Homesteaders

[rancher hicks]

I have tried compost and actually have a container in the kitchen but don't do very well with them since the animals get most of our scraps. Even yard clippings won't do because we don't mow that often (too dry here and we don't have sprinklers to keep a nice green lawn going) and I don't have enough brown to balance it out when we do. We only have 1 tree that isn't pine so not many leaves to save in the fall. I think my plan will be to offer to take some aged manure off the neighbors hands and till that into my garden area. First step is to figure out if I'm going to plant in the ground or do raised boxes again.

If you have a 4 X 4 compost bin you can add anything vegetable. I add the chicken cleanings, grass clippings, horse or other animal manure I can get, peat moss, and a bag or two of top soil. If you have neighbors who have bagged leaves and they don't use pesticides perhaps you can get those.

Now I've read that shredded newspaper is okay but I'm not completely sure. I've read that inks are now soy based without lead, but I just don't know.

 

[rancher hicks]

I think it's very kind of you. Rabbits are seen as a nuisance and somewhat 'disposable'. This is the 1st year my currant bushes have borne fruit, so I'm assuming it's the bunnies that have been nibbling away at leaves & fruit! I don't see any reason why they couldn't/shouldn't eat currants. I would say in moderation though, otherwise they might get diarrhea...

You can usually get currant bushes from some of the seed companies at the end of the year fairly cheap. People haven't yet discovered what a wonderful source of Vit B & iron these things are! For short term nibbles, I would get a bunch of cheap seed pkts - lettