Self-Sufficiency Handbook

Your Complete Guide to a Self-Sufficient Home, Garden, and Kitchen

Alan Bridgewater, Gill Bridgewater

• Publisher: CompanionHouse Books
• Year: 2017
• ISBN:
  9781620082355
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Animal Husbandry
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Whether you're looking to adopt a greener lifestyle or wanting to go off the grid, this guide has all you need to know to boost your self-sufficiency. Worried about ever-rising fuel bills and longing for the day when you can be off-grid and independent? Anxious about the quality of the food you eat and planning to go organic? Yearning to get back to the way it was but don't know where to start? This book will show you how to achieve the eco-friendly good life. The authors cover the ecological gamut from geothermal heating to crop rotation to soap making. They answer important questions like how much land is really needed to be self-sufficient, whether or not to depend entirely on natural forms of energy, and which farm animals will best meet your needs. There's practical information here on building an insulated flue pipe chimney, identifying edible wild plants, and composting with worms—as well as recipes for jams, rhubarb wine, cheeses, and more. Packed with full-color photographs, helpful illustrations, and diagrams, Self-Sufficiency Handbook will appeal to urban dwellers who want to adopt certain aspects of greener living and to serious adherents of back-to-basics living. Inside Self-Sufficiency Handbook, you'll find: –Inspirational yet practical introduction to a greener way of living –Essential reading for anyone considering a shift to a more self-sufficient lifestyle, no matter how small the change –Emphasis is on the positive aspects of self-sufficiency, such as cutting living costs and eating well –Covers everything from fitting a wind turbine to making honey from your own beehives. –Step-by-step instructions on keeping animals, growing organic food, and preserving your own produce –Guidelines for creating a self-sufficient home and eco-friendly home improvements "This book shows that self-sufficiency is not only better for the planet—it's cheaper and more rewarding!" —Green Rewards/Sustainability Advisory Panel

Part 1: The Land

The Perfect Plot

If you want to become completely self-sufficient, you can’t approach it half-heartedly; you have to become passionate—obsessive, even—about self-sufficiency in all aspects of your life. When you reach this level of dedication, you can then start planning how you are going to turn your ideas into reality. When you and your family are truly committed to making this total lifestyle change, you will discover the excitement of thinking about all that is possible.

Start by asking yourself the following questions:

• How much land do you need?

• Is your dream plot in the city, suburbs, or country?

• Do you think about relocating to another state or even another country where property is less expensive?

• Do you want to try to go off-grid, meaning no electricity, water, or gas?

• Can you achieve self-sufficiency by staying where you are and renting land?

• Do you want to join a self-sufficient community?

• Are you going to continue a career?

• Do you have enough assets?

How Much Land Do You Need?

The amount of land you will need depends on the location, the climate, the quality of the land, and what you plan to do with the land. A single person could probably manage with half an acre (.20 hectare) of rich land if he or she were going to grow all of his or her own food, or grow cash crops and trade and swap for other essentials. Two people would need around 2 acres (.80 hectare), but they could probably make do with less land if they opted for coppiced woodland and made and sold products for cash. If your self-sufficiency dream involves fishing, horses, sheep, chickens, and the like, you will obviously need more land and should do some research based on the particular livestock you want to keep.

Ripening almonds on a branch.

Our first plot was a little more than an acre (.40 hectare) of remote land with poor, boggy ground and difficult access. We were in our late twenties with two babies. We succeeded simply because I earned money as a lecturer, and my regular income made everything possible. Gill was able to stay at home and do her weaving and I made pottery over summer breaks, all while looking after our two boys and keeping a few chickens, geese, sheep, and goats. Of course, it was not easy, but it worked for us because we lived off-grid and were not weighed down by utility bills.

Of course, much will depend upon your particular plans, the size of your budget, and your individual circumstances. What this all adds up to is that, while you have to start out with a dream, you also have to be prepared to make compromises. Look long and hard at options that initially seem not quite right and see if you can work around the obvious problems. The house might be in disrepair, but can you fix it? Or maybe the property is larger than you want. Can you work with the land?

