19 Sustainable Living Books Every Homestead Library Needs!

This is one of the very first books I bought when we moved out to our five acre homestead. With sections on growing veggies, fruit, grains, herbs and more, this book provides garden layouts for lots that are one-tenth of an acre, a quarter acre, and a half acre too. It tells you how many garden beds should produce x amount of food!

I love the practical tips it gives for growing fruit and vegetables, and also for raising a chicken flock and bees as well. There’s even a section on foraging in the wild! You might think you need a lot of land to be self-sufficient, but this book provides knowledge and inspiration for producing a lot more food on a lot less land than you might think possible! I highly recommend this book be in any wanna-be (or veteran) homestead library!

Arranged by season with room for personal notes, this spiral bound book offers lots of  lists and tells you exactly when to do what regardless of where you live! I love the Backyard Homestead series and I’m excited to have this planner in my library of favorite homesteading books.

The handy spiral binding of this book makes it super easy to use and reference. It is a new staple in my sustainable library.

Rodale has long been a trusted reference in the organic gardening arena, and this book is a go-to source for any organic gardening. I reference my Rodale books all the time to help with pests, planting, and soil management.

I also like my Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening book, edited by Pauline Pears, as well. It helped me be successful with no-dig potato growing!

One of my favorite books for learning how to freeze your garden bounty - this book my Chrystal Scmidt is full of practical tips and delicious recipes as well. You won't regret adding it to your homestead library!

A few years ago, I was able to visit a gorgeous biodynamic farm called Apricot Lane Farms in Moorpark, California. I fell in love with the concept of biodynamic farms. Biodynamic gardens take organic one step further. It looks at the land in a more comprehensive way – how can all living creatures work together to help the garden? Compost, animal manure, organic practices are all tenets of biodynamic gardening and something that I would really like to implement better on our own acreage.

I’m excited to implement some of the ideas in this book and add it to my homesteading library.

The last few of years I have had such weed infested gardens that it really prohibited me from growing much. There has got to be a better way, and I learned about this book thanks to my friend Jami at An Oregon Cottage.

Last year, I started using raised beds and they cut down immensely on the weeding. I also covered my beds this year with tarps and cardboard. I’m excited to use the principles in this book so I can keep gardening, because let me tell you, I just don’t have time to spend 2-3 hours a day in my garden breaking my back to keep the weeds down! This book also helps you reduce water consumption, and I think that’s going to be more and more important in our home gardens.

One key to successful organic gardening is companion planting. The right companions provide nutrients to the soil, repel bad bugs, and also help attract good bugs. I have long touted the importance of companion planting here on SimplifyLiveLove, and this book called Carrots Love Tomatoes is the best explanation for how to companion plant!

If you aren’t currently companion planting in your garden, you need to add this wonderful good t

If you think you can simply plant fruit trees and a few year later magically harvest bountiful fruit, you're probably mistaken. Learn the ins and outs of successful orchards with this helpful book by Michael Phillips. He give step by step instructions for growing healthy fruit trees.

Did you know you can tap your own trees for syrup? And not just maple trees either! You can actually tap over 30 different kinds of trees, including black walnut trees that we have in abundance on our little homestead.

Michelle’s easy instructions, plus a lot of beautiful pictures make this book a winner for the DIYer interested in making their own maple syrup!

Not only are chickens great for eggs and meat (if you want to go there), but they are also some of the funniest birds you can have around. Watching my flock of free-range chickens can keep my occupied for a long time. And I love that they scratch up my garden and leave their nutrient rich poop in it as well!

Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens is a great reference book to have on hand. From basic care and feeding, to housing, to first aid for chickens, this book will be an invaluable reference book for your homesteading library!

This is my book, so of course it has to be on the list. 🙂

Divided into four easy-to-navigate sections, How to Raise Chickens for Meat is packed with practical information. The first section, Getting Started, includes information on breed specifics, timing, and quantity. This section will help you analyze options and make informed decisions as you get started.The second section, Care & Feeding, dives into the specifics of keeping your flock healthy. Learn how to set up a brooder, what to feed your chickens, how to safely pasture them, and how to keep your flock stress-free.

The third section, Butchering, prepares you for one of the more challenging parts of raising chickens for meat.  It addresses some of the emotions you may feel along with the actual The book concludes with cooking tips and delicious tried and true farm-to-table recipes to impress even the most doubtful family member!

Not only are chickens great for eggs and meat (if you want to go there), but they are also some of the funniest birds you can have around. Watching my flock of free-range chickens can keep my occupied for a long time. And I love that they scratch up my garden and leave their nutrient rich poop in it as well!

Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens is a great reference book to have on hand. From basic care and feeding, to housing, to first aid for chickens, this book will be an invaluable reference book for your homesteading library!

This book is beyond a shadow of a doubt the one book most responsible for my gardening endeavors. I first read it years ago. And I continue to re-read it every now and again when I need inspiration.

If you haven’t read this book, you’re in for a treat. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is Kingsolver’s account of her family’s quest to only eat locally grown food for an entire year. And they followed the calendar and started in January. Think for a moment what’s growing in your garden in January and that might give you pause! This book is funny as well an motivational. If everyone would take such care to eat locally, I think people would be better off, don’t you?

If you want to step up your cooking from scratch game, Salt Fat Acid Heat is the book to read! It will help you learn the science behind the cooking and take your meals to the next level delicious!

Zero Waste is a great goal in life and on the homestead. Learn a few practical tips to help you eliminate waste at home!

A classic book on eating! In Defense of Food is something everyove should read!

Janen't practical book will help you make your own chicken care items. Her easy to read writing style will engage and motivate you to DIY!

Another great book by Janet will teach you all the secrets you need if you want to keep goats!