Edmund Morris has inspired many people over the years to become more self-sufficent, regardless of the size of their land (or backyard). Coming close to bankruptcy on more than one occasion Edmund found his city business had stopped being profitable “Previous to this crisis, necessity had driven me to the banks…As is always the case with these institutions, they compelled me to return the borrowed money at the very time it was least convenient for me to do so – they needed it as urgently as myself.”
Edmund had struggled with bills and city life for many years, borrowing to pay off other debts, and fighting to stay afloat. City business was in trouble, the banks were in trouble – in fact, the financial backdrop he lived through is very similar to the situation we are finding ourselves in today, except that this was over a hundred years ago. Having realised the rent he was paying did nothing but increase his landlords wealth, he decided he wanted to buy some land for a small farm; to build his own house on, raise enough fruit and veg and livestock to feed his own family, and have the excess to sell at nearby markets – he wanted security and independence for himself and his family.
In this book Edmund details the first 3 years of his ‘back to the land’ experience; how he selected the land, what he chose to grow, the animals he raised, planning and managing his fully stocked kitchen garden and the layout of his fields.
He also passes along many tips for planting and growing his selection of fruits and veg as well as sharing his experiences with cows, pigs and chickens. He explains honestly what worked for him and what did not. Click Here for more.
