More and more people want to live as independently and self-sufficiently as possible. Here on Cape Breton this is still possible to a large extent. Especially when you buy a property of around 1 hectare, which is a completely normal size here, you have a lot of freedom in this direction. It is normal that practically everyone has their own well and sewage system. However, this also means that you are responsible for treating water and soil carefully, e.g. with biodegradable products such as detergents, cleaning agents etc.
Self-sufficiency Cape Breton Island
The desire for independence...
From your own garden...
Another option is to heat the house with wood and at the same time have a stove that you can cook on. No one wants to be dependent on electricity when hunger strikes. How nice it is to prepare your food on the wood stove and how delicious does it taste. If there is no longer enough wood on your own property, there are ways to get wood everywhere and mostly at very affordable prices The climate on Cape Breton is such that there are almost no restrictions on gardening.
Raised beds are best suited for this. From around the end of May to late October, almost everything flourishes and grows here… For example, green asparagus, beetroot, kale or Brussels sprouts, etc. If you also have a greenhouse, you can grow tomatoes, peppers, herbs and salads in it as well.
What nature has to offer...
Nature provides us with an incredible number of things; mushrooms, blueberries, blackberries, aronia berries, raspberries and much more. Not to forget the many wild herbs that smell wonderful when dried; such as salads. There are also different fruit trees here on Cape Breton which can be turned into delicious jams or pies. The joy of seeing your own chickens running around freely on the property is always great and as a gift, you get their fresh eggs for the breakfast table.
There are many ideas, and something can be found for everyone, be it going fishing or even growing your own bee colony … let yourself be inspired. You don’t find out when you think about it, you find out when try it!
