Discover how to be self-sufficient on just a quarter acre. 40 years of experience packed into one guide. No special skills required.
Grow all the food you need on just 1,020 square feet per person. Never rely on grocery chains again.
Learn how to collect crystal clear water and generate your own off-grid electricity for free.
You don't need a ranch. We show you how to do it on a typical 1/4 acre suburban lot.
Try the program risk-free with our 60-day money-back guarantee. No questions asked.
We are two of the "back to the land people" from the late 1970’s. We have been living off the grid for the last 40 years and we've enjoyed every bit of it.
In all that time an electric wire has never been connected to our house. We haven’t gotten or paid an electricity bill in over 40 years, but we have all the electricity we want. We grow everything we need, here, in our small backyard. We also have a small medicinal garden which has helped us get through some tough times. Just like our grandparents, we preserve everything we produce so we have all we need year-round.
But the most important thing is the feeling of not having to rely on anyone else for anything. It’s the feeling of being independent. Independent from the government’s help or charity, grocery chains, utility and energy companies, corporations and the Grid.
Now that we are both in our 60’s, we decided to downsize everything. We took all that we’ve learned during the last couple of decades and created The Self-Sufficient Backyard with one thing in mind: to make a self-sustaining, low maintenance homestead that doesn’t need much work or expense, so that we could share all of it with you.
More than 100 DIY projects, tips, and secrets to become independent from the grid, the grocery chains, and the government.
How to make a cheap water collection system. We don't pay for irrigation water; we collect and store every gallon we need.
The 7 herbs you need in your medicinal garden. How to turn them into tinctures and remedies, saving you money on expensive treatments.
Set up a reliable cost-effective hybrid electricity system. We’ll show you what batteries to get, controllers, cables, inverters for maximum efficiency.
24-hour BIO insect control system. No pesticides. Use nature to your advantage with bat shelters and bird houses to control pests.
How to easily make your own root cellar, from full sized to small barrel versions. Preserve your harvest without electricity.
Make a year-round self-sustaining greenhouse no matter where you live. Grow tropical plants in winter using geothermal heating.
The Self-Sufficient Backyard is the most comprehensive guide to becoming less dependent on the system. It covers water, food, power, and health independence in a way that anyone can follow, regardless of experience or budget.
These exclusive guides are yours at no extra cost when you order today.
Discover how to set up an aquaponic system that you can fit in your backyard or basement. Have both juicy vegetables and fresh fish aplenty.
Our forefathers were self-sufficient. Learn their lost skills: making charcoal, smokehouses, root cellars, traps, and more.
Believe it or not, you can still get free land in America. We show you exactly where and how to claim it.
This book was designed for regular people who want more independence, regardless of their current situation. Here's who benefits the most:
You have a backyard but aren't using it to its full potential. Even a small quarter-acre lot is more than enough to become food self-sufficient and generate extra income. The book shows exactly how to plan and use every square foot.
Many projects work in small spaces, balconies, basements, or even windowsills. Microgreens can be grown indoors year-round, and container gardening methods let you grow food anywhere you have a little light.
An entire chapter is dedicated to easy-on-the-back gardening. No heavy physical labor required. Ron and Johanna started their third homestead in their 60s, so these methods are proven to work for older adults. A perfect productive hobby for retirement.
No special handyman skills, farming knowledge, or prior experience needed. Ron was a city person from Philadelphia. Every project has step-by-step instructions with detailed color pictures that anyone can follow.
With 100+ money-saving tips throughout the book covering electricity, food, home repairs, water, tools, and heating, you'll start saving money immediately. Many families report cutting their monthly bills significantly after implementing even a few projects.
If you want to be less dependent on grocery chains, utility companies, the grid, and external systems, this book is your complete blueprint. From food growing to water collection to off-grid power, it covers total independence.
"If you are wanting to get into homesteading, this is the book for you. I have 40 years of experience and I picked up some great ideas. Fantastic!"
