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Sustainable living
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Posted by marymargaret21 7 (My Page) on Wed, Nov 18, 09 at 13:06
| Anyone interested in sustainable living? My biggest headache with this is not the growing, but the preserving and storing!
There is a learning curve, a lot of work, but it's worth it. Getting my greenhouse this spring finally, where I will start lots and lots of herbs and "cut" flowers from seed. Some veggies. Getting a small business going here hopefully. That way I can buy other things like solar panels (from kits I will construct myself), a freezer...
Putting in a 8 ft. diameter pond with solar pump for wild birds and bees (making a nice sandy, pebble shore where they can safely and easily drink.
Any thoughts, suggestions?
Take care,
MaryMargaret |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Sustainable living
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| MaryMargaret, next spring I plan on starting some cover crops to help improve the soil in my backyard, also putting in 2, 12'x4' raised bed garden plots. all of this is going to be as organic as possible. I like the sound of your plans, especially taking it toward a business. good luck selling your products at the farmers market and to local chef's. hehehehehe, it's a dirty business, somebody has to do it. good luck.
don't know where you live, but check craigslist, maybe find a freezer or other parts and pieces for free or cheap. |
RE: Sustainable living
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| I am, very much, and have been working on it for a long while. It's simple and yet quite difficult at the same time. |
RE: Sustainable living
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| I grew up in a community of subsistence farmers. I agree preservation and storage was a big part of their success. One of the things they did was to produce a significant surplus of anything that can be stored. Dry beans and the like will keep for a long time and still be eatable. Corn meal likewise has a long shelf life. Many seeds have a significant viable shelf life. |
RE: Sustainable living
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| "It's simple and yet quite difficult at the same time." Distillation of tomes as paradox. |
RE: Sustainable living
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| IME, corn on the ear stores a long time, cornmeal doesn't. Likewise for all grains. Al: huh? |
RE: Sustainable living
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| Thank you for your responses! I'm thinking herbs - dried herbs at this point. I think the herb business will pay for the beans, corn, flour, all cheap to buy, even organic. I will try to live as "sustainably" as I can. The whole idea of not depending on anyone really appeals to me in these uncertain times. But some things can be bought so cheaply, I will buy them unless something happens to make it necessary. Any thoughts? Take care |
RE: Sustainable living
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- Posted by pt03 3 Southern Manitoba (My Page) on
Fri, Nov 20, 09 at 19:48
| Sorry but I need a definition, I don't know what is meant. What exactly is sustainable living? Lloyd |
RE: Sustainable living
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| I suggest you check out the harvest forum here to learn more about preservation and canning lots of info on that |
RE: Sustainable living
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| Have you thought about keeping a few chickens for eggs and manure? Is there someone you can barter with? |
Here is a link that might be useful: Garden Girl
RE: Sustainable living
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Not ready for the chickens yet. I would probably start with ducks. Thanks! Have a great day.
MaryMargaret |
RE: Sustainable living
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| Mary, my thought is that of the grains, corn is extremely easy to raise, store, and process. Fresh grain is really a treat, far more flavorful than any bought. When adding in the fact that corn is a natural and important partner with legume and squash makes it nearly a necessity for the homesteader, IMO. |
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