giggle.
An outdoor gathering/hosting space.
One of the challenges of living in a 900 sqft house is that there isn’t much room for hosting inside. But hospitality and community are important to us, so we got creative and built our gathering space outdoors! We call this area “The courtyard”
Our backyard has become the heart of our homestead–a place where friends and family can come together around a fire, share meals under the pecan tree, and enjoy the garden and animals right along side us. Creating an outdoor space has allowed us to live more fully in our little blue house, proving that you don’t need a large home to open your doors and welcome others in!
To us, this space isn’t just for hosting or entertaining but rather about connection. Whether it’s sharing fresh bread from the kitchen, or having a dinner with an old friend, our outdoor gathering space is a reminder that community can flourish anywhere, even in the smallest of homes.
Although our outdoor gathering space has grown since, you can see how we originally created this patio area here!
A small backyard vegetable, herb, and flower garden
On our backyard homestead, we grow vegetables, herbs and flowers in our raised bed garden.
Raised bed gardening is a popular choice in suburban homesteading.
Raised beds are a way to garden on a smaller scale, but still reap the benefits of a big harvest! Of course, we don’t grow nearly enough food to feed us year around, but we do get to enjoy a salad completely from the garden during the summer.
We grow a variety of vegetables, herbs and flowers in our raised beds. We use a combined method of square food gardening and companion planting (perfect for a small area) when planting our small homestead garden.
Adding a cow panel in-between our two (4×6) raised beds served as a way to save space and grow vegetables vertical!
Here is a list of the vegetables we grew in the raised beds last year!
- leafy greens such as lettuce, kale and cabbage!
- tomato plants (dwraf varieties like cherry tomatoes and heirloom varieties) We grew all of these up a trellis to save space in the garden.
- Cumbers (grow pickling cucumbers to make your own pickles!) Also grew these on the trellis!
- squash plants
- bush beans
- watermelon (we let these fall over the side of the raised bed)
- green onions
- chives
- Peppers (jalapeños, bell peppers, etc)
We also grew herbs and flowers with the vegetables! Here are the flowers and herbs we grew,
- Zinnias
- Cosmos
- Sunflowers (dwarf variety)
- Basil
- Catmint
- Thyme
- cilantro
- mint
- Rosemary
Growing cut flowers in your backyard (or front yard!)
Another way we grew flowers was with a chaos garden along the border of our home! This was a fun way to grow flowers (the kids had fun sprinkling the flowers everywhere and watching them grow from seed) and they added to our curb appeal! That was a plus!
We grew a mix of wildflowers, zinnias and cosmos! It was a beautiful cottage style chaos garden full of charm!
We used the flowers to make bouquets, all summer along!
What’s next for our backyard homestead?
One of the best parts of Homesteading is that it’s never really finished. It’s always a work in progress.
While we’ve already filled our little 1/4 acre with animals, a garden, and the rhythms of simple living, we’re dreaming up even more ways to make the most of our small space.
Some of the projects and ideas on our list include planting rows of lavender for both beauty and homemade products, adding fruit trees and berry bushes for fresh apples, pears, etc (also serves as landscaping), and starting a bee hive for fresh honey!
We’d love to expand our gardening by creating a dedicated herb or kitchen garden, set up a compost bin to reduce waste and feed the soil, and dive deeper into food preservation–especially canning!
I can’t imagine the endless amount of apples my kids would eat from an apple tree right in the backyard!
These dreams may take time, but that’s part of the beauty of homesteading: it grows slowly, season by season, project by project. I can’t wait to see how our little backyard homestead continues to grow over the years!
A day in the life on our Backyard Homestead
Life on our 1/4 acre backyard homestead may be small in size, but it’s full of rhythm and routine!
Morning is my favorite time of the day. I often begin the morning by walking through our french doors-coffee and bible in hand– while the sun is still rising over the garden. The chickens and ducks are always first to greet me, eager for feed and fresh water. While the goats call out for their breakfast and morning loves!
After the animals are settled, I often check the garden. Some mornings that means watering, pulling weeds, or gathering whatever is ready to harvest. In the summer, it’s usually tomatoes, cucumbers, squash or flowers. I usually enjoy the rest of my coffee while reading the Bible in our outdoor space.
Once I’m back inside, the kitchen becomes the hub of the homestead. I love starting a loaf of bread in the bread machine–it fills the whole house with that warm, cozy smell of fresh homemade bread.
From there, the day usually consist of tending to small projects, working on new recipes for the blog, or making improvements to the homestead before heading off to pick the kids up from school.
Evenings bring their own routines:
Gathering eggs, checking on the animals once more, and watering the garden if the day was hot. Some times we even take a dip in the stock tank pool. Whenever possible, we eat outdoors in our gathering space. After sunset, when the animals are tucked in and the lights twinkle over the yard, we get to slow down, reflect, and enjoy the peace of simple living.
