Urban Homesteading or How we're changing our world.

[sk716]

At the beginning of summer, Sally and I decided to grow our own herbs and some tomatoes in pots. Results have been spotty on both (Basil production has been phenomenal but my tomatoes are kind of small. The dill 'died' and recently bounced back, I only got two chives.) but have encouraged some experimentation and outright greeness around the house.

Currently, we are cultivating green beans, English peas, broccoli, lettuce, banana pepper and bell pepper seeds for indoor growth so that we'll have fresh veggies all year. I've got sprouts from the broccoli, green beans and peas. The peppers and lettuce haven't shown any growth yet, but we're hopeful.

We have started a compost heap for fertilizer and even plowed out a plot in the yard for an organic vegetable garden next spring.

And to top it all off, we've started making our own bread. We discovered while looking at labels and trying to eat healthier that most mass market breads have high fructose corn syrup or sugar in them and decided that bread was bad enough for us without adding sugar to it.

What started out with the desire to have homegrown tomatoes has turned into a plan to avoid produce trucked in from other states and countries covered in pesticides and to just live greener as much as we could.

So what are you guys doing to change the way you live and the way the world around you works?

[DavidAllred]

We're dreaming big dreams about going solar, both at home and at church, but the cost is a little out of reach. Our town is in a valley so wind energy is about out.

Cool that your growing your own stuff. I grew up with two full gardens that covered about a 3/4 of an acre of land. It was a lot of work, but my parents fed us like kings. ;)

[Sabrinaset]

I figure if I bury my lil bratty brother in the backyard, that will make for some excellent fertilizer!

[cedardryad]

I use biodegradable diapers.

My parents grow their own food as well as make their own bread. I wish I had a yard or even a decently lit indoors to grow veggies in. I also wish I would remember to water the plants I do have so things would survive.:biggrin:

I'm looking forward to having my own place where I can have a backyard to do this all in.

For the meantime I don't turn on any lights I don't need. Any electronics that aren't used are unplugged, I buy electronics that consume less electricity. I buy electronics that are built greener. I'm thinking of upgrading my phone to the new Samsung Reclaim. I wanted a new phone and I prefer Samsung because they generally are more environmentally friendly. Well their new phone is made out of recycled material and it comes in my favorite color, green. Of course since I'm used to a touch screen phone and this one isn't, I don't know how I'd deal.

[Reverend Smooth]

Tomato plants usually need big big pots to grow in, unless you're growing cherry tomatoes. They're hogs when it comes to soil.

I used to grow a lot of stuff, but that's just not possible at this point. However, at one point, I had all sorts of greens, cabbage, broccolis, cauliflower, herbs, bananas, artichokes, tomatoes, saffron, amaranth, strawberries, chives, onions, garlic, etc, along with ornamentals.

[Grazzt]

I figure if I bury my lil bratty brother in the backyard, that will make for some excellent fertilizer!

From the way you describe him, I figure it would be more likely for everything in a mile radius to wither and die. And let's just hope he doesn't get into the groundwater. :eek:

[bfrank]

I don't pick up zach's poop with plastic bags anymore.....that has to be the dumbest thing ever.....poop in plastic, lol.....

[Azrael52]

So what are you guys doing to change the way you live and the way the world around you works?

Um . . . Cheering you on???

[KevinTBrown]

but my tomatoes are kind of small

Um, sorry to hear that....... but you have a nice personality nonetheless.

:tongue:

[Solaris]

Tomato plants usually need big big pots to grow in, unless you're growing cherry tomatoes. They're hogs when it comes to soil.

I used to grow a lot of stuff, but that's just not possible at this point. However, at one point, I had all sorts of greens, cabbage, broccolis, cauliflower, herbs, bananas, artichokes, tomatoes, saffron, amaranth, strawberries, chives, onions, garlic, etc, along with ornamentals.

Tomatoes are also water and sunshine hogs... but that goes with the plant. :smile:

[colleen]

I live on a farm and grow most of my own vegetables.

[Sally Sensational]

I pay for Sk's experiments in gardening.

And pout, because she won't let me get a goat.

http://chrisluck.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/goat.jpg

[colleen]

Your neighbors might not appreciate the smell.

[Sally Sensational]

Your neighbors might not appreciate the smell.

Okay, then. Back to grafting horns on the dog.

[gryhpon]

my family grows tomatoes and cucumbers, and we used to grow green peppers but the bugs kept getting them to the point where we didnt see it worthwhile to grow them this year. we also have raspberry bushes, strawberry plants, we grow rhubarb and we planted a blueberry bush recently

[colleen]

Okay, then. Back to grafting horns on the dog.

