Self-Reliance

Salad leaves, radishes, cress and microgreens are useful starting points because they grow quickly and can be raised in small containers. Kale is hardy and easy to grow, while potatoes can be grown in containers. Choose crops you enjoy eating and begin with up to four vegetables, adjusting that number to the space and time you have. Growing Food guide ›

Yes, if you keep them in England or Wales. Since October 2024, all keepers of poultry or other captive birds must register, regardless of how many birds they have. This includes pet chickens and quail. Birds living in Scotland must be entered on the Scottish Kept Bird Register. Registration allows the authorities to contact keepers during a disease outbreak. Livestock guide ›

Do not assume that collected rainwater is safe to drink. Roof collection areas can be contaminated by birds, aerials and overhanging trees. Official advice includes discouraging birds, removing or avoiding aerials and overhanging trees, and considering diverting the first flush to waste. A private supply used for domestic purposes needs suitable treatment that is installed and maintained. Read the drinking rainwater and private supply treatment guidance before using it for drinking. Water Harvesting guide ›

It can, but the panels, battery and inverter must be sized around the household's daily electricity use and the loads that run at the same time. Winter is the limiting season: a fairly large 4kW roof may produce only 3 or 4kWh on a typical December or January day. Lighting, communications and refrigeration are more manageable than trying to meet every heating and household demand. Power Generation guide ›

Yes. Vegetables can be grown in a few containers on a patio, and salad leaves will grow indoors or on a windowsill in peat-free compost. A yoghurt pot or fruit punnet with drainage holes can serve as a container. Potatoes and some fruit can also be container grown, provided you follow the planting and watering guidance for each crop. Growing Food guide ›

The British Hen Welfare Trust normally requires a minimum reservation of three hens because they are sociable flock animals. If you already keep hens, it may allow you to adopt two. Its maximum is 20, and all adopted hens must remain together with you. When adding birds to an existing flock, it advises adopting more newcomers than the number of hens you already keep. Livestock guide ›

Official and independent guidance supports using stored rainwater from gutters to water the garden during dry weather. Official advice for private supply users also gives toilet flushing with grey water, including water from a rainwater butt, as a way to conserve drinking water. These uses do not make the water suitable for drinking, cooking or washing. Keep the collection area clean and follow the relevant plumbing, labelling and disposal guidance. Water Harvesting guide ›

Yes, but expect much less energy than in summer. A battery lets you store that energy for later use. For year-round off-grid power, wind can complement solar because there is generally more wind in winter and more sun in summer. Power Generation guide ›