Читать книгу The Self-Sufficiency Specialist - Alan Bridgewater - Страница 12

You can turn the majority of your garden – most of your decorative beds – over to food crops.

 Is it possible to be self-sufficient in town? Yes, but it is very different from trying to make a go of it in the countryside. As might be expected, town-based self-sufficiency usually has more to do with the efficiency of the house, growing produce, and keeping chickens, rather than having large dynamic structures such as wind turbines, and practising large-scale animal husbandry.

 Are allotments a viable option? Allotments are a very good option in some countries – they are low-cost and in most of the UK there are still plenty on offer. Many allotment associations traditionally allow holders to keep small livestock such as chickens, rabbits and goats.

 Can I turn my whole garden over to growing fruit and vegetables? Yes, as long as you do not break any local regulations or codes. For example, while you can have one or more greenhouses, you usually cannot have a polytunnel.

 Can I turn my garden over to livestock? Much depends upon the size and location of your garden, but usually there is nothing to say that you cannot have small animals such as chickens or rabbits.

 Are there any restrictions against animals? Most local-authority restrictions concern noise, mess and smell. For example, in a town house, although you might be allowed to keep chickens, pigs might be off limits.

 Do I need to ask permission from the neighbours? For the most part, your neighbours will not mind what you are doing, as long as it does not impinge upon their space. However, while most people are happy with chickens, rabbits and perhaps even a couple of goats, some people have a real fear of bees.

 Do I need permission for a wind turbine? Much depends on the size of your garden and the type of wind turbine, but the answer is generally yes – you do need permission from your local authority. Wind turbines are becoming smaller and more compact, however, and government thinking is rapidly changing, so keep a check.

 Do I need permission for a solar collector? The rules vary depending upon precisely where you live, but, although you do need permission from your local authority, it is generally given. Once again, as governments are now giving grants to encourage off-grid energy, the likelihood is that you will get permission.