Wondering how to go off-grid? This step-by-step guide will show you how to transition to an off-grid lifestyle.
How to grow and harvest Parsnip
How to grow and harvest Okra
From exactly how to condition your bales to how to keep the mice away, here's the detailed advice you need to succeed at straw bale gardening!
Are you not sure if you can make homesteading work with the amount of land you have? Here are 28 farm layout design ideas to inspire you.
A pocket-sized heritage home in Princes Hill, transformed by Tom Robertson Architects.
Living without electricity is a challenging lifestyle. This article offers a glimpse of what it's like to live without the power grid.
Note: I originally did this page in such a way that the oldest content was at the top, and the newest was at the bottom. I have now decided to reverse the order so that new stuff is visible without having to scroll down to the end! November 2012 - Brassicas at rear, lots of Endives under cloches October 2012 - the Woodblocx raised bed is installed ********************************************************************************** This is where the original "My Plot" page began. Here are some pictures that show the layout of my plot. My house is a "typical" English suburban property. It has a small garden -- probably intended only for ornamental purposes. Regrettably, many people do not enjoy gardening, and having a small garden is attractive to such people since it involves less maintenance (what a strange view!) Front view of my house My property has almost no Front Garden -- just a tiny patch of grass and one Crab Apple tree -- but the Back Garden is my pride and joy. It is very roughly 10 metres square. When we first moved in here, the garden consisted mainly of a "lawn" (in very bad condition, and very uneven), surrounded by a very thin strip of "flower border". This is how it used to look, years ago In our early years here we enjoyed having the lawn as a play area for our children, and we sometimes used to play badminton on it. As the children grew up, the relevance of the lawn diminished, and the drudgery of keeping it in anything like decent condition became more and more onerous. About 10 years ago I dug up some of the lawn and created my first raised beds. These have subsequently been added-to and I now have six. Each one measures 1 metre x 2.4 metres. Finally, in 2007 I think, I had the grass completely removed and replaced with 2.5cm shingle. This was a stroke of genius in my opinion! August 2010 - six raised beds fully-stocked The patio - our outdoor dining area, with barbecue at right Looking towards the raised beds That blessed washing-line! (Rusted-in - can't shift it!) The "Fish Tree" (a Sorbus of some sort) with bird-feeders Compost bins under the Fish tree September 2010 - netting over some of the beds October 2010 - nets replaced by fleece November 2010 - just look at all those leaves My shed - 6ft x 4ft November 2010 18 Dec 2010 18 Dec 2010 12 March 2011 - peas sown 13 March 2011 - parsnips and beetroot protected by new cloches 19 March 2011 - The tatty old grass at the front got replaced with shingle 15 April 2011 - Crab Apple tree flowering 25 April 2011 - Brassicas removed; asparagus cropping; beetroot netted. 28 May 2011 - Broad Beans, Climbing Beans, Brassicas... 28 May 2011 - the patio still covered in seed-trays and mini-greenhouses 28 May - view onto the road. Cucumber bin at bottom right 27 June 2011 - the Outdoor Dining Room is enabled once more! 07 Jan 2012 - Mostly resting. New cloches hosting Lettuce 03 Mar 2012 - Netting everywhere (to deter foxes) 03 Mar 2012 - Pea-supports in foreground 03 Mar 2012 - Parsnips and beetroot sown under cloches 03 Mar 2012 - Shallots and Garlic under net in background 03 Mar 2012 - "Empty" bed is the one containing Asparagus plants 01 June 2012 - Chillis in front of Runner Beans 01 June 2012 - Tomato plants lined up next to the water-butt
For most of us producing all of our own food is just a fantasy. It evokes visions of multiple acres of fertile land, long work days, and expensive machinery. However, none of these are necessary to achieve self-sufficient food production.
Planting on raised garden beds brings many benefits compared to planting on the ground. But the most crucial one is you can grow a garden even in a
Lots of indoor herb garden ideas. Indoor herb gardens, container herb gardens and indoor grown kitchen herbs. Herb gardens are easy to grow
Justine and her family live in inner-suburban Sydney. They have a small yard. And her garden grows fun, food and fish... right next to the cubby house. In
For most people it is nearly impossible to imagine life without electricity. We share some lessons learned from those who are choosing to join the off grid recolution.
Want to grow your own food, but don't know how to get started? These easy to grow vegetables require little care, and will reward you handsomely at harvest.
