Urban Homesteading

[hsifeng]

I don't think I want goats, chickens and ducks in my backyards...but they might be tasty!

As for the rest: I actually agree with the thoughts going on behind this family's vision, if in less idealistic way. No, I am not going to go vegetarian (although I have nothing against those who are), but I do want to up my plant intake and cut back on the meat based products. No, I am not going to start using a solar oven, but an earth oven would be LOVELY (if I can just figure out the "burn days" issues here in our smog infested central valley).

Lots to think about, and lots of good examples of garden layout ideas...

On the other hand, I *did* grow up on an organic family farm, so I have a pretty reasonable idea of just how much WORK can be involved in this process. Hence the Ruth Stout method!

Thinking...

Comments

[docryder.livejournal.com]

I've seen reports about these folks before. It's interesting, but nothing I'd ever do, as my father made yard work an onerous task to be avoided by forcing us to to do it "to learn a job skill" which was really code for "I don't want to do it, but I want the results." :-(

[mamarhi.livejournal.com]

The great thing about gardening in this way is that after a while, nature does most of the "yard work" for you and you reap all of the benefits of having a yard that puts food on your table. I personally hate mowing lawns, raking leaves and pulling weeds. But I know that with this way of doing things I will do less and less of that horrid work every year.

[mamarhi.livejournal.com]

I don't think you have to have the animals or be vegetarian to do this sort of thing. The Dervaes family is the extreme of this concept. What we can take as lessons from them is what's important. I can't pull up my lawn, as I'm renting, but I can take as much as I want to and can utilize from the work that they are doing.

However, where you are in the central valley, a solar oven is actually your best bet. Especially over the earth oven. If you do an earth oven, you'll have to be careful timing construction as the hot days will dry your construction too quickly. Plus, once it's built, so many regulations to attempt to abide by. I wouldn't feel it was worth the trouble when solar is perfect for that area. But that's just me. Where I am living, it seems to be the exact opposite.

[hsifeng.livejournal.com]

I see your point, it is certainly something to consider.

Thought of you...

[dragonwoman.livejournal.com]

...and this post when I saw this:

http://www.handpickedcollection.com/outdoor-living/paper-potter/

Re: Thought of you...

[hsifeng.livejournal.com]

So cool! I am pretty sure I can manage something like that without the shipping from Merry Ol' England. *grin*

Re: Thought of you...

[dragonwoman.livejournal.com]

I'm sure, 'cause you rock that way! ;)