I searched and searched for a forum that was just for urban homesteaders. As all of you who do this know, we have all sorts of special problems that people on acreage in the country don't necessarily have (they have their own special problems that we don't have as well).
So I created a free community for us. It's at webs.com (used to be Freewebs) and right now, it's just a home page and forums. You do have to register, but I hope you'll all join me there.
http://urbanhomesteading.webs.com
Let me know if you have any problems. The forums are in beta, so they're iffy sometimes.
Enjoy!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Update on Experimental Veggies
So you'll remember I decided to just try a few veggies over on the east side of the house, where the demolition of the house next door gave me a lot more light. I had no idea whether anything would grow there or not.
I had already started a Sweet 100 tomato plant in a pot, which has stayed there, and while I wasn't pleased with its performance this summer, it's doing extremely well now. It's leggy and ugly, and more like a hanging basket than a tomato bush, but it's loaded with tomatoes, as seen here.
This is the tiniest tomato I've gotten from it. Cute, huh?
The eggplant has grown like mad lately, which is unusual, considering the cold weather. Eggplants tend to like it very hot, and are well suited to growing during our summers. Nevertheless, you will see the difference between the 11/14 picture and the 12/14 picture. It now has three eggplants on it, one almost large enough to harvest.
I had already started a Sweet 100 tomato plant in a pot, which has stayed there, and while I wasn't pleased with its performance this summer, it's doing extremely well now. It's leggy and ugly, and more like a hanging basket than a tomato bush, but it's loaded with tomatoes, as seen here.
This is the tiniest tomato I've gotten from it. Cute, huh?
The eggplant has grown like mad lately, which is unusual, considering the cold weather. Eggplants tend to like it very hot, and are well suited to growing during our summers. Nevertheless, you will see the difference between the 11/14 picture and the 12/14 picture. It now has three eggplants on it, one almost large enough to harvest.
The tomatoes are thriving. The Early Girl now has 9 tomatoes on it, and the Beefsteak has three. Here are the two comparative pics of the Early Girl 11/14 and 12/14.
And the Park's Whopper on 11/14 and 12/14 below
Can't forget the beans! Remember those Blue Lake Bush bean seeds I had had in my freezer for 12 years that came up? Well, not only are they growing, they're blooming! Planning on planting a lot more of these in the second garden planted in January. Again, on 11/14 and 12/14
So my experiment was successful, and I know that I will be able to grow veggies on that side of the house. Mostly, I'm planning on growing tropical veggies there, but knowing I can grow sun loving veggies is something good to know. That is, until they build another house on the lot next door.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Sorry I have been so neglectful of this blog
I've been concerned with writing articles to sell, to keep my house afloat. I will get out this weekend, take pics, and catch it up, I promise. You won't believe how much things have grown!
Friday, November 28, 2008
This is Why You Shold Read the Terms of Use of Any Website or Forum
I got a Google Alert today on "urban homesteading" that had a link to a forum called "Homesteading Today". Some of you may be member of that forum. I just wonder how many people actually read the terms of use. Basically, there is a clause in the TOU for that forum that gives them exclusive rights to anything you post there, including pictures, and the content of all your private messages.
This is what it says:
Your information is not safe on this site. My advice is that if you are a member of this site, leave now. If you aren't, don't join.
I was a member of a site called Frugal Living until I noticed that she had sold a column to some newspapers. In that column, she had users' tips that they had posted on the forum. I wrote and asked her how I could keep her from using my stuff, and she pointed out to me that the same such clause was in her TOU. I immediately took down all my pictures and left the site.
To me, this is deceitful. Site owners know that most people do not read the TOU before they click the box and join. Once you've done it, the only way to stop it is to not post there anymore. Everything you have already posted is stored somewhere on their computers, and can be used by them for any purpose at all.
I just feel obliged to try to let people know when I run across such obvious green and deceit. Please read the TOU, and if you have any questions with what you read, contact me.
This is what it says:
Yeah, right. Like I'm agreeing to that! NOTICE in the last line that they can use your IP address, name, mailing address, etc....FOR INTERNAL BUSINESS. In other words, they can sell all that stuff to anybody, anytime.Any communication which you post to the Site or transmit to homesteadingtoday.com or to the Site by e-mail, private message (PM), public post and/or other medium can be used by homesteadingtoday.com on a royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, nonexclusive license with the right to reproduce, modify, publish, edit, translate, distribute, perform, and display the communication alone or as part of other works in any form, media, or technology whether now known or hereafter developed, and to sublicense such rights through multiple tiers of sublicenses. homesteadingtoday.com may use the information it obtains relating to you, including your IP address, name, mailing address, email address and use of the Site, for its internal business and security procedures.
Your information is not safe on this site. My advice is that if you are a member of this site, leave now. If you aren't, don't join.
I was a member of a site called Frugal Living until I noticed that she had sold a column to some newspapers. In that column, she had users' tips that they had posted on the forum. I wrote and asked her how I could keep her from using my stuff, and she pointed out to me that the same such clause was in her TOU. I immediately took down all my pictures and left the site.
To me, this is deceitful. Site owners know that most people do not read the TOU before they click the box and join. Once you've done it, the only way to stop it is to not post there anymore. Everything you have already posted is stored somewhere on their computers, and can be used by them for any purpose at all.
I just feel obliged to try to let people know when I run across such obvious green and deceit. Please read the TOU, and if you have any questions with what you read, contact me.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Poor, Pathetic Green Bell Pepper and Other catastrophes
I moved my green bellpepper plant today. I could not keep it watered for some reason. I think maybe the tomatoes it was planted between were grabbing all its water. So I moved it up to the front part of the garden, right behind where I put the eggplant (which is doing pretty well now). I hope it likes it there better.
