Greenhouse
The self-sustaining greenhouse
About 10 feet underground the earth stays near 55°F all year. A small fan pushes greenhouse air through buried pipes to warm it in winter and cool it in summer.
Self-Sufficient Backyard by Ron & Johanna · 40+ years off the grid
The Self-Sufficient Backyard Book: Grow Your Food, Catch Your Water and Make Your Own Power at Home
Imagine a pantry full of food you grew, rain barrels that fill themselves and a power bill that keeps shrinking. Ron and Johanna Melchiore have lived that way for four decades. Now their self sufficient backyard book shows you exactly how they did it, one practical project at a time.
- A complete quarter-acre plan you can scale to any yard
- Year-round greenhouse, rain collection and hybrid power
- Live with less refrigeration and preserve every harvest
- Clear color photos and diagrams for every project
- 266pages
- 100+DIY projects
- $37one-time
Overview
What Is The Self Sufficient Backyard Book?
The Self-Sufficient Backyard: For the Independent Homesteader is a 266-page guide that turns an ordinary house and yard into a small, productive homestead. It was written by Ron and Johanna Melchiore, who have lived off the grid for more than 40 years and built three homesteads from scratch.
The book covers every system a self-reliant home depends on: growing food, collecting and storing water, producing electricity, heating water, preserving the harvest, raising chickens and keeping a small medicinal garden. Each project is explained step by step with color photos and precise diagrams.
What makes it special is where the advice comes from. These are not ideas tested on a computer screen. They are the exact systems Ron and Johanna built, used and improved over decades, often far from any store or repair shop.
Why homesteaders love it
- Real projects from people who actually live this way
- Plain, friendly writing with no confusing jargon
- Big ideas broken into small, doable weekend jobs
- The book explains where to find the tools and materials
The heart of the book
Your Self Sufficient Backyard Blueprint: The Quarter-Acre Plan
How do you become self-sufficient on a quarter acre? Ron and Johanna designed a complete homestead on that much land, with enough food for a family of four and extra to share or sell. Then they made it easy to shrink to the space you have.
1,020 sq ftof growing space per person, using the authors' methods
¼ acrefor a family of four, with goods left over to sell
Under 10%of the plot is needed for one person's food
Start with any size yard
You do not need to copy the whole plan to benefit. A city lot can start with raised beds, a rain barrel and a few dwarf fruit trees. A suburban yard can add a greenhouse and chickens. A rural property can follow the full design. The book shows you how each piece fits, so you can grow at your own pace.
Meet the authors
Meet Ron and Johanna Melchiore: Three Homesteads, 40+ Years Off the Grid
The Self-Sufficient Backyard by Ron and Johanna is built on a lifetime of real homesteading. Here is the journey behind every page.
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Homestead 1 · MaineFrom Philadelphia to the Maine woods
Ron grew up in Philadelphia. In his early twenties he left a steady 9 to 5 job in Pennsylvania to homestead in Maine, and Johanna joined him a few years later.
Over about 20 years they mastered gardening, food preservation, water, animal care, building and making their own energy. Mother Earth News notes they were even recognized as Outstanding Tree Farmers.
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Homestead 2 · Saskatchewan100 air miles from the nearest help
Next they built a homestead beside a remote lake in northern Saskatchewan. Every board and supply came in by bush plane, and a float plane visited only twice a year.
They faced winters of minus 50°F, forest fires, bears and wolves, and still grew strawberries and fresh greens. This is where Ron perfected his sun-heated, year-round greenhouse.
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Homestead 3 · Nova ScotiaDesigned for easy, low-cost living
In their 60s, Ron and Johanna built a third and final homestead in Nova Scotia. This time the goal was simple: a self-sustaining home that needs little work, little money and little bending.
That low-maintenance design is the foundation of The Self-Sufficient Backyard, which is why the projects suit busy families, beginners and retirees alike.
Trusted voices in homesteading
Ron is a longtime contributor to Mother Earth News and the author of the memoir Off Grid and Free: My Path to the Wilderness. You can read Ron Melchiore's biography at Mother Earth News.
In more than 40 years, a power line has never been connected to any home they have lived in. Yet they enjoy modern comforts like hot showers, satellite TV and internet. Their message is encouraging: self-sufficiency does not mean giving up comfort, and you do not need to be rich or highly skilled to start.
Inside the book
Inside the Self Sufficient Backyard Book: Every System Your Home Needs
The chapters follow the main areas of building and running a homestead, so you can jump straight to what matters most to you.
Food
Garden planning
Plot your land for the biggest harvest, rotate crops, save seed and learn which plants should never grow side by side.
Season extension
Year-round greenhouse
Build a south-facing greenhouse that stores the sun's heat, plus hoop tunnels, cold frames and a walipini.
