The Benefits of Backyard Farming: A Sustainable and Cost-Effective Approach
Do you want to know more about the benefits of backyard farming? There are many advantages to raising a garden and livestock in your backyard. Learn about cost-effective ideas that will ensure a sustainable approach to backyard farming.
Benefits of Backyard Farming
Whether you live on a full city lot or have a tiny backyard, you can still enjoy the benefits of backyard farming. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, you only need about 200 square feet of garden per person to grow enough vegetables to last all year.
Here are some of the benefits you’ll see from backyard farming:
Fresh produce- harvest food that is fresh off the vine or out of the ground
Organic- grow your food without pesticides and herbicides for 100% organic food
Save money- reduce your expenses by taking produce off your grocery list
Health benefits- home-grown produce is healthier than food grown on depleted farmland soils
Connect to nature- there are many benefits of putting your hands and feet in the dirt and connecting to the abundance of nature
Stress relief- soil contains microbes that encourage your brain to produce serotonin
Those are just some of the most significant benefits you’ll see when you start farming in your backyard. It’s a great way to spend time together as a family, and you’ll discover more benefits on your backyard farming journey.
Now, check out these backyard farming methods that you can use to save money and live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Raise Backyard Chickens
Pound for pound, chickens are the most cost-effective animal to raise for meat. Chickens require very little space to raise and are low-maintenance, and as an added benefit, they will eat your kitchen scraps, which will help reduce the amount of waste you are sending to the landfill, and it’s easier than composting. Whether you're looking at raising them free-range or you want to keep them in a coop, they will need somewhere safe to stay at night. Investing in a steel Quonset hut and arch building is perfect for giving your chickens the freedom to move around while also keeping them safe and protected from predators. You will want to find a reputable company like this Utah Sunward Steel Buildings manufacturer, to help advise you and install your new building for you.
It’s simple to find portable chicken coops for sale that make it even easier to raise chickens in your backyard. Moving your chicken coop around your backyard will give your chickens fresh green grass to eat every day, and you’ll notice a difference in the color of the egg yolks right away.
Stationary chicken coops get messy, but with a portable chicken coop, you won’t have any problems with bad smells. They are easy to move because they are on wheels, and they come in several different sizes, starting as small as 5’ x 6’.
Start an Apiary in Your Backyard
Not everyone is interested in bee-keeping, but if that’s something that excites you, it’s a great way to enjoy the benefits of backyard farming. Introducing beneficial pollinators is also good for the environment. If you have an orchard in your backyard, you will probably see a difference in the amount of fruit your trees produce.
It’s not legal in every city to raise bees in your backyard, but it’s easy to search for beekeeping laws online to learn more about your state's laws. If you have questions, call your city or reach out to a local beekeeping association.
Backyard Composting
Finished compost is perfect for amending the soil in your garden and flower beds, and you can turn yard waste and kitchen scraps into black gold by following simple guidelines. Here is a list of some dos and don’ts for backyard composting.
Do’s for Backyard Composting
Treat your compost like it’s a pet by nurturing it
Feed your compost 50/50 green and brown organic matter
Chop materials up into small pieces for faster composting
Keep your compost moist
Use caution when adding plants that have pests or diseases
Use biodegradable plastic bags to collect compost
Don’ts for Backyard Composting
Don’t use an open pile composting method if you have neighbors close by because compost piles can smell
Don’t compost animal byproducts like meat, dairy, and pet waste
Don’t let your compost get too wet
Don’t add waste that has been treated with herbicides or pesticides
Rainwater Collection Systems for Backyard Garden
Water is a precious resource, and rainwater collection systems are being used in many parts of the country that are experiencing water shortages. Rainwater harvesting can be simple or complex, depending on your needs. It can save you money on your water bill, and if you’re in a water district with a strict schedule, it can give you the flexibility to water your garden on non-watering days.
Rainwater collection systems work well with drip irrigation systems for watering your garden, and they can be built with flexibility in mind so that you can expand their capabilities later on down the road.
Discover More Sustainable Approaches To Life Through Backyard Farming
Backyard farming makes it easy to utilize your resources more efficiently, which is a big part of sustainability. Once you get started, you’ll discover more benefits to growing your own food in your backyard and find ways to save money and help protect the environment.
