Before You Buy The Self Sufficient Backyard - What to Check First

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By Editorial Team · Updated 2026-07-14 · 9 min read

If you want to become more self-reliant but feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of conflicting advice online, The Self Sufficient Backyard claims to offer a clear, step-by-step plan. This guide is designed to help homeowners plan and build a productive backyard that produces food, water, and energy.

But is it the right resource for your situation? This buyers guide unpacks what the program actually covers, where buyers commonly feel it falls short, and how to decide if it's worth your money. We answer the core question honestly: is The Self Sufficient Backyard worth buying for a beginner, or does it suit a more experienced homesteader?

Why Some People Regret Buying The Self Sufficient Backyard

Reading through user reviews and forum discussions reveals a consistent pattern. The main complaint isn't that the content is bad — it's that the guide doesn't match expectations. People who hoped for a simple "plant these rows, harvest in 60 days" guide are often disappointed.

The guide leans heavily toward infrastructure: building raised beds, installing rainwater catchment systems, wiring small solar panels, and designing a food forest that matures over years. If you have one weekend to spend and want instant results, this isn't that.

Another frequent regret is that the PDF version (which is how most people access it) is dense and text-heavy. There are diagrams, but not the high-resolution photographs some expect. Buyers accustomed to glossy modern cookbooks or YouTube tutorials often find the layout overwhelming.

Key Decision Criteria: What This Guide Actually Offers

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To make an informed choice, you need to judge The Self Sufficient Backyard against what it promises — not what you hope it is. Here are the crucial criteria:

Scope and Depth

The guide covers water, food, energy, and waste management in one system. It doesn't dive deep into any single topic. You'll get a solid overview of designing a self-sufficient property, but you'll likely need to research specific techniques (like seed starting or solar panel sizing) elsewhere.

Format and Readability

It's a digital PDF (180+ pages) with black-and-white diagrams and text. There is no video component, no interactive tools, and no app. If you prefer learning by watching, this format requires more effort.

Actionability

The guide gives you a framework — zones of a property, what to plant where, and rough timelines. But it does not provide a day-by-day schedule. For example, it tells you to "plant a three-season vegetable garden" but doesn't list which varieties do best in zone 6 or 7.

Long-term Perspective

This is where the guide truly shines. It emphasizes perennial food systems (fruit trees, berry bushes, nut trees) and soil building — things that take years to pay off but create real food security. If you're thinking in decades, not weekends, this aligns.

Current Market Notes for 2026

The Self Sufficient Backyard was released in 2020 and has seen periodic updates. As of mid-2026, the version available includes updated solar panel recommendations and newer water filtration options. However, the core philosophy and layout remain unchanged from the original release.

There is now more competition. Free YouTube channels (like Edible Acres or Parkrose Permaculture) offer step-by-step video tutorials for zero cost. Meanwhile, premium courses like "The Permaculture Design Manual" are more expensive but far more comprehensive. The Self Sufficient Backyard sits in the middle — a one-time purchase that's cheaper than a full course but more structured than free content.

The price (typically around $37–$47 depending on any active discounts) hasn't fluctuated wildly. It's sold through a standard affiliate funnel, so you may see a "bonus" offer at checkout. These bonuses are usually additional PDFs (e.g., a companion planting chart). They can be useful, but they are not core to the main guide.

Questions to Ask Before You Click Buy

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Answer these honestly. They will tell you if this guide is a fit or a waste of money.

1. Do I own at least a quarter acre of land I can dedicate to food production? If you only have a small balcony or a 10x10 plot, the guide's scale will frustrate you.
2. Am I willing to read and plan for several weeks before doing any work? This is a read-first, act-later resource.
3. Do I want to grow food in a way that mimics natural ecosystems (food forests, swales, perennial beds)? That's the core philosophy here.
4. Am I comfortable with technology set-ups (solar wiring, plumbing for rain barrels)? The energy and water sections assume basic DIY skills.
5. Can I commit to a multi-year plan? The guide expects you to build gradually, not all at once.
6. Do I already have access to quality free resources on gardening alone? If you already know how to grow tomatoes, this can fill gaps in your systems knowledge.

Warning Signs This Guide Might Not Be Right for You

Some warning signs are clear. If you fall into any of these categories, consider another resource:

• You want a seasonal planting calendar for your specific USDA zone. The guide doesn't offer zone-specific data; it's a general North American framework.
• You prefer video learning or step-by-step photographs. The PDF is dense text with simple line drawings. No photo tutorials are included.
• You're on a very tight budget. The guide assumes you can invest in materials (soil, lumber, irrigation pipes, solar panels). If you need a strictly no-cost approach, look for free resources.
• You want to grow food in containers on a patio. The guide focuses on in-ground systems and large-scale raised beds. Container gardening is barely mentioned.

The Self Sufficient Backyard vs. Other Resources

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Recommendation by Budget and Situation

If you have $40 and own at least a quarter acre, and you want a structured overview of how to make it self-sufficient: The Self Sufficient Backyard is likely worth the price. It will give you a mental map of where to start, what to build in year one versus year three, and how all the pieces fit together.

If you have $0 and just want to grow a few vegetables in containers: Skip it and use free resources. You don't need the systems thinking yet.

If you have $100 and want deep permaculture knowledge: Buy a used copy of Bill Mollison's Permaculture: A Designers' Manual instead, or take an online PDC (Permaculture Design Certificate) course. The Self Sufficient Backyard is a simplified version of that larger body of work.

If you're somewhere in between: Use the official page to check the current offer for The Self Sufficient Backyard and see if any bonuses (like the companion planting guide) add enough value for your specific needs.

How to Maximize Your Purchase

If you decide to buy, don't just download the PDF and let it sit. Use this four-step plan to get real value:

1. Read the entire section on property assessment first. Before you buy a single seed or lumber, diagram your own yard. Note sun angles, water flow, and existing trees. This is the most useful exercise in the guide.
2. Create a two-year timeline. The guide suggests what to do year one (establish soil, start annual garden) and year two (plant perennials, build water systems). Write it down and stick it on your wall.
3. Supplement with free video tutorials for the steps you find confusing. For example, the guide explains how to build a swale conceptually, but you'll likely need a YouTube video to see the actual digging and grading process.
4. Join a local gardening or permaculture group. The guide can't tell you what grows well in your microclimate. Local knowledge fills that gap.

Disclosure: Some links above are affiliate links; we may earn a commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. This does not affect our editorial assessment, which is based on publicly available product information.