Self-Sufficient Living for Homesteading and Living off the Land

SELF-SUFFICIENT LIVING: OVERVIEW

Learn to grow your own, make your own, sell your own and bake your own, whether you live on a homestead, farm or in the suburbs. There is no better time to do this, especially with the presence of climate change, food safety and of course the looming Peak Oil.

Self-reliance and being self-sufficient is not difficult for those who have the time and the will. Simply growing your own herbs on a window sill is one way in which one can be self-reliant.

It's time we stopped thinking of large open spaces as being a prerequisite for self-sufficiency. We can be self-sufficient at home with

Backyard Gardening and be self-sufficient, on just a fifth of an acre.

Self Sufficient Living is also very closely related to Green Living. And more and more people are wanting to learn more about living off the land and homesteading.

SELF-SUFFICIENT LIVING: ORGANIC GARDENING, HOMESTEADING & LIVING OFF THE LAND:

You can practice total self-sufficient living on a piece of land that is just an acre in size. These are called Mini Farms and you will be amazed at what you can do on such a modest piece of ground. So if you are just starting off with your homestead, and you cannot afford acres of land, take heart. You really don't need it!

Cover Crops are discussed in detail; what to plant and how much seed per acre.

And while we are talking about growing plants on the land, companion planting is an one way to get rid of garden pests the natural way. Do you know how herbs can help health issues? No? Then you may want to explore the page Health Herbs. And can you eat flowers out of your garden? Yes, some flowers are edible. See our section on Edible Flowers for details.

Growing Vegetables Organically. See information on how to grow a number of vegetables in your own backyard the healthy way. Also see Growing Strawberries, Growing Blueberries, Growing Gooseberries

Also protect your vegetables and plants by making your own organic sprays and Natural Pesticides. We also have information on Moon Planting or as some of you may know it as planting by the moon.

Making a Compost Bin. Materials, dimensions and plans for a 3-Bay, wooden compost bin.

See a video on how to make homemade rain barrels within 5 minutes. There is also information about collecting rain water and rainwater barrels.

In time to come we will also teach you how to bale hay, how to thatch, how to clean your own chimneys and how to tan hides. Do you know how to milk a cow? These country skills and traditional skills are easy to master and are necessary for self sufficient living.

SELF-SUFFICIENT LIVING: FARMING WITH LIVESTOCK, BEES & POULTRY

Raising Rabbits; their housing, their feeding, and their care.

Raising Ducks; their housing, their feeding, and their care.

Raising Chickens; their housing, their feeding, and their care.

Building Chicken Coops; a far cheaper option. See our free plans.

Alpaca Farming; their housing, their feeding, and their care.

Bee Keeping; for beginners; everything you need to know to be a successful bee keeper.

SELF-SUFFICIENT LIVING: IN THE HOME:

Self-sufficient living also means that you know where your food came from because you have grown it yourself. You know that no preservatives have gone into your bread, your jam, pickles and preserves, your cider, wine, beer, bottled fruit or tomatoes, because you made it yourself along with your own home canning, or even juicing vegetables at home, and leading a healthy lifestyle. Visit our Country Recipes for quick and easy instructions on how to make bread, and making your own jams and preserves.

For those of you who want to make your own cosmetics see our page on Homemade Beauty Products. Not only do we give you step-by-step instructions, but we also give you a number of recipes to use.

Self reliance also gives you skills you didn't have before and the knowledge that you are able to not only help yourself, but to help others who may not be so well versed in such skills. For those of you who are looking for some helpful hints and tips in both your kitchen and your household, look no further.

Enjoy self-sufficient living even if you don't have the right soil, space, live in an apartment with a small patio or balcony. Learn all about Growing Vegetables in Containers.

When you have more fruit from the orchard than you know what to do with and you have run out of ideas for canning, jams, jellies, pickles, chutneys and freezing, why don't you think about Drying your Fruit. This can be done either in your oven or out in the sun with solar drying.

Thought about sprouting your own seeds? See our page Sprouting seeds in 6 easy steps.

7 Easy Steps to Homemade Country Wines for self-sufficient living. See our page on How to Make Wine and wine making instructions, tips and recipes.

And don't forget your pets! Make Homemade Dog Food and find homemade dog biscuit recipes.

SELF-SUFFICIENT LIVING: BEING FRUGAL

In times of economic uncertainty one needs to be as self-sufficient as one can to be able to save money. Thus for those who are interested in frugal living, this section will also be of interest to you.

Which brings me to my next burning issue. As well are rising fuel costs, how many of you are also shocked and dismayed about your rising electricity bills? Well, you are not alone, but that is small comfort when money is tight. However, you can reduce your electricity bills by as much as 80%, yes, that's right. And if you are wondering how, you can find the details here. Reduce your electricity bills! For more information on this topic and others related to green living see our section on Living Off-Grid.

MORE SELF-SUFFICIENT LIVING TOPICS IN OUR TRADITIONAL COUNTRY SKILLS SECTION:

How to Make Butter

How to Make Buttermilk

How to Make Cheese

Cheese Making Recipes

Making Yoghurt

Making Soap

Making Lye from wood ash

How to Make Wine

Making Moonshine

Beer Brewing are just a few topics that you will find in the Traditional Skills section.

SELF-SUFFICIENT LIVING RESOURCES:

If you are looking for material to download on beekeeping, keeping chickens and poultry, building greenhouses or chicken coops, raising guinea fowl, country recipes, herbal remedies or hydroponic gardening, then you will be interested in exploring Self Sufficient Life.

Enjoy Simple Living gets to the heart of simple living. From voluntary simplicity and self sufficient living to home organization, money management tips, and more! Leave the chaos behind and live refreshingly natural.

Finally, if you are looking for more information on how to be self-sufficient, how to make cheese, candles, soap, grow vegetables, learn about organic gardening, livestock, poultry, being frugal, or just homesteading in general, then visit our Country Store. Here you will not only find books and magazines on these subjects, but you will also be able to find kits and supplies for farming, gardening, camping and outdoor living, children's farming games, clothing, cross stitch and quilting, country decor, and country gourmet food.

Have a look at this video of an amazing family in suburban California who manage to be self-sufficient on one fifth of an acre!