tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post3887137709634558174..comments2024-03-12T03:55:23.359-04:00Comments on Living the Frugal Life: The $64,000 QuestionKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-42866215132090616122010-04-09T15:11:52.532-04:002010-04-09T15:11:52.532-04:00Kate, welcome. The more the merrier. Have you se...Kate, welcome. The more the merrier. Have you seen what the Dervaes family has done on their 1/5 acre in Pasadena? Granted, we don't all have that climate or the labor of four adults to draw on. But it shows what's possible at least in theory. I think if you make your front garden pretty, no one can really object. Glad to have you with us!Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-41797178195557655232010-04-08T22:59:53.395-04:002010-04-08T22:59:53.395-04:00Late to the party, but I'm in! I've only ...Late to the party, but I'm in! I've only got about a 5th of an acre - probably a 10th of an acre of useable space. But it's a house that I've just bought, and I've ordered up big on the fruit trees. I'm getting chickens, and I am going to dedicate as much time as I can while still working, to making that small patch of land work for me. There's still lots I will have to rely on others for, but I'd like to ease my food reliance foot off of the gas, to stretch a metaphor.<br /><br />It'sa completely bare plot at the moment, so every single thing will be done by me. It's taking way too long for my taste, but it's also so satisfying. I'm going to try a permaculture mandala garden, and as much space sharing, double use, and vertical use as I can. I suspect it will take a year to get even a half hearted harvest, since I'm mostly just working on setting things up and improving the soil. And I don't anticipate more than 50% of my food comping from there for a long time- but it only needs to feed me, and I think that even just having started learning the skills is valuable.<br /><br />I'm in a VERY suburban area, and although some of the older residents still have fruit trees in their back yards, my lawn-killing, tree planting activites out the front are raising a few eyebrows!<br /><br />Thanks for the post!Kaviarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08409825601485451978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-6635775854967225382010-01-21T13:52:00.997-05:002010-01-21T13:52:00.997-05:00Hi Kate, thanks a lot. I'm looking forward to ...Hi Kate, thanks a lot. I'm looking forward to seeing how much I can grow too, as well as others who have more space than me!Terrahttp://thesimplepoppy.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-69525204065877984532010-01-19T12:42:34.573-05:002010-01-19T12:42:34.573-05:00Terra, of course you may link to my page. Your bl...Terra, of course you may link to my page. Your blog is your own, and you needn't ask permission from anyone for linking. Courtesy only dictates that you ask permission when you want to use images or quoted text from another site. But linking is always fair game. I'll be eager to see what you do with your little plot. And I have a feeling you may surprise yourself!Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-65640338068778673192010-01-19T12:32:41.929-05:002010-01-19T12:32:41.929-05:00Hi, I've been reading your blog for awhile, an...Hi, I've been reading your blog for awhile, and I was wondering if I could link to this post in my blog? I just started blogging and reading this post really inspired me. We live in a row-home in West Philadelphia and only have a very small front yard, but this year I'm going to see just how much we can get out of it. I couldn't find an email on your blog, I'm sorry to ask you this in the comments!Terrahttp://thesimplepoppy.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-75928661847077698252010-01-18T08:53:13.650-05:002010-01-18T08:53:13.650-05:00Karen, I agree that what the Dervaeses have accomp...Karen, I agree that what the Dervaeses have accomplished is most impressive. Of course, every backyard is different. They have mild temperatures year round, while I have plentiful rainfall. While I don't consider myself to be really pressed for space, if I want to maximize production, then I need to think about the space I have as though it were precious, and eke out as much as I can from it. Sounds like what you're doing too.