DIY Smart Geodesic Dome Greenhouse W/ SMART CAPABILITIES: HOW TO BUILD A GEODESIC DOME GREENHOUSE w/ SMART CAPABILITIES When looking for a greenhouse that was large enough to grow plenty of vegetables but didn't cost a fortune, there wasn't really an off the shelf option. Particularly as my wife wanted som…
It's the perfect time to get your hands dirty in the garden!
Looking for a natural solution that kills weeds permanently? Let me show you how to with "Natural Weed Control in Your Vegetable Garden"!
Garden design for home food production. When you're designing your garden for home food production you're looking for lots of yields. Here are some tips for garden design, visual large garden designs and great books that will help you.
If you grow herbs in your garden or are able to get some from a farm stand or farmer's market, learning how to dry your own herbs is a great way to preserve them for later.
Buy copies of Stephanie Hafferty's books The Creative Kitchen and No Dig Organic Home and Garden here in my online shop
James Bryan had a bright idea that resulted in something brilliant. Gardeners and re-purposing fanatics behold, keyhole garden, meets tomato cage, meets drip irrigation. The setup is obviously simple yet highly functional and effective. You can whip one of these up for next to nothing, especially if you salvage the fencing. Bryan says: I started may 28th planting 4 tomatoes around a garbage can with holes drilled in the bottom rim and a second row up about 10 inches… buried the can to where the top holes just barely were above the ground… put in two shovels full of compost… then
Hello friends! Yes it's been awhile, that's for sure. Our winter has been way too long for my taste, but the last couple of weekends we've had some nice weather finally , and I can see Spring around the corner! It can't get here soon enough though. :) The best thing to do while waiting for the lush green grass and buds to sprout , is keep busy preparing for it... That's exactly what I've been doing ;) Preparing. I've been busy in the mini kitchen baking up lots of sweets for a Bakery I'm working on for the Spring issue of Mini-ologie. And here's a little peek of some "fresh from the oven" cakes that will line the counters. I've also been working on a little kitchen with a laundry room. (ps: Thank you Diane Melcher!) I've been trying my hand at a few new techniques also. Some of my mini cakes will be a smooth dense surface and others will be flaky , deep with delicious buttery moistness like below. I call it the Duncan Hines look ;) This is my little inspiration board for the Bakery below... It'll have some of the aspects of a favorite bakery of mine. Sweet Melissa's. Which closed it's doors in Brooklyn, but still has a website. I sure do miss walking in there! I've also been playing with air-dry clay (below) and Copic and Distress markers. It's been so much fun learning new ways to design miniature food! I love experimenting and playing scientist. I never want to stop learning because to me, that's half the fun. I'm not sure I'd switch over from polymer to air dry clay, but it's fun for certain items. Well the past month hasn't been all about minis. It's been about finding time to be good to myself and get as healthy for the new year as I can. I've always appreciated good wholesome food , with little processed food in my diet. But now, I've taken it a step further by switching over to all organic , very plant based , much less meat, etc way of eating. I love my pies /sweets as most of you know, lol, but there is room for everything if cooked and baked with my health in mind. I've grown to love a daily green shake, fresh whole organic milk, and so many amazing new foods. So far my body has thanked me by shedding 20 pounds (that I've wanted off for years lol) and it's like my insides are much happier. :) Which btw, over the winter, I was sick so often with one thing or another, that I did this diet/lifestyle turn-around just to finally get well! So it was sort of by default, lol, but however I got here it was worth it and I've never felt better. As a miniature artist, a lot of time is spent on creating and sculpting and I'm afraid I wasn't balancing that with enough exercise throughout the day, so now my running shoes have a lot more worn out treads on them and that's been a great change for me. It's great to love working on miniatures, but I've got to remember to make myself a priority too! Be good to you!! ;) Here are a few photos of some delicious and healthy foods I've fallen in love with. I plan on starting a recipe collection and tips board on Pinterest, so stay tuned if you'd like some great ideas for meals, organic gardening, and easy life changing ideas. Who can refuse a chicken pot pie that is guilt free?! Or how great is it to learn that whole milk is allowed in a healthy diet? I was so used to skim milk, I actually didn't think I'd love "whole" again, or even want to drink it. I'm not even a big milk person, but it's just delicious! And of course, being a vintage style loving girl, who doesn't love an old fashioned milk bottle? ;) Honestly, milk