I also found that a lot of the bagged mulch has slime and fire ants in it. Admittedly, it has been sitting there for two years, so no wonder. Still, I need it, so I'm dumping it all out onto the carpet for the pathway and letting it dry out. I had to treat some of it for fireants, but the poison won't hurt anything else.
I didn't want to use this mulch for the pathway, so it's just going there to dry, then it will be moved to other parts of the garden.
The danged bermuda grass is coming up around the plants in the side yard, despite my best efforts at mulching with newspapers and wood mulch. That stuff is just impossible to keep under control! I'm going to start spraying the whole side yard with Round Up (not around the plants, of course) to try to get that stuff under control. That side gets a lot of sun, so maybe I can plant something else edible there. I'm thinking of maybe putting the Barbados Cherry on that side.
I also found that a lot of the bagged mulch has slime and fire ants in it. Admittedly, it has been sitting there for two years, so no wonder. Still, I need it, so I'm dumping it all out onto the carpet for the pathway and letting it dry out. I had to treat some of it for fireants, but the poison won't hurt anything else.
I didn't want to use this mulch for the pathway, so it's just going there to dry, then it will be moved to other parts of the garden.
The danged bermuda grass is coming up around the plants in the side yard, despite my best efforts at mulching with newspapers and wood mulch. That stuff is just impossible to keep under control! I'm going to start spraying the whole side yard with Round Up (not around the plants, of course) to try to get that stuff under control. That side gets a lot of sun, so maybe I can plant something else edible there. I'm thinking of maybe putting the Barbados Cherry on that side.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Welcome Mary's Florida Garden to our Blogroll
I found Mary through a comment on Patrice's site, and loved her blog! You really should go visit Mary Florida Garden. If you like the rest of our homesteading family, I know you'll like her.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Update on the Edibles
We had a cold snap, which stopped everything growing for a few days. The tomatoes are barely a foot tall now, and I'm thinking they'll probably die before I get any tomatoes off of them. I did get a couple of cherry tomatoes off of the Sweet 100 that is still in the pot.
The Ichiban eggplant that I transplanted into the ground is still adjusting. I added lots of compost, but I'm still having to water it almost every day. Maybe it's the wind that's drying it out.
The bean seeds that I planted just as an experiment are coming up. These are Blue Lake Bush beans, and the seeds are about 13 years old. SERIOUSLY! I had them in SC before I moved here, bought them at the feed and seed store, and they've been in the freezer all this time. I was surprised that nearly all of them germinated. I planted them only about an inch apart, thinking they wouldn't germinate well. Guess when they get bigger, I'll have to thin them. Not counting on getting beans from them before the real cold hits, but it's nice to know they're still viable. I'll plant more in January.
The Ice Cream and Dwarf Cavendish banana trees are getting established nicely. The Praying Hands out front has a pup. Most of the bananas out back aren't doing too well, so I may just move them all up front, make sort of a hedge out of them.
The pineapples are o.k., I guess. They aren't showing much growth, but then, they're probably making roots. It will be at least a year before I get pineapples on them anyway.
The starfruit (carambola) has stopped making fruit, probably because the bees are all gone now. I still have about a dozen fruits on the tree, though. The ant poison seems to be working, because the ones I brought in yesterday don't have any ants in them.
The Loquat is in full bloom. I'm thinking of giving up fruit this year and cutting it back. It's really too tall, and I can't get to the fruit at all.
There are still a few Peanut Butter Fruits left on the bush. Taking their sweet time getting ripe with this cold snap. I'll be cutting back the Surinam Cherry this year, so no fruit next year on that.
If I don't get citrus fruit next year (if the blooms all get blown off again) I'm going to give those trees away and plant something else, or maybe just move a couple of them to the front yard. If the longan doesn't bloom this year, I'm going to take it out as well. Eight years is long enough to wait for blooms.
Well, I guess this is long enough. I doubt anyone read this far. Happy Homesteading!
The Ichiban eggplant that I transplanted into the ground is still adjusting. I added lots of compost, but I'm still having to water it almost every day. Maybe it's the wind that's drying it out.
The bean seeds that I planted just as an experiment are coming up. These are Blue Lake Bush beans, and the seeds are about 13 years old. SERIOUSLY! I had them in SC before I moved here, bought them at the feed and seed store, and they've been in the freezer all this time. I was surprised that nearly all of them germinated. I planted them only about an inch apart, thinking they wouldn't germinate well. Guess when they get bigger, I'll have to thin them. Not counting on getting beans from them before the real cold hits, but it's nice to know they're still viable. I'll plant more in January.
The Ice Cream and Dwarf Cavendish banana trees are getting established nicely. The Praying Hands out front has a pup. Most of the bananas out back aren't doing too well, so I may just move them all up front, make sort of a hedge out of them.
The pineapples are o.k., I guess. They aren't showing much growth, but then, they're probably making roots. It will be at least a year before I get pineapples on them anyway.
The starfruit (carambola) has stopped making fruit, probably because the bees are all gone now. I still have about a dozen fruits on the tree, though. The ant poison seems to be working, because the ones I brought in yesterday don't have any ants in them.
The Loquat is in full bloom. I'm thinking of giving up fruit this year and cutting it back. It's really too tall, and I can't get to the fruit at all.
There are still a few Peanut Butter Fruits left on the bush. Taking their sweet time getting ripe with this cold snap. I'll be cutting back the Surinam Cherry this year, so no fruit next year on that.