Water
Water independence
Collect, store and filter rainwater, make the most of wells and set up a backup hand pump.
Power
Hybrid electricity
Choose batteries, a charge controller, cables and an inverter for a reliable home power system.
Heat
Free hot water
Use the heat from cooking and home heating to supply pressurized hot water at no extra cost.
Storage
Life without refrigeration
Preserve eggs, vegetables, roots, fruit and meat with a root cellar, smokehouse and earth refrigerator.
Animals
Chickens and bees
More than 50 chicken coop tips for a steady supply of eggs and meat, plus keeping bees and other small animals.
Wellness
Medicinal garden
Grow a small backyard medicine garden like the one that helped the authors through tough times.
Projects you can build
9 Favorite Projects From The Self-Sufficient Backyard
These are just a few of the more than 100 projects in the book, each one tested on the authors' own land.
Water
A cheap rain collection system
Ron and Johanna collect every gallon they need for irrigation in inexpensive tanks like these, so they never pay for garden water.
Power
Backyard hybrid power
Learn how to plan a low-cost hybrid electricity system, whether you go fully off grid or stay connected and cut your bill.
Soil
The mason jar soil test
Shake garden soil in a jar of water and watch it settle into sand, silt and clay. The ideal loam is about 40% sand, 40% silt and 20% clay.
Storage
The off-grid earth refrigerator
An in-ground cold store that uses no electricity and keeps much of your harvest fresh for months, free of charge.
Heat
Pressurized hot water
A clever setup that heats water every time you cook or warm the house, giving you hot showers without paying extra for them.
Irrigation
Automatic garden watering
Set it up once and it waters your plants every day for years, using very little water. No more lost plants on hot, busy days.
Gardening
Straw bale gardening 101
A cheap, compostable raised bed you can set up in an afternoon. It is easy on the back because you barely need to bend.
Animals
Chickens done right
The authors share the simple tricks they use to keep hens laying well, so your flock becomes the most affordable protein on your homestead.
A self-sufficient year
What a Year in Your Self Sufficient Backyard Can Look Like
The book includes a 12-month planting calendar, including what to plant in late fall and winter. Here is how the seasons come together on a backyard homestead.
Mar – May
Spring
- Test your soil with the mason jar method
- Start seedlings in the greenhouse
- Set up rain tanks before the spring showers
- Plan beds using the companion planting rules
Jun – Aug
Summer
- Let automatic irrigation do the watering
- Pick fresh vegetables and fruit daily
- Collect eggs from your laying hens
- Harvest herbs from the medicinal garden
Sep – Nov
Fall
- Fill the root cellar and earth refrigerator
- Preserve the harvest for the months ahead
- Plant late-season crops the calendar suggests
- Save seed for next year's garden
Dec – Feb
Winter
- Grow greens in the self-heating greenhouse
- Enjoy hot water from the cookstove
- Eat well from your stored food
- Plan next year's projects by the fire
Timing varies by climate. Check your zone on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map and adjust planting dates to suit your area.
No farm required
A Self Sustaining Backyard for Small Yards, Apartments and Every Age
Many people put off self-sufficiency because they think they need acres of land, lots of money or years of training. Ron and Johanna say otherwise, and their own story proves it.
- Little land: projects range from windowsill and container gardens to dwarf fruit trees on a porch
- Little time: an hour a week or an hour a day both move you forward
- Little money: the authors built their homesteads on a modest budget
- No special skills: Ron started as a city kid and learned as he went
- Easy on the body: their latest homestead was designed to avoid back-breaking work
The book even shows survival foods you can grow inside your home, in hanging bags or on a kitchen counter, so apartment dwellers can join in too.
Is it right for you?
Who Will Love The Self-Sufficient Backyard?
If you dream of lower bills, healthier food and more independence, this book was written for you.
Families on a budget
Cut grocery, water and energy bills with projects that pay for themselves.
Gardeners ready for more
Go beyond a vegetable patch with greenhouses, irrigation and food storage.
Retirees and seniors
Enjoy a rewarding, low-maintenance lifestyle designed to be easy on the body.
Preppers and planners
Keep food, water and power flowing when storms or outages hit.
Your first month
How to Start Your Self Sufficient Backyard
Ron and Johanna recommend building independence in stages, not all at once. Here is a simple way to begin.
Read the quarter-acre plan
See how all the systems fit together, then sketch your own yard and mark the sunniest spots.
Test your soil
Do the mason jar test and follow the book's advice to improve whatever soil you have.
Catch your first rainwater
Add a tank or barrel to a downspout. It is one of the quickest wins in the whole book.
Plant by the calendar
Use the 12-month planting calendar so you sow each crop at the right time for your area.
