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The Ultimate Homesteading Basics Guide for Beginners: The Homesteading Essentials on How to Build a Life of Self Sufficiency and Sustainability by Lucy Johnson
Learn How to Build Your Homestead Today! This book contains tried and tested techniques on how to become a reliable, self-sufficient homesteader. As you go through the chapters in this book, you will learn about what it takes to find a place for your dream homestead, or create a self-sufficient home even if you reside in an urban or suburban area. If you have always wanted to learn the basics of vegetable gardening, or if you wished you had more ideas on how to start an herb garden, then you've found the right book! You will also get to know more about keeping egg-laying hens in your backyard, or in a proper coop on your homestead. In addition, the book will teach you the basics of goat raising and milking. You will soon find yourself equipped with enough knowledge to conquer the challenge of creating your own homestead!You’re about to discover how to...Become a self-sufficient individual, raise organic crops and healthy livestock on any size of land, and provide your family and friends with premium, homegrown food! This book will change your life, and lead you on the path to becoming more independent, thrift and productive. You will learn about the basics of homesteading, and how to prepare your land for future vegetables and herbs, as well as livestock ranging from small chickens to medium-sized goats. This book will give you plenty of information on how to raise a flock of hens or a herd of goats for your family’s consumption, as well as how to prepare garden plots and compost pits. Having and maintaining a homestead can be quite the challenge, but rest assured that you will benefit from fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, meat, eggs and so much more! Once you know the basics of homesteading, you will be able to engage in clearing a piece of land, and going straight to work on your goat pens, chicken coop, vegetable plots, and maybe even some cow or sheep pastures for future expansions. Here Is A Preview Of What You'll Learn... Ideas for Urban and Hybrid Homesteads Tips for Turning Small Backyards into More Productive Spaces Learn How to Prepare Soil for Garden Plots Ideas for Herb Gardening Aquaponics in the Homestead The Basics of the Chicken Coop Incubators and Add Healthy Chicks to Your Flock! Building Sturdy Fences and Pens for Your Goat Herd Download your copy today!Begin learning all about Homesteading, and how to become more self-sufficient by downloading this ebook today! homesteading simplified, homesteading for beginners, homesteading in the 21st century, homesteading for dummies, homesteading self sufficiency, homesteading basics, urban homesteading, homesteading handbook, homesteading survival, growing food, becoming self-sustainable, self-sustainability, self-sufficiency, self-sufficient, homesteading essentials
- GenresEducation
Paperback
First published July 11, 2014
23 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 1, 2025
What in the pamphlet is this. Requested from the local library and its 16 pages long (and half the size of a sheet of paper which makes this like an 8 page essay.) Don't waste your time, its about as much info as Google search AI generates.
July 7, 2020
Very Quick Read...
...Possibly too quick. There seemed to be certain topics lacking. It didn't inform well on most of the gardening covered topic. Although it does cover the topic of chickens and goats very nicely. The coverage on chickens and goats is the reason it was given a 4 Star rating.
...Possibly too quick. There seemed to be certain topics lacking. It didn't inform well on most of the gardening covered topic. Although it does cover the topic of chickens and goats very nicely. The coverage on chickens and goats is the reason it was given a 4 Star rating.
April 8, 2021
Beginners only
This book is very bare bones basic. Most beginner steps are touched on but for someone honestly starting out this book may be to general and not offer enough instruction to be successful.
This book is very bare bones basic. Most beginner steps are touched on but for someone honestly starting out this book may be to general and not offer enough instruction to be successful.
February 16, 2017
Hit and miss
There is good advice and not so good advice within these pages. Instead of calling this a homesteading guide for beginners, I would label it a homesteading guide for thinkers. Beginners should already have a basic understanding of animal husbandry to know what they want to consider to put on their homestead but wish to further their research in doing it, which is where I am currently standing.
I have owned chickens, cows, and goats. I bought them specifically for my up and coming mini homestead. We are working on becoming self-sufficient, but slowly and accurately the first time. Rushing into anything never helps, which is where this book comes in. As I mentioned, it is more for the thinkers, or the people who are considering creating their own homestead or farm.
There are some considerations that should be given much thought, and it all revolves around what you want on your land. Lucy says if you have more than just the average backyard, cows and/or pigs are a must. No, they aren't. Not everyone wants to commit to a milking schedule, and not everyone is equipped or knowledgeable enough to own a pig until it is too late. Just last year, I was asked no less than 5 times, all by different people, if I would take their pigs because they can't handle the ownership. They wanted to give me their animals on the pretense they would only be pets. I cannot afford pets that have no job, let alone several pigs that would eat me out of house and home, tear up my fencing, dig ruts, and possibly create mayhem and misery for my neighbors. That being said, please research more of your wants than a little booklet insists.
