The Self-Sufficient Backyard Review: Contents, Claims and UK Notes

What is The Self-Sufficient Backyard?

The Self-Sufficient Backyard is an e-book that shares the projects the authors say they built on their own homestead over many years. The official page describes chapters on food growing, water, food preservation, off-grid power, chickens and DIY structures such as raised beds, trellises, hoop tunnels and a walipini (a sunken greenhouse). It is sold through ClickBank, which is the retailer and handles payment and refunds.

This review is based on the official sales page (checked on 30 October 2026), the ClickBank order page and UK guidance from GOV.UK and Ofgem. We have not bought or read the book ourselves. We describe what the seller says it contains, flag the claims we cannot verify and add the UK context the book is likely to miss.

What the seller says is included

• 75+ DIY projects for a backyard homestead, such as chicken coops, raised beds, straw bale and hay gardens, trellises and container growing.
• A 12-month planting calendar covering what to plant each month.
• Chicken-keeping guidance for eggs and meat.
• Water, food preservation and off-grid power chapters.
• Three digital bonuses: an aquaponics guide, historical DIY projects and a guide to finding land in the US.

Pros and cons

What UK readers should know

Planting calendar: a calendar written for a US climate will not match UK seasons exactly. Use it alongside a UK sowing guide and your local frost dates.

Chickens: GOV.UK says that in England and Wales you must register as a keeper within one month of keeping poultry, including small flocks of fewer than 50 birds. Check the current rules for where you live, and note that UK rules on what you can feed poultry and on slaughtering at home are strict.

Solar and electrics: the sales page talks about cutting power bills and selling power back. In Great Britain, small generators can be paid for exported electricity under Ofgem’s Smart Export Guarantee, but payments depend on your supplier, your equipment and how much you export, and there is no guarantee of savings. Electrical installation work must follow UK regulations, so use a qualified installer.

Garden buildings: sheds, coops and greenhouses may fall under permitted development limits. See the Planning Portal’s outbuildings guidance before building anything large.

About the claims on the sales page

The page uses phrases about breaking free from bills and corporations, and says the book is something “they” want to ban. These are marketing claims. We found nothing to support the suggestion that the book is being banned, and no book can guarantee that you will stop paying bills. What the book may offer is a set of project ideas that make a garden more productive. Judge it on that, not on the promises.

Who it suits (and who it does not)

It may suit gardeners with some outdoor space who want inspiration for raised beds, composting, simple structures or a small flock, and who enjoy adapting ideas to their own situation. It is less suited to anyone looking for UK-specific, regulation-aware instructions, or to people who live in flats with no garden.

Alternatives worth comparing

• UK gardening organisations and allotment societies: free advice tailored to UK climate and seasons.
• Library books on smallholding and kitchen gardens written for the UK.
• Shed and outbuilding plans if your main interest is building structures. See our My Shed Plans review.

Our verdict

The Self-Sufficient Backyard may be a useful idea book for people who want a more productive garden, and it comes with a 60-day guarantee. Its sales page overpromises, and much of the advice is likely to be American. Buy it only if you want inspiration you will adapt yourself, and follow UK rules for poultry, electrics and building work.

Frequently asked questions

Is The Self-Sufficient Backyard a physical book?

The ClickBank order page lists it as a digital product, and the seller notes that the product images are for visualisation only.

How much does it cost?

On 30 October 2026 the UK checkout showed £30.72. Prices and discounts can change, so check the order page before you pay.

Can I get a refund?

The official page states a 60-day money-back guarantee. ClickBank is the retailer, so you can also contact ClickBank within that window.

Will it cut my energy bills?

We cannot say. Savings from solar or other changes depend on your home, equipment and supplier. No book can guarantee lower bills.

Conclusion

If you like the idea of a more self-reliant garden and enjoy adapting projects, this e-book may give you ideas. Read it as inspiration, check UK rules for chickens, electrics and garden buildings, and ignore the urgency and the big promises on the sales page.