Add one system per season
Next comes a greenhouse, chickens, food storage or solar power. Each one builds on the last.
The best time to start is now
Every Season You Wait Is a Harvest You Miss
Get 40 years of off-grid know-how, three free bonus books and a full 60 days to try it, all for a single payment of $37.
Secure ClickBank checkout · One-time payment · 60-day money-back guarantee
Free with your order
3 Free Bonus Books With The Self Sufficient Backyard
Order today and you also receive three digital bonus books, each valued by the vendor at $27, at no extra cost.
Bonus 1 · Digital
The Aquaponic Gardener
Set up an aquaponic system in your backyard, basement or greenhouse, where fish feed the plants and the plants clean the water. Fresh vegetables and fresh fish from one system.
$27Free today
Bonus 2 · Digital
DIY Projects from the 1900s
The old-time projects that kept our great-grandparents free: charcoal water filters, smokehouses, root cellars, solar water heaters, wood stoves and more.
$27Free today
Bonus 3 · Digital
Where Free Land Can Still Be Found in the US
A guide to places in modern America that still offer land for building, with plots described as 1 to 5 acres, more than enough for this plan.
$27Free today
Plus help when you need it
Buyers get access to a private members' contact page where you can ask questions about the projects, find additional projects and swap ideas with like-minded homesteaders, free of charge.
Digital edition
Looking for The Self Sufficient Backyard PDF? Get the Official Digital Book
Many people search for a free self sufficient backyard book PDF. The safest way to read it on your phone, tablet or computer is the official digital edition. It downloads right after checkout, so you can start your first project tonight.
- The complete, up-to-date book with every photo and diagram
- All three bonus books included
- Access to the private members' contact page
- Protected by the 60-day money-back guarantee
Free copies passed around online are unauthorized, often incomplete and never include the bonuses, and downloads from unknown sites can carry malware. The official digital book costs just $37.
Pricing
Order The Self-Sufficient Backyard Book: Digital or Printed
Both options are a one-time payment with no subscription, and both include all three bonus books and the 60-day guarantee.
Digital Book
$37
Instant access, nothing to ship
- Read on phone, tablet or computer
- All 3 bonus books included
- 60-day money-back guarantee
Best for building
Physical + Digital Book
$37
+ $9.99 shipping and handling (US)
- Printed book to keep on your workbench
- Digital edition included free
- All 3 bonuses and the 60-day guarantee
The complete Self Sufficient Backyard bundle: $128 of value for just $37
The vendor values the book at $47 and each bonus at $27, for a total of $128. Today the whole bundle is yours for $37. The vendor also notes the printed book is proudly printed in the USA.
Which version should you pick?
Choose digital to start reading tonight. Choose physical + digital if you plan to build outdoors. A printed book is easy to keep open on a workbench, and you still get the digital copy right away.
Prices and shipping were checked on October 22, 2026. They are set by the vendor and may change. Tax may be added at checkout.
Side by side
How The Self-Sufficient Backyard Compares
A general comparison with the other places people usually turn to when they want to become more self-reliant.
| Feature | The Self-Sufficient Backyard | Typical gardening book | Free videos and blogs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experience behind it | 40+ years on three off-grid homesteads | Varies by author | Often unknown |
| Scope | Food, water, power, heat, storage, animals | Mostly growing plants | One topic at a time |
| Complete plan | Quarter-acre layout for a family of four | Rarely | Rarely |
| Step-by-step projects | 100+ with photos and diagrams | Some | Scattered |
| Off-grid power and hot water | Yes | No | Varies |
| Help with projects | Private members' contact page | None | Comments, if lucky |
| Price | $37 one time, plus 3 bonus books | Varies | Free, with ads |
| Guarantee | 60-day money-back guarantee | Store return policy | None |
Based on the typical features of each type of resource. Individual books and channels vary.
Why homesteaders choose it
- Every major homestead system in one book
- Advice tested over four decades of real off-grid life
- A clear plan that scales from a city lot to a small farm
- Low-maintenance designs that suit any age
- Outstanding value with three bonus books
Helpful tips before you order
- Gardeners in warmer zones often enjoy an even longer growing season, so adjust planting dates for your area
- Start with quick wins like rain collection, then grow into bigger builds like solar power or a greenhouse
- The three bonus books arrive instantly in digital format
Zero risk
60-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Ron and Johanna stand behind their book 100%. You get 60 full days to read it, try the projects and see the difference in your own yard. If there is anything you do not like, they promise a full refund.
- 60 full days to decide
- Full refund for any reason
- Email support@selfsufficientbackyard.com with "Refund Question" in the subject
- Also covered by ClickBank's own 60-day return policy
Ordering made easy
Shipping, Delivery and Customer Support
Here is what happens after you place your order.
