Self-sufficiency is always an easier task withtwo. The Self Sufficient Backyard has 265 pages in letter format (8.5 x 11.0 in), so it’s a pretty large book with a legible font, making it easy to read, even for seniors like me. I will write a more comprehensive review when I have finished the book. Apparently someone (Australian?) Recent Posts. You will learn to procure food, water, electricity, and medicine on your own and survive off the grid. There is no audio book for The Self-Sufficient Backyard and I don’t ever anticipate there would be one since there’s a lot of charts and visual info. This copyrighted material may not be republished without express permission. GG: At my age it is going to take an end of the world event to move me to rural farming. I would point out, however, a notation on the back cover is: “Copywrighted (sic) by Global Brother from http://www.AskAPrepper.com” I don’t know what that means, but there is an obvious connection between the book and the above reviewer. They trust these plants with their lives. A few rare ones live it every day. While I hope that I never have to find out just how beneficial it is to plants, it is good information to have stored away on one’s memory banks. I found the school of hard knocks refreshing. The second bonus book is called 40 DIY Projects from the 1900s. SurvivalCache.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking reviews to Amazon. It’s a no-brainer – what you will learn from The Self-Sufficient Backyard is worth a lot more than the asking price. May 9, 2020. Review by Margie Siegal . … Root cellars can be a lifesaver – and you will learn to make a root cellar to put away your food for a rainy day. Buying from the official website is the best way to go since Ron and Johanna offer a 60-day money-back guarantee to all of their customers. for not much more in terms of total dollars a printing run of 5,000 books is not a whole lot more. We have been living off the grid for the last 40 years and we've enjoyed every bit of it. ISBN: 0947214240 9780947214241: OCLC Number: 27628791: Notes: Includes index. From what I have read so far, I think the review above is fair and on point. There is no sex in the book and limited violence as Ron describes the best way to kill chickens for the dinner pot. Joel’s hobby is researching survival gear & weapons as well as prepping. For example: They talk about ordering mail order plants from a nursery that is at least one zone cooler than the zone in which you are living. Their talk about soil amendments and soil preparation etc., is helpful, I think, to all of us erstwhile Farmer Browns. However, if you get your copy from Amazon.com, you are bound by their short return policy. You will learn to make a charcoal water purifier, a root cellar, a smokehouse, a barn, a solar water heater, a wood stove, and a lot more. Ron. Johanna and I thank you for the wonderful feedback on our book. You will be able to follow what the authors are saying just fine, even if you’ve never done any farming or building in your life. Thank you so much for purchasing The Self-Sufficient Backyard. I checked our records and I can see that your order was delivered by now. I have just sent you an email with your order details. You can grow more than you think in just a small backyard. Ron and Johanna are what some people call modern day pioneers. Of course, living in coastal SoCal, it is not that difficult to find a zone that is a zone or two cooler than this zone. Features of the Self-Sufficient Backyard Book, The Backyard Miracle Farm System Review: Worth It? If you are doing it or are going to do it or do parts of it, this is the book to have in hand. You May Also Like. It’s appeal is not mass market. Ron and Johanna are what some people call modern day pioneers. I’m thinking they are lithium batteries??? This is a well written book with a lot of helpful information for a broad scope of homesteaders; from the novice (like myself) to the very advanced. Will definitely keep everyone informed if they’d like. He makes practical suggestions based on his experience that may not occur to the beginner. High voltage rated gloves, gown, face shield, boots, you name it. We have been living off the grid for the last 40 years and we've enjoyed every bit of it. We are so pleased that you found the book not only informative but well written. It would help every American have them in their backyard. That is some of the good. Many people dream of living a self-sufficient life, but a lot fewer actually turn it into reality. You will be able to use the collected water to irrigate your plants, showering, and cooking. All Rights reserved - AskaPrepper.com. The best thing about the program is that it’s easy to follow and breaks processes down into steps. 40 Years Homesteading; The Homestead Plan; Site Selection; Road Building (This was especially interesting in terms of homestead security); Homestead Water; House Floor Planning (Very interesting comments about floor planning based on having been there and done that); Off Grid Power; Gardening(I haven’t gotten to this section yet, but very comprehensive list of chapter topics)Seed Saving; Food Preservation; Bee Keeping; Chicken Raising; Waste Disposal; Tools. What is the Self-Sufficient Backyard Book about? So far, from what I have read, I would say that anyone who thinks they may be living in an undeveloped rural area in an end of the world situation should add this book to their library. so it makes sense it would work with other greenery. I don’t know what voltage they are and what would be the proper charging voltage, current and time. I must admit that I skimmed over the part about growing veggies. If you want to cut cords with modern society and go your own way this is the book for you. Of course, Ron gives many these methods of yesteryear a modern twist and improves them for modern times. The Lost Ways Book Review: Worth It? The Self-Sufficient Backyard: For The Independent Homesteader First thing you’ll find out is that all you need to be self sufficient in terms of food are just 1,020 square feet of land per person, if you follow the methods we developed. It is people like you that keep us going. A small backyard goes a long way. Read more of Joel's articles. