Backyard Homesteading by David Toht

Backyard Homesteading by David Toht

Backyard Homesteading

GETING 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, BERIES, 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

BEKEPING
- 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

Dave Toht, a former contractor with decades of hands-on experience, recalls fondly his first home in the Midwest, which was both cold and hot at times. It was built in 1854 and has plenty of room for sealing, glazing, weatherstripping, and insulation. More than 60 books on house repair and remodeling have been authored or edited by him.