If I don't get citrus fruit next year (if the blooms all get blown off again) I'm going to give those trees away and plant something else, or maybe just move a couple of them to the front yard. If the longan doesn't bloom this year, I'm going to take it out as well. Eight years is long enough to wait for blooms.
Well, I guess this is long enough. I doubt anyone read this far. Happy Homesteading!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Please Welcome "A Fistful of Stitches" to our Blogroll!
Welcome, and I know we will enjoy reading your blog.
Please Welcome Life on Tracy's Farm to our Blogroll!
Welcome, Tracy, and can't wait to read more of your homesteading adventures!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Tropical Vegetable Garden, Phase 3
Finally got all the weeds out today. As you'll notice in the picture, the side of the house is in need of serious stucco repair, which hopefully will be accomplished within the next few months.
The carpet is there to keep weeds down for now on the pathway. Once the pathway is laid out, the carpet will be laid down and covered with mulch. I'm going to be calling tree trimmers this week to see about getting some free mulch. I could really use a whole truckload for this and other projects.
Next, I will be planting the right side of the bed. I've discovered that the front of it gets a lot of afternoon sun, so I'll be putting some veggies in there for now to keep it going until I can figure it all out in the spring.
The carpet is there to keep weeds down for now on the pathway. Once the pathway is laid out, the carpet will be laid down and covered with mulch. I'm going to be calling tree trimmers this week to see about getting some free mulch. I could really use a whole truckload for this and other projects.
Next, I will be planting the right side of the bed. I've discovered that the front of it gets a lot of afternoon sun, so I'll be putting some veggies in there for now to keep it going until I can figure it all out in the spring.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Tropical Vegetable Garden - Phase 2
Worked in the bed for a couple of hours today. Weeded and dug out wedelia for almost an hour. I know I didn't get it all, and some will probably come back up, but at least it's under control for now. I hope that the perennial peanut will take off now that it isn't competing with all those weeds.
I dug up and gave away the Brugmansia that had never done well there, and some Allamanda shoots that will probably never stop coming up. In trying to figure out how to plant things so that they would get enough water (the lot slopes down to the front and the side on this side of the house), I decided to terrace the top part of the garden. I managed to find a few mis-matched but useable landscape edge blocks. I'll fix the mismatched part later, just wanted to see how it would do.
I was going to put the milk and wine crinums there, but opted for the Ice Cream Bananas and one Dwarf Cavendish on the end instead. I figured that having those there would keep the water from running down and out of that part of the garden. Planted them in the free compost we got from the city park yesterday. This compost was better than what is normally there, and had some shell mixed in, which will add calcium to the soil. Watered in well, and mulched, of course.
Next step will be to finish clearing out all the weeds and put down mulch and stepping stones on the walkway. I'm going to be calling tree trimming companies tomorrow to see if I can get a load of free chips from one of them.
So here are the pictures of phase 2. The bananas will act as a screen from the road as well. Of course, they are tiny now, but they grow very quickly, and put up lots of pups, so by next year this time, it will be all screened in.
From the front
From the Side
I dug up and gave away the Brugmansia that had never done well there, and some Allamanda shoots that will probably never stop coming up. In trying to figure out how to plant things so that they would get enough water (the lot slopes down to the front and the side on this side of the house), I decided to terrace the top part of the garden. I managed to find a few mis-matched but useable landscape edge blocks. I'll fix the mismatched part later, just wanted to see how it would do.
I was going to put the milk and wine crinums there, but opted for the Ice Cream Bananas and one Dwarf Cavendish on the end instead. I figured that having those there would keep the water from running down and out of that part of the garden. Planted them in the free compost we got from the city park yesterday. This compost was better than what is normally there, and had some shell mixed in, which will add calcium to the soil. Watered in well, and mulched, of course.
Next step will be to finish clearing out all the weeds and put down mulch and stepping stones on the walkway. I'm going to be calling tree trimming companies tomorrow to see if I can get a load of free chips from one of them.
So here are the pictures of phase 2. The bananas will act as a screen from the road as well. Of course, they are tiny now, but they grow very quickly, and put up lots of pups, so by next year this time, it will be all screened in.
From the front
From the Side
Tropical Vegetable Garden - Phase 2
Worked in the bed for a couple of hours today. Weeded and dug out wedelia for almost an hour. I know I didn't get it all, and some will probably come back up, but at least it's under control for now. I hope that the perennial peanut will take off now that it isn't competing with all those weeds.
I dug up and gave away the Brugmansia that had never done well there, and some Allamanda shoots that will probably never stop coming up. In trying to figure out how to plant things so that they would get enough water (the lot slopes down to the front and the side on this side of the house), I decided to terrace the top part of the garden. I managed to find a few mis-matched but useable landscape edge blocks. I'll fix the mismatched part later, just wanted to see how it would do.
I was going to put the milk and wine crinums there, but opted for the Ice Cream Bananas and one Dwarf Cavendish on the end instead. I figured that having those there would keep the water from running down and out of that part of the garden. Planted them in the free compost we got from the city park yesterday. This compost was better than what is normally there, and had some shell mixed in, which will add calcium to the soil. Watered in well, and mulched, of course.
Next step will be to finish clearing out all the weeds and put down mulch and stepping stones on the walkway. I'm going to be calling tree trimming companies tomorrow to see if I can get a load of free chips from one of them.
So here are the pictures of phase 2. The bananas will act as a screen from the road as well. Of course, they are tiny now, but they grow very quickly, and put up lots of pups, so by next year this time, it will be all screened in.
