From Garden to Homestead: How I Built an Abundant Life Without Store-Bought Anything

In a world that’s increasingly dependent on the grocery store and chemical solutions, I did something a little... old school. While everyone else scrambled to buy food, fertilisers, and water their withering gardens, I leaned into tradition and nature, and I came out with a lush, thriving homestead.

And it all started with a very humble garden.

The Seed of Change: A Simple Garden

I didn’t start with acres of land or a giant bank account. I started with a basic patch of soil and a dream: to grow my own fruit, vegetables, herbs, spices, and yes, even cocoa and coffee trees. I wanted flavour. I wanted resilience. But most of all, I wanted independence.

The first thing I ditched? Store-bought fertilisers and pesticides. Instead, I returned to time-tested, naturally available resources. Nature has its own logic, and when we work with it instead of against it, it shows up big time. My plants didn't just survive, they flourished.

What I Used Instead of Store-Bought Solutions

Let’s break this down like a good quarterly strategy meeting, but with more dirt under the fingernails:

✅ Pesticides? Nah. I made my own.

From garlic sprays, neem oil, and chili-infused mixes to companion planting, I turned my garden into a natural fortress. Ladybugs? Recruited. Nasturtiums and marigolds? Deployed. No bugs, no drama.

✅ Fertilisers? I am the fertiliser supplier.

Enter: humanure and urine. Yep, the “ick” factor fades fast when you see those leaves go glossy green and those roots dig deep like they’re on a mission. Properly composted humanure and well-diluted urine are among the richest nitrogen and phosphorus sources out there. Nature wastes nothing, and neither do I.

✅ Water? Not a drop was wasted.

I used grey water from laundry, showers, and dishwashing, nothing with harsh chemicals, of course. Trees and flowers drank it up like rain. Your wastewater isn’t waste, it’s liquid gold when managed right. Every drop counts, and when you're intentional, even dirty water does divine work.

Results: A Resilient, Self-Reliant Ecosystem

The transformation was astonishing. While others battled shortages, pests, and poor soil, my garden turned into a mini jungle of productivity. Stronger roots. Bigger yields. Healthier plants. I had more than enough to feed my family, share with neighbours, and save seeds for the next season.

There’s something deeply satisfying about walking through a garden you nurtured with your own hands, fed with your own waste, watered with reused resources, and defended with natural allies. It’s more than food. It’s freedom.

Key Takeaways for Your Homesteading Toolkit

If you’re thinking about stepping into self-sufficiency, here’s what I’ll tell you from the trenches:

• Start small. One garden bed is enough to begin. Grow what you eat.

• Use what you have. Food scraps become compost. Grey water becomes hydration. Waste becomes nutrition.

• Observe nature. It’s your best teacher. Pest problems? Look at the balance. Growth stalls? Check the roots and the soil.

• Don't fear the “ick.” Humanure and urine are ancient, natural, and incredibly effective. Sterilise, compost, and use with intention.

The Future is Back-to-Basics

You don’t need expensive products or chemical fixes. You just need to work with nature, not against it. The tools are already in your kitchen, your bathroom, and your backyard. The power to thrive is within reach, and it's probably already under your feet.

So, to those navigating skyrocketing costs and store shelves that never seem full, take heart. You don’t need to keep buying what nature provides for free. Build your homestead from the ground up, just like I did. One plant, one bucket of compost, one greywater dishpan at a time.

And let me tell you, nothing tastes sweeter than a tomato grown from yesterday’s bathwater and last week’s banana peels.