"An excellent resource for your library. Well written book with a lot of helpful information. I've been gardening for years and still learned new things."
"Wonderful book filled with proven suggestions and creative ideas. There are pictures and helpful diagrams, and information that can help you for years to come. Happy I bought this book."
"My book arrived much faster than I'd anticipated and I am THRILLED! Even after skimming just the first 20-25 pages I could already see that there were serious mistakes I was about to make. This book is the real deal. Just PACKED with essential, first-person detailed instructions that I know will prove to be invaluable."
"This book contains critically important information for our individual and collective futures. I commend the authors for their commitment and spirit of re-pioneering how to live on the land sustainably and self-sufficiently. Five stars for superlative customer service."
"The garden sketch alone is worth it. We've always wanted to be able to grow a large percentage of our own food, and this teaches you how to do it in a small space without breaking your back. I've gone from feeling overwhelmed to super excited."
"Amazing book that provides detailed information for self sustainability. Have been using many of the outlined techniques in our garden and around our home. Happy with the outcome. Gives good suggestions for people who live on less than a quarter acre too."
Discover how to grow your own food, generate your own power, and live independently on just a quarter acre.
Get The Book NowDigital Edition
Physical + Digital
Absolutely! The book covers many projects that are perfect for small spaces, balconies, or small backyards. You don't need a large farm to become more self-sufficient.
No prior experience is needed. Ron himself was born and raised as a city person in Philadelphia with no farming background. Every project is explained with simple, step-by-step instructions and detailed color pictures, making it easy for anyone to follow regardless of skill level.
Both options are available! You can choose the "Instant Access" digital edition for $37 (instant download), or the "Physical + Digital" package that includes a softcover printed book shipped to your door, plus instant access to the digital version and all 3 bonus guides.
Orders are typically processed within 24-48 hours. Shipping within the US usually takes 5-7 business days. If you choose the digital edition, you get instant access immediately after purchase.
The Self-Sufficient Backyard is a comprehensive homesteading guide written by Ron and Johanna, who have 40+ years of off-grid living experience. It contains over 100 DIY projects, tips, and methods to transform a typical house into a self-sufficient homestead on as little as a quarter acre. It covers food growing, water collection, off-grid electricity, medicinal gardens, food preservation, chicken raising, greenhouse building, and much more.
According to the methods in the book, you need just 1,020 square feet of land per person for food self-sufficiency. The full homestead plan is designed for a quarter acre (about 10,890 sq ft) for a family of 4. However, it can be easily downsized for any space. Many projects work even in apartments, balconies, or basements.
You get 3 free digital bonuses worth $27 each: (1) The Aquaponic Gardener - a complete guide to setting up aquaponic systems for fresh vegetables and fish, (2) DIY Projects from the 1900s - lost self-sufficiency skills including charcoal-making, smokehouses, root cellars, traps, and more, and (3) Where FREE Land Can Still Be Found in the US - showing where to find free plots of 1-5 acres in 21st century America.
Yes! Ron and Johanna's plan is designed not just for self-sufficiency but for profit. They show how to generate surplus produce for sale year-round. The book covers 7 high-demand crops including microgreens (which grow in just 2 weeks and sell at premium prices) and other crops that require minimal effort. For those on a fixed income, this can be a ticket to a stress-free retirement.
Absolutely! There is an entire chapter called "Easy on the Back Gardening." Every gardening project is especially designed for people with back problems, with minimal bending required. Ron and Johanna themselves started their third homestead when they were in their 60s, so these methods are proven to be manageable for older adults.
Yes! There is a full 60-day money-back guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied with the book for any reason, simply send an email within 60 days for a complete refund, no questions asked. You even get to keep the digital bonus guides as a thank you for giving it a try.
You don't need to dedicate much time. This will NOT become your new job. Becoming more self-sufficient should be done in stages. It doesn't matter if you dedicate one hour a week or one hour a day; the final result is the same. Many people find it to be a calming, satisfying break from daily stress.
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