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June 25th, 2009
holypigeon
 | 09:18 am - Dumpster Diving 101
I thought I’d share my dumpster diving experiences and tips since I recently posted to this community with a question about dumpster diving.
( If any thing, you may get a chuckle from reading about the awkwardness of a novice… )
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June 24th, 2009
yarrowkat
 | 10:37 am - Urban Farm magazine
I just learned about a new publication that will be coming out this August, called Urban Farm.
Here's the page: http://www.hobbyfarms.com/urban-farm/urban-farm.aspx
and here's the post where i discovered it, on Cold Antler Farm: http://coldantlerfarm.blogspot.com/2009/06/hey-all-you-city-kids.html
Current Mood: working
Current Music: capercaillie, hebridean hale-bop
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June 10th, 2009
jaime88
 | 02:32 pm - Soil Food Web Books
The concept of the Soil Food Web is one that fascinates me. Here are three major books on the topic that look very interesting.
Teaming with Microbes is written for more of a lay audience.
Soil Biology Primer seems an intermediate text.
And The Compost Tea Brewing Manual makes itself look a bit more in depth and technical.
I think I'm answering my own question here before even asking it. I'll get more out of the more technical text.
Anyway for folks interested in re-vivifying the Earth these books should all have something to offer
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June 9th, 2009
holypigeon
| 03:45 pm - Dumpster Diving Tips
Does anybody have any good weblinks about dumpster diving or any personal experiences/tips to share? I'm going to be blogging about my experiences with dumpster diving and want to supplement it with additional resources.
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June 1st, 2009
jaime88
| 11:33 am - Tomato Inversion Step 1
I was at the office, where the buckets lids and compost was, so I filled the buckets, put on the lids and took them home. That's where the drill and the hole cutter blades were located.
I had lids with caps, so I removed the caps, and put a piece of landscape cloth on top of the compost, then replaced the lids. Below is a stock photo, but my lids look like this if you filter out the blue. It's properly called, in the industry, a lid with spout.
I drilled the holes:
Then poured in some water, and tucked in a Brandywine tomato start.
They'll hang out in the greenhouse or out in the sun till the starts get established. By which time I'll have gotten around to setting things up at the office so I can suspend them, and add a drip line to each bucket.
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April 27th, 2009
cherittfn
 | 07:39 am
Sierra Trading Post  Closeouts . Zodiac trail shoes from La Sportiva have your hiking horoscope: Every time you hit the trail while wearing them, you'll fall in love again with La Sportiva technology. Micro Injection slingshot heel counters in sculpted heel pockets Nubuck, suede and AirMesh uppers UreTech rein... Size Runs small. cherittfn St. Louis, MO 4/27/2009 2 5 Cons: Size runs Small Describe Yourself: 5 miler a day, Recreational Walker/Hiker, 4 - 6 mile 3 day packpack These shoes were incredibly small for the size marked. They also appeared mis-shapen. I guess I am just a Salomon snob. ()
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April 13th, 2009
sunniegreen
 | 09:59 pm - Miracle Gro
I poked around on Google, but other than some unsavoury looking lawsuits I didn't see much of what I was wondering about. I was given a box of miracle grow (opened and slightly used already, from someone who decided they were done with developing a green thumb for the time being.) and I know from childhood that it works quite well. However I was wondering how it is looked on by the green community. Evil? Semi-evil? Dr. Evil? (not the best, but ultimately won't kill you) or just not as good as natural?
Safe? Unsafe?
Disturbingly corporate?
Not bad as a product, but company is rotten?
I look forward to any input anyone may have.
Extra: I an apartment-gardening, and have roommates that looked at me with shock and horror as they put the kibosh on any worm-compost ideas. I have used the box I was given pretty sparingly, less than a fourth of a teaspoon in an old motts apple juice container that I use to water plants. I have a variety so I am afraid of over-fertilizing.
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April 7th, 2009
sunniegreen
 | 09:42 pm - Secondhand Appliances
There are a couple of household things that I would like to get, nothing essential but fun things I would like to have. Things like a waffle iron, a crockpot, a dutch oven, a toaster oven. What i was curious about though, is what is better bought new/lightly used, and what is pretty reliable to get at a thrift store. Some things seem like they are fine to get at thrift stores and other things seem better when bought at garage sales or handed down where the person is more responsible for what they are selling and they can actually assure you that it works or tell you its quirks.
