How to Homestead on a Quarter Acre

Plan your homestead. Decide what is important to you. How much of the land you have is going to be devoted to what? Decide what vegetables are most important to grow for your family and what animal products you need. Horses and cows are not feasible on a quarter acre, but chickens are.

Plant your garden. If you aren't able to plant a garden in the yard, most vegetables and some fruits are well-suited for a container garden. Choose vegetables based on your family's tastes. If no one will eat radishes, don't grow them. If you use onions for everything, grow a lot of them.

Contact the city to find out what animals are not allowed in your area. Building a chicken coop and acquiring chickens is great for fresh eggs year round, but if they aren't allowed, you will have done a lot of wasted work.

Build the areas for your animals. Chickens are the most popular and require the least amount of room in a small space. They need approximately 8-12 feet per bird, and a coop in which to nest.

Preserve produce for winter. Canning and freezing are the best options. Many vegetables can be canned using a water bath canner. But some, such as tomatoes, require a pressure canner to avoid bacteria. Jams, jellies and sauces can all be canned or frozen to feed your family all winter long.