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-71199364484394932902010-01-11T22:42:05.727-05:002010-01-11T22:42:05.727-05:00I'm sorry to be so tardy responding to the pos...I'm sorry to be so tardy responding to the post but it took me a while to find the website I wanted to share with you: Path to Freedom at http://www.pathtofreedom.com/. We have a large farm acreage-wise but I garden on a relatively small scale. I find what the Dervaes accomplish on their urban lot inspiring. I try to utilize the area I garden as intensively as I can to feed my husband and me from one growing season to the next.Shepherdess55https://www.blogger.com/profile/10649034708458147137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-47000643189296552010-01-07T08:10:17.743-05:002010-01-07T08:10:17.743-05:00Susanna, sounds like you have a pretty nice set up...Susanna, sounds like you have a pretty nice set up for feeding yourselves from within your "foodshed." I strongly encourage you to get a few hens. They are remarkably easy to take care of on a day-to-day basis. Most of the work consists of arranging their housing, plus the occasional mucking out. Thanks for the vote of confidence on the new header.<br /><br />Leigh, I checked out your impressive records. Very nice! I agree that it is important to be an example of what is possible for our immediate area. Not that we have The Answer, but that we are at least asking the questions and trying to answer some of them.<br /><br />I tried to leave you a comment on your tally post about the powdery mildew, but that page wasn't having it. I've used milk successfully for powdery mildew. Once I sprayed on a dilute solution of whole milk, another time I just sprinkled on a very light coating of powdered milk in the morning when the plant was still damp with condensation. They both seemed to help.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-92085174697336384622010-01-06T12:40:57.782-05:002010-01-06T12:40:57.782-05:00You can count me in. Of course, I've been doi...You can count me in. Of course, I've been doing that (2009 garden tally <a href="http://leighsgardenjournal.blogspot.com/2009/10/summer-totals-2009.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>), at least since we moved to our place last May. <br /><br />I have to admit that my heart's desire was for someplace more private, more rural. Instead we found five acres outside of a small town in a more suburban type environment. Still, I realize that folks are watching us, wondering what we're up to now. And with that I realize we are setting an example of sorts. As you say, we don't see things getting easier or better in the sense of the prosperity the U.S. once experienced. However, we are hoping that we are setting an example of a different way of life. One that others can adopt elements of. We are hoping that this is one contribution we can make to our new community.Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-18303099382131327782010-01-05T15:43:14.833-05:002010-01-05T15:43:14.833-05:00I am eager to see what you come up with. At my hou...I am eager to see what you come up with. At my house, we have worn ourselves out a bit with gardening and trying to do many other things, so for the moment, we have a few small plots to raise the veggies that are expensive to buy and that we don't get from our CSA. We do get just about all our fruits and veggies for six months (plus aggressive storage), as well as much of our meat, from a CSA that is a farm about 70 miles from us, plus some fruit from elsewhere in our state. We rarely buy produce from outside our state. We are looking into chickens for eggs.<br /><br />p.s. I love your beautiful new blog header!Susanna a.k.a. Cheap Like Mehttp://www.cheaplikemeblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-34776490116401508672010-01-04T14:52:40.960-05:002010-01-04T14:52:40.960-05:00Eatclosetohome, thank you for posting that on your...Eatclosetohome, thank you for posting that on your blog. I'll probably stick with what has worked for me, but I know others will find it useful.<br /><br />Joel, please join the project! And thanks for the tip on Johnny. I was looking for cultural shorthand for altruistic planting, and he's the only one I can think of. Figures, that the reality didn't quite match the image.<br /><br />Anon, awesome suggestion! Cooperative food production at the neighborhood level is leaps and bounds better than individual backyard plots. Aaron at Powering Down has discussed just such an arrangement in his suburban neighborhood a few times. Check out his blog:<br /><br />http://poweringdown.blogspot.com/Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-51742479666941009632010-01-04T08:56:43.588-05:002010-01-04T08:56:43.588-05:00You've motivated me to keep better track of wh...You've motivated me to keep better track of what we produce in this new year from our little homestead. <br /><br />I'd also be really interested in hearing not only data about pounds of food produced, but also instances of neighbors working together either with their land, skills, and/or labor. Where we live in NEOhio everyone has large lots. We personally have 1.78 acres. Each of our adjoining neighbors has a similar lot. Imagine if we formed cooperative agreements to rotate livestock and engage in crop rotations together?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-30634893387523438682010-01-03T11:25:30.836-05:002010-01-03T11:25:30.836-05:00Great idea. I should really do that.
