A few seeds to homesteading: How a DMV resident did it

"You can grow more food than you can eat in a 10x10 space," according to DMV homesteader Elias Castillo.

The big picture: In a 2022 Homesteaders of America survey , roughly 40% of homesteaders reported adopting the lifestyle within the last three years.

Why it matters: People are leaning into more self-sufficient lifestyles in attempts to improve their health and make more eco-friendly choices.

Zoom in: Castillo started with a few seeds on his balcony 13 years ago. He worked for an organic grocer and wanted to try his hand at growing his own organic produce.

• Now he has a quarter-acre in Fairfax County that supplies all the produce his family needs from June to November, along with corn for homemade tortillas.
• He has 50 tomato plants alone and is experimenting with citrus fruits and fruit trees and bushes.

How it works: Generally homesteading is when someone intentionally produces something (usually food) for their own consumption. It's a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

• "You don't have to be Laura Ingalls Wilder to be a homesteader. You can grow tomatoes on your balcony," Jason Strange , author of "Shelter From the Machine: Homesteaders in the Age of Capitalism," tells us.

The fine print: The term homesteading comes from troubled roots, during a time when settlers displaced indigenous Native Americans from their land.

Strange isn't surprised by the homesteading renaissance we seem to be experiencing. In U.S. history, when there's some kind of crisis in mainstream society or economic turbulence "there's a real turn to back to land stuff," he says.

• During the pandemic, people feared grocery stores might run out of food and they were worried about their health. Environmental concerns are growing, too.
• There's also the joy of learning something new and working with your hands that appeals to people, Strange says.

Reality check: While modern-day homesteading might seem like a romantic lifestyle, it's not exactly a simple life.

Here is Elias Castillo's advice for beginners in the DMV area:

🫑 Diversity is the name of the game. Variety is the best way to ensure something grows. You never know what will work one season versus another.

🪴 Herbs are great for beginners. Plus, there's nothing better than flavoring your meals with fresh herbs.

🌱 Start with seeds. It may require more work, but seeds are much cheaper than buying more mature plants.

🥚 Try quail for eggs. Quail are quieter than chickens and lay eggs about every 20 hours.

💦 Keep the soil moist. Compost, ground cover, drip irrigation or a few minutes of watering can go a long way.