tastes better by a mile when in glass! I spent a little time enjoying our local farm markets this weekend. I was actually out shopping for seeds for my garden this Spring, but I got very side tracked at a new farmers market on Long Island. I loved that I didn't have to drive out east on the island to get there either, it was practically right around the corner! Thank you Kerber's Farm , for having such a fabulous bakery filled with fresh baked beauties and the best apple crumb pie (and gluten free to boot) that I've ever eaten! (and that's including a regular flour based one!). Here's a little tour... I can only imagine how great it'll be when your garden vegetable shop is filled , and the flowers are blooming! I'll be back often! They also sell wonderful kitchen accessories too!! And of course, I can't wait till your cases are filled with fresh eggs daily. I hope they start over flowing soon, or I might have to start raising chickens myself :). I say that with a giggle , but honestly, I've been researching chickens a lot this week. I found out my township allows up to 8 in our backyard, so I got all excited and I've been trying to convince Mr. Cottage that they will fit right in! If anyone has "raising chickens in suburbia" tips or thoughts, I'd love to hear! I wanted to bring home this salvaged door from Kerbers with me, perfect as a kitchen island or coffee table! ;) I stocked up on some delicious Jams, homemade sweets , and just had such a nice time visiting this sweet little farm. After our visit, my girl gang (Mom and Melanie) and our driver (Mr. Cottage) were off to get what we came out for.... Garden goodies: Seeds, books, ideas, and fresh veggies from another local farm: Makinajian's. I love this place too! And being that we've only had pockets of 50+ degree days here and there, when it's nice out, you've got to keep going lol! I'm hoping when I'm all finished "preparing" for Spring/Summer, the end result will be something like this kitchen garden photo below. (Ellen Ecker Ogden- The Complete Kitchen Garden book) One of each below....and more inside :) But for now, it's veggies from the market.... So while the snow keeps melting..... you'll find me reading garden books, researching backyard chickens, making miniatures and scenes for Spring Mini-ologie and .... last but not least.. Eating a tiny slice of healthy pie :) I hope the beginning of Spring is coming your way too! Oops, I almost forgot... I also got rid of my non-stick cookware this winter. I've cooked with both iron and non stick for as long as I've been cooking, but now I've decided to go to all Iron. Food just tastes so much better cooked the old fashioned way, not to mention how much healthier cooking in Cast iron is! If you haven't tried it yet, I highly reccomend it! I couldn't resist a little lamb cookie cutter when I ordered my new pan set. :) I wish you all ...a beautiful , charming , and healthy week ahead! "Enjoy the simple things..... like the quiet time of day when the sun streams onto the kitchen counter, and the smell of Spring is in the morning air". Hugs and love, Cynthia x0
Comfort meets cutting-edge design at Hayley Priest's off-grid barn-style home in the NSW Southern Highlands.
A full list of off-grid gear including power and water equipment, tools, machinery, appliances and farming supplies.
Maggie Tran is the Christopher Lloyd Scholar 2012-13 at Great Dixter Gardens, East Sussex. This blog follows her horticultural adventures over the course of one year.
A series of box-edged beds of leek, cabbage, spinach, carrot, lettuce and Hemerocallis flava. Top: cordon apples, beans on bamboo tunnel. © Nicola Stocken Tomkins. Countryside April 2013.
Garden going to the bunnies? To stop rabbits from eating your flower garden or vegetable patch, get great advice from this Gardener’s Path guide.
I've been looking forward to writing this post for quite some time now. As I mentioned in the post about my restaurant vermicomposting project, the trench idea started as somewhat desperate attempt to deal with the large quantities of food waste I've been receiving each week. Since that time, it has become much more than
Part 2 of the Permaculture 101 series, this covers Permaculture zones.
If your patio has seen better days, there’s no better time to give it a good refresh. And while you’re at it, why not add some plants to your outdoor space? A patio garden can be anything you want it to be, and some of the best patio garden ideas are those that speak to your personality, giving you a space that’s totally you. Need some inspiration? You’ve come to the right place. Keep reading for some great patio garden ideas to incorporate into your outdoor space.
The world is becoming more centralized, increasingly focused on economies of scale and transferring wealth to a tiny elite at the top of the financial
Building a simple coldframe or a cloche, which is like a mini-greenhouse with an arched roof, protects plants and extends the growing season.
The underlying goal of any off-grid solar power rig is to produce enough power to meet the consumption needs of a household.
