Urban Homesteading

Salut Mes Amis,

Another year has come and gone - the tears and laughter will shine on :) So I started my AeroGarden today and I am terribly excited!! I only used it once last winter and wanted to modify it and try it again. I found that the air pump that is build into the apparatus gets bogged down with roots once the plants are more established. This time I invest a couple dollars on an air pump, tubing, and an air stone - using this extra air source will ensure the water is circulating properly instead of becoming stagnant. the first time I used it - I planted extra large cherry tomatoes. This time, I am growing 2 green pepper plants and 1 basil plant. They should start to sprout in 7-12 days :) I'm anticipating seeing the plants grow and produce yummy edibles. As I have mentioned in one of my previous blogs - sprouting is another awesome way to grow your part of your food supply while benefiting from all of the nutrients they hold (with a punch!!) and you can do it easily year round.

Another aspect I really like about this type of technology (hydroponic) is the benefits that accompany it. First, I like growing plants. I have owned plants ever since I can remember. One of the plants I have now is even older than I am!! Therefore, I think you can understand how important I believe plants are. They help clean the air we breath, they give our bodies nourishment that we need, and they create humidity to help moisturize our skin. Second, the lights that are used help elevate depression - if you live in a location (such as I do) where there are long periods of short days and hence less vitamin D - the lights are of a spectrum that helps combat the lack of natural sunlight. This is not only for us though (and our pets) but also good for the other household plants that are located nearby. Third, it works as a great conversational piece that is able to lead to a conversation of many things. People always asked me last time what made me think to invest in such a thing. It was a simple answer - it's brilliant. I get to see something grow, eat what it produces, be happier because of the extra light, and it looks awesome too!!

Okay so now you are probably thinking, "is that it?!?!? Is that ALL she is doing as her urban homesteading????" Of course my answer would be, "non silly ... not at all."

Since I have been blessed with a large yard I now have the space I need to create the yard I've wanted for some time. Every house I have owned - I have also always had a garden. I have a difficult time growing anything in my garden that is for cosmetic use only (grass and inedible flowers). Every year I add new Items to the garden that also become self-sustaining (perennials) such as fruit trees, berry bushes, herbs, and so forth. This past summer my new additions include lavender, a sour cherry tree, an apple tree, and some parsley. I have also started drafting blueprints of how I will be expanding my garden space for my annual plants such as carrots, peas, swiss chard, tomatoes, and so on... lol!!! Of course I will also be adding more perennials in the form of herbs and fruit trees :) For the annual beds I am thinking about building raised beds for practicality reasons - raised beds are easier to weed and also easier to control the chances of soil contamination (or as much as possible anyway).

Additionally, I have been researching how to build a cold storage which will prove to be somewhat challenging as the grade of my yard is quite level to the house in the back. Therefore, it will be a matter of retaining walls and bobcats :-S I have also been trying to find municipal, provincial, and federal grants and programs for alternative renewable sources of energy. If you have any suggestions - Please, Please, Please let me know (thank you in advance)!!!

Lastly, I am purging my home of anything that is clutter and pointless. I have way too many clothes so that is what I am attacking first - and I will be donating many...oh yes... many items LOL. The tools and books are staying though ;)

In order for there to be room for something new we must first clear the space for it to enter... If we only look after one's own self-interests... it will be all that will suffer including oneself.

Bises mes amis,

LFF <3