101 things that you want in the selfsufficientish book

[Annpan]

Glad to hear it Andy

How about a living in the city section, it is usually pretty dificult to come across guidance for inner city life. eg plant herbs on window ledge in old margerine tubs. If you live within 2 miles of a bus station, do you really need to own a car, getting your building involved in recycling, etc

A wildlife section - building ponds, ladybird hotels, etc

A forageing section with photos of what stuff you should pick looks like (I don't know what elderberrys look like )

Thankyou for asking our opinions

Ann Pan

[red]

The book will mirror the site in the respect that it doesn't just cover tips on selfsufficiency but ethical living too.

goodo - cos the site is a huge success, if you keep your book in the same vein, it should appeal to just as many people.

There is going to be a livestock section and it is stuff like you have mentioned red that is really useful for me to hear. I am writing the livestock section as Dave is vegetarian (seems fair) and will have to do a lot of research for it, do you think that welfare is an issue I should cover in some depth?

I guess everyone has to arrive at their own opinion as to welfare issues, so this could be tricky, as ideally you find the balance to help people make their decisions, rather than just giving yours, if you know what I mean. But for me i think I often make a 'non-SS' decision as it sits more comfortably with me, in terms of welfare etc - - I think you can 'grow more meat' if you care less about the animals, just as you can grow more veg if you are happy to use chemicals. Sometimes I think the opposite of conventional thinking - for example free range chickens. Down here in Devon we have alot of foxes - and in my experience of keeping hens, which my family have done all of my life, hens are better off in a run. they are therefore not strictly free range - but they do get to do what chickens do - scratch the dirt, have dust baths.. sort out a pecking order.. etc etc - at the same time without being eaten. Being eaten by foxes might be the natural way of things, but its not good if you want eggs!

its a power struggle between being self sufficient, being environmentally friendly and the ethical/moral/health aspects.
If you can tick all three boxes, then happy people all round. the rest of the time you have to work out what compromise works for you.

if you cover welfare issues - it is fare more appealing if you show what is great about a certain animal keeping method ( rather then making people miserable with the bad side of animal care - positive suggestions always go down well

[the.fee.fairy]

Duvets: you can make one out of some sheets and a load of rags.
You can make bedding as well.

Livestock: As far as i see it, unless you kill it yourself (if not raise it as well) then you're not being self sufficient in it, except for if you're bartering it for stuff you have made/.grown.

Welfare is an ethics issue. Whilst most people become self sufficient because ethically it is the best thing for them, the people reading the book might not be. I'm not sure whether i agree with ethics in a how-to manual.

[red]

Livestock: As far as i see it, unless you kill it yourself (if not raise it as well) then you're not being self sufficient in it, except for if you're bartering it for stuff you have made/.grown.

.

true but if you only did part of the 'making meat' bit - thats a step towards self sufficiency - and this is ssish
completely 100% self sufficient people wouldn't buy the book - as it is made by someone else!
as I udnerstand it, its about steps in the right direction

[the.fee.fairy]

i understand that, but i don't see self sufficiency being completely about ethics.

I realise they're part of each other, but i don't see it something that is...important's not the right word for it....essential, that's a better word.

[Andy Hamilton]

Duvets: you can make one out of some sheets and a load of rags.
You can make bedding as well.

Have you done this then fee?

[Wombat]

How about a living in the city section, it is usually pretty dificult to come across guidance for inner city life. eg plant herbs on window ledge in old margerine tubs. If you live within 2 miles of a bus station, do you really need to own a car, getting your building involved in recycling, etc

Ann Pan

I think that this is a good one. The people in most dire need of a lot of this information (and a lot of your potential audience) will be those in the urban and periurban landscape. I dunno whether as a separate section or as a running theme. But I think that this is important.

I also agree with the ethics side too. Sometimes it is not only what you do..............but why you are doing it!

Nev

[Andy Hamilton]

I will somewhat go out on a limb and say what I think the book will be like with regards to urbanites. - John Seymore's book is very much self sufficiency for people with a few acres with a little info for urban dwellers. Ours will be the reverse of this.

[Dendrobium]

I will somewhat go out on a limb and say what I think the book will be like with regards to urbanites. - John Seymore's book is very much self sufficiency for people with a few acres with a little info for urban dwellers. Ours will be the reverse of this.

Well that's exactly what I'd be looking for in a book! If I had a few acres in the middle of no where it'll be more straightforward, but like most people here I'm squeezing stuff into a small plot that has to be easy to care for as I have to survive commuting and a stressful job at the same time! So many self-suf books I've seen tell you how to layout acres of land and re-plumb the drains to save you're own poo too rather than how to get the most out of a few metres in the backgarden and reuse stuff!

[red]

I will somewhat go out on a limb and say what I think the book will be like with regards to urbanites. - John Seymore's book is very much self sufficiency for people with a few acres with a little info for urban dwellers. Ours will be the reverse of this.

yes good idea - seems this is where the need is


In my case, we actually have the 2 acres and live in a rural setting - but - we also both have jobs, so we cant play smallholdings,,, and thats why I hang out on this forum - cos for me its about what we can manage with the little time and resources available to us. So whilst I dont fit in exactly as the punter you are aiming at - I still get alot from it. hopefully that will apply to alot of others too.

[Jarmara]

i know it sounds old fasioned but a make do and mend /reuse section would be good

[Millymollymandy]

How to darn socks and mend moth holes in woolies. I'm serious folks! My grandma used to darn but darn if I know how!

[Andy Hamilton]

Oh yes, simple clothes repairs will go in as well.

[the.fee.fairy]

Duvets: you can make one out of some sheets and a load of rags.
You can make bedding as well.

Have you done this then fee?

Nope, i read about it somewhere.

My duvets are about 15 years old...when the time comes, i'll recycle them into new ones.

I think i read about it being an ancient thing to do - making bd coverings out of sacks filled with rags, but don't quote me on it.

I've made bedding out of sheets - my two favourite bed sets are old sheets that have been reworked into duvet covers and pillowcases.

[pskipper]

How about building a simple loom, peg looms are simple to make and can be used for rugs, blankets and bed warmers amongst other things.