LOL!

Yeah, even if you keep your animals really clean, I don't think a lot of people know farm animals often have a strong scent. I love the smell of cows, but no matter how clean, there is always a pile of manure around.

I love goats, and our neighbor wanted to give me the cutest little black kid, but my family voted no.

There's a convent not far from here. They make goat cheese. So, I go get cheese there. Very tasty.

Good luck with your plants! I'd be happy to send you some seeds sometime. I grow heirloom tomatoes.


Baaaaahhh.

[sk716]

I got up this morning and saw noticeable growth. I'm proud, so I have pictures.

The peas sprouted overnight:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2639/3902866256_12819917f4.jpg

Green beans yesterday:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2591/3902086295_46a4a99a80.jpg

Green Beans this morning:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2674/3902865826_41577e524f.jpg

[sk716]

LOL!

Yeah, even if you keep your animals really clean, I don't think a lot of people know farm animals often have a strong scent. I love the smell of cows, but no matter how clean, there is always a pile of manure around.

I love goats, and our neighbor wanted to give me the cutest little black kid, but my family voted no.

There's a convent not far from here. They make goat cheese. So, I go get cheese there. Very tasty.

Good luck with your plants! I'd be happy to send you some seeds sometime. I grow heirloom tomatoes.


Baaaaahhh.

When I get an organic fertilizer worked out, I'm going to take you up on that.

[colleen]

When I get an organic fertilizer worked out, I'm going to take you up on that.

Happy to! We've got lots.

And I'll throw in a fresh lavender sachet.

[Darediva]

Tried growing tomatoes last year, but lost money in the process. This year, I decided to frequent the local farmers' market less than a mile away, and buy produce from them. Saves me money, time, WORK, and the stuff is better anyway.

I got a front-loading washer that saves a lot of water, as well as spins the clothes so dry that they take little time in the dryer. Also takes a lot less detergent.

Got rid of a freezer that was not working properly, and have turned the thermostat up another notch. Use ceiling fans instead of more a/c. My light bill thanks me.

I'd recycle more, but this town only takes #1 and #2 plastics and clear glass and aluminum. No newspaper, cardboard, or other plastics.

I ride the shuttle van to the VA hospital in Memphis when I can rather than drive myself. That has been a lifesaver in more ways than one.

Maybe I'm reducing my carbon footprint a little. I hope so, for your kids' sakes. : )

[sk716]

Tried growing tomatoes last year, but lost money in the process. This year, I decided to frequent the local farmers' market less than a mile away, and buy produce from them. Saves me money, time, WORK, and the stuff is better anyway.

I got a front-loading washer that saves a lot of water, as well as spins the clothes so dry that they take little time in the dryer. Also takes a lot less detergent.

Got rid of a freezer that was not working properly, and have turned the thermostat up another notch. Use ceiling fans instead of more a/c. My light bill thanks me.

I'd recycle more, but this town only takes #1 and #2 plastics and clear glass and aluminum. No newspaper, cardboard, or other plastics.

I ride the shuttle van to the VA hospital in Memphis when I can rather than drive myself. That has been a lifesaver in more ways than one.

Maybe I'm reducing my carbon footprint a little. I hope so, for your kids' sakes. : )

I get irritated at the Farmers Market's, both here and in Little Rock. Many of the vendors are selling the same produce that's in the supermarket. Many of the "farmers" at the Hot Springs Farmers Market this past Saturday were selling tomatoes from North Carolina. We did finally find a guy with tomatoes and new potatoes from his own garden out in Story. The last time we hit the Little Rock Farmer's Market we didn't find anything but honey that was locally grown.

[Sabrinaset]

Your neighbors might not appreciate the smell.

They already have to deal with the ferrets, I don't think a goat is going to be that much worse! :redface:

[colleen]

I get irritated at the Farmers Market's, both here and in Little Rock. Many of the vendors are selling the same produce that's in the supermarket. Many of the "farmers" at the Hot Springs Farmers Market this past Saturday were selling tomatoes from North Carolina. We did finally find a guy with tomatoes and new potatoes from his own garden out in Story. The last time we hit the Little Rock Farmer's Market we didn't find anything but honey that was locally grown.

You're absolutely right. There is a lot of fraud at Farmer's Markets. It's an open secret among the farmers, but our farmers newsletter had an impassioned article complaining about the practice this past month.

If you are getting perfect-looking tomatoes out of season, the farmers buy them at the same wholesaler the grocery does.

I grow most of my own veggies, but go to the local farmer's market once a week to buy meats and other things I can't grow. And I've had farmers lie to my face about what's an heirloom veggie and all.

