This post is full of homesteading garden layout ideas you'll love!
Whether you're looking for 5 acre homestead layout ideas, or gardening layout ideas for a very small space, this post is for you!
We know you'll rave over these homesteading layout ideas that are both beautiful and functional!
As homesteaders, of course we want our gardens to be pretty! Who wouldn't? The prettier they are, the more time we want to spend in them! Right?
However, we also want them to functional. We want our gardens to have an easy flow where we can very simply get from one plant to the next, without tripping or stumbling over things.
That's why we're excited to share with you these homestead garden ideas that will help you set up your garden in a way where you can plant, harvest, and move about inside of it with ease (and aesthetics!) ☺️
We know you're going to fall in love with these homestead layout ideas as much as we have!
Enjoy these homesteading garden layout ideas!
Homesteading Garden Layout Ideas
In-Ground Rows: Homesteading Garden Layout
This is one of the most traditional (or old-fashioned) homestead garden design ideas. If you have a decent amount of space or your garden where you can plant everything you want, plus include walkways to get from one thing to another, this is a great option to save a little money!
Outline Your Walkway: Homesteading Garden Layout
This is the perfect garden layout if you're consistantly hanging out on your porch! Your garden will be just in-reach while you hangout with your family on the porch, making it more easily accessible.
Flat Planter Boxes: Homesteading Garden Layout
These short planters are a bit cheaper to make than raised planters due to less amount of woo being needed, but they still allow for you to keep your plants contained.
Wooden Arch: Homesteading Garden Layout
Doesn't this wooden arch just give you Secret Garden feels? It's such an elegant way to add some beauty to your garden and you can grow many different plants up and over it!
Raised Wooden Planters: Homesteading Garden Layout
Raised wooden planters have become increasingly popular in the garden world over the last decade. They're decently easy to build if you find the right plan online to follow. They also make things more convenient than having to bend over to tend to your garden.
Multiple Rows With Walkways In-Between Planters: Homesteading Garden Layouts
If you have a decent amount of space for your garden and want to plant several different things, this is the perfect homestead garden layout because the boxes allow you to contain and differentiate your different plants, while giving you space to walk from plant to plant.
Single Row With Walkspace in Between: Homesteading Garden Layouts
This is the perfect homesteading garden layout for you if you just have one strip of space for your garden. You can build flat garden boxes on the ground (to save some money), or if you have a little more to invest on wood, build taller raised beds. Just make sure you have enough space in between each box to walk in between and tend to your plants.
Downhill Planters: Homesteading Garden Layouts
Working with a space on a hill? Build your planter boxes into the hill and then surround them with some simple gravel.
Single Box With Dividers: Homesteading Garden Layouts
This is the perfect homestead garden layout if you have minimal space to use for your garden! This is also a cost-effective option as it only takes a handful of pieces of wood to put together.
Single Box for Herbs: Homesteading Garden Layouts
If you're planning to harvest herbs, having a garden bed dedicated specifically to them can help you take care of them efficiently and you can also stay organized (and not forget which herbs are which) by using cute little chalkboard signs to label them!
Gravel Walkways: Homesteading Garden Layouts
Using gravel in between your garden beds is one way to keep things more neat and clean. As opposed to dirt, gravel won't get muddy during rainy weeks like a traditional dirt ground would.
Pallet Garden Planters: Homesteading Garden Layouts
If you want to save a little extra money while making your homestead garden, try and think of someone you know who works in a warehouse and can bring home a handful of pallets for you! These work perfectly as the bottom of your garden beds because they will hold things in but also leave space for drainage.
Vegetable Wash Station: Homesteading Garden Layouts
This isn't necessarily a homesteading garden "layout." However, this idea is too clever for me not to include it here! While you're at it with planning your garden layout, think of a spot near water access that you can add in your vegetable wash station! This saves you from having to lug all of your produce into the kitchen sink for washing.
River Stone Walkway: Homesteading Garden Layouts
You can not get a prettier ground layout than river stone, if you ask me! It adds such a natural, elegant look to any garden space.
Caged Raised Garden Beds: Homesteading Garden Layouts
Concerned about deer, racoons, or birds getting your produce before you do? Build a caged garden bed!
Homesteading Garden FAQ's
How big should a homesteading garden be?
The size of a homesteading garden depends on several factors, including the number of people it needs to feed, the variety of crops you want to grow, your gardening experience, and the amount of space available.
Here are some general guidelines to help you determine the appropriate size:
1. Number of People:
For one person: 100-200 square feet.
For a family of four: 400-800 square feet.
2. Variety of Crops:
If you want a diverse range of vegetables and fruits, you might need more space.
Focus on high-yield crops and those that store well for the off-season.
3. Experience Level:
Beginners might want to start smaller, around 100-200 square feet, to learn the basics without being overwhelmed.
Experienced gardeners might handle larger plots more effectively.
4. Space Availability:
Utilize the space you have efficiently. Raised beds and vertical gardening can maximize smaller areas.
Also consider the sunlight, soil quality, and water accessibility.
5. Self-Sufficiency Goals:
For near-total self-sufficiency, estimates suggest around 4,000 square feet per person. This includes space for growing staples like potatoes, beans, and grains in addition to vegetables and fruits.
Ultimately, it's best to start with a manageable size and expand as you gain experience and understand your family's needs and preferences!
Is 1 acre enough for a homestead?
Yes, 1 acre can absolutely be sufficient for a homestead, as long as you utilize the space well!
Here are some considerations for making the most of a 1-acre homestead:
1. Garden:
Allocate a portion of the acre for a vegetable garden. As previously mentioned, around 400-800 square feet can suffice for a family of four for most vegetables. You can expand this if you want to grow a wider variety or larger quantities.
