Practical Self Sufficiency

Contents 4......Page 6
Authors’ introduction 6......Page 8
What are the basics for life? 12......Page 14
Self-sufficiency vs sustainability 14......Page 16
How much land do you need? 16......Page 18
The cycle of the seasons 18......Page 20
Urban opportunities 20......Page 22
The urban plot 22......Page 24
Suburban expansion 24......Page 26
The suburban plot 26......Page 28
Rural adventure 28......Page 30
The smallholding 30......Page 32
Taking stock 36......Page 38
Conserving energy at home 38......Page 40
Using passive solar gain 40......Page 42
Improving home infrastructure 42......Page 44
Building an earth shelter 48......Page 50
Building with straw bales 50......Page 52
Setting up a workshop 52......Page 54
Understanding electricity 56......Page 58
Renewable energy options 58......Page 60
Using solar PV panels 60......Page 62
Using solar thermal systems 62......Page 64
Harnessing wind energy 64......Page 66
Harnessing water energy 68......Page 70
Building a waterwheel 72......Page 74
Using a hydraulic ram pump 74......Page 76
Conserving water 76......Page 78
Using sand filters and reed beds 80......Page 82
Using biofuels 82......Page 84
Using an anaerobic digester 88......Page 90
Reusing and recycling 90......Page 92
Approaches to growing 98......Page 100
Growing with hydroponics 102......Page 104
Achieving a productive plot 104......Page 106
Set up a greenhouse irrigation system 110......Page 112
Growing under cover 112......Page 114
Build a cold frame 116......Page 118
Making a greenhouse heat sink 118......Page 120
Gardening in harmony with nature 120......Page 122
Growing in urban spaces 124......Page 126
Build a raised bed and make a wormery 126......Page 128
Taking on an allotment 128......Page 130
Setting up a well-equipped shed 130......Page 132
Sowing and planting 134......Page 136
Plan the growing year 136......Page 138
Vegetables to grow 140......Page 142
Fruit and nuts to grow 148......Page 150
Pruning, training, and grafting 154......Page 156
Herbs to grow 156......Page 158
Create a herb spiral 158......Page 160
Grow your own mushrooms 160......Page 162
Foraging for wild plants 162......Page 164
Storing the harvest 164......Page 166
Problem solving 166......Page 168
Observing, planning, and designing 170......Page 172
Creating boundaries 172......Page 174
Fodder crops to grow 176......Page 178
Storing crops on a larger scale 180......Page 182
Managing a wood 182......Page 184
Making charcoal 184......Page 186
Keeping chickens 188......Page 190
Build a chicken ark 192......Page 194
Keeping turkeys 196......Page 198
Keeping ducks and geese 198......Page 200
Keeping pigs 200......Page 202
Keeping sheep and goats 204......Page 206
Keeping cattle 208......Page 210
Keeping bees 212......Page 214
Game, fish, and vermin 214......Page 216
Eco-kitchens 222......Page 224
Preserving the harvest 224......Page 226
Making cream, butter, and yogurt 226......Page 228
Making your own cheese 228......Page 230
Baking bread 232......Page 234
Making pickles and chutneys 236......Page 238
Making jam and jelly 238......Page 240
Bottling fruit and vegetables 240......Page 242
Drying fruit, herbs, and vegetables 242......Page 244
Make a solar dryer 244......Page 246
Curing meat and fish 246......Page 248
Smoking your own food 248......Page 250
Make a cold smoker 250......Page 252
Make an earth oven 252......Page 254
Brewing beer and mead 254......Page 256
Making wine 256......Page 258
Making cider 260......Page 262
Herbal tinctures 264......Page 266
Revitalizing infusions 266......Page 268
Immunity-boosting syrups 268......Page 270
Healing beauty 269......Page 271
Greener cleaners 270......Page 272
Working with wood 274......Page 276
Working with willow 278......Page 280
Make a willow basket 280......Page 282
Green woodworking 282......Page 284
Working with metal 284......Page 286
Mending 286......Page 288
Resources 290......Page 292
Index 294......Page 296
Acknowledgements 304......Page 306