One tiny qui...Great idea. I should really do that.<br /><br />One tiny quibble: Johnny Appleseed was a real estate developer. His tree nurseries were part of a complicated scheme that let him profit from efforts to own farms on the frontier.Joelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16755460714090772432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-77000473757932472072010-01-01T21:24:46.131-05:002010-01-01T21:24:46.131-05:00I'm in, Kate. If anyone wants my (admittedly i...I'm in, Kate. If anyone wants my (admittedly insanely detailed, overkill) garden planning and harvest tracking spreadsheets, they are posted at my blog at http://wp.me/p8CIU-dy . My estimates show you could grow enough vegetable calories on 1/3 acre to feed two adults for a year - IF you can achieve Jeavons's minimum estimated yields.<br /><br />I wonder if the Backyard Homestead figures include growing the feed for the chickens and pig?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-45754505555081971352010-01-01T16:24:34.422-05:002010-01-01T16:24:34.422-05:00Ceridwen, even though I have a "big" par...Ceridwen, even though I have a "big" parcel of land, because I want to push the limits of the possible, I am very interested in techniques used to garden in small spaces. I'm sure you're familiar with the concepts of grow biointensive, container gardening, going vertical, and hanging baskets for whatever takes to such treatment. I'll be exploring some of these this year and will definitely post about them. <br /><br />Rob, thanks. I knew you'd be up for something like this. I guess I agree with the idea that the 1/4 acre plan of Backyard Homestead is theoretically feasible. But I also agree with your assessment of impracticability. I believe a quarter acre with a mcmansion, a driveway and a garage would make such production impossible. Still, the main point is that much can be done on 1/4 acre, IF it's the right 1/4 acre. <br /><br />Kathie, all those things sound great. We must all do what we can within the climates and constraints we are dealt. Whatever you achieve is going to be proof of concept to those around you. So go, girl, go! And I hope you'll post results and observations from time to time.<br /><br />Lorna Jean, it sounds like you are in a typical renter situation, only one where you *know* that it's temporary. I have known very well the frustration of being unable to "invest" in land that I have confidence will be mine for years to come. Your day will come though. In the meantime, there are plenty of skills you can develop which are more portable than the average garden. <br /><br />Margaret, oh, good! Thanks for joining in. I will follow your results with interest. I'm really looking forward to seeing what we can all do this year!Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-42026535576618317382010-01-01T11:51:19.693-05:002010-01-01T11:51:19.693-05:00OK. I'm in, with my 'pocket handkerchief&#...OK. I'm in, with my 'pocket handkerchief' in London, UK. I have about 192 sq ft of growing space, plus a 12ft x 8ft greenhouse that will not receive any of the sun's rays until about the beginning of March.<br /><br />I have often meant to do this kind of thing, more from a £££ saved way of thinking than food security, and have always fallen by the wayside. Now with the Internet and a blog I can have the accountability to keep me going. This will be my blog address http://number32.wordpress.com but don't rush as there is nothing there yet! I need to go through the help stuff to find out how to do it.Margarethttp://number32.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-45684998079029837032010-01-01T11:20:14.384-05:002010-01-01T11:20:14.384-05:00Here here! I have been following your blog for som...Here here! I have been following your blog for some time now and enjoy reading what you have to say. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge and skills! I look forward to following your project in the new year (I do hope you take on beekeeping). As for my family, we are still in the Middle East-HOT and dry with little opportunity to garden. Sure, we could use much too much desalinated water to keep a few plants alive in the less hot winter months, but that is not practical nor environmentally friendly. I do hope to grow a few simple things (lettuce, sprouts?) so my children know where food really comes from. In the meantime, I will plan plan plan my future gardens so I get a running start when the time comes. <br /><br />Happy New Year!Lorna https://www.blogger.com/profile/04473899333018984800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-33494944613522324052010-01-01T10:25:25.828-05:002010-01-01T10:25:25.828-05:00Happy New Year! I'm hoping to add some more f...Happy New Year! I'm hoping to add some more fruit and nut trees in the next year or so. My growing season is so short, but I need to add some cold frames and really extend the season and increase my harvest.Kathiehttp://twofroghome.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-68902558177114314852010-01-01T09:55:58.014-05:002010-01-01T09:55:58.014-05:00Kate, you can count on my steel.