It’s not always easy–there’s muddy boots, noisy goats, and plenty of chores-but it’s a life we love. Our little backyard homestead may not be perfect, but it’s proof that joy can be found in the small, everyday moments of life.
The joys of Backyard Homesteading
One of the greatest joys of backyard homesteading is the connection that it creates-with the seasons, the food we eat, and with the animals we care for.
Homesteading slows us down, helps savor the little things, and teaches us to notice the beauty in everyday life. Homesteading teaches us to notice the beauty in the small things: a loaf of bread rising, bees buzzing in the garden, or evenings spent in our outdoor gathering space (aka, the courtyard)
For me, the real joy of backyard homesteading is knowing that we don’t need acres of land to live a simple life.
Here in our little blue house, surrounded by chickens, goat and garden beds, we’re building a life rooted in simplicity, creativity and home. And that more than anything, makes this journey rewarding.
The struggles of Backyard Homesteading
As much as I love backyard homesteading, it isn’t always easy. There are muddy boots by the door, a fence that never seems to hold the goats, and the chickens that dig up the very garden beds I just planted.
Some days, the workload feels endless–feeding animals, watering gardens, fixing pens, finishing projects and still finding time for family or rest.
Space is another challenge. On 1/4 acre, every square foot has to be carefully planned, and we can’t always do everything we dream of. There are also the realities of suburban living. Zoning rules, curious neighbors, and the occasional noise complaint when the animals get too loud. (I’m looking at you, Goose and Frankie)
Of course, there are the unpredictable moments: garden lost due to pest (or chickens), bread recipes that flop, or days when it feels like the to-do list wins. There is also the very real part of homesteading: loosing an animal.
But, even in the struggles, there are lessons to be learned about patience, creativity, and resilience. And that’s what makes backyard homesteading so meaningful.
Homemaking & Simple living: The Heart of Backyard Homesteading
To me, backyard homesteading isn’t just about the garden or the animals. It’s about the values of Home just as much. Homemaking and simple living go hand in hand with homesteading because: they’re all rooted in the same values. Slowing down, living intentional and finding beauty in everyday.
When I bake bread or gather herbs from the garden, it’s more than a task-it’s part of creating a home that nourishes and sustains my family. Even if it is just a small amount. The garden feeds the kitchen, the animals provide fresh eggs, and the kitchen becomes the place where it all comes together.
Simple living means choosing less rush in your days and more rhythm. Fewer distractions and more connection. Whether that’s hosting friends, or setting the table for an outdoor meal under string lights. Homemaking turns the work of homesteading into the joy of creating a life well-lived.
From our little blue house to yours, Here is the recipe to make the pizza above! It’s my homemade pizza dough using a bread machine.
“Homesteading and Homemaking aren’t separate–they’re two sides of the same core values. Living a simple and intentional life.”
7 easy steps to start your own backyard homestead
Starting your homestead doesn’t mean you need a big red barn and a cow. In fact, you can start exactly where you are–a backyard patio, or even a kitchen windowsill. Here are 7 easy steps to start your own backyard homestead lifestyle today!
- Start a Compost bin! This is something anyone could do in any small space with wasted kitchen scraps.
- Bake your own Bread. Whether that’s sourdough bread, or the ease of homemade bagels using a bread machine.
- Raise backyard chickens. This is the gateway to farm life, you ever heard of chicken math? You’ll be the crazy chicken lady before you know it. P.S..don’t forget to check your local regulations on raising backyard chickens in your neighborhood.
- Support Local. Supporting local farmers at farmers market is another way to contribute to the self-sufficient lifestyle without actually going all in. Farmers or small homesteaders (like you) bring in fresh produce (depending on the growing season)
- Start a small garden. This could be as simple as container gardening; growing tomatoes in a 5 gallon bucket on a balcony or under a rusty swing set (like my grandpa!) If you’re in an apartment, consider getting together with like minded individuals and starting a community garden!
- Practice preserving with store-bought produce. You don’t need a a garden to learn canning, freezing, or dehydrating. Start with fruits and vegetables from the grocery store or farmers markets when they’re in season or on sale.
- Grow herbs indoors or outdoors. Start with easy ones like basil, rosemary or mint. Add them to herbal teas for fun or medicinal purposes!
Just remember time commitment plays a role when deciding to start your own homestead. Think about how much free time you have to dedicate to this lifestyle and apply small steps to make all of your homesteading dreams come true, one step at a time!
Life on our Backyard Homestead
Backyard homesteading isn’t about perfection-it’s about possibility. Whether you have acres of land or just a quarter of one (like us), the joy is found in creating something meaningful with the space you have. From raising animals and growing food, to hosting family and friends outdoors. Homesteading is a journey that grows along side you.
Our little blue house may be small, but it’s full of life, connection, and purpose. And that’s the beauty of this lifestyle-you don’t need more room, you just need the courage to start.
More homesteading topics:
Raising goats on a suburban homestead!
How to build a beautiful backyard chicken coop
How to make a DIY gravel patio area for a small backyard
PIN IT FOR LATER!
