Synopses & Reviews
Backyard Homesteading
GETTING STARTED
• Benefits of pure food
• Family recreation
• Local regulations for backyard homesteaders
• Potential yields and savings
RAISING VEGETABLES AND HERBS
• Garden planning/layout
• Structures/irrigation
• Vegetable profi les
• Planting techniques
• Composting/healthy soil
• Seasonal gardening
GROWING FRUITS, BERRIES, AND NUTS
• Planting fruit trees and bushes
• Fruit profiles
• Organic pest control
• Grafting and pruning
• Harvesting methods
RAISING CHICKENS
• The joy of chickens
• Collecting eggs
• Care and feeding tips
• Other small animals
RAISING GOATS
• Benefits of goat milk
• Structures/fencing
• Care and feeding tips
• Other large animals
BEEKEEPING
• Benefits of beekeeping
• Care and harvesting
• Building hives
• Collecting honey
HARVEST HOME
• Canning/drying/freezing
• Making beer, wine, cider
• Making jerky, sausage
• Making jams, jellies
• Pickling/salting/smoking
• Building root cellars
Review
" from the legal aspects of local regulations, raising chickens, goats, bees, and more, David Toht presents an excellent introductory reference on how to create one's own steady source of fresh food." James A. Cox Midwest Book Review December 2011
Synopsis
Backyard Homesteading addresses the needs of many people who want to take control of the food they eat and the products they use--even if they live in a urban or suburban house on a typical-size lot. It shows homeowners how to turn their yard into a productive and wholesome "homestead" that allows them to grow their own fruits and vegetables, and raise farm animals, including chickens and goats. Backyard Homesteading covers the laws and regulations of raising livestock in populated areas and demonstrates to readers how to use and preserve the bounty they produce.
Synopsis
Backyard Homesteading helps any homeowner turn their yard--no matter how small it may be--into a productive area that provides homegrown food, including fruits, vegetables, honey, eggs, milk, and meat. In addition to covering the topics of growing and raising fruits, vegetables, and common farm animals, Backyard Homesteading shows readers how to use and preserve the bounty they produce.
About the Author
Dave Toht, once the proud owner of eight brown-egg biddies, has more than 60 how-to books to this credit. He considers harvesting a sun-warmed tomato from his own garden one of life's sweetest pleasures. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in Olympia, Washington.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1. Planning Your Farmstead 2. Raising Table Vegetables 3. Growing Fruit 4. Raising Chickens 5. Raising Goats 6. Bee Keeping 7. Harvest Home: Preserving, Processing, and Keeping