Our New Book – The Self-Sufficient Backyard: For the Independent Homesteader

Johanna and I are thrilled to announce that our new book The Self-Sufficient Backyard: For the Independent Homesteader is available for purchase in both ebook format and/or printed copy. Here is the link to the webpage: https://self-sufficient-backyard.com/my-book/

We are not aware of any book that has been published that is as comprehensive in its coverage of self-reliant topics. The following is the table of contents.

The Self-Sufficient Backyard: For the Independent Homesteader Table of Contents:

Chapter 1 – 40 Years Homesteading

      Where it all Began …………………………………………..

      The Beginning – The First Homestead ………………

      Time for a Change – A Move to the Wilderness …

      The Final Frontier – The Last Homestead …………

Chapter 2 – The Homestead Plan ………………………….

      More Questions ………………………………………………

      The Sketch ……………………………………………………..

      Sketch Details …………………………………………………

Chapter 3 – Site Selection ……………………………………..

      One Step at a Time …………………………………………

      Homestead Layout ………………………………………….

Chapter 4 – Road Building ……………………………………

Chapter 5 – Homestead Water ……………………………..

      Drilled Wells and Hand Pumps ……………………….

      Hand Dug Wells and Piston Pumps …………………

      Machine Dug Wells ………………………………………..

      Well Disinfection ……………………………………………

      Homestead Water Filtration …………………………….

      Homestead Hot Water ……………………………………

      Rain Water Catchment (WS)……………………………

Chapter 6 – House Floor Planning …………………………

      Dirty and Clean Areas ……………………………………..

      Homestead Kitchen …………………………………………

Chapter 7 – Off Grid Power ………………………………….

      Basic Electricity ……………………………………………….

      Batteries …………………………………………………………

      Solar Panels…………………………………………………….

      Charge Controllers ………………………………………….

      The Inverter ……………………………………………………

      An Example Design…………………………………………..

      Wind Turbines …………………………………………………

Chapter 8 – The Orchard (OR)……………………………….

      Growing Zones …………………………………………………

      Berry Planting (BP1, BP2, SB, T3, T4, T6, T7) ….

      Grapes (T4, T7)………………………………………………..

      Rhubarb, a Vegetable or a Fruit? (T3)…………………

      Fruit Tree Planting (OR) ……………………………………

      Controlling Pest and Disease ……………………………..

Chapter 9 – Homestead Gardening………………………….

      Your First Garden …………………………………………….

      Container Gardening (RC1) ……………………………….

      Let There Be Light ……………………………………………

      Edible Landscapes ………………………………………….…

      Choose Garden System ………………………..

      The Shape Our Garden Takes ……………..

      Plan the Layout ……………………………………

      Crop Rotation (TT) ……………………………..

      Soil Building and Preparation ……………….

      Organic Fertilizers ……………………………….

      Vegetable Seed Selection ……………………..

      Let’s Get the Garden Started! ……………….

      Ready to Plant ……………………………………..

      Succession Planting and Intercropping …..

      Mulch and Fertilize………………………………

      Insects and Diseases …………………………….

      Varmint Control ………………………………….

      Season Extenders…………………………………

      Plant Protection …………………………………..

      The Solar Greenhouse (GH) ………………..

      Seven Cash Cow Crops ………………………..

      Guide to Common Garden Vegetables ….

      Winter Gardening ……………………………….

      Culinary Herbs (CH) ……………………………

      Medicinal Garden (MG) ………………………

Chapter 10 – Easy on the Back Gardening ….

      Hay or Straw Bale Gardens…………………..

      A Keyhole Garden (KH) ………………………

Chapter 11 – Seed saving …………………………..

Chapter 12 – Food Preservation …………………

      Freezing Fruits and Vegetables ……………..

      Freezing Meats …………………………………….

      Canning ………………………………………………

      Canning Equipment……………………………..

      Canning Foods – General Principles ……..

      Canning Vegetables ……………………………..

      Canning Fruits……………………………………..

      Canning Fruit Juices ………………………….…

      Canning Jams, Jellies and Preserves ……………………………………..

      Canning Meats ……………………………………………………………………

      Drying or Dehydrating ………………………………………………………..

      Root Cellaring (BRC) ………………………………………………………….

      Curing, Smoking and Other Off-Grid Means of Food Storage ..

      Storage of Staples ………………………………………………………………..

      Making Apple Cider Vinegar ……………………………………………….

Chapter 13 – Busy as Bees (BH) ……………………………………………….

      Building the Hive ………………………………………………………………..

      Equipment …………………………………………………………………………

      Potential Issues …………………………………………………………………..

      How to Start a New Bee Colony …………………………………………..

      Harvesting Honey …………………………………………………………….…

Chapter 14 – Introduction to Chickens ……………..

      Chicken Breeds …………………………………………

      The Chicken Coop and Run (CR and CC) …..

      Starting the Flock ……………………………………….

      Feed and Bedding ……………………………………..

      Chicken Processing…………………………………….

Chapter 15 – Composting (CB) ……………………….

      Recycling Human Waste (HMC) ………………..

Chapter – 16 You Can Do the Impossible…………

      Tools of the Trade …………………………………….

      Real World Examples ………………………………..

      Safety First! ………………………………………………..

      Homestead Fuel Storage ………………………….…

Chapter 17 – Parting Thoughts ………………………..

Until next time, keep the dream alive! We wish you a great day!

Ron and Johanna

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