From the front
From the Side
I dug up and gave away the Brugmansia that had never done well there, and some Allamanda shoots that will probably never stop coming up. In trying to figure out how to plant things so that they would get enough water (the lot slopes down to the front and the side on this side of the house), I decided to terrace the top part of the garden. I managed to find a few mis-matched but useable landscape edge blocks. I'll fix the mismatched part later, just wanted to see how it would do.
I was going to put the milk and wine crinums there, but opted for the Ice Cream Bananas and one Dwarf Cavendish on the end instead. I figured that having those there would keep the water from running down and out of that part of the garden. Planted them in the free compost we got from the city park yesterday. This compost was better than what is normally there, and had some shell mixed in, which will add calcium to the soil. Watered in well, and mulched, of course.
Next step will be to finish clearing out all the weeds and put down mulch and stepping stones on the walkway. I'm going to be calling tree trimming companies tomorrow to see if I can get a load of free chips from one of them.
So here are the pictures of phase 2. The bananas will act as a screen from the road as well. Of course, they are tiny now, but they grow very quickly, and put up lots of pups, so by next year this time, it will be all screened in.
From the front
From the Side
Friday, October 10, 2008
The Tropical Vegetable Garden
I have a large area on the side of my house that I have never really known what to do with. I've planted many things there over the years, but it really never worked out the way I planned. It had become very overgrown with weeds, and since that side of my house needs stucco work, it was really an eyesore.
I went out today to weed it, and started to try to figure out what to do with it. It seemed that the only thing that ever did well there was elephant ears. WAIT! Elephant ears can be edible tropical vegetables! In fact, I have several EE's in the back yard that have edible roots, and I could buy some roots like malanga, eddoe, and such from the grocery store and plant them.
I also have several banana plants that really need to be moved, and some tropical spinach bushes that also need a new home. I just planted some papaya seeds.
I decided to turn that spot into a tropical vegetable garden! I will plant the root crops that look like elephant ears, and make a big screen in the front of bananas. Along the side, I will plant papayas and spinach bushes.
But what about the stucco? Well, forget the stucco! I'm going to put up cheap siding, paint what's not showing, and put up a trellis for beans or maybe chayote.
I can turn that problem spot into a spot that is not only beautiful, but will produce food for me! In the summer, I can plant sweet potatoes to act as a ground cover, so that the weeds will not take over.
I don't know why I did not think of this before! I'm going to be keeping a running picture log going on this post so you can see the progress. Right now, you'll see that it looks NOTHING like a tropical vegetable garden, but just you wait. By the end of the winter, it will be the prettiest tropical veggie garden you ever saw!
Here are the first pics. October 10, 2008
I went out today to weed it, and started to try to figure out what to do with it. It seemed that the only thing that ever did well there was elephant ears. WAIT! Elephant ears can be edible tropical vegetables! In fact, I have several EE's in the back yard that have edible roots, and I could buy some roots like malanga, eddoe, and such from the grocery store and plant them.
I also have several banana plants that really need to be moved, and some tropical spinach bushes that also need a new home. I just planted some papaya seeds.
I decided to turn that spot into a tropical vegetable garden! I will plant the root crops that look like elephant ears, and make a big screen in the front of bananas. Along the side, I will plant papayas and spinach bushes.
But what about the stucco? Well, forget the stucco! I'm going to put up cheap siding, paint what's not showing, and put up a trellis for beans or maybe chayote.
I can turn that problem spot into a spot that is not only beautiful, but will produce food for me! In the summer, I can plant sweet potatoes to act as a ground cover, so that the weeds will not take over.
I don't know why I did not think of this before! I'm going to be keeping a running picture log going on this post so you can see the progress. Right now, you'll see that it looks NOTHING like a tropical vegetable garden, but just you wait. By the end of the winter, it will be the prettiest tropical veggie garden you ever saw!
Here are the first pics. October 10, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Finally getting the veggie plants into the ground
Well, I decided to just plant the veggie plants I have right now, and maybe try to do another crop in January, when I'm more organized. I managed to get two tomatoes and the pepper into the ground today, on the side where the house next door was torn down, since there is so much light there now. Had to dig up all the cannas to do it, but they never bloomed much there anyway. I'm sure I can find a better place for them. I plan to dig up more bulbs, and plant more veggies on that side as well.
I looked at the western side of the house, and although it will break my heart to dig up the sunshine mimosa I finally got to grow well there, I'm going to have to put the permanent veggie garden there. It's the only place that gets enough sun for most of the veggies. I measured, and I can put in one 16'x4' bed, and one 10'x4' bed, or I can just dig the whole thing up and make it into one big garden. I don't know exactly how I'm going to do it yet, but I know that's where it's going.
I already planted the 6 pineapples in the bed where the lemon grass was dug up, and I'll probably put a couple more of those in, if I can beg them from my neighbor.
All the lemon grass will be put in a sort of hedge between the two properties. I may put something else there as well, but I don't know what yet.
Doing this will take me until January, I'm sure, so I'm not looking to plant anything there right now. I may dig up and plant one small spot at a time, I just don't know yet.
I looked at the western side of the house, and although it will break my heart to dig up the sunshine mimosa I finally got to grow well there, I'm going to have to put the permanent veggie garden there. It's the only place that gets enough sun for most of the veggies. I measured, and I can put in one 16'x4' bed, and one 10'x4' bed, or I can just dig the whole thing up and make it into one big garden. I don't know exactly how I'm going to do it yet, but I know that's where it's going.
I already planted the 6 pineapples in the bed where the lemon grass was dug up, and I'll probably put a couple more of those in, if I can beg them from my neighbor.
