Best fit for homeowners who want one broad reference covering growing, water, food preservation and off-grid household projects.
| Product | The Self-Sufficient Backyard |
|---|---|
| Best for | Homeowners with a yard or small acreage |
| Our view | Useful for the right buyer, but vendor claims should be treated as claims rather than guaranteed outcomes. |
| Affiliate disclosure | Reliant Ground may earn a commission if you purchase through our marked link. |
What the vendor says is included
The current official page describes a printed self-sufficiency book built from Ron and Johanna’s decades of off-grid experience. It covers backyard food production, rainwater collection, independent water sources, hybrid electricity, greenhouses, root cellars, seed saving, preservation, orchards, chickens and more than 75 DIY backyard projects.
How much space does it target?
The sales page presents a quarter-acre plan and says the ideas can be scaled down for smaller properties. It also claims 1,020 square feet per person can support food self-sufficiency using its methods. Treat that as a vendor claim, not a guaranteed yield.
Bonuses currently shown
The official page currently advertises three digital bonuses: The Aquaponic Gardener, DIY Projects from the 1900s, and a guide to places where free land may still be available in the US. Bonuses can change, so verify them at checkout.
What we like
The scope is genuinely broad. Instead of centering on one gadget, it gives readers many possible projects. That makes it a useful idea bank for a household that wants to improve resilience gradually.
What we don’t like
Breadth also creates overlap and variable usefulness. A reader with a tiny apartment may only use a fraction of the material. Some projects involve water, electricity, structures, food preservation or herbal claims that need independent safety verification.
The biggest reality check
The vendor page makes ambitious claims around food self-sufficiency, year-round growing, income and independence. Climate, soil, skill, local law, property layout and available time can change results dramatically.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very broad project coverage
- Strong fit for suburban and small-property readers
- Mixes growing, water, food preservation and energy topics
- Physical-book style reference rather than a single narrow tactic
Cons
- Not every project will suit every property
- Some vendor outcome claims are ambitious
- Safety-critical projects require outside guidance
- Broad scope can be overwhelming if you only need one solution
Who should buy it?
Good fit
- Homeowners with a yard or small acreage
- Readers who want a long-term project library
- Gardeners expanding into wider household resilience
- People who prefer staged self-reliance rather than one emergency gadget
Probably skip it
- Someone seeking a single detailed engineering manual
- Apartment dwellers expecting to use every project
- Anyone who wants guaranteed savings, yields or income
- Readers unwilling to check local codes and safety guidance
Check the current The Self-Sufficient Backyard offer
Use the official vendor page to verify today’s price, format, bonuses, shipping and refund terms before purchasing.
See current offer →Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.Frequently asked questions
Is The Self-Sufficient Backyard a real physical book?
The current official page presents it as a book/program and describes additional digital bonuses. Confirm the exact format and shipping details shown at checkout.
Does it really require a quarter acre?
No. The vendor says its quarter-acre layout can be scaled down, although available projects and realistic output will shrink with space.
Is it beginner friendly?
Much of the material is positioned for beginners, but the technical difficulty varies by project.
Is it better than 5 Foot Farm?
It is broader. 5 Foot Farm is the better comparison if your main goal is intensive food growing in a very small footprint.