How self sufficient can you get when you don't have a smallholding?

As far as is practical, I guess. Self-sufficiency in residential areas can be limited not only by size but by the impact on neighbouring properties. There will undoubtedly be rules about livestock, out-buildings, etc – not everyone will be supportive!

The full blown self-sufficiency thing (generating own power, recycling own waste, trading skills and produce) a la ‘Good Life’ would seem to be difficult to achieve. We all need a certain amount of money to pay council tax, insurance etc.

You seem to be on the right track with the measures you are taking. Hopefully someone will be along with more specific suggestions for you to try. Meantime, good luck and well-done.

I guess it depends on your area, but we have two allotments, once of which is for Chickens. We're getting around 2 eggs a day (5 on boxing day!!) and my DH is downstairs filleting some of the excess cockerels at the moment. Would a second allotment be practicable/possible

The veg allotmentkeeps us ticking over in the summer, and we're hoping to be able to get a lot more organised this year. Some of our excess produce goes to friends in exchange for cleaning goods and fruit bushes (we know a lot of market traders so can barter for good stuff.):j

Like you;ve said, we aren't going to be able to go entirely self sufficient - not nearly enough room to grow wheat etc for bread, and we can't keep livestock, but I think you can make a pretty good start. Its about using what space/resources you have to the best of your ability, and about exchanging goods where possible.

Good luck with it!

Metherer

well, I will start small this year and convert a large area of my back garden into growing vegetables. I don't think that a full on allotment would be feasible for me yet since I have no clue whatsoever about gardening. My grandma used to have an allotment but I never had any interest back then - wish I did so it's all a big learning curve for me. Will start ripping stuff out as soon as it is a bit drier again and go and get some books from the library.

I love the idea of being self sufficient. As soon as funds allow I want to have a wood burning stove installed downstairs and the gas fire taken away.

Sigh here is to dreaming about the good life - no actually here is to doing something about it!

French Maid

About the books, try the Grapevine Forum; there's loads of advice, it is linked with Grow your Own magazine, and there are loads of experts on there; a lot of them have blogs which they update regularly so you can always see what others are doing.

You don't have to have a clue, you learn as you go. Just make up the rules yourself and take the advice you want to take as you go.