You have to really pin then down on what is local and what's not, and some aren't very good liars. And it should become obvious real quick what is and is not fresh. You can sure taste the difference in a fresh potato.

After while you begin to suss out who's a fake and who's not, and you just don't buy from the fakes.

Many rustic-looking roadside stands are fakes.

I buy most of my meats from local farmers, and I will never buy grocery bacon again if I can help it. The local bacons and sausages are just scrumptious. Same with the ham. We buy them and hang them up in the well house and the place smells like breakfast all winter. Best ham I ever ate, and the price is about 2/3 less than Smithfield Ham.

I also get all my eggs local, and they can be huge. I pity those chickens.

[Hurricane]

I get irritated at the Farmers Market's, both here and in Little Rock. Many of the vendors are selling the same produce that's in the supermarket. Many of the "farmers" at the Hot Springs Farmers Market this past Saturday were selling tomatoes from North Carolina. We did finally find a guy with tomatoes and new potatoes from his own garden out in Story. The last time we hit the Little Rock Farmer's Market we didn't find anything but honey that was locally grown.

They have a farmer's market in Malvern that I'm pretty sure is ALL local. You should check it out one day.

[Hurricane]

If I still had chickens you could help yourself to all the free eggs you could handle.

My parents have a garden and I'm pretty sure they have a lot of extra stuff. I'll talk to them before I come up either Thursday and Friday and see if I can't get you some stuff.

And I haven't forgotten about your love of pears!

[Cam63]

I support local farmers.

...and am I the only one who wants see a pic of SK and Sall' posing with a pitchfork ala American Gothic ?

[Hurricane]

I support local farmers.

...and am I the only one who wants see a pic of SK and Sall' posing with a pitchfork ala American Gothic ?

I'll see what I can do. :wink:

[Sally Sensational]

I support local farmers.

...and am I the only one who wants see a pic of SK and Sall' posing with a pitchfork ala American Gothic ?

I'll see what I can do. :wink:

We are two steps ahead of you and will be able to post said request soon.

Only it'll be a rake.

[Sally Sensational]

When I get an organic fertilizer worked out, I'm going to take you up on that.

A goat would provide LOADS of organic fertilizer!

[Cam63]

Cam happy :)

[Reverend Smooth]

Tomatoes are also water and sunshine hogs... but that goes with the plant. :smile:

It takes a lot of energy to produce all those fruits. :3

I don't think there's much of a local gardening association here; I know some assist the disabled in setting up raised gardens, but I don't think my town has one. >< I set mine up last time and it was pretty hardcore, but there's no way I can do it now.

That and the black widow spiders everywhere around the house. ><

[sk716]

You're absolutely right. There is a lot of fraud at Farmer's Markets. It's an open secret among the farmers, but our farmers newsletter had an impassioned article complaining about the practice this past month.

If you are getting perfect-looking tomatoes out of season, the farmers buy them at the same wholesaler the grocery does.

I grow most of my own veggies, but go to the local farmer's market once a week to buy meats and other things I can't grow. And I've had farmers lie to my face about what's an heirloom veggie and all.

You have to really pin then down on what is local and what's not, and some aren't very good liars. And it should become obvious real quick what is and is not fresh. You can sure taste the difference in a fresh potato.

After while you begin to suss out who's a fake and who's not, and you just don't buy from the fakes.

Many rustic-looking roadside stands are fakes.

I buy most of my meats from local farmers, and I will never buy grocery bacon again if I can help it. The local bacons and sausages are just scrumptious. Same with the ham. We buy them and hang them up in the well house and the place smells like breakfast all winter. Best ham I ever ate, and the price is about 2/3 less than Smithfield Ham.

I also get all my eggs local, and they can be huge. I pity those chickens.

So far I haven't been able to find a local egg supplier. Still checking around though.

Petit Jean is still pretty close to us and it's still considered buying local. Too bad it's so expensive it's usually not on the grocery list.

[Cam63]

So far I haven't been able to find a local egg supplier. Still checking around though.

They're called hens, SKay.

[sk716]

They're called hens, SKay.

Yep. Also, they stink, scratch, peck, and cluck. So, not good house pets, overall.

[Hurricane]

We are two steps ahead of you and will be able to post said request soon.

Only it'll be a rake.

But I have a pitchfork.

[Hurricane]

Yep. Also, they stink, scratch, peck, and cluck. So, not good house pets, overall.

They also attract possoms and hawks that like to kill and eat them, their babies, and their eggs. Oh, and they eat your dog food.

The fact that you're looking for fresh eggs kind of makes me wish I still had chickens, though.

[TCJohnson]

mind giving us a few tips on bread making?