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. However, not everyone acts upon their thoughts. Not so much that I am going to try to install one all by myself, but so that I know what questions to ask and to understand what the electrician is talking about, and to keep from making the mistake of buying the cheap battery when the more expensive battery is cheaper in the long run. I will review the book in detail to help you find out. A few rare ones live it every day. The Self-Sufficient Backyard can teach you everything you need to learn about self-reliance. Wading through all the b.s. Ron Melchiore is one of them as he’s been living a self-sufficient life ever since the late 1970s. Search this website. My concern is that the book is a paperback, and in my experience, these types of books tend to not survive extensive use, especially when they are held open for the user/reader to peruse a page for long periods of time, which I would expect with the type information included within. Time to say goodbye to the old power process and welcome the latest energy production technologies. Finally, after life got a bit too comfortable, they felt the call of the wild once more. That little nugget of information could well save someone who was just planting a small orchard some big bucks if they bought fruit trees from a warmer zone than theirs. There is a chapter for every important area of homesteading life: off-grid-power, natural medicines, raising chickens for meat and eggs, beekeeping, composting, food preservation methods, building a root cellar, a smokehouse or a self-sustaining greenhouse, gardening, saving seeds, etc. And each one goes really deep into the subject, taking out all the guesswork for a person just starting out and clearing up any uncertainty left for people who’ve been doing this for a lot longer. We tend to put our heart and soul into everything we do and one never knows how something like our book is received by readers until we hear back from them, so we are truly grateful for your time. Wow! Creating, building, and maintaining a successful and self-sufficient garden is no small feat, but the rewards are tremendous. So, in this bonus book, Ron shows you where you can find free land in America. Hello, I found this book to be a very interesting and down to earth account of a couple’s personal experience. $37. Jul 16, 2020 - When I heard that Ron Melchiore and his wife had written The Self-Sufficient Backyard I knew I had to get myself a copy. Please write to the publisher on the book website and they can provide more info. I haven’t really explored the zones and how they are organized, but it certainly brought home what could be an important point. I really wish the book were listed on Amazon as I said, I would have already ordered it for a friend who has a remote location in a western state and I think they could use this book to good advantage. This book covers it all. In each case they started from scratch. Ron and Johanna do not pay for utilities at all – and they collect every gallon of what they need. The second was in the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada and their third and presumably their last is in Nova Scotia. Sorry to report that according to Amazon there was only one copy left available and I snagged it. Additionally, SurvivalCache.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we may get a commission through purchases made through our links. Ron provides a very detailed sketch of what the ideal plan would look like as you can see here, but it’s all very “customizable” depending on each person’s needs, property size, health, resources, and available time. Anxiety Emotions Mind Psychotherapy Worry. When his book called “The Self-Sufficient Backyard for The Independent Homesteader” arrived on my doorstep the first thing I noticed was that it was quite well put together. I'm glad to have this book as a reference for the future. There are few living people whom I look to for advice because, for me, the person giving it has to practice what they preach. I will say that it was three different vendors and not Claude that I had problems with. If the rest of the book continues as the first 25% has been, the book is a very valuable guide to anyone contemplating a return to homesteading in my opinion. See more at SELFSUFFICIENT-BACKYARD.COM The information presented here is for general educational purposes only. Hello Left Coast Chuck. The first thing I did was skim through the table of contents. Hawthorn, Yes, please. We’ve got a medium size garden and a couple of animals and not off grid at all, but combined with all the ongoing projects of home repair and preservation and general property maintenance I am every bit as busy as I was before I retired and am still falling behind. Of course, I’m always skeptical of people, always wanting to know what outside resources might be backing the people I’ve known who have gone off grid, I’ve met more than a few desert rats and surfers who have a big bank account to fall back on when times is bad. Okay, I have finished perusing the book. In response to the batteries… My husband found a new way online that we are definitely gonna try. Prepping is about being ready for anything that