How to… be more self-sufficient

Thrifty tips and inspiring ideas for living off the land. By Lisa Sykes

 

Do delegate

Very few of us strive for complete self-sufficiency and nor should we; to grow all your own food leaves little time for anything else. The bottom line is that we can do things for ourselves or we can pay others to do them for us. Somewhere in the equation is time, money and motivation, but there's no doubt we can all apply some of the principles to enrich our lives, stretch our wallets and boost our wellbeing. Pioneers, such as John Seymour, author of the smallholder's bible, The New Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency (Dorling Kindersley, £20) and William Cobbett, whose early 19th-century curmudgeonly classic, Cottage Economy (Verey & Von Kanitz, £8.99) is still read by doers and dreamers alike, are for learning from rather than following to the letter.

 

Make a list

In an ideal world what would you love to make, grow or rear yourself? What jobs could you see yourself enjoying? What foods do you like eating? Which hobbies hold your interest? For some it might be making clothes, keeping a well-stocked larder of pickles and preserves or baking with eggs from their own hens. Others might want the satisfaction of producing their own bacon, hams and sausages or putting a home-grown Christmas dinner on the table. Don't even think about taking on something that offers little pleasure - you'll soon lose interest.

 

Beginners welcome

While there are some aspects of your life - time, work, family but, interestingly, rarely money - that may curtail the list, a lack of experience isn't one of them. If you can look after a dog, you can keep pigs or poultry; if you can read a recipe, you can bake bread; all plants need to grow are water, light and nutrients; it's not rocket science. And friends, family and internet forums are all just waiting to be asked for their advice. Visit www.self-sufficientish.com for eclectic but always entertaining expertise.

 

Learn some DIY

If you can become a better cook, gardener and handyman you can be more self-sufficient. Step one is getting acquainted with some basic tools and how to use them. Don't simply buy a kit - find out what you need for the most common jobs as individual tools are usually better quality and you will only have bought things that you actually use. A hammer, screwdrivers, drill, spanners and pliers will get you started. Trade Skills 4 U (0800 856 4448) runs home-maintenance courses also aimed at women.

 

If you do one thing...

Keep a few hens. You'll never buy a takeaway again when there's an omelette-in-waiting in the nest box, and you'll have something to barter with your neighbour who grows the salad greens to go with it. Self-sufficiency these days doesn't have to be a return to wartime thrift - it's simply common sense. And it's as much about ideas as action. Building the concept into your life is the habit you need to nurture.

 

 

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