15 Minute Homestead Tasks for Busy People

I love reading articles and watching content from full-time homesteaders, but some of us don’t have the means or the time to devote ourselves to our homesteads completely. I find that it’s a lot easier to break tasks into short, manageable bursts and schedule time for these bursts throughout my day, whenever I have a few minutes here or there. Here is a list of 15 minute homestead tasks (or less!) that you can do when find some time throughout your day

5-Minute Homesteading Tasks

• Weeding (5 minutes): Weeding is my favorite way to relieve some stress. Pick an area that you see needs some love, set a timer for 5 minutes (or more if you have it) and start pulling. Focus on areas that have the most visible and invasive weeds so that you prevent future problems and can see results for your efforts quickly.
• Turn the Compost (5 minutes): A quick stir or turn of your compost pile or bin can be done in minutes. If you make this a daily or weekly habit, you keep your compost aerated and healthy, speeding up decomposition without the need for long sessions.
• Add to the Compost (2 minutes): Grab your kitchen scrap bucket and take it over the compost bin for a quick win. For extra points and an extra minute, toss some leaves or cardboard to add browns and maintain the right carbon-nitrogen ratio balance.
• Egg Collection (2 minutes): Take a couple minutes after work to collect your chicken eggs. Take a moment to inspect the hens, say hello and glance over the coop to make sure everything is still going well. Check their eyes, coats and overall movements to make sure they are aren’t coming down with anything that could be bad in the long run.

10-Minute Homesteading Tasks

• Feed the Animals (10 minutes): Feeding chickens, rabbits, or goats doesn’t need to take long if everything is well-organized. Pre-measure feed or store it near the pens to make the process smoother. Ensure that water supplies are full and fresh.
• Harvesting (10 minutes): Picking ripe tomatoes, lettuce, or herbs during your 15-minute break keeps your plants productive and can help you plan what to make for dinner later in the day.
• Start Fermentation (10 minutes): If you’re fermenting foods like sauerkraut, kombucha, or sourdough, a quick check or stirring can be done in minutes. Chopping up your veggies and making a brine for fermenting in the morning or evening gets you that much closer to some delicious, gut-healthy food sooner.
• Freezing or Drying Herbs (10 minutes): If you’ve got fresh herbs from your garden, spend a few minutes chopping and freezing them for later use. If you have a dehydrator, spread them out and let dehydrate for hours when you’re at work.

15-Minute Homesteading Tasks

• Basic Animal Coop or Barn Clean-up (15 minutes): A quick sweep of your chicken coop, barn, or animal pens can be done in a few minutes each day. Spread fresh straw or bedding and remove any soiled material to maintain cleanliness without needing deep cleans as often.
• Quick Canning Prep (15 minutes): If you’re into canning, use your 15 minutes to sterilize jars, prep ingredients, or set up for a canning session later.
• Tidy Your Work Area (15 minutes): Spend a few minutes organizing tools, tidying up your garden shed, or making sure your workspace is clear and ready for your next project.
• Get a Crockpot meal cooking (15 minutes): Home cooking doesn’t have mean an hours standing at the stove after a long day at work. Get your ingredients into the crockpot, turn it on, and have a delicious meal ready when you come back in the evening! If you need ideas , here’s 55 super simple crockpot meals !

By breaking your homesteading tasks into these short, 15 minutes bursts, you can make progress on goals everyday. These simple activities will help keep you on track for a thriving homestead, even when you work a full-time job.