Self-Sufficient Backyard Review
A backyard homesteading guide, looked at by a coach who likes getting outside.
The Self-Sufficient Backyard is a homesteading book by Ron and Johanna, a couple who say they've lived off the grid for 40 years. Homesteading is outside my coaching specialty, so I looked at the sales page, what's included, the price and the guarantee. Here's my honest take.
Affiliate link: I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
What makes it different from a gardening blog
It's written by people who say they've built three homesteads, in Maine, in northern Saskatchewan and again later in life. The book shares their projects in detail, with how-to illustrations and step-by-step plans.
It goes wide. Beyond food growing, the page lists a year-round greenhouse, rainwater collection, chickens, soil testing, food preservation and a hybrid home power system. That's a lot of ground for one book.
It scales down. The authors say their plan was built on a quarter acre for a family of four, but designed to downsize. The page covers container and windowsill gardening too, so you don't need a farm to start.
Coach's note: the sales page leans on 'they're trying to ban this book', collapse and grid-attack fear, plus a 'today only' 70% off popup. I'd ignore all of that. The useful part is learning to grow some of your own food.
What it does well
1. Real projects
75+ DIY backyard projects, from raised beds and trellises to hoop tunnels and a chicken coop.
2. Grow more of your food
Planning how much space and which crops it takes to feed a household from your own yard.
3. Year-round growing
Detailed greenhouse plans, including insulating, venting and holding heat through the night.
4. Outdoor time that adds up
Digging, planting, building and hauling is real physical activity. A garden gets you moving outside most days.
Affiliate link: I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
What's inside The Self-Sufficient Backyard
Here is what the official sales page lists at the time of writing (checked November 5, 2026):
- 75+ DIY backyard projects with illustrations
- Raised beds, hoop tunnels, trellises, container and windowsill gardening
- Year-round greenhouse plans
- 50+ chicken coop and chicken-keeping tips
- Water collection, food preservation, soil testing and home power
- The Aquaponic Gardener
- DIY Projects From The 1900s
- Where Free Land Can Still Be Found in the US
You can buy it as a digital book, or as a printed book plus the digital copy. The page notes its images are 'for visualization purpose only', so don't judge the book by the stock photos.
Price, guarantee and fine print
At the time of writing (checked November 5, 2026), the order section lists the digital book at $37 and the printed plus digital book at $37 plus $9.99 shipping and handling. Prices change, so check the order form before you buy.
The page shows a 60-day money-back guarantee, and orders are processed by ClickBank. The three bonuses are described as normally $27 each; I treat that as sales framing.
Expect urgency tactics: a 'today only' coupon popup with today's date, an 'only 36 books left' line and a recent-buyer ticker. You don't need to rush. You may also see extra offers after checkout.
My honest pros and cons
- Authors with decades of hands-on homesteading
- 75+ step-by-step projects
- Scales down to small yards and containers
- Digital or print option
- 60-day money-back guarantee through ClickBank
- Fear-based 'ban this book' and collapse marketing
- Pushy urgency: daily coupon, stock countdown
- Big projects may need permits or pros
- Authors' full names and credentials not on the page
- Stock images, per the page itself
Coach Luke's take
I'm a fitness and nutrition coach, not a homesteader, and I won't pretend otherwise. I reviewed this because growing your own food fits how I like to coach: whole foods, time outdoors and staying active in ways you enjoy.
On that front the book has a lot going for it. The authors' 40-year story, the range of projects and the step-by-step plans give you plenty to try, whether you have a big yard or a few containers. $37 is fair for that much material.
What I'd skip is the fear marketing. The 'ban this book' headline, collapse talk and countdown coupon don't help you grow tomatoes. Some projects, like home power systems and greenhouse heating, are big jobs that may need permits or a licensed electrician.
If you buy it, start small. Pick one or two projects, like a raised bed or a few containers, and build from there. Check local rules before keeping chickens or collecting rainwater.
What to expect, and who it's for
Expect a big, practical project book, not a get-rich homestead. The page talks about selling surplus for profit; treat that as a possibility, not a promise. How much you grow depends on your space, climate and time.
Good goals for a first season are a productive raised bed or two, more time outdoors and fresh produce on the table.
- Want to grow some of your own food
- Enjoy hands-on DIY projects
- Have a yard, a patio or even a windowsill
- Like time outdoors and staying active
- Want guaranteed savings or profit
- Live where chickens or rain barrels aren't allowed
- Aren't ready for bigger building projects
- Want a book focused only on one topic
I didn't quote the reviews on the sales page. They appear in a recent-buyer style ticker, and I couldn't tell how they were collected. Your results will depend on your space, climate and effort.
Frequently asked questions
Who wrote The Self-Sufficient Backyard?
The site presents the authors as Ron and his wife Johanna, who say they've built homesteads in Maine and northern Saskatchewan and lived off the grid for 40 years.
What's included in The Self-Sufficient Backyard?
The main book with 75+ backyard projects, plus three digital bonuses listed on the page: The Aquaponic Gardener, DIY Projects From The 1900s, and Where Free Land Can Still Be Found in the US.
How much does The Self-Sufficient Backyard cost?
At the time of writing the order section lists $37 for the digital book, or $37 plus $9.99 shipping for the printed and digital book. Check the order form for the current price.
Do I need a big yard?
No. The plan was built on a quarter acre, but the page covers container and windowsill gardening, and you can start with one or two small projects.
Is it a survival or prepper book?
The marketing leans that way, but the content listed is mostly gardening, greenhouses, chickens, water collection and food storage. I'd treat it as a homesteading and food-growing guide.
Does it have a money-back guarantee?
Yes. The page shows a 60-day money-back guarantee, and orders are processed by ClickBank.
Want to grow more of your own food?
75+ backyard projects from a couple with 40 years off-grid.
Garden plans, a year-round greenhouse, chickens, water collection and food preservation, plus three digital bonuses. Backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Get The Self-Sufficient BackyardDigital book $37, or printed + digital $37 plus $9.99 S&H. 60-day money-back guarantee through ClickBank.
Affiliate disclosure: if you buy through the links on this page I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. ClickBank is the retailer of this product. Check local rules on chickens, rainwater collection and building, and hire a licensed electrician for any home power work.