I don't know if this exactly makes sense, but I guess basically what I am asking is: What are the most reliable (and least likely to be secretly gross) appliances to buy at thrift stores? What is the worst (or makes you the most nervous)?
I'd really like to buy used rather than new, and that is how I get plates and pots, but something about appliances reminds me of buying used underwear. Maybe it doesn't make sense.
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February 27th, 2009
ponygirl72
 | 05:42 pm - Very, very small cow
Momma miniature cow No. 1 has thwarted my plan to name her baby Sir Loin by cunningly having a heifer calf instead of a bull calf. Less cunningly, she has chosen to have it the day before a snowstorm. Good one, Momma cow.
( extreme cuteness alert )
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February 22nd, 2009
ponygirl72
 | 04:15 pm - My miniature cows...
... let me show you them.
I have cows. Miniature Dexter cows. They are pregnant. One of them is *very* pregnant; like, "please don't have this calf in the trailer on the way home" kind of pregnant.
Here they are, playing "Let's get as far away as possible from the two legged predators who want to EAT OUR BABIEZ!!" in their new pasture:
( clickie for piccie )
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February 9th, 2009
crankles
 | 08:04 pm - Creatively green art, architecture, and gadgetry (articles)
I enjoyed reading about some of these interesting creations. Some are frivolous, gross, or not especially useful, but I still have to admire the ingenuity behind them.
http://webecoist.com/2009/01/06/creative-alternative-recycling-projects-art/
Recycled art projects and architecture, including a Buddhist temple made of old beer bottles (really beautiful!)
http://webecoist.com/2008/12/03/strange-green-gadgets-weird-green-technology/
Creatively Weird Green Gadets, including a human-powered ferris wheel (probably not the safest idea anyone ever had, but wow)
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January 7th, 2009
crankles
 | 10:17 pm - Need YOUR input: Really easy sustainable action for disabled, ill, or overworked people
What sustainable actions do you do that take practically no effort?
I want to come up with a list of super-easy sustainable living techniques for people who find it difficult to do the more labor-intensive things for one reason or another. I'm talking about the disabled or chronically ill, people who care for elderly or sick relatives, single parents working 2 jobs, etc. They barely have the energy to walk across the room, much less hang the laundry to dry or build their own greenhouse.
I want to make a list of all the things that take almost zero effort. PLEASE help and add something, even if you think it's really obvious. We all know a few basic ones like turning off lights when you don't need them, shutting off the water when you're brushing your teeth or shaving, taking shorter showers, using reusable cups and shopping bags, and unplugging appliances when you're not using them. What can you add?
Here are some of my suggestions:
-If you use electric gadgets (for instance, someone with Raynaud's disease who uses an electric blanket to stay warm), experiment with your usage to see exactly how much you need.
-Are there low-tech gadgets that can help you? My mother-in-law can no longer knit with both hands. However, she bought a circular knitting loom, which is very easy to use with one good hand, and she now knits great reusable shopping bags from recycled plastic bags.
-Container gardens can be easier to maintain than a traditional garden. If you have issues with lifting, ask a friend to help with that part. I loved the illustration in my "Square Foot Gardening" book that showed a woman in a wheelchair who had set up a square foot garden bed on a piece of plywood balanced on two sawhorses.
-If you aren't well enough to walk or bike places, and if the bus isn't an option, see if you can carpool. If you work, will your boss let you telecommute sometimes?
In particular, I would also appreciate ideas for parents of small children, as well as low-cost ideas. For instance, using an organic produce delivery service is a great idea, but many people don't have the extra money to do it.
What can you add? Feel free to post this on other communities and forums,or to ask your friends and family and put their answers here.
(Please remember to have compassion when you answer, thanks)
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December 5th, 2008
November 24th, 2008
October 30th, 2008
crankles
| 10:02 pm - Transition Towns
My local Transition Town group is great! I'm networking with local people who are interested in sustainable living and sharing their skills, participating in discussions, taking classes, etc.
