I’ve been an urban homesteader for 15 years, way before it was trendy. Back when my husband and I started, we had no clue what we were doing. But luckily, we had lots of farming resources nearby to help us figure it out. These days, a lot of folks are jumping into urban homesteading without knowing what they’re getting into. And that’s leading to some pretty costly mistakes. There are three trends that really bug me – buying chickens because of egg shortages, trying out dangerous “rebel” canning methods, and treating urban homesteading like an Instagram-worthy lifestyle choice.
In the early days, we made our fair share of blunders, like getting chickens before we had a proper coop. Now that I’ve got 15 years under my belt, I can’t help but cringe when I see these latest fads. They may seem like a good idea, but they often end up costing a ton of money and can even put people’s health at risk. Not every new urban homesteading trend is a total disaster, but a lot of folks don’t know where to find reliable info, so they end up following sketchy advice from social media influencers.
Raising chickens due to the cost of eggs
When eggs get really expensive and hard to find, a lot of people think “I’ll just get some chickens!” Seems easy, right? But the reality is, keeping chickens is way more involved and costly than most realize. Besides the chick cost, you’ve gotta factor in chicken feed, which can really add up, especially for a big flock. And then there’s the coop – those can range from $100 to $4,000 depending on what you build. Plus, you need all sorts of other equipment like a brooding pen, warming lights, feeders, and bedding. And the real kicker? Those chickens won’t even start laying eggs until they’re 5-6 months old. So you’ll still be buying eggs while you wait. It’s a big investment with a ton of daily work – cleaning the run, refilling food and water, and trying to keep those feathery escape artists from busting out!
Dangerous rebel canning methods
There’s this “rebel canning” movement going on, where folks are ignoring the USDA guidelines and trying all sorts of untested home canning methods. They may think they’re being rebellious and independent, but the truth is, they’re just putting themselves and their families at risk. These rebel canning methods can lead to things like botulism, which is really no joke. I’ve heard all kinds of excuses for not following the rules – “my grandma did it this way,” “the government can’t tell me how to cook,” or “pressure canners are too expensive.” But the science and the risks don’t care about any of that.
The bottom line is, water bath canning can’t get hot enough to kill all the bacteria, and dry canning in the oven is a disaster waiting to happen. Proper pressure canning is the only safe way to can low-acid foods. And don’t even think about trying to seal jars by turning them upside down – that’s just asking for trouble. Canning is no joke, and people really need to be careful about where they’re getting their advice from. Trusting some random influencer is a great way to end up with a pantry full of spoiled, dangerous food.
Urban homesteading as an aesthetic lifestyle choice
With all these gorgeous “cottagecore” Instagram accounts, it’s no wonder a lot of people are getting interested in this lifestyle. Those warm-lit photos of veggies, fresh eggs, and homemade bread are enough to make anyone want to try it. But the reality is, a lot of these accounts only show the pretty, Instagram-worthy side. They don’t show the hard work and unexpected challenges that come with it.
Look, I love that kind of content too. But you can’t just jump in without knowing what you’re getting into. Homesteading takes a ton of patience, elbow grease, and the willingness to make mistakes. You’ve gotta be ready to deal with weeding, sick plants, and chickens that constantly escape. It’s not all pretty raised beds and artful food styling. If you’re ready to put in the work, though, I say go for it! I’ll be there cheering you on. Just make sure you have a realistic idea of what you’re signing up for before sinking a bunch of money into it.
