Where I live (SE QLD, AUST) the temperature doesn't get low enough to successfully grow cherries, which is a shame because they taste great and are expensive to buy, therefore, growing them at home would be a much cheaper option (if I could). But cherries aren't the easiest plant to grow anyway even in a
If I were to pick one tree which has stayed with me memorably since my childhood it would be the mulberry. When I was a boy there used to be a massive mulberry tree growing in a vacant lot adjacent to the laneway I walked through to get to primary school. Every spring I’d grab
This tomato is called the Berry Nice. And, it happens to be the third "berry" type article I've posted this month! I started growing this tomato through our autumn here (subtropical climate) and grew my plants from seed I purchased online through eBay. I'll be honest the Berry Nice name was what really drew my attention to
Introduction The following article is a compilation of several smaller posts donated by the Phantom Comentor or PC. This person may prefer to remain unknown; however, as you will discover he has a wealth of self sufficient knowledge to offer us. PC is a very competent vegetable and fruit grower, and is also well versed
Those who think ducks only require a bucket of water to keep them happy are plainly wrong. Ducks will survive with access to just a humble bucket but they won’t be happy about it and anyone who claims otherwise is delusional! I’ve only had ducks for about 18 months, as at the date of this
Traditional food is the new buzz word and healthy eating craze sweeping the world – well, the Western world anyway. Some people and certain entrepreneurs are pushing eating traditional like it’s some revelation when in fact it’s simply the food our grandparents mostly grew up eating. Coeliac disease, irritable bowel, allergies, obesity, diabetes, heart
When I think of beetroot I can’t go past a hamburger with the lot and for me the sweetly pickled taste of the sliced beetroot mixing with the pineapple, lettuce, cheese, fried onions, egg – soft yolk, and of course the burger meat with some BBQ sauce on a buttered bread roll, is what nails
This article was updated on 1st Oct 2015 I have found some reasonably priced preserving jars called frutta del prato (that's the name on the lid) which are not only fair quality but don’t look too bad either, therefore, as give-aways they make a great gift. I will tell more about these jars shortly after
As our inner city suburbs suck people in by the thousands to fill every plausible living space, other people have had enough of the ever tightening human squeeze clogging up our capital cities and are looking for a way to get out. To me, living in a capital city is like waking up with a
Here’s a simple and frugal way to make a long lasting, healthy, snack that everyone (not just the kids) will absolutely love! I call it fruit salad “yummy yummy” fruit leathers, or rolls, or wraps… Don’t take this recipe for granted as it really is that good – I promise you. The combination of all
This article was updated on 27 Oct 2015 Summer in Queensland, Australia (where I live) means snake season and it’s the same for many other places around the world. Snakes are fine in the wild but around the home they are not so welcome and if you keep chickens you can be rest assured snakes
For those of you who mightn’t know we have a sister website to SSM called SSC – Self Sufficient Culture (or the long name is: Self Sufficient Culture Community Forums). You can also access the forum site right from our top menu bar or click the SSC logo in the side panel. We’re currently running
Paul Howes, the Australian Workers Union National Secretary, trade union heavy weight, probable future leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), and therefore possibly a PM of Australia one day, in a recent interview has essentially rubbished small farming businesses as worthless and advised “Ma and Pa” farmers to give up and make way for
There’s no better gift than one heartfelt and bequeathed with love and care. Self-sufficiency is the perfect platform for enabling the best of both worlds when it comes to gift giving at Christmas or any other festive occasion by producing something very special at a reasonable cost. Venture into Target or any other department store
There’s a power struggle happening in the chicken feeder business between two emerging chicken feeder backyard manufacturing “giants” called Royal Rooster and Dine-a-Chook. Both chicken feeder manufacturers have a large presence on eBay because there’s no better place to test out a home-made idea or invention and see if a market can be created. If
Electricity prices are rising alarmingly and Governments around Australia have wound back or abolished generous solar rebate schemes so does that mean you should abolish your plans to get solar power for your home? The short answer is a resounding NO! I’ve had my solar system now for just over 12 months (12 months and
Most of us like to share memories, good times, achievements, etc and we often share these things through photos and videos. Today, I’m happy to announce our forum Self Sufficient Culture (SSC) has a photo and video gallery feature! This means our members can share their self-sufficient exploits online for everyone to enjoy and learn
My DIY dog proof fence for my free-range chicken area is about 6 weeks old now and I am extremely happy with how it turned out. I could have paid several thousand dollars to have a fencing contractor come and do this job but I did it myself for a fraction of the cost that
If you are looking to buy chickens or other poultry in the Brisbane and surrounding areas it’s hard to go past Heritage Hatching & Hens as the place to go. Brisbane based chicken breeder Heritage Hatching & Hens has turned a hobby into a growing small business in selling purebred chickens and in my
So as the New Year hits us square in the face like the rising sun of a new day, I wonder how many people are considering self-sufficiency as their New Year’s resolution. Last night I cooked up a sensational meal for the family (even if I do say so myself) I named it Rooster soup
Self Sufficient Me is a blog about self-sustainment by growing our own produce (plant/animal), and self-fulfilment by looking after our health (physical/mental) through exercise and slowing life down a little.
