And whilst I absolutely love that idea (one day, one day!) , the reality is that we live in a very ordinary, very small home. We barely even have a lawn. 

But I want a slower, more intentional way of living. I want to learn new skills, grow a few things ourselves, waste less and appreciate the changing seasons a little more. And that's how I stumbled across the idea of microhomesteading.

What is a Homestead?

Traditionally, a homestead was a home that produced most of what the family needed. Growing food, preserving it, baking bread, mending clothes and living more simply were all part of everyday life.

Nowadays, homesteading means different things to different people. For some, it's acres of land and livestock. For others, it's simply producing a little more, learning how to grow a little food in any available space and relying a little less on convenience.

What is a Microhomestead?

It's taking those same ideas and rejigging them to modern life and smaller spaces. For people who have little space, and even littler time. For mums who have a thousand and one things to do, but still want to bring a little more homemade into their homes. You don't need a farmhouse or a huge garden. A windowsill, a few pots or even a sunny corner outside can be enough to get started.

And that's exactly what this series is about. Not huge projects. Not expensive equipment. Not becoming completely self-sufficient. Just small things, done slowly.

Tiny Homestead Living

Every now and then I'll be sharing one simple thing that we're doing. Something realistic. Something you can hopefully try that very same day.

Because I think there's something worth celebrating about growing even a handful of herbs or baking your first loaf of bread.

The philosophy behind this series is simple: A little each week.

Small things, done slowly, following the seasons. Because I think that's something anyone can do.

Week One: Planting Herbs

And so, rather than spending weeks planning the perfect setup, I decided to just start.

A few weeks or so ago I picked up some mint, some basil, some parsley and some chives. (I've had lemon balm and rosemary growing for a good few years now too). Some are going on the windowsill, some in pots outside and I've even tucked a few into the little alleyway down the side of the house. I've realised that when space is limited, you become surprisingly creative. Any little patch will do.

My Favourite Herb Growing Hack

One of the easiest ways to start is by buying the living herbs from the supermarket. Instead of using them up and throwing them away, take them out of their tiny plastic pots as soon as you get home, gently loosen the roots and repot them into decent compost. They'll reward you with far more growth, and you'll have fresh herbs to snip whenever you need them.

No waiting. No perfection. Just a few herbs here and there and that feels like a pretty good place to begin.

If you have enjoyed reading this post, and found it interesting or helpful, you can say thank you and support Whimsical Mama by buying me a coffee! I'd really appreciate it! ☕☕