All the lemon grass will be put in a sort of hedge between the two properties. I may put something else there as well, but I don't know what yet.
Doing this will take me until January, I'm sure, so I'm not looking to plant anything there right now. I may dig up and plant one small spot at a time, I just don't know yet.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
The Derelict House Next Door to me is GONE!
FINALLY! The city tore down the derelict house next door to me. I had to stay inside when they were doing most of it, due to the mold and dust in the air. I just hope it doesn't affect my birds out in the aviary, but I couldn't get them to go into the cage to bring them into the house. I think they'll be o.k., though. There is plenty of mold in the Florida air already, and they haven't died yet.
I'll be posting pics soon, but I'm still getting them resized and put onto Photobucket. It's so strange looking at it now, just a slab. All the horrible invasive plants are gone, but I'm going to have to fight them to take down the two totally rotten trees that could fall on my house during the next big storm.
One great thing is that without the house there blocking the sunlight, I'll be able to plant most of my winter veggies on that side of the house, instead of trying to dig up a whole new garden spot. I'll have to take out some cannas and lilies, but that's no biggie. They'll be dying down soon anyway. I'm hoping to build a long raised bed on that side this year, so I can put the veggies there. It will be convenient having them right there by the back door.
I've been wanting to clean out that side bed anyway, so this is the perfect opportunity to make something useful out of it, instead of it just being a place where I stashed plants I had no other place for.
So, progress is being made on the garden front. It will be very small this fall, but I can replant in January, and have a second harvest before it gets hot. By then, I'll have the raised beds built in the back, and ready to go.
I'll be posting pics soon, but I'm still getting them resized and put onto Photobucket. It's so strange looking at it now, just a slab. All the horrible invasive plants are gone, but I'm going to have to fight them to take down the two totally rotten trees that could fall on my house during the next big storm.
One great thing is that without the house there blocking the sunlight, I'll be able to plant most of my winter veggies on that side of the house, instead of trying to dig up a whole new garden spot. I'll have to take out some cannas and lilies, but that's no biggie. They'll be dying down soon anyway. I'm hoping to build a long raised bed on that side this year, so I can put the veggies there. It will be convenient having them right there by the back door.
I've been wanting to clean out that side bed anyway, so this is the perfect opportunity to make something useful out of it, instead of it just being a place where I stashed plants I had no other place for.
So, progress is being made on the garden front. It will be very small this fall, but I can replant in January, and have a second harvest before it gets hot. By then, I'll have the raised beds built in the back, and ready to go.
Please Welcome Patrice to our Urban Homesteader Family!
I feel awful! In my confusing week last week (my mother died on Tuesday) I realized I had forgotten to add "A Single Mom's Adventure Into Urban Homesteading" to our blogroll and recognize her!
Patrice, I truly apologize for the oversight. So everyone, please go visit her site. She has some really interesting stuff there!
Patrice, I truly apologize for the oversight. So everyone, please go visit her site. She has some really interesting stuff there!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Please Welcome "Little House in the Suburbs" to the Blogroll!
Urban Homesteading, and homesteading in general is getting bigger every day, with more and more people trying to find ways to reduce their carbon footprint.
I'm always looking for other homesteaders to add to our little family, and this week, I found Little House in the Suburbs. The Welcome statement on their site says
I'm always looking for other homesteaders to add to our little family, and this week, I found Little House in the Suburbs. The Welcome statement on their site says
Ivory Soap and Tomato Lady are two friends who garden, soap, raise chickens, craft and keep house in their respective homes in the suburbs. Here we keep up with each other's latest goings-on and share it with you.So stop by and give them a visit. It's nice to have them aboard the green train!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
It's Time to Start the Homesteading Project!
Well, the weather has finally gotten a little cooler, and it's now our gardening season in Florida, so I've officially started making a little progress toward starting the vegetable garden.
I bought plants, but ran into a little trouble with the spot I had picked for the garden. Now there is even more trouble. Nothing can be easy, can it?
In fact, my attempt at starting a vegetable garden this year is getting more like a nightmare every day. First, I had to put chemicals down to kill ants and roaches in what I hoped would be an organic garden. Now I have found that I can't dig down past 6-8 inches without hitting tree roots, probably from the huge oak trees in my back yard.
I don't feel like tackling oak tree roots, really I don't. Lasagna gardening is sounding very good to me right now. What is lasagna gardening? It would take me too long to explain, so I'll just direct you to a site that tells you what lasagna gardening is and how to do it.
I have several bags of manure I was going to use in my garden. I'm thinking if I use the cardboard boxes I was going to use for mulching around things for the base, and layer soil, manure, grass clippings, and leaves, I might just be able to do this.
In the meantime, everything will have to stay in pots, so I'm going out now to start mixing up some soil and manure to plant them in.
I got seeds for squash and cucumbers from friends, so I'll have to get a small section of the lasagna garden going quickly so I can plant those, and work on the rest later.
The derelict house next door to me is finally getting torn down, probably in a couple of weeks, and I will have sun outside my back porch when they take the dying tree down. That means moving some shade loving plants, but it also means that I can perhaps plant a few veggies out there, right outside the back door. I'll have to see what kind of sun it gets, since it's on the dead eastern side of the house, but some things might be o.k. back there. If not sun plants, then maybe malanga (eddoe) or edible ginger. We'll see.
This is going to be fun, I think....I hope. More later on the progress.
I bought plants, but ran into a little trouble with the spot I had picked for the garden. Now there is even more trouble. Nothing can be easy, can it?