comes your way; whether that’s a natural disaster or manmade. It had a certain weight to it. The paper quality is OK, but it could be improved somewhat. The best thing about the program is that Ron explains everything in detail but never convolutes things. The Self-Sufficient Backyard: Book Review 12:10, 28.May 2020 When I heard that Ron Melchiore and his wife had written The Self-Sufficient Backyard I knew I had to get myself a copy. The authors of the book have done it for over 40 years! About Us. Both Ron and Johanna are now in their 60s and decided to downsize and create a low-maintenance homestead that does not require much expense to build. So while you may blanch at the cost of $46.00 for a book that Sunset Publishing would sell for $19.95, remember that Sunset Publishing owns the printing press and the bindery so they are buying wholesale, Ron and his wife were basically buying printing and bindery at retail and then trying to break even hoping to sell enough books that they had to pre-buy to cover their costs. Backyard Revolution Review. Where it drained out of the camper, mixed with flush water, the grass was always much greener than the surrounding areas. Perhaps more will find their way to Amazon and you will be able to snag your own copy. Well organized, easy to read, and precise in its detail. He says that the plots range between one and five acres, which is more than enough for the average family to become self-sufficient. In the meantime will educate myself on battery packs. Hawthorn, I do not know anything about the batteries you are considering but I’d like to urge caution. Coming from such an accomplished lady, this is high praise. There are some excellent step by step instructions with great colored photographs that would make this book very valuable to the backyard or small farm homesteader. With the plan in place, Ron goes on to show the reader how to grow year-round food using just a little over 1000 feet of the property. If you want to build some projects on your property that will make you a little more self-sufficient, this is also a book for you. If this were listed on Amazon I would have already sent in my order. It is one of the best gardening books I have read, and I think it would be especially good for a beginning gardener. The book is a comprehensive guide, and there are no pre-requisites. The authors of the book have done it for over 40 years! There are well documented procedures in place to disconnect a battery pack, and the technician has to be certified to work on HV vehicles. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and creating a fun presentation which reflects your hard work, dedication, and humor! My apologies to Johann. If you buy today from their website, the couple will throw in three bonus books at no extra charge. In the 40+ years that the couple has lived off the grid, they’ve never paid an electricity bill or bought medicine from a pharmacy. You will also discover how to make a water collection system for cheap. So far in the book the author has been frank about mistakes he made and lessons he learned form the School of Experience. The Self-Sufficient Backyard We are two of the "back to the land people" from the late 1970’s. reviews - Outdoor Happens - Homesteading, gardening, outdoor cooking; Creating the best backyard - Nov 2020 I am old fashioned and a man and wife are a team, working together. Prepping in itself and all the levels of prepping from having a bugout or shelter-in-place plan and food and water for 3 days, then 1 month, then longer is a more achievable goal for most, including me. Thank you for supporting The Self Sufficient HomeAcre! But it’s not a scam…right? Oh, and: Electricity is nothing to fool with if you don’t know what you are doing. Brand New The Self-Sufficient Backyard: For the Independent Homesteader 100+ DIY Projects to Make Your House Work for YOU Instead of the Other Way Around Many people daydream about a self-sufficient existence. Is that your impression? I would point out that the authors are no newbies to homesteading. Ron understands that you may not be able to make your own self-sufficient backyard because you don’t have the land for it. Let alone that new batteries are extremely expensive. Also, if a freak event did occur, I do not know what ramifications there would be with the insurance company as well. Since 2010, the mission of SurvivalCache.com is to provide the most in-depth discussions about survival prepping. Joel is one of the original founders of SurvivalCache.com. I cannot recommend it enough – it’s a book every American should read. My irst book Off Grid and Free: My Path to the Wilderness is on audio as well as print and ebook. God bless, We wish you the best. Judi Marzolino, Thank you so much for purchasing The Self-Sufficient Backyard. A few rare ones live it every day. Reply. Ron and Johanna are what some people call modern day pioneers. I could relate to them from the younger days into the older days. The Aquaponic Gardner will teach you how to set up an aquaponic garden for your backyard. used the pack out of a Chevy Volt & left the grid inside a week. The second and third homesteads were when the couple were married. He goes into how to deliver water to the home and how he went about moving water inside the house from outside where it was first located. It is a tough way to live, but, barring serious accidents, It is a most rewarding life game. You can also place it in your basement or your Greenhouse. Read his full interview here. However, for the small time self-publisher, the total cost between 500 and 5000 is significant. A sincere thank you to you and others who have made such nice comments about our book. Starting a backyard homestead is a great way to