Urban homesteading is the concept of making the most of what you have… I LOVE gardening, and would adore living on a farm. But, rather then pine away for acreage that may or may not ever come our way, my hubby, Rick, and I choose to live a rural lifestyle in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Denver with our two boys and baby girl. We intentionally bought a little old house, built in 1925, in our community, and fill our little yard with as much fruits, flowers and veggies as it will hold.
When we bought our place, Rick insisted on a space for a garden. I had never so much as planted a radish, so really, all this is his fault. When we planted a garden that first spring, I fell in love. Within two years I’d converted us from the conventional growing methods he was raised with to all organic, complete with flower beds planted to attract the good bugs. Three years later I was brave enough to tell Rick about my hare-brained idea to put chickens in our urban back yard. He, and practically everyone else we knew, thought I was crazy. But we did it, and our journey has taken us more places than we ever thought possible.
Why the Lazy Homesteader? I want to find the easy way of doing things; I want it to be simple and fun. Raising chickens and gardening are much easier than most people think. And I hope that it shows here on the blog. I generally tell people, if it were hard or complicated, I wouldn’t be doing it. That and I usually sweet-talk Rick into doing all the dirty work for me.
All that work, the good food, the dirt under my nails, the finished project, it makes me feel connected. To God, to the earth, to my family. I love it. As Wendell Berry said,
Eating with the fullest pleasure – pleasure, that is, that does not depend on ignorance – is perhaps the profoundest enactment of our connection with the world. In this pleasure we experience our dependence and our gratitude, for we are living in a mystery, from creatures we did not make and powers we cannot comprehend.
I blog about all our crazy journeys and adventures here, including the occasional tip on saving money in everyday (and sometimes not so everyday) ways. Like the time I unplugged the fridge. Or got rid of the microwave. Or talked the Hubster into housing not only those “starter chickens” but bees on our little backyard lot.
If you want to know more about our family and our urban homesteading life, kind of a why we do all this, check out my favorite post, “So You Want to be a Farmer.”
Happy reading!
The Lazy Homesteader 
Hey girl…thanks for the tip about the picture. I reposted with the picture. You should be able to see crazy Keegan now.
God Bless,
Katie Jean
Hey, I’m working on a story about urban homesteading for The Denver Post and I’d love to chat with you. Would you have a moment?
Best,
Doug
Doug Brown
Staff Writer
The Denver Post
I was reading anout the Independence Day Challange on Wendy’s site Home Is…. and stumpled on to your site.
I live in the litle town of Craig CO. I was interested to see that you are able to have chickens. Do you live in the city limits??
I really enjoyed reading about your Homestead.
Colo Junkett/Vicki
Vicki – I do live inside city limits. You just need to check city ordinances in your area. For example, while my city allows chickens (with neighbor approval), the city of Denver does not. Though, I’ve heard Denver is thinking of implementing a permitting process to allow them. Some cities (like Longmont) are being petitioned by reidences to allow them as well. You’ll have to check if they are allowed in Craig!
Thanks for stopping by!
Hey Anisa,
Just found your blog trying to get your email. Loved it! Was wondering if you have heard anything on the pig. Can you email me and let me know?
Thanks,
Danielle
I have a quick question for you if you don’t mind responding, either via email or here. My little family and I currently live in Oregon–love it, chickens, homesteaders etc all over the place–however for a variety of reasons will probably be returning to the Denver area.
I was wondering, is there a part of Denver–city, suburbs doesn’t matter–that homesteader-types are congregating or more prone to be? Are certain areas more um, “chicken-accepting”?
Thank you!
Hey, girl! Love the blog. I’m hoping to garden again. Can’t have chickens, though. But miss having them. Love natural childbirth. I get to doula again in May. Love the path you’re taking. Keep it up!!
Thanks DeDe – 🙂 You were one of the first people I knew to have a homebirth.
Did you check out my other blog?
Hi there! Would love to convo about chickens and gardens, we are local, I can give more specific info in an email. Keep up the good work and email if you get a chance. 🙂
Howdy,
Enjoying your blog! Stumbled across it through Crunchy Chicken’s blog roll. We’re up in Fort Collins, doing about the same thing you are, suburban homesteading on a quarter acre, chickens, fruits, raised bed veggies, homeschooling, etc. I love that the energy is arising in so many of us to love (heh, in rereading, I meant to write live, but I think this is a great typo so I’m leaving it) a more authentic and lower impact life, however we manage to start on that path!
Thanks Sue! Nice to “meet” a local!