The Self-Sufficient Backyard

by Ron Melchiore, Johanna Melchiore

The Self-Sufficient Backyard.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Self Help, Survival, Environment, Reference

266 pages, Spiral-bound

Published January 1, 2020

Reviews

[Drew Nelson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book has great content which clearly is derived from years of actual experience.

But what I did not anticipate is getting spammed via email with right-wing political conspiracy theories about how "shady liberal politicians" are ruining the American dream (Then asking me to purchase some weird IRS loophole book. The old bait and switch.

If I wanted information on right-wing persecution complexes I would have just purchased a Rush Limbaugh book.

[Jami Balmet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific manual of things to think through when planning out my future homestead. I will need to look up videos on many of these things still when I get to it (aka butchering chickens). But I loved this over view as I'm in the planning stages.

[Johanna Knopf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice book, but a bit oversold. It gives a rather general overview of things to consider if you want to homestead. The most beneficial section for me was the garden planning.

[grllopez ~ with freedom and books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extensive overview of what the authors did in numerous locations to survive off their land for many years. It covered how their homesteading began, choosing a site, getting water, off grid power, gardening and all the particulars, from gathering seeds and storing the harvest, composting, making your own tools, raising bees, and raising chickens. Their story should be helpful just to inspire ideas for some dabbling with self-sufficiency to those looking to be off grid 100%. I used it for the gardening ideas but learned a few things I wasn't expecting to. Since the authors lived mostly in the North East and learned how to work with frigid temps and climate, it should encourage you, especially if you live in warmer climates with longer growing seasons.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covers a wide variety of topics with adequate detail. As the authors say, there are books that get into more detail on any one subject. This book is more of a snapshot of the ways in which this couple do or have tried doing things. There are definitely some biases present, but I suppose that's in keeping with the premise of the book.

There are parts of this book I'll never read again (and skimmed or skipped in the first place) and parts I know I'll refer to again and again. 3.5 stars.

[Ericka Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative, creative, easy to read. Loved the diagrams and practical advice.

[Shae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a manual for homesteading / living self suffiently (yes, even off the grid) from the 40 years of experience of Ron and Johanna Melchiore. I'm not going to lie, I'm not even interested in homesteading, but was fascinated by what was both technical and a view into an alternative lifestyle. It was like reading a non-fiction, adult version of Gary Paulsen's Hatchet. This book is hard to come by without paying a lot of money -- impossible to find in the used book circuit and only one copy in my entire library system because I'm sure someone donated it. I mostly perused and skimmed it and have come to the conclusion that I'm toast in the apocolypse.

[Diann · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, clearly-spoken, handbook. Written from the personal experiences of the authors. They have lived in Maine and in the Canadian Saskatchewan, so cold-zoners will indeed get many benefits from this book. But the value is not just in a given zone, because the authors discuss things to consider relevant to just about any zone.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most helpful parts of the book were the gardening section. Also canning and backyard farm animals.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was really good with lots of information.
I'm not dissapointed at all!

[Thomas Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you want to get physical copy of The Self-Sufficient Backyard Book by Ron Melchiore & Johanna Melchiore. This Book For the "Independent Homesteaders" they share the homesteading and self-sufficiency knowledge they've acquired over 40 years for the first time. This is simply a must-have for anyone interested in going off-the grid or just saving and making some money on their own property. Thousands of peoples in the United State love this book and enjoying independent journey.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I don't have enough land with the required amount of sunlight to achieve the goal of producing enough for all my produce needs, this book proved invaluable. There is detailed information answering every question that came to mind and I especially benefitted from the section on freezing vegetables. (I just didn't have the space to store canned goods.) This was enhanced by the reference to The National Center for Home Food Preservation. Name the food you want to freeze and there's a dedicated section to get you on your way.

[Stockton Denos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. I don’t ever see myself living off-grid, although I am intrigued by it, but I do like the idea of self-sufficiency. This book has a ton of information on gardening and preserving food that really got me thinking about what I can do and should do with my garden.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's never a negative to have a knowledge bank. Sharing their challenges and their changes as they built and rebuilt again is equally beneficial.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and covered many homesteading topics with a lot of personal experience as foundation.

[Tim Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Lots of good quick easy accessible information