For an urban homesteading book, the breadth and depth of the Idiot's Guide is excellent. The organization of the book makes it easy to reference and the writing has a very friendly, optimistic tone, rather than being overly ideological or judgmental. This book reads very well and will serve as a great resource for me. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Urban Homesteading
When I first got this book I was a little skeptical, because I've been homesteading (or whatever you want to call it) in the city for a while. But, I couldn't believe ho much this book covered! Everything from growing food in all different situations (including yard-sharing, which is a neat idea), to starting your own seedlings, to caring for all kinds of back yard animals, to canning and yogurt-making and solar and on and on...
I found a lot of information I could use, and it's explained in a really accessible way. I particularly liked the chapter about small-space gardening, because the author goes into a lot of detail about this. The plant chart she included in the back of the book is terrific. I've been wanting to find all of that information about garden vegetables in one place, but never could.
I'm going to order a second copy for my mom. She's interested in starting to learn some of these things, but finds it really intimidating. The book presents the information in a straight-forward and down-to-earth way, and I know my mom will really enjoy it.
Most of us appreciate the importance of a more sustainable lifestyle, but actually taking the steps to make it happen might seem overwhelming or intimidating. In this very practical book, the "how to's" are accessible and organized in such a way as to allow you to start with small steps in whichever areas have appeal or spark your interest. The planet, and by extension the lives of each of us, will only benefit. What a helpful guide!
Wow! What a great resource. I just finished up with this book and it is such an invaluable resource! I knew little bits here and there, with an interest in picking up a few more things. I didn't realize there was going to be SO many topics covered and covered so well. What's great is it's written in very basic ways, but goes deep enough that you can really get a great grasp of what interests you. Not just surface level, if you want to delve deeper. And there are homesteading things I never really thought about doing myself, but I now have the confidence and enthusiasm to conquer more things and incorporate them into my life. This book will definitely be a tool I will keep at my side and guide me through the years that I develop my lifestyle in ways that make me happier and gentler to this planet. This is the best investment in a book I've made since I can even remember!
I purchased this book with great excitement, however, was disappointed with content. It does touch on a lot of subjects. As a gardener, I found the gardening content a little basic. The constant concern with urban homesteading in a rental environment did not really apply to me and I found it a little repetitive. I also found the chapter on "foraging in the city" or dumpster diving appalling and question if that is really the focus of urban homesteading. I thought the ideas of making your own soap, lotion and cleaning products very interesting, however, the lotion recipe was completely unworkable and reflects someone who had never actually tested it. All in all, it had some interesting ideas, but lacked depth in the many subjects it tried to touch on. A good overview of the subject, but not in depth or comprehensive in any one subject. - Sustainability - Gardening - Urban Homesteading - Homesteading'
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