Urban homesteading has become a recent catch phrase and gained a lot of interest. My approach is "baby steps, and see what works for you" . Homesteading, wether urban or not is about self reliance, and knowing your limits.
I bought a newer home on a smaller lot about 1 1/2 yrs ago and am sLowly figuring out, and making space for gardens and possibly future livestock.
I started gardening a few years back, because I liked watching things grow and loved eating fresh veggies and herbs. I loved the idea of being able to be more self reliant and less dependent on big box stores and commercial farmers.
Now my property isn't large enough to raise cattle or swine for meat, so until we decide to buy a bigger place, we will source that as much as we can from known local farmers (still working on that).
But it is big enough to grow vegetables, herbs and maybe some fruit.
I cleared off a hedge drone a hillside and am terracing off a 12'x70' south facing area to move my garden beds to. I currently have 4-4'x8' raised beds, 2- 2'x4' tall raised beds and a 4'x10' strawberry bed, with some herb beds being developed. I have also already terraced off about 5'x25' of the 12'x70' area and am growing squash there this season.
I also have some other small areas for herbs like sage, rosemary & mint.
I try to start as much of my plantings from seed, from heirloom or non-gmo stock. I built a seed starting station on a bread rack with grow lights and heating pads. It works great, you just have to remember some things don't transplant well, so wait n start them outside.
The 12'x70' space will eventually have 4' wide beds down each of the 70' sides, with a poly tunnel PVC hoop house over it, allowing me to start things earlier outside, and keep them later.
So I am starting small and seeing what works for me and my family. No sense in growing things we won't eat unless we can use them to barter with others for something else.
We are thinking about chickens (for eggs n meat) and maybe Pygmy goats for milk. We will have to see how our schedules allow for the extra work and if we can find someone to care for them if we go out of town.
We are also looking into rain catchment systems for both the garden and personal use of the infrastructure were to fail. Considering looking at a Grey water system for the house, to use on the garden as well, need to check laws/regs and calc costs.
More to come as things develop. let me know what you think and what your experiences are. I would love to compare notes.