[Cam63]

Yep. Also, they stink, scratch, peck, and cluck. So, not good house pets, overall.

No, that's Queenslanders.

[TCJohnson]

If I can make some suggestions:

How to Cook Everything (http://www.amazon.com/How-Cook-Everything-Simple-Recipes/dp/0471789186/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252534113&sr=8-2) and How to Cook Everything Vegetarian (http://www.amazon.com/How-Cook-Everything-Simple-Recipes/dp/0471789186/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252534113&sr=8-2)

Now to be fair, I have only read the How to Cook Everything Vegetarian...but the title is not exagerating much. This book tells you how to make a lot of stuff pretty much from scratch. I mean, there are recipes for making yor own katsup and mayonaise from the basic ingredients. Been using this book to make my own cheese for my recipes now. I am sure you can find a lot of useful information.

[sk716]

mind giving us a few tips on bread making?

So far, I'm sticking very closely to a recipe I found in a magazine. With the exception of having made banana bread for the first time the other morning.

The bread is kind of a cross between a crusty baguette and sourdough. We do not have a bread machine, nor do we have a mixer with a bread hook if that tells you how easy this one is to make.

The article and recipe are online here (http://www.motherearthnews.com/Real-Food/Artisan-Bread-In-Five-Minutes-A-Day.aspx).

I'm feeling more confidant about baking so I'm looking at branching out a bit more.

[Cam63]

Good luck with it :)

[hellokittykat]

I don't pick up zach's poop with plastic bags anymore.....that has to be the dumbest thing ever.....poop in plastic, lol.....

I'm gonna assume that Zach is your dog, ya? :tongue:

But seriously, what do you use? Paper bags?

[Lester C.]

My roomate turned our patio into a garden. He grows tomatoes, and some other stuff. I'm lazy to go out and check. I think he messed up though because the tomatoes while big are all still green and Fall is almost here.

[Reverend Smooth]

My roomate turned our patio into a garden. He grows tomatoes, and some other stuff. I'm lazy to go out and check. I think he messed up though because the tomatoes while big are all still green and Fall is almost here.
Either they're green tomatoes (some varieties stay green), or you're not getting enough heat or sun, or they were started too late.

[Darediva]

I get irritated at the Farmers Market's, both here and in Little Rock. Many of the vendors are selling the same produce that's in the supermarket. Many of the "farmers" at the Hot Springs Farmers Market this past Saturday were selling tomatoes from North Carolina. We did finally find a guy with tomatoes and new potatoes from his own garden out in Story. The last time we hit the Little Rock Farmer's Market we didn't find anything but honey that was locally grown.

This market is run on the ASU (Arkansas State University) property, and you have grow the stuff yourself, and drive no further in than from fifty miles, I think the radius is. It's a teeny market, maybe ten vendors or so this year. If they are lying about where they get the stuff, then phooey on them. I hope that the organizers know all of them enough to keep them honest. Seem to see the same folks most times. It's only open Tuesday afternoons and Saturday mornings during season.

[cedardryad]

I'm gonna assume that Zach is your dog, ya? :tongue:

But seriously, what do you use? Paper bags?

They have biodegradable doggie bags.

[sk716]

This market is run on the ASU (Arkansas State University) property, and you have grow the stuff yourself, and drive no further in than from fifty miles, I think the radius is. It's a teeny market, maybe ten vendors or so this year. If they are lying about where they get the stuff, then phooey on them. I hope that the organizers know all of them enough to keep them honest. Seem to see the same folks most times. It's only open Tuesday afternoons and Saturday mornings during season.

If ASU is involved then ASU Ag is involved and they'll probably have been active in growing the produce.

ASU Beebe has a program in that area that if you call and want to grow something they'll come plant it and teach you how to take care of it.

[sk716]

I think my green bean seeds were magic beans:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2556/3910945840_60bbc006de.jpg

This was them this morning, going to have to replant soon.

[Khellendros]

My grandfather used to grow the BEST tomatoes. when I was a kid, they were the only ones I would eat. A friend of mine from Kenya, where it is EXTREMELY common for families to grow their own food, found out I was interested in growing my own food and hounded me until I agreed to let him help me get started.

I've been growing my own tomatoes for about five years now. I've also started growing zucchini, spinach, cauliflower and potatoes. Some time next year, I'm going to transplant an apple tree that is growing in my aunt's yard. She's too old to really pick them herself, so in exchange for a portion of the produce she's letting me have the tree.

I don't really do it to change my world or whatever, I just like the satisfaction of putting food on the table grown by my own hand.

Ideally, I'd like to get some goats for milk and chickens for eggs and really expand the garden but I have nowhere near the space for that.