Digital book: instant access
Right after payment you receive a confirmation email with your download link. You can also download the book from your order page by clicking "more info about this product".
Printed book: shipped to your door
The printed book costs $9.99 for shipping and handling on US orders and includes the digital edition, so you can start reading while it is on the way.
Where it ships
At checkout, the printed book can be shipped to the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Readers anywhere can choose the digital edition.
Tracking your order
Once your book ships, the tracking link is added to your ClickBank order. Look it up with your email address and order number, or email support and ask for it.
Secure ClickBank checkout
Payment is processed by ClickBank on an encrypted page. Your bank statement shows the charge as CLKBANK*The Self Suffi.
Friendly support
For questions about your order, download or refund, email support@selfsufficientbackyard.com. ClickBank customer support is also available at 1-800-390-6035.
Every order is processed securely by ClickBank, the official retailer, and fulfilled by the publisher.
Build with care
Safety Tips and Important Warnings
Homestead projects are deeply rewarding. Keep these common-sense rules in mind as you put the book to work.
- Check codes and permitsGreenhouses, sheds, coops and water tanks may need permits or must meet local rules and HOA guidelines. Check before you build.
- Hire a pro for electrical workSolar panels, batteries and inverters carry serious shock and fire risks. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and use a licensed electrician where your area requires one.
- Call 811 before you digIn the US, call 811 before digging for pipes, cellars or posts so underground utility lines can be marked.
- Test and treat drinking waterUse collected rainwater for the garden unless it is properly filtered and treated. Have well water tested regularly.
- Preserve food safelyFor canning and other home preserving, follow tested methods from the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
- Handle poultry hygienicallyBackyard chickens can carry germs such as Salmonella. Wash your hands after handling birds or eggs, as the CDC advice on backyard poultry explains.
- Use medicinal plants wiselyBe certain of a plant's identity, and check with your doctor before using herbal remedies, especially if you take medication.
- Work at a safe paceLift with care, use the right tools and protective gear, and ask for help with heavy jobs.
Questions and answers
The Self Sufficient Backyard Book FAQ
What is the self sufficient backyard book?
The Self-Sufficient Backyard: For the Independent Homesteader is a 266-page homesteading guide by Ron and Johanna Melchiore. It shows you how to grow your own food, collect water, produce power, heat water and store your harvest at home, with more than 100 step-by-step DIY projects.
Who wrote The Self-Sufficient Backyard?
Ron and Johanna Melchiore, a couple who have lived off the grid for more than 40 years on three homesteads in Maine, northern Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia. Ron also writes for Mother Earth News and wrote the memoir Off Grid and Free: My Path to the Wilderness.
How many pages is the book, and is there a printed copy?
The book has 266 pages with color pictures and detailed diagrams. You can order the digital edition, or the printed book, which comes with the digital edition included at no extra cost.
Is The Self Sufficient Backyard available as a PDF?
Yes. The official digital edition downloads right after purchase, so you can read it on any phone, tablet or computer. It includes the complete book, all three bonus books and the 60-day money-back guarantee. Free copies shared online are unauthorized and often incomplete.
Where can I buy The Self-Sufficient Backyard?
The book is sold directly through its official order page, which is the only way to get the current $37 price, the three free bonus books and the 60-day guarantee. Copies listed on other stores or second-hand sites usually come without the bonuses.
Does it work for small yards or apartments?
Yes. The quarter-acre plan scales down to any space, and many projects work in a small yard, on a porch or balcony, or even indoors, including survival foods you can grow on a kitchen counter.
Is The Self-Sufficient Backyard good for beginners and seniors?
Yes. Ron and Johanna are in their 60s and designed their latest homestead to need as little bending and heavy work as possible. Many projects can be finished in a day or two, and no special skills are needed to start.
How much does The Self-Sufficient Backyard cost?
At the time of writing, the digital book is $37. The physical book, with the digital edition included, is $37 plus $9.99 shipping and handling for US orders. Both include three free digital bonus books. Prices are set by the vendor and may change.
Where does the printed book ship?
At checkout the printed book can be shipped to the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Readers in every other country, including South Africa and the UK, can order the digital edition and start reading right away.
What is the refund policy?
You have 60 days to request a full refund for any reason. Email support@selfsufficientbackyard.com with Refund Question in the subject line. ClickBank's own 60-day return policy also covers the purchase.
Your next step
Start Building Your Self-Sufficient Backyard Today
The sun, the rain and the soil are already free. The Self-Sufficient Backyard shows you how to put them to work.
Picture next winter: fresh greens from your greenhouse, a cellar full of food you grew, hot water from your own stove and smaller bills on the counter. Ron and Johanna spent 40 years learning how to live this way. You can start this weekend.
$37 one-time payment · Secure checkout · 60-day money-back guarantee
