Overview

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 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.

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9781620082348

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Reviews

Midwest Book Review: The collaborative work of gardening and DIY experts Alan and Gill Bridgewater, The Self-Sufficiency Handbook: Your Complete Guide to a Self-Sufficient Home, Garden, and Kitchen was written specifically for those who are worried about ever-rising fuel bills and longing for the day when they can be off-grid and independent; anyone who is anxious about the quality of the food they eat and who are planning to go organic; folks yearning to get back to the way it was but don't know where to start. Profusely illustrated throughout, The Self-Sufficiency Handbook shows how to achieve the eco-friendly good life. This thoroughly 'user friendly' instruction manual and guide covers the ecological gamut from geothermal heating, to crop rotation, to soap making, and more. It answers such important as questions: 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 particular needs. There is even practical do-it-yourself information on building an insulated flue pipe chimney, identifying edible wild plants, and composting with worms. Of special note is the inclusion of recipes for jams, rhubarb wine, cheeses, and more. Packed with full-color photographs, helpful illustrations, and diagrams, The Self-Sufficiency Handbook will have practical appeal to urban and suburban residents who want to adopt certain aspects of greener living and to serious adherents of back-to-basics living. While unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that The Self-Sufficiency Handbook is also available in a digital book format

Author Information

Alan and Gill Bridgewater have gained an international reputation as producers of gardening and DIY books on a range of subjects, including ponds and patios, stone and brickwork, decks and decking, and garden design. They have written a wide range of highly successful books and contributed to several international magazines.

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