Downshifting has become synonymous with selling up, starting a smallholding and escaping the rat race. Some people are lucky enough to purchase a property large enough to ensure that the whole family is self-sufficient, but for most only enough land will be available to make smallholding a hobby.
Accordingly, this book caters for those with a small amount of land and for the lucky minority with a much larger acreage. Many of the books currently available mention only the pleasures of owning a smallholding, this volume adopts a pragmatic approach and discusses the many pitfalls.
Topics covered: Examines the essential characteristics of a smallholding with reference to location, size, water sources, safety and security, tools and machinery Discusses the all-year-round vegetable patch, and how to create an orchard and grow fruit Considers practical poultry keeping and beekeeping.
Analyses what is involved in keeping cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, horses, donkeys, rabbits and alpacas Includes a chapter on barns, buildings, walls, fencing and grassland management. Presents ideas and information on recycling, composting, rainwater storage, and the natural harvest of the hedgerow, fields and woods.
Available both new and used from Amazon.
Amazon Reviews of Successful Smallholding:
“A very informative and down to earth book, full of wisdom and practical commonsense. A must for anyone dreaming of the living the ‘Good Life’. If you are, then be sensible, practical and do your homework and use your commonsense and this book will be of enormous help to you. Smallholding is very hard work and extremely demanding and do your sums first!! This is just one of the first facts you must take on board when thinking of launching yourself into the life of the smallholder. Ensure you have enough funds to cover your first years survival, and never forget that you are at the mercy of the elements! “
Further Books in this Section
- Making Small Farms Work by Richard Perkins
- New Complete Self-Sufficiency by John Seymour
- Pest Control for the Smallholder by David Bezzant
- Starting with a Smallholding by David Hills
- Successful Smallholding by Jeremy Hobson
- The Smallholder’s Manual by Katie Thear
- The Urban Farmer by Curtis Stone
- Tools and Machinery for the Smallholder by John Bezzant
- Viable Self-Sufficiency by Tim & Dot Tyne