In fact, my attempt at starting a vegetable garden this year is getting more like a nightmare every day. First, I had to put chemicals down to kill ants and roaches in what I hoped would be an organic garden. Now I have found that I can't dig down past 6-8 inches without hitting tree roots, probably from the huge oak trees in my back yard.
I don't feel like tackling oak tree roots, really I don't. Lasagna gardening is sounding very good to me right now. What is lasagna gardening? It would take me too long to explain, so I'll just direct you to a site that tells you what lasagna gardening is and how to do it.
I have several bags of manure I was going to use in my garden. I'm thinking if I use the cardboard boxes I was going to use for mulching around things for the base, and layer soil, manure, grass clippings, and leaves, I might just be able to do this.
In the meantime, everything will have to stay in pots, so I'm going out now to start mixing up some soil and manure to plant them in.
I got seeds for squash and cucumbers from friends, so I'll have to get a small section of the lasagna garden going quickly so I can plant those, and work on the rest later.
The derelict house next door to me is finally getting torn down, probably in a couple of weeks, and I will have sun outside my back porch when they take the dying tree down. That means moving some shade loving plants, but it also means that I can perhaps plant a few veggies out there, right outside the back door. I'll have to see what kind of sun it gets, since it's on the dead eastern side of the house, but some things might be o.k. back there. If not sun plants, then maybe malanga (eddoe) or edible ginger. We'll see.
This is going to be fun, I think....I hope. More later on the progress.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
The Un-Update to The Urban Homestead Story
Summer is Florida is brutally hot. It's all one can do to just get out early and maintain what is there, and sometimes you can't do that. For instance, my side garden is so overgrown right now that the power company sent me a note saying it could not get to my meter to read it. Actually, it's not so bad that they can't get to it, but it's not fun. They're exaggerating. Nevertheless, I'll go out and weed whack and trim so they can read my meter.
So this isn't much of an update. I've done pretty much nothing, other than nurture the few plants I had started to sell, and toss some of the free horse manure around a banana tree, along with some kitchen scraps, which gave me melons growing around it. I guess that's progress of a sort, right?
Does it count that I actually picked about 10 cherry tomatoes from my one potted plant, and rooted three suckers for the fall garden? If so, I haven't done exactly nothing.
OH! I also started some grape tomato seeds. About 8 of them. I hope they survive to be transplanted into larger pots. They have true leaves now, at least.
And I did get three somewhat sad looking suckers from my friend's tomato bushes that are pretty much dying, and root them in 3 inch pots. If they live, I'll plant them in the fall as well.
Financially, though, things just keep going further and further downhill. I'm down to my last $100 and am seeing that maybe I won't be able to make it without getting at least a part time job. I'm still planning on selling my old car, and just about everything non-essential in my life, so I'll blog about that later.
It's really tough right now, so I'd better get to writing some articles to sell, or I'll be blogging from the free computers at the library.
So this isn't much of an update. I've done pretty much nothing, other than nurture the few plants I had started to sell, and toss some of the free horse manure around a banana tree, along with some kitchen scraps, which gave me melons growing around it. I guess that's progress of a sort, right?
Does it count that I actually picked about 10 cherry tomatoes from my one potted plant, and rooted three suckers for the fall garden? If so, I haven't done exactly nothing.
OH! I also started some grape tomato seeds. About 8 of them. I hope they survive to be transplanted into larger pots. They have true leaves now, at least.
And I did get three somewhat sad looking suckers from my friend's tomato bushes that are pretty much dying, and root them in 3 inch pots. If they live, I'll plant them in the fall as well.
Financially, though, things just keep going further and further downhill. I'm down to my last $100 and am seeing that maybe I won't be able to make it without getting at least a part time job. I'm still planning on selling my old car, and just about everything non-essential in my life, so I'll blog about that later.
It's really tough right now, so I'd better get to writing some articles to sell, or I'll be blogging from the free computers at the library.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
One More Week to Unemployment
I resigned my job last Saturday. One can only take so much abuse. I was expecting them to call and try to get me to come back, but no one did, so I'm making other plans. Now I'll really have time to pursue my dream of an urban homestead and making money growing plants and teaching others to help green the planet.
I have no concrete plans yet, except that I'd like to teach some free gardening classes at the Library, and do some landscape consulting. Maybe I'll change that to helping people set up veggie gardens in their own yards, or even do container veggie gardening.
Whatever I do, I have to remember that I need to make some money somehow, so I may have to take a part time job in the meantime, but not 10 miles away like my present job. I'd love to be within walking distance of my house. There are possibilities, but probably not until August or September, because that's our busy season here.
In the meantime, I'm going to become as self-sufficient as I can get, and get that backyard nursery set up so I can sell some plants.
Oh well, at least this will make me get rid of some of my junk. I'll need to do that to make some money as well.
The possibilities and opportunities are endless!
I have no concrete plans yet, except that I'd like to teach some free gardening classes at the Library, and do some landscape consulting. Maybe I'll change that to helping people set up veggie gardens in their own yards, or even do container veggie gardening.
Whatever I do, I have to remember that I need to make some money somehow, so I may have to take a part time job in the meantime, but not 10 miles away like my present job. I'd love to be within walking distance of my house. There are possibilities, but probably not until August or September, because that's our busy season here.
In the meantime, I'm going to become as self-sufficient as I can get, and get that backyard nursery set up so I can sell some plants.
Oh well, at least this will make me get rid of some of my junk. I'll need to do that to make some money as well.
The possibilities and opportunities are endless!
An Urban Co-op - Sort Of
I was talking to my neighbor and friend yesterday about making some extra money. She knows my plans about the urban homestead, and I asked her why she couldn't grow and sell some plants. She has a green thumb, and loves to grow things, so I suggested that since her yard is mostly sun, and mine is mostly shade, she grow the herbs and sun loving plants, and I grow the tropicals. That way, we could work together, which would make it easier on both of us, since we both have some limitations.