raise food, reduce waste, and provide habitat for pollinators! Saved from askaprepper.com. that seems to be necessary to sell something on line one finds out that to get a hard copy of the book in one’s hands, and I would only recommend a hard copy; electronic media holds no charms for me, it is going to cost you $46.00 to get this publication in your hot little hands. This post contains affiliate links. He even talks about what to do with excreta on your off-the-grid farmstead. The Self-Sufficient Backyard is a collection of all that the authors, Ron and Johanna, have learned living off the grid for over four decades. The Self Sufficient Backyard is the most extensive guide I’ve seen on living off-the-grid and making a good living out of it. Why call it a game? And they don’t have to be full capacity to run a home like they do a car so you can buy one @ 70-80% & be just fine. In that time, they’ve built 3 off-grid homesteads from Maine to the wilds of Saskatchewan. The Self-Sufficient Backyard: Book Review - Ask a Prepper May 2020 When I heard that Ron Melchiore and his wife had written The Self-Sufficient Backyard I knew I had to get myself a copy. They have documented what they found worked after things that didn’t work so well. Make your life easier with the right tools and equipment! All the best Chuck. Because living that way is not a necessity in most of North America and, basically, you are doing it for the sheer challenge. Around us were neat gardens with shrubs and lawns, a small vegie garden or a few fruit trees. I found one copy for say and it was actually $1.75 cheaper than using this website. If you want to cut cords with modern society and go your own way this is the book for you. If you want to build some projects on your property that will make you a little more self-sufficient, this is also a book for you. Now to the bad. I’ve read about them before and I .. It produces juicy vegetables and fresh fish, and requires minimal maintenance since every part of the system feeds another. It will lead you to spend a healthy life and reduce tensions. They generated their own electricity, and their small medicinal garden helped them get through hard times. That will help make the plant hardier than if you order a plant from a zone that is one zone warmer than your zone. For a little more than a how much a meal for two would cost, you get your hands on four comprehensive guides that teach you to live without relying on anybody. The Self Sufficient Backyard really looks like an in-depth book with lots of instructions along the way. Lithium batteries make me nervous in a house setting and all I’m suggesting is the things I’ve mentioned would be thoughts I personally would explore further before committing to them. I have often stated that my knowledge of electricity is limited to: Don’t stick a screwdriver in an outlet to see if it is hot. That said, i wish as a young man I had followed more the path of Homesteading and living off the grid,can’t think of a more satisfying thing to accomplish. Three strikes and you are out. My friend with the homestead is going to be the recipient of this valuable text. I would think, actually, in order to survive it might be necessary to find a zone that was a zone or two drier than this zone. Used? I’ve seen some HV batteires being replaced, and if they do get replaced is because they’re not good for use anymore. I always thought that human waste was useless for plant fertilization. For a good chunk of the past four decades, the couple has lived 100 miles away from the nearest pharmacy. Where Free Land Can Still Be Found In The USA is the third and final bonus included with The Self-Sufficient Backyard. In the automotive world we like to stay away from orange cables under the hood. But more important than all that is the potential fire hazard. If, after I finish the book, I think there are some ugly warts, it won’t bother me one wit to so state. appeared first on Survival Cache. Making natural remedies from common backyard plants. With the blueprint in the book, not only will you be completely self-sufficient, but you’ll also be able to sell the excess crop your backyard produces and sustain a healthy profit year-round! The Beginner’s Guide to Backyard Homesteading I had always thought human excreta was only something used in very poor third world countries as fertilizer, but Ron explains in detail how he uses that to fertilize his plants. I haven’t reached any conclusion as to whether it is going to be of value to the urban bug-in preppier, but let me list some of the chapters and you can judge for yourself: The Self-Sufficient Backyard can teach you everything you need to learn about self-reliance. Should you need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to let me know. What happens if they are overcharged? The first one was on a rural plot in Main. Claude, I have still not received my book and bonus books. The post The Self-Sufficient Backyard Book Review: Worth It? The ultimate guide to having a self-sufficient lifestyle and living off the land. We have been a team for 62 years now. Homesteading World is all about the self-sufficient lifestyle. Click Here to get your copy of The Self Sufficient Backyard: For the Independent Homesteader, Five Ways Our Life is Better Living Off The Grid, 10 Things Cowboys Carried With Them in the Wild West to Survive (Video), Confessions Of A Man Who Lived 37 Years Off-Grid (AMA). Lisa, from The Self-Sufficient Home Acre, has written a jammed packed guide that will help anyone on their road to a self-sufficient lifestyle. In regards to the price of the product, that is set by the publisher. . Another huge benefit is that building your self-sufficient paradise will NOT become your new job.