Backyard homestead

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • November 18, 2011 at 5:21 am
    Linabean
    Participant

    Has anyone read and succesfully used the information from the book, “The Backyard Homestead”? It looks like it has all the information one might need to get started producing all the food for their family. But I would like some reviews that I feel I can trust as to wether the information is credible and easily used in “real life”. Also, does anyone know if it was written by actual homesteaders? It does not actually say the author, it says it was “edited by …”.

    Any shared experience with this resource would be much appreciated. Thanks!

    -Miranda

    November 18, 2011 at 6:07 am
    Wings2fly
    Participant

    I am curious to know, too.

    November 18, 2011 at 6:08 am
    journey1000miles
    Participant

    I’ve read it (along with many other similar books about urban/backyard homesteads).  My personal opinion is that it is a great starting point…maybe borrow it from your library.  It will give you a some info about a large range of topics.  Jack of all trades and master of none, as they say.  After you decide what activites you want to take on, invest in an excellent guide specific to those topics that appeal to you.  Just my two cents.  Hope that helps!

    November 18, 2011 at 1:05 pm
    RobinP
    Participant

    I agree.  Any of those types of books are valuable for giving you an overview of what’s possible.  Decide what you want to do and can do in your circumstances then get more detailed, specific books for that.  I have that book along with others, but rarely read them anymore unless we’re contemplating expanding our small homestead.  We live on 12 1/2 acres and we have Jersey cows that we milk, chickens, ducks, garden, orchard, etc.  My next goals are aquaponics and bees.  A friend raises pigs for us. 

    November 18, 2011 at 4:00 pm
    Michelle Kelly
    Participant

    We have the book, and while I’ve only referenced it a couple of times, my botanist, herbalist, food preserving planner 12 yo is reading it and creating a major plan for each of our yards (the way our house sits on this property we have 5 different “yards.”

    I like having books on our shelves that my kids can pull off time and again and not have to worry about library fees!

    November 18, 2011 at 4:01 pm
    Michelle Kelly
    Participant

    I meant to also say. That often I will check out a book from the library and get several family members to take a look at it. If I end up renewing it becuase it’s in use, or several of us are very interested, that is what prompts me to go ahead and buy it.

    November 18, 2011 at 4:12 pm
    Angie
    Participant

    How funny, I just purchased this book from Kindle yesterday….and today I am returning it!

    It was helpful but I found that it seemed to copy most of its information on vegetables/herbs section from The Vegetable Gardner’s Bible, at times word for word.

    I realized I already had most of the information it contained from other sources so it really didn’t contain anything I didn’t already know.

    Oh, in case you were curious on food preservation, this website: http://nchfp.uga.edu/ seems to cover *everything.* I’ve used the information over several years with great success.

    November 18, 2011 at 4:50 pm
    Linabean
    Participant

    Thank you all for the feedback! Much appreciated! I will take it out from the library first. God bless!

    -Miranda

    November 18, 2011 at 6:01 pm
    Rachel White
    Participant

    May I throw out an incredible resource?

    The Encyclopedia of Country Living

    I have it so tabbed and bookmarked  If I want something more specific I check it out from the library, but this very large book is my favorite.

     

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
  • The topic ‘Backyard homestead’ is closed to new replies.