I think that if we really get it going, it will be a great cooperative effort. I was looking at my lot, and realizing that I will have to grow most of my veggies on the side and front yard, since there is very little sun in the back due to two large oaks. I'll have to get the oaks cut back, and I was thinking of even taking one out, but I started looking, and I have plenty of space for veggies on the side, and could mix veggies with ornamentals (a true cottage garden) in the front.
This whole project is becoming a whirlwind, since I will be needing to support myself sooner than later. I'm happy, though, because I'll be doing something that I love, and contributing to the greening of the planet as well.
If it works out between the two of us, I might try to get a little neighborhood coop going, to see how much we can produce. There are so many people around here who do nothing with their yards, even though they have plenty of space. If we could just get a few families growing their own veggies, it would be great.
Tiny baby steps to saving the planet, but if we got a million people just growing their own tomatoes and cucumbers, think of what that would save. Plus, the more green things we plant, the more carbon dioxide we reduce.
It's hard to go so slowly, because I want to do it all now! I just have to tell myself "no", and plod ahead at a snail's pace, to be sure I do this right.
I think that if we really get it going, it will be a great cooperative effort. I was looking at my lot, and realizing that I will have to grow most of my veggies on the side and front yard, since there is very little sun in the back due to two large oaks. I'll have to get the oaks cut back, and I was thinking of even taking one out, but I started looking, and I have plenty of space for veggies on the side, and could mix veggies with ornamentals (a true cottage garden) in the front.
This whole project is becoming a whirlwind, since I will be needing to support myself sooner than later. I'm happy, though, because I'll be doing something that I love, and contributing to the greening of the planet as well.
If it works out between the two of us, I might try to get a little neighborhood coop going, to see how much we can produce. There are so many people around here who do nothing with their yards, even though they have plenty of space. If we could just get a few families growing their own veggies, it would be great.
Tiny baby steps to saving the planet, but if we got a million people just growing their own tomatoes and cucumbers, think of what that would save. Plus, the more green things we plant, the more carbon dioxide we reduce.
It's hard to go so slowly, because I want to do it all now! I just have to tell myself "no", and plod ahead at a snail's pace, to be sure I do this right.
Free Horse Manure
I love free stuff, so I regularly cruise freecycle sites or craigslist for freebies in my area. Lucky thing, because the other day, I found a person in my town who was offering free horse manure. I called, set up a time, and went and got several bags full. She said I could come and get more whenever I wanted, to just call and let her know I was coming. Great! Now I have free fertilizer and soil amendment for my garden and my potting soil.
I only got about 100 lbs. today, and that won't last me any time at all, so I'm going to go back as soon as I can and get more. I had a friend with me today, and we went unprepared somewhat. What I needed to do was bring a bucket to put the bags in to hold them upright, but I didn't, and trying to shovel manure into a bag and keep it standing at the same time is not easy!
So next time I go, I'll be better prepared, and will definitely get more.
I'll be mixing most of it in with the soil in the garden spot, or maybe just lay it on top, and layer it like a lasagna garden. Haven't really figured that one out yet.
This is so exciting, knowing I have a constant source of free fertilizer right down the road! I feel like this is a real beginning to something good.
I only got about 100 lbs. today, and that won't last me any time at all, so I'm going to go back as soon as I can and get more. I had a friend with me today, and we went unprepared somewhat. What I needed to do was bring a bucket to put the bags in to hold them upright, but I didn't, and trying to shovel manure into a bag and keep it standing at the same time is not easy!
So next time I go, I'll be better prepared, and will definitely get more.
I'll be mixing most of it in with the soil in the garden spot, or maybe just lay it on top, and layer it like a lasagna garden. Haven't really figured that one out yet.
This is so exciting, knowing I have a constant source of free fertilizer right down the road! I feel like this is a real beginning to something good.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
What I Have Already Done
Edibles Already Planted
Citrus:
Oranges: Valencia, Navel, Hamlin, Dancy Tangerine, Key Lime, Nagami Kumquat, Meyer Lemon
Tropical Fruits: Surinam Cherry, Longan, Loquat, Carambola, Jaboticaba, Bananas (Praying Hands and Dwarf Unknown), Peanut Butter Fruit, Papaya, Pineapple
Tropical Vegetables: Chaya, Malanga, Cranberry Hibiscus
Traditional Vegetables: Sweet 100 Cherry Tomato (in pot)
Traditional Fruits: Wild Plum, Cantaloupe
Herbs: Lemon grass, Rosemary, Catnip (in hanging basket), Peppermint (in hanging basket)
Edible weeds: Wild Portulaca (used mostly for birds)
In Pots, but Not Yet Planted:
Unknown Avocado
Barbados Cherry
Two Unknown banana pups
Wild Purple Scuppernong Grape Vines
The Vegetable Garden Spot
I had a vegetable garden for a couple of years when I first moved here, but that became the compost pile, and was taken over by a huge Mexican Sunflower Tree, which I need to remove. Anyone who has one of these will realize that is not such a small task. I also had a small backyard hibiscus nursery, which went away after the hurricane season of 2004 (Charley, Francis, Jeanne, Ivan...need I say more?) That spot has been covered with black plastic for four years now, which I think is sufficient time to kill most everything underneath it, except the fire ants. I plan to build a raised bed there, 4' x 8' to start, then slowly extend it down the entire length of the back yard. I also plan to try lasagna gardening in the first bed, just to see how it will work, as I have access to a lot of organic matter I could use.