With my new sc...Kate, you can count on my steel. <br /><br />With my new schedule giving me 4 days off I intend to structure most weeks along with the goal of approx. 1 day for backyard permaculture, 2 days for the 1 Acre Energy Farm, and 1 day for idleness. Records will be kept and posted - perhaps we should start a shared Google Doc?<br /><br />I've skimmed most of the Backyard Homestead book and I think it *is* possible, but it is not practical - there is NO room for play, no swingset, no deck, no dogs allowed. The chickens are confined in a pen, as is the pig. Very structured. We may need to be there in 10 years, but what you, myself and others are doing is more practical in this transitional phase and more likely to be picked up by our neighbors vs. such a fundamentalist suburban farm.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-9264412785526201232010-01-01T09:54:52.956-05:002010-01-01T09:54:52.956-05:00HI
Well - I will certainly watch this with intere...HI<br /><br />Well - I will certainly watch this with interest. I'm in Britain - where many of us (including me) have tiny tiny little gardens - "pocket handkerchief" as a description would be a compliment to them - and our need is great (because our population is probably about 3 times as big as Britain can sustainably "carry" and still growing at present) - so all hints welcome as to what we can productively do with our tiny tiny little outdoor spaces.ceridwenhttp://mygardeningnotes.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-57783124230071658742010-01-01T09:36:51.168-05:002010-01-01T09:36:51.168-05:00Happy New Year to all!
Aimee, I've seen that ...Happy New Year to all!<br /><br />Aimee, I've seen that book too. I have to admit, I find the claims of what all can be produced on that tiny a plot a little hard to believe. Any two or three of the things you listed, sure, I'll buy that. One dwarf fruit tree can produce 50-100 pounds of fruit in a year when mature. But all of them? Maybe. It sure wouldn't give the animals much room on 1/4 acre. But hey, anything that encourages people to push the limits of the possible on their property is a good thing in my opinion. You'll get better at gardening with practice. Every year is something different. Even very experienced gardeners fail with something most years.<br /><br />Patricia, every location is different and I think NM is certainly one of the more challenging places for food production. I would recommend you look at the book Gaia's Garden, particularly the section dealing with swales for capturing what rain does fall in any given area. Pretty astonishing what can be done with that technique. The book is a great read in general, despite the awful title.<br /><br />Married, I think it's just a matter of habit and having the scales to do the weighing. We weren't perfect about it, but I probably got 95% of what we picked for our own consumption recorded. I didn't bother about cherry tomatoes or berries picked and eaten outside, nor with anything that was fed to the hens.<br /><br />Pelenaka, to be honest, I didn't record my harvest anywhere but on the sidebar of my blog. I made little notes as I was weighing each harvest, but kept them only long enough to update the sidebar and then tossed them. I'm thinking about creating a spreadsheet for the total harvest for the year though.<br /><br />El, less ambitious and a 100% homegrown pizza don't sound all that compatible, but you go, girl! Get that wild sourdough starter started. Are you growing wheat too? The project sounds totally awesome! <br /><br />Jessica, keep those records for sure! Can you parse out what your harvest tallies were from month to month? Even if you have no numerical data, whatever records you have are valuable if only for your own purposes of continuing to garden in the same spot.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-56672977676070498862009-12-31T21:39:57.674-05:002009-12-31T21:39:57.674-05:00I've got 40,000 words written (my mother insis...I've got 40,000 words written (my mother insisted I record my efforts), and no idea what to do with it.Jessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13108730598971640896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-33216366826290518892009-12-31T16:28:36.085-05:002009-12-31T16:28:36.085-05:00I second Aimee's suggestion of that book: I c...I second Aimee's suggestion of that book: I checked it out from the library and really wished it had come out 6 years ago, would've saved me some work :)<br /><br />You go, Kate. Sounds like a great plan, but then again, I am big on home-grown.<br /><br />You know what? My ambitions for 2010 are to be less ambitious, less wasteful. OH: and a 100% homegrown pizza, including the firewood!<br /><br />happiest new year kiddoelhttp://fastgrowtheweeds.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-20058953598781594962009-12-31T15:21:13.207-05:002009-12-31T15:21:13.207-05:00I'm in - actually I was in last Summer but wit...I'm in - actually I was in last Summer but with the tomato blight & working our church garden I was over whelmed. <br />Do you use a spreed sheet to keep track of everything? I'll have to come up with an easy system, besides hubby & myself there are 3 teenagers that consider the garden an extension of the fridge.pelenakahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09486662453316027558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-1877756921859350302009-12-31T15:19:15.594-05:002009-12-31T15:19:15.594-05:00It looks like you've done a great job recordin...It looks like you've done a great job recording your harvest. I started that last year and really slacked off as the year went on. That is one things I'd really like to do better at this time around.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com