The Backyard Homestead
Best introduction to country living in the city
A pretty good introduction to all the homesteading tasks you can do in a small urban space. I found it a bit more helpful than similar tomes like The Urban Homestead. Most of the subjects covered — vegetable gardens, bees, composting, fermenting, animal husbandry — are just scaled down versions of rural homesteading — a huge education that can’t be squeezed into one volume. But this book has a few good ideas that only work in smaller city patios or rooftops.
02/4/14Excerpt
Threshing wheat in a large, clean trash can helps keep the released grains contained.
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Tips for Buying Feeder Pigs
The greatest variety and highest quality of pigs is available in the 40- to 60-pound weight range.
Crossbred pigs are generally more vigorous and faster growing than purebreds.
Male pigs should be castrated and healed.
Buy pigs that have been treated for internal and external parasites.
Buy pigs that are well past the stress and strain of weaning.
Bear in mind that while females (gilts) may grow more slowly than barrows (males), they will generally produce leaner carcasses and can be pushed harder with more nutrient-dense rations.
The Backyard Homestead Carleen Madigan 2009, 368 pages $13