Maybe you'd like to start one in your area: http://www.transitiontowns.org/
Here's what my state's site looks like: http://transitioncolorado.ning.com/
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crankles
 | 07:51 pm - My garden sucked this year, but I'll remedy that next year
I haven't posted a project update in awhile.
My garden tanked this year, mostly. Planting season was disrupted by a death in the family, and now I know the value of being extremely prepared as early as possible. My experiment with Square Foot Gardening worked just well enough to see the potential if it's given proper care next year. Next year, I won't have to build the beds, buy the mix, or raise the trellis and can focus my experimental urges on my permaculture bed and container garden.
I did get some tomatoes, herbs, and malabar spinach. The malabar, now indoors, is growing like I've given it steroids. Hurray! Grow, my tasty little plant, grow. I hardly want to eat it because it's so pretty.
Since winter is coming, it's a good time to focus on education. Here's what I want to do this winter:
-read a few permaculture books
-learn how to propagate from seed and from cutting, since I apparently don't know how to do either!
-continue vermicomposting so that maybe I won't have to buy any compost next year. Maybe I should start a second worm bin to help with that.
-build a cold frame for early spring greens
-figure out how on earth I'm going to start my seeds indoors without the cats chowing down on the tender seedlings. I don't have a good space for this.
-think about which watering system I could use, and a more consistent shade system for hot days. ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) yarrowkat built her own clay ollas and said they worked wonderfully. Since I'm using raised beds that aren't very deep, I'm not sure if it would work but I love this low-tech option.
Okay, I should stop there and not overwhelm myself. Oh ok, one more: I wonder if I can get over my girly aversion to hammer and nails and build myself a small compost bin (no worms). I tried composting in a plastic container last year, and it kind of sucked. It wasn't the right dimensions and things got wet, so it started to stink. Time to build a real bin out of wood. I've thought about buying one of the fancy ready-made bins, but I think I ought to try DIY first.
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September 26th, 2008
wetkneefarm
 | 07:16 pm - The Walden Effect
I thought you all might enjoy a new blog I've started at http://www.waldeneffect.org. My boyfriend and I have spent the last two years on a farm and are learning to garden, make do with less, and become self-sufficient. The blog is documenting our journey, and hopefully will have some useful tips!
One thing we want to encourage on our blog is helping other people become more self-sufficient, so we plan to answer questions every week. I'd really appreciate it if you'd like to start us off by going to our site and clicking on the "Ask a Question" link. We're not experts but we'll make a stab at answering anything!
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September 15th, 2008
crankles
| 09:57 pm - Emergency Preparedness: Heat when you have no fireplace or woodstove
We've moved into a new place without a fireplace, which was part of our emergency/disaster preparedness plan at our old place. Does anyone have suggestions about the most efficient way to generate heat when you don't have a fireplace or woodstove? Maybe something you've done yourselves?
I'm going to research this question during the week and I'll let you know if I find anything helpful. In the meantime, this link discusses some options: http://extension.missouri.edu/xplor/hesguide/housing/gh5117.htm
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September 11th, 2008
foolfaerie420
 | 11:31 am - fiber optics and lenses bring new hope for small solar systems
Hybrid Solar Lighting
One of my first sustainability projects was research and promotion of fiber optic systems for indoor lighting. Japan has been ahead of the game for decades, and the Himawari company has all sorts of units. Sunlight Direct is beta testing commercial systems here in the US, if you have a commercial application contact them. Ecogeek has more. Schott has all sorts of products including examples of installations.
Current Location: cabin chill
Current Music: joanna newsom
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August 12th, 2008
holypigeon
| 02:52 pm - Community Gardening and Food Donation
Hi everyone,
I just joined this community in an effort to compile more information and ideas about food donation. I’m a novice gardener, part of a community garden. I was pleased to discover the abundance of veggies that can be grown on even a small piece of land in an urban community garden. After harvesting what seems like an outrageous amount of veggies this season, it occurred to me that I might give them away, preferably to those in need. I like the idea of getting locally grown food to local people that need it the most. But short of standing on street corner and giving away my veggies, I’m not sure how to go about doing this. Do food banks and soup kitchens accept perishable items? Are there organizations that will accept and distribute the veggies? Are there any online communities that might provide guidance? Is this even a good idea? Any suggestions, information, or resources to get me started would be very much appreciated!
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