You Don't Need Five Acres to Start Homesteading

When people picture a homestead, they often imagine 20 acres, a big red barn, grazing cows, and endless rows of gardens.

While that certainly sounds wonderful...

It's not the only way to live intentionally.

Many of the homes here in Tillamook County City limits sit on smaller lots, often less than a quarter acre. At first glance, that may not seem like enough space to grow much of anything.

But I think you'd be surprised.

Homesteading isn't defined by how much land you own. It's about making the most of the space you have, learning new skills, and creating a home that supports the life you want to live.

If I were buying my first home in town and wanted to build my own little backyard homestead, here's exactly how I'd do it.

I'd Start with the Garden

The first thing I'd build would be a few raised garden beds. Raised beds help maximize production while keeping everything organized, accessible, and easy to maintain.

Living on the Oregon Coast has its challenges, but we're also fortunate to have a climate that grows a surprising variety of vegetables. Some of my favorites would include:

• 🥕 Carrots

• 🥬 Lettuce

• 🥬 Kale

• 🥦 Broccoli

• 🥬 Cabbage

• 🌱 Artichokes

• 🧅 Onions

• 🧄 Garlic

• 🥔 Potatoes

• 🫛 Peas

• 🫛 Green beans

• 🍅 Tomatoes (planted in the sunniest spot I could find!)

• 🌿 Fresh herbs like basil, parsley, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and chives
  

Next, I'd Plant Food That Comes Back Every Year

Perennial plants are one of the best investments you can make because they continue producing year after year.

I'd make room for:

• 🫐 Blueberries

• ❤️ Raspberries

• 🍓 Strawberries

• 🌿 Rhubarb

• 🍎 An apple tree (if space allowed)

• 🍐 A pear tree
  

I'd also tuck a compost bin into the corner of the yard so garden scraps could eventually become healthy soil for the next growing season.

Fresh Eggs Every Morning

One thing many people don't realize is that, by following local regulations, you can have backyard chickens within Tillamook city limits.

A small coop with a handful of hens can provide fresh eggs almost every day while taking up surprisingly little space.

Homesteading Doesn't Stop at the Garden Gate

For me, homesteading isn't just about what happens outside.

Inside the house, I'd be learning new skills too.

I'd bake sourdough bread, make homemade jam, preserve vegetables by freezing or canning, dehydrate herbs from the garden, and cook more meals from scratch.

Every season I'd learn something new.

Every project would build a little more confidence.

Every harvest, whether it was a basket of tomatoes or a loaf of sourdough, would make home feel just a little more rewarding.

Room to Roam Looks Different for Everyone

Little by little, those small choices add up.

Before long, you've created something that's about so much more than a backyard, it's a home that's productive, intentional, and uniquely yours.

Maybe your dream is forty acres, horses, and a big red barn.

Or maybe it's a cozy home in town with raised garden beds, berry bushes, fresh eggs every morning, and a loaf of sourdough cooling on the counter.

Both are beautiful.

Because "room to roam" isn't measured in acreage.

It's measured by the life you create with the space you have. Ready to Find Your Own Room to Roam?

Whether your dream is a cozy home in town with a backyard garden or a few acres in the country, every journey starts somewhere.

If you're thinking about buying your first home in Tillamook County and would love a little guidance along the way, I'd be honored to help.

Together, we'll find a home that gives you the room to build the life you're dreaming of, one raised garden bed, berry bush, and loaf of sourdough at a time.

When you're ready to start your home-buying journey, I'd love to help. Feel free to reach out anytime. - Jacque