The Self Sufficient Backyard

The Self-Sufficient Backyard is helping Americans transforming from an honest homeowner into an independent, self-sufficient person that has an extra income and doesn't owe anybody a thing. You will not be troubled with what happens to the world around you, because everything you need is where is should be: on your property!

A simple guide to growing fruits, vegetables, nuts & berries, raising chickens, goats, & bees, and making beer, wine, & cider from your backyard. If you want to take control of the food you eat and the products you use, Backyard Homesteading will help you learn how to do it—even if you live in an urban or suburban house on a typical-size lot. Inside, you’ll discover how to turn a yard into a productive and wholesome “homestead” that allows you to grow your own fruits and vegetables and raise farm animals, including chickens and goats. You’ll also find the laws and regulations of raising livestock in populated areas, as well as ways to use and preserve the bounty your land produces. GETTING STARTED Benefits of pure food Family recreation Local regulations Potential yields and savings RAISING VEGETABLES AND HERBS Garden planning/layout Structures/irrigation Vegetable profiles Planting techniques Composting/healthy soil Seasonal gardening GROWING FRUITS, BERRIES, AND NUTS Planting fruit trees and bushes Fruit profiles Organic pest control Grafting and pruning Harvesting methods RAISING CHICKENS The joy of chickens Collecting eggs Care and feeding tips Other small animals RAISING GOATS Benefits of goat milk Structures/fencing Care and feeding tips Other large animals BEEKEEPING Benefits of beekeeping Care and harvesting Building hives Collecting honey HARVEST HOME Canning/drying/freezing Making beer, wine, cider Making jerky, sausage Making jams, jellies Pickling/salting/smoking Building root cellars

Self-sufficiency doesn't have to mean getting off the grid entirely. That level of independence isn't practical for most people. A backyard farm can provide an abundance of inexpensive food as well as additional income which can bring you real independence. Whether you're a first-timer who wants to start growing vegetables or an experienced gardener looking to expand a small plot into a minifarm, The Everything Backyard Farming Book has all you need, from growing fruits and vegetables to raising animals to preserving and storing food. With this common-sense guide, you will be able to take control of the food you eat - in an urban or suburban setting.

A beginner's guide to self-sustainability in the suburbs Gardens, goats and chickens in the suburbs? Absolutely! The easy-to-follow advice in this book will show you everything you need to know to enjoy an abundant, independent life on food and products grown in your own back yard. You may feel like you have superpowers the first time you prepare a meal using only ingredients you grew in your garden. And is there anything you can't do after you lather up with a bar of soap that you made in your own home? This book is full of recipes and tips that will help you discover the joy of self-sufficiency. Don't worry; suburban gardening doesn't mean you have to rip up your yard, or risk being ostracized by neighbors or your municipality or homeowners association. Inside you'll find: • Gardening instructions for any-size yard and any skill level • A complete overview of keeping chickens, mini-goats and bees in the suburbs • More than 40 food recipes featuring ingredients from your garden or animals • Canning techniques • Recipes for natural deodorant, toothpaste, lip balm and other beauty products • Step-by-step soapmaking instructions and soap recipes • Natural cleaning recipes for kitchens, bathrooms, surfaces and laundry • Gift basket ideas • Community-building ideas including babysitting co-ops, meal swaps, and barter systems • Advice on how to keep the peace with family, neighbors, and officials if your self-sufficient plans meet resistance

On just a quarter-acre of land, you can produce fresh, organic food for a family of four — year-round!

Mini Farming describes a holistic approach to small-area farmingthat will show you how to produce 85 percent of an average family's food on just a quarter acre—and earn $10,000 in cash annuallywhile spending less than half the time that an ordinary job wouldrequire. Even if you have never been a farmer or a gardener, this book covers everything you need to know to get started: buying and savingseeds, starting seedlings, establishing raised beds, soil fertilitypractices, composting, dealing with pest and disease problems,crop rotation, farm planning, and much more. Because self-suf?ciency is the objective, subjects such as raising backyard chickensand home canning are also covered along with numerous methodsfor keeping costs down and production high. Materials, tools, andtechniques are detailed with photographs, tables, diagrams, andillustrations.

"Step-by-step, how-to projects for home rain collection, solar panels, food storage, solar energy systems, eco-friendly improvements, bee keeping, and more"--Provided by publisher.

Grow, raise, and store your own food with this simple and easy guide to creating a self-sustaining farm right in your backyard! These days we are all looking for ways to become more self-sufficient. Now with Backyard Farming you can create your very own micro farm right in your backyard—no matter where you live! Now you can discover ways to grow, raise, and store your own food year round whether you live in an urban environment, in the suburbs, or out in the country. From raising chickens and beekeeping to growing vegetables and planting fruit trees, this guide to homesteading will help you become more self-reliant in no time!