The sunniest spot in my yard is not in my backyard, however. It is in my front yard and western side yard. I have yet to figure out how to plant vegetables there that won't be eaten by passing children or unscrupulous neighbors, but I'm sure I will figure something out. I've already planted a banana tree there, and am looking toward planting chaya, which is something not many people recognize as an edible, and is truly a beautiful ornamental. I may also put my Barbados Cherry there, or move my Dancy Tangerine to the front, as it usually has all its blooms blown off by the winds coming out of the northwest in the spring. Putting it in the front yard would protect it from those winds.
Citrus:
Oranges: Valencia, Navel, Hamlin, Dancy Tangerine, Key Lime, Nagami Kumquat, Meyer Lemon
Tropical Fruits: Surinam Cherry, Longan, Loquat, Carambola, Jaboticaba, Bananas (Praying Hands and Dwarf Unknown), Peanut Butter Fruit, Papaya, Pineapple
Tropical Vegetables: Chaya, Malanga, Cranberry Hibiscus
Traditional Vegetables: Sweet 100 Cherry Tomato (in pot)
Traditional Fruits: Wild Plum, Cantaloupe
Herbs: Lemon grass, Rosemary, Catnip (in hanging basket), Peppermint (in hanging basket)
Edible weeds: Wild Portulaca (used mostly for birds)
In Pots, but Not Yet Planted:
Unknown Avocado
Barbados Cherry
Two Unknown banana pups
Wild Purple Scuppernong Grape Vines
The Vegetable Garden Spot
I had a vegetable garden for a couple of years when I first moved here, but that became the compost pile, and was taken over by a huge Mexican Sunflower Tree, which I need to remove. Anyone who has one of these will realize that is not such a small task. I also had a small backyard hibiscus nursery, which went away after the hurricane season of 2004 (Charley, Francis, Jeanne, Ivan...need I say more?) That spot has been covered with black plastic for four years now, which I think is sufficient time to kill most everything underneath it, except the fire ants. I plan to build a raised bed there, 4' x 8' to start, then slowly extend it down the entire length of the back yard. I also plan to try lasagna gardening in the first bed, just to see how it will work, as I have access to a lot of organic matter I could use.
The sunniest spot in my yard is not in my backyard, however. It is in my front yard and western side yard. I have yet to figure out how to plant vegetables there that won't be eaten by passing children or unscrupulous neighbors, but I'm sure I will figure something out. I've already planted a banana tree there, and am looking toward planting chaya, which is something not many people recognize as an edible, and is truly a beautiful ornamental. I may also put my Barbados Cherry there, or move my Dancy Tangerine to the front, as it usually has all its blooms blown off by the winds coming out of the northwest in the spring. Putting it in the front yard would protect it from those winds.
One Small Plot of Ground Can Make a Difference
I'm a great fan of the Dervaes family of The Path To Freedom website. I was a fan way back before they got national attention, before the website was so slick and professional, and before they became a brand. I don't imagine I'll ever accomplish any of those things, but I do hope to accomplish at least 80% self-sufficiency within the next five years.
Right now, I'm working full time to survive, and survival it is. I make only $10 an hour in a time when gas is costing me more than food. It's becoming increasingly difficult to provide myself with a healthy diet, having instead to rely on two-for-one packaged, pre-processed foods to stay alive. My health has been deteriorating for some time now, and I know it's because of my diet, but what can I do, when the cost of fruits and veggies is so high now?
What I can try to do is grow some of my own. I didn't think of it as "homesteading" at the time, but I've already planted over a dozen fruit trees in my yard. I used to have a garden every year, but that stopped when some health problems put me out of commission for awhile. Living alone, it's very hard to manage everyday living with bad health, much less try to tackle a self-sufficiency project!
Most of the problems that prevented me from growing that garden are behind me now, and I'm determined to turn my passion for simple living into a lifestyle. I hope that as I go along, I can inspire some to follow at least a portion of my path in their own lives. I know everyone cannot be the Dervaes, and I don't plan to be either, actually. I don't plan to raise livestock, because it's forbidden where I live, but I do plan to grow my fruits and veggies, and make a partial living off of the land I have.
It will be very hard work, and I'll have to make some tough choices sometimes, but I will use my reader's suggestions and support to sustain me.
Thank you for visiting, and feel free to comment.
Right now, I'm working full time to survive, and survival it is. I make only $10 an hour in a time when gas is costing me more than food. It's becoming increasingly difficult to provide myself with a healthy diet, having instead to rely on two-for-one packaged, pre-processed foods to stay alive. My health has been deteriorating for some time now, and I know it's because of my diet, but what can I do, when the cost of fruits and veggies is so high now?
What I can try to do is grow some of my own. I didn't think of it as "homesteading" at the time, but I've already planted over a dozen fruit trees in my yard. I used to have a garden every year, but that stopped when some health problems put me out of commission for awhile. Living alone, it's very hard to manage everyday living with bad health, much less try to tackle a self-sufficiency project!
Most of the problems that prevented me from growing that garden are behind me now, and I'm determined to turn my passion for simple living into a lifestyle. I hope that as I go along, I can inspire some to follow at least a portion of my path in their own lives. I know everyone cannot be the Dervaes, and I don't plan to be either, actually. I don't plan to raise livestock, because it's forbidden where I live, but I do plan to grow my fruits and veggies, and make a partial living off of the land I have.
It will be very hard work, and I'll have to make some tough choices sometimes, but I will use my reader's suggestions and support to sustain me.
Thank you for visiting, and feel free to comment.
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