Back to the point I was making, cows are not inexpensive providers. Many dairy breeds require a grain ration to not only grow but to also produce enough milk for their calf and your family. For 2 cows, I go through 175 lbs of grain a week. Then there's hay, shelter, milking equipment and sanitation, vet bills, artificial insemination or bull fees (keep in mind, dairy bulls are the most aggressive and dangerous to keep).
It seems like Lucy knows what she is talking about where chickens and goats are concerned, except for a few points. One, if you are looking for a goat, go to a reputable breed. They are more expensive, but they will be healthier. Some people consider themselves to be reputable when they are not, so always ask for registration papers up front (never let them be mailed later) and ask about vet tests (CAE, CV, and Johnes). If they don't test, run. If they say they do test but are not willing to show you paperwork, run. Breeders look down on the backyard breeders, and one thing that tips them off is the use of the term "nanny" goats. They are does, or doelings for little girls.
Goat milk DOES taste differently than cow's milk. It's not worse or better, but it is different. Not everyone has a sensitive palate. Goat meat, if prepared correctly, doesn't have a goat flavor. It can taste a bit gamey if not soaked in vinegar water for a day in the fridge, but it is a dark meat and can be tough.
Chickens do not produce larger eggs when they free range. The size of the eggs are based on the chicken's breed, however it is healthier and more natural for the chickens to free range. Keep in mind, without a fence, they are more susceptible to predators and your garden is more susceptible to chickens.
Other than the information provided above, the book is a good source.
There is good advice and not so good advice within these pages. Instead of calling this a homesteading guide for beginners, I would label it a homesteading guide for thinkers. Beginners should already have a basic understanding of animal husbandry to know what they want to consider to put on their homestead but wish to further their research in doing it, which is where I am currently standing.
I have owned chickens, cows, and goats. I bought them specifically for my up and coming mini homestead. We are working on becoming self-sufficient, but slowly and accurately the first time. Rushing into anything never helps, which is where this book comes in. As I mentioned, it is more for the thinkers, or the people who are considering creating their own homestead or farm.
There are some considerations that should be given much thought, and it all revolves around what you want on your land. Lucy says if you have more than just the average backyard, cows and/or pigs are a must. No, they aren't. Not everyone wants to commit to a milking schedule, and not everyone is equipped or knowledgeable enough to own a pig until it is too late. Just last year, I was asked no less than 5 times, all by different people, if I would take their pigs because they can't handle the ownership. They wanted to give me their animals on the pretense they would only be pets. I cannot afford pets that have no job, let alone several pigs that would eat me out of house and home, tear up my fencing, dig ruts, and possibly create mayhem and misery for my neighbors. That being said, please research more of your wants than a little booklet insists.
Back to the point I was making, cows are not inexpensive providers. Many dairy breeds require a grain ration to not only grow but to also produce enough milk for their calf and your family. For 2 cows, I go through 175 lbs of grain a week. Then there's hay, shelter, milking equipment and sanitation, vet bills, artificial insemination or bull fees (keep in mind, dairy bulls are the most aggressive and dangerous to keep).
It seems like Lucy knows what she is talking about where chickens and goats are concerned, except for a few points. One, if you are looking for a goat, go to a reputable breed. They are more expensive, but they will be healthier. Some people consider themselves to be reputable when they are not, so always ask for registration papers up front (never let them be mailed later) and ask about vet tests (CAE, CV, and Johnes). If they don't test, run. If they say they do test but are not willing to show you paperwork, run. Breeders look down on the backyard breeders, and one thing that tips them off is the use of the term "nanny" goats. They are does, or doelings for little girls.
Goat milk DOES taste differently than cow's milk. It's not worse or better, but it is different. Not everyone has a sensitive palate. Goat meat, if prepared correctly, doesn't have a goat flavor. It can taste a bit gamey if not soaked in vinegar water for a day in the fridge, but it is a dark meat and can be tough.
Chickens do not produce larger eggs when they free range. The size of the eggs are based on the chicken's breed, however it is healthier and more natural for the chickens to free range. Keep in mind, without a fence, they are more susceptible to predators and your garden is more susceptible to chickens.
Other than the information provided above, the book is a good source.
January 24, 2015
Not exactly in depth info.
I guess since the book was for free I won't complain, but I would not recommend this book. nor would I buy it or rate it any higher than I so generously did. Offered almost no information
I guess since the book was for free I won't complain, but I would not recommend this book. nor would I buy it or rate it any higher than I so generously did. Offered almost no information
February 1, 2015
Quick Easy Read
Nothing mind boggling, however very basic introduction. Pleasant tone and very easy reading. Good for Newbies to the lifestyle of homesteading.
Nothing mind boggling, however very basic introduction. Pleasant tone and very easy reading. Good for Newbies to the lifestyle of homesteading.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews