DIY Projects for the Self-Sufficient Homeowner: 25 Ways to Build a Self-Reliant Lifestyle [Paperback]

Betsy Matheson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2011

Build your way to a more self-sufficient lifestyle with step-by-step projects for backup and supplementary utilities--including independent water, heat, and electricity--growing and storing food, raising small livestock, beekeeping, and more. Many of the projects require basic materials available at your everyday home center, but this book also provides valuable DIY resources for solar, hydro, greenhouse, and gardening needs. This book will help you build security with utility backup systems and become more sustainable, resulting in less dependence on city systems for basic needs. Whether you have a city plot or simply pots, this book includes all of the information needed to plan, build, and succeed with greater self-sufficiency.  

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Creative Publishing international (February 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589235673
• ISBN-13: 978-1589235670
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,600 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Ecology
  • #10 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > How-to & Home Improvements > Do-It-Yourself
  • #21 in Books > Science & Math > Environment

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars be self-sufficient, March 5, 2011

By 

K. Platt "blackplantlady" (Sheffield, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DIY Projects for the Self-Sufficient Homeowner: 25 Ways to Build a Self-Reliant Lifestyle (Paperback)

For all those who have started growing their own, here are 25 ways to help you on your way to the good life. Being self-sufficient is a lifestyle choice that helps the environment and keeps you healthy and fit. Learn how to save water, make compost, build a compost bin, planters, raised beds, a greenhouse or hoop frame and a cold frame. On the gardening front learn how to grow and transplant seedlings. Discover how to preserve what you have grown, set up a root cellar. Find out about raising animals. Build a chicken run and beehive. See the benefits of going solar to provide heat and light for the house.

This book covers many things, it is particularly good on the building side - the instructions for making frames etc are very good. Then it dabbles in raising animals and solar power and I think these things are not as well covered a they could have been. I see this as a book about making objects that facilitate growing, a subject it covers admirably. This review first appeared on Karen Platt's book review website.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book with Easy to Follow Ideas, February 9, 2012

By 

Homeschool Mom (Iowa) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: DIY Projects for the Self-Sufficient Homeowner: 25 Ways to Build a Self-Reliant Lifestyle (Paperback)

I was very impressed with this book. Our family does raised gardens and grows some of our own crops. But, we are always looking for more ideas and ways to increase production, lengthen the growing season, and make better use of the urban space we have. I loved the greenhouse and hoop house ideas. We are getting the supplies ready and will be building in a few weeks. The strawberry garden barrel seems like a great improvement over the green hanging "growing bags" we have bought in the past. I am quite excited to get to work on that project. I found the pictures to be very useful that went hand in hand with very easy step by step instructions for each project. A lot of other DIY books or books along these lines don't have anywhere near as many details or pictures. We have already built a chicken tractor (a lot of time, planning, and hard work... but worth it!)and it would have been great to have the chicken ark directions then. The only thing missing that we would've REALLY liked to see is a DIY project on a SOLAR OVEN. **I will update and let you know how the building goes when more of the projects get done.**

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DIY Do it, October 10, 2011

By 

oldroguedoc - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: DIY Projects for the Self-Sufficient Homeowner: 25 Ways to Build a Self-Reliant Lifestyle (Paperback)

It is a great book with many good ideas for the small/property home DIY person. I am going to enjoy planning this winter and doing next summer.