I am really loving this book. One of the things I like the most is that I feel like I am sitting with Deborah, she is sharing her experiences with me and giving me advice about where to start. There are many tid bits of how to info from others who are living a more self-reliant lifestyle as well. Deborah also shares info she wish she had known- that is valuable to all of us just getting started. This is a must have book for those of us starting our journey to self-reliance. Well done Deborah. Homegrown and Handmade is published by New Society Publishers. Deborah also has a wonderful website and blog that you must check out: Antiquity Oaks.
About the book
- Take control of your food supply from seed to plate
- Raise small and medium livestock for fun, food, and fiber
- Rediscover traditional skills to meet more of your family’s needs than you ever thought possible
This comprehensive guide to food and fiber from scratch proves that attitude and knowledge is more important than acreage. Written from the perspective of a successful self-taught modern homesteader, this well illustrated, practical, and accessible manual will appeal to anyone who dreams of a simpler life.
Introduction
- Health
- Safety
- Quality
- Ethics
- Sustainability
- Frugality
- Entertainment
- Personal pride
- Getting started
Part one: The sustainable garden
Chapter 1: Planning the Sustainable Garden
- What do you need
- What will you grow
- How much will you grow
Chapter 2: Growing the Sustainable Garden
- Composting
- Vermicomposting
- Vertical gardening
- Organic solutions
- Seed saving
- Growing herbs indoors
- Growing sprouts
- Extending the tomato harvest
- Winter gardening
Chapter 3: Cooking from the sustainable garden
- Tomatoes
- Recipe: Creamy Heirloom Tomato Soup
- Recipe: Gazpacho
- Step-by-step canning
- Recipe: Pizza Sauce
- Recipe: Canned Salsa
- Peppers
- Recipe: Pickled Peppers
- Green beans
- Recipe: Pickled Green Beans
- Herbs
- Recipe: Iced Lemon Spearmint Tea
- Root cellar vegetables
- Recipe: Homemade Ginger Ale
Part two: The backyard orchard
Chapter 4: Planning the backyard orchard
- What do you need
- What will you grow
Chapter 5: Growing the backyard orchard
- Planting
- Watering
- Mulching
- Pruning
Chapter 6: Cooking from the backyard orchard
- Freezing berries
- Canning fruit
- Recipe: Caramel Apple Butter
- Recipe: Canned Pears
Part three: The backyard poultry flock
Chapter 7: Planning the backyard poultry flock
- What do you need
- What will you raise
Chapter 8: Raising the backyard poultry flock
- Brooding
- Coop management
- Laying
- Feeding
- Injury prevention and treatment
Chapter 9: Raising the Backyard Poultry Flock for Meat
- Chickens
- Turkeys
- Ducks and geese
Chapter 10: Cooking from the Backyard Poultry Flock
- Eggs
- Recipe: Quick Quiche
- Recipe: Crème Brulee Pie
- Recipe: Mayonnaise
- Recipe: Brioche
- Recipe: Noodles
- Meat
- Recipe: Chicken soup
- Recipe: Turkey stroganoff
Part four: The home dairy
Chapter 11: Planning the home dairy
- Cows
- Goats
- Sheep
- Herd animals
- Pasture or dry lot
- Bedding
- Feeding
- Minerals and supplements
- Breeding males
- Babies
- Veterinary care
- Milking equipment
- Breeds
- Buying dairy animals
Chapter 12: Managing the Home Dairy
- Natural dairy management
- Training a milker
- Milking by hand
- Milking by machine
- Health basics
- Natural parasite control
- Birthing
- Pasteurization
Chapter 13: Producing from the Home Dairy
- Butter
- Buttermilk
- Yogurt
- Cheese
- Recipe: Chevre
- Recipe: Queso Blanco
- Recipe: Ricotta
- Recipe: Easy Mozzarella
- Recipe: Feta
- Soap
- Recipe: Castile soap
- Recipe: Gardener’s scrub bar
- Recipe: Facial soap
Part five: The home fiber flock
Chapter 14: Planning and managing the home fiber flock
- Choosing fiber animals
- Rabbits
- Goats and sheep
- Llamas and alpacas
- Bedding
- Shearing
- Breeding
- Veterinary care
- Feeding and supplements
Chapter 15: Producing from the home fiber flock
- Processing fiber
- Felting
- Project: Felted soap
- Spinning
- Knitting
- Project: Scarf