2. Orchard:
Dedicate some space for fruit trees and berry bushes. Even a small orchard with a few trees can provide a significant amount of fruit.
3. Livestock:
Small livestock like chickens, rabbits, or even a couple of goats can be managed on an acre. Ensure you have enough space for their enclosures, grazing, housing, and other essentials.
4. Crop Rotation and Soil Health:
Practicing crop rotation and allowing some areas to rest or be used for cover crops can help maintain soil health.
5. Storage and Infrastructure:
Allocate space for a composting area, tool storage, and perhaps a small greenhouse or cold frame for extending the growing season.
6. Water Management:
Ensure you have an efficient system for water collection and irrigation, such as rain barrels or a small pond.
7. Wildlife and Biodiversity:
Maintaining hedgerows, flower beds, or a small wild area can promote biodiversity, helping with pollination and pest control.
8. Space Efficiency Techniques:
Use intensive planting methods, raised beds, and vertical gardening to maximize space.
An acre, when well-planned and managed, can definitely support a productive and sustainable homestead! It can provide a significant portion of your family's food needs and allow for a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
What is the best food for homesteading?
The best foods for homesteading are those that are easy to grow, provide high yields, have good nutritional value, and can be stored or preserved for long periods. Here are some top choices:
1. Vegetables:
- Potatoes: High in calories and versatile, they store well.
- Carrots: Nutrient-dense and good for long-term storage.
- Beans: Both bush and pole varieties are easy to grow and can be dried for storage.
- Tomatoes: Highly versatile and can be canned, dried, or made into sauces.
- Cabbage: Can be stored for a long time and made into sauerkraut for preservation.
- Squash and Pumpkins: Winter varieties store well and are calorie-dense.
- Garlic and Onions: Essential for flavoring food and store well.
- Peppers: High in nutrients and great snack option.
2. Fruits:
- Apples: Versatile for eating fresh, making cider, and preserving.
- Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are relatively easy to grow and can be preserved as jams or frozen.
- Pears: Good for fresh eating and canning.
3. Grains and Legumes:
- Corn: Useful for fresh eating, animal feed, and drying for flour or meal.
- Wheat: For making flour if you have the means to process it.
- Dry Beans and Peas: Excellent sources of protein and store well.
4. Herbs and Spices:
- Basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and parsley: Enhance the flavor of your food and are easy to grow and dry.
5. Protein Sources:
- Chickens: For eggs and meat. They are relatively low maintenance and provide a steady supply of protein.
- Rabbits: Efficient meat producers with relatively small space requirements.
- Goats or Sheep: Provide milk (and subsequently cheese) and meat, depending on your space and needs.
6. Nuts:
- Almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts: High in protein and healthy fats, good for storage.
7. Perennial Vegetables:
- Asparagus: Takes a few years to establish but then produces for many years.
- Rhubarb: Hardy and returns year after year.
These foods offer a balanced mix of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, ensuring nutritional diversity and stability throughout the year!
How do I start a garden with no land?
Starting a garden without land is entirely possible through various creative and effective methods. Here are several approaches you can consider:
1. Container Gardening
- Description**: Grow plants in pots, containers, or other suitable vessels.
- Advantages**: Portable, suitable for balconies, patios, and indoor spaces.
- Tips**: Use a high-quality potting mix, ensure containers have good drainage, and choose plants suited to container growth like tomatoes, herbs, lettuce, and peppers.
2. Vertical Gardening
- Description**: Utilize vertical space by growing plants upwards on walls, trellises, or shelves.
- Advantages**: Saves space, can be used indoors or outdoors, aesthetically pleasing.
- Tips**: Use wall-mounted planters, hanging baskets, or create a living wall. Plants like peas, beans, strawberries, and herbs are ideal for vertical growth.
3. Window Boxes
- Description**: Install boxes outside windows to grow flowers, herbs, or small vegetables.
- Advantages**: Maximizes limited space, easy access for harvesting.
- Tips**: Ensure boxes are securely attached and have proper drainage. Herbs like basil, parsley, and chives do well in window boxes.
4. Hydroponics
- Description**: Grow plants without soil, using nutrient-rich water solutions.
- Advantages**: Efficient use of space and water, faster plant growth.
- Tips**: Start with a simple hydroponic kit, and choose plants like lettuce, spinach, and herbs which are well-suited for hydroponics.
5. Community Gardens
- Description**: Shared gardening spaces in your community.
- Advantages**: Access to land, shared resources, and community support.
- Tips**: Look for community gardens in your area, often managed by local organizations or municipalities. Participate and contribute to garden maintenance.
6. Indoor Gardening
- Description**: Grow plants inside your home using natural or artificial light.
- Advantages**: Controlled environment, year-round gardening.
- Tips**: Use grow lights if natural light is insufficient. Herbs, leafy greens, and dwarf varieties of vegetables are great for indoor gardening.
7. Roof Gardens
- Description**: Utilize rooftop space to grow plants.
- Advantages**: Maximizes unused space, provides insulation.
- Tips**: Ensure the roof can support the weight of soil and plants, and install proper drainage. Containers and raised beds work well for rooftop gardens.
8. Aquaponics
- Description**: Combine fish farming (aquaculture) with hydroponics.
- Advantages**: Sustainable, produces both fish and plants.
- Tips**: Start with a small aquaponics system to learn the basics. Fish waste provides nutrients for plants, and plants help filter the water.
9. Windowsill Gardens
- Description**: Use sunny windowsills to grow small plants.
- Advantages**: Accessible, uses minimal space.
- Tips**: Ideal for herbs, small pots of lettuce, and microgreens.
By selecting one or more of these methods, you can successfully start a garden without owning any land, making the most of the space you have available and enjoying the benefits of growing your own food and plants.
This post was full of homesteading garden layout ideas you'll love!