Trial Period

So you want to live in the woods, or by the beach, or out in the country, and you are a bit nervous about burning your bridges. The good news is that you do not have to; in fact, it is much better to start your road to self-sufficiency with a trial period. Imagine that you own an apartment in New York City and you dream of moving to Spain and growing almonds. The prudent course of action is to rent your city property and use the cash to rent land in your dream location. This way, you will get to know the area and the people and learn about the location. You will experience the local weather patterns, talk to farmers and hear what they have to say about the land and the local markets, learn about the schools, and so on. If, at the end of the trial period, you discover that the area is not quite right for you, you can move back to the city and start again.

The Best Time to Buy

The best time to buy property is in late summer, when the owners are becoming concerned that they might not sell before winter. If you can get in with a low offer, there is a very good chance that you will get a bargain. Don’t wait too long, though, because at some point the owners will decide to wait for spring and the promise of higher prices. Have your finances in order so that you can dive right in and make a quick deal when the time is right.

Orientation

In the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, it’s ideal for a house and land to be backed on the north side by rising ground so that the front of the house and the best ground is on a gentle south-facing slope. For example, two small neighboring setups are both next to a ridge of land—a high road that runs from east to west. The two houses are set so that they look across the road at each other. They are both very successful enterprises, but the house on the south side of the road—the one that has the house and land on the south side of the ridge—is better placed because the back of the house, the land, and the gardens, are sheltered from the north winds and looking toward the sun. The house on the north side of the ridge is at a disadvantage because the winds roll up the hill and hit the back of the house. In fact, the house on the north side of the ridge is called “High Winds,” while the place on the south side is called “Sunny Side.” While they are, in fact, both good options, one place has it a little easier than the other.

When you start searching for land in earnest, be sure to consider its orientation. Walk over and around the land, look at the way the trees are growing (are they windswept or covered in moss?), and generally find out as much as you can about the property.

Your Water Supply

You must have water. You can use water that comes from water mains, take water from a well, build a cistern to save rainwater, or take water from a river or stream that runs across your land.

Water mains: This is an easy yet expensive option, especially if you have livestock. If you have no choice, then the best you can do is use your water carefully and try to cut costs by choosing off-grid options elsewhere.

Well water: The good news is that the existence of a well on your property suggests that it was once used. Pump the well dry and then time how long it takes to refill. This will give you some idea of quantity. It’s important to contact your local health department to have the water tested before use.

Cisterns: A cistern is simply a tank for catching and storing water, and it can be a good option if you live in an area of heavy rainfall. If you are using existing plumbing on your property, you can cut the cost of your water bill by using collected rainwater to replace some of your regular water usage.

Can a Backyard Be a Perfect Plot?

Yes! You can put even a small yard to productive use. Look at your plot and start by drawing up a detailed year-round plan. What will you plant? Where and when will you plant it? By being well organized, you can make sure that you are putting every corner of the property to good use. While you won’t have room for a cow, you might be able to keep a goat, half a dozen hens, and maybe even a beehive or two. Consider selling produce, such as organic eggs, honey, and goat cheese.

Property Access

It’s ideal to have clear-cut legal access to your land, and the next best option is to have legal right of way from the main road to your property. My advice here is to make sure right from the start that your legal rights are clearly detailed on your mortgage or deed. It’s best if your land is free of public paths and walkways; in any case, make sure that there are no access issues that will keep you from doing what you want on the land, such as keeping livestock. If you have any doubts about rights of way, contact the proper authorities before deciding on a particular piece of land.

Neighbors

Neighbors in the city can be a problem when they are too close or you have too many. Neighbors in the country, on the other hand, are a must. Of course, you want to be at a comfortable distance, but the time will surely come when you need their help or they need yours.

However, a difficult scenario occurs when your house and land used to be part of a larger setup to the extent that your property is encircled by more experienced folks who are always on hand to give advice. You will need help and advice, but you must also be allowed to make your own mistakes. You don’t want someone always looking over your shoulder, and you don’t want to put yourself in a position where you might feel intimidated.

Streams and rivers: You can, in many instances, use water from a river or stream that runs across your land as long as you have permission from the proper authorities and have the water tested.

Friends and Family

If you are a bit low on capital, or you dream of a large setup that requires a larger workforce, consider the option of going in with friends or family—sort of like starting your own mini-commune. Of course, much depends on your own situation and circumstances, but let’s consider an example: you are part of an average couple and are short on funds, and your parents or your partner’s parents would like to contribute to the costs for a share of the land and responsibilities.

This is a very common scena...