Description

The updated version of the popular guide, 40 Projects for Building Your Backyard Homestead, now includes 10 additional projects and many substantial updates—bringing you a total of 50 Projects for Building Your Backyard Homestead!

Author David Toht delivers innovative, easy-to-understand instructions for useful backyard projects that enhance your self-sufficient lifestyle, ranging from garden structures and fencing to chicken coops and beehives. Each project is designed to meet a broad range of homesteading needs, suited to various climates and situations. Whether you’re new to homesteading or seeking more advanced projects, this book has you covered.

Garden structures featured include raised garden beds, custom-built arbors, handy self-watering beds, sturdy grow-light stands, and soil block makers. You’ll also find comprehensive details about fencing and animal pens—from choosing the best fence posts and installing picket or solar electric fences to building hen pens, hurdles, gates, and easy-to-maintain PVC poultry enclosures.

Want to keep chickens? Learn everything you need to provide comfortable housing, including step-by-step directions, detailed cutting lists, clear diagrams, and exploded views for building coops, runs, and movable A-frame chicken tractors. The book also covers building various sheds like goat shelters, a classic saltbox garden shed, or even a backyard homestead workshop, complete with alternate roofing options.

Harness natural energy by exploring clearly explained chapters on solar and wind power—topics include erecting windmills (with compressor and gearbox windmills clearly explained), understanding how solar energy systems operate, and how to install your own renewable energy setups.

For homesteaders interested in modern growing methods, a dedicated section covers aquaponics and hydroponics systems. You’ll get clear explanations for both methods and detailed instructions for installing your own DIY aquaponic or hydroponic setup.

Beekeeping enthusiasts will also appreciate the practical instructions provided to build different hive types, including Langstroth, Warré, and top-bar hives (often called Kenyan or Tanzanian beehives), all clearly illustrated with diagrams and step-by-step guidance.

To further hone your homestead’s infrastructure, the book includes essential information on plumbing and electrical wiring. You’ll learn basics about plumbing setups, systems for outdoor wiring, using ground-fault circuit interrupters, freeze-proof watering solutions, and supplemental lighting.

What’s new in this updated edition? Ten additional, exciting projects to inspire you, such as accessible (wheelchair-friendly) garden paths, well-insulated chicken coops ideal for colder climates, and sustainable landscaping techniques like drought-resistant and keyhole gardens.

David Toht’s approachable and practical style ensures that whether you’re a complete beginner or have more advanced DIY skills, you can easily create functional, budget-friendly, and customized homestead structures. All projects feature clear step-by-step instructions, lists of required tools and materials, exploded-view diagrams, and helpful techniques for customization.

If you’re ready to save money, gain a wealth of practical homestead building know-how, and experience the satisfaction of creating your own fences, coops, sheds, renewable energy setups, garden systems, and more, then 50 Projects for Building Your Backyard Homestead, updated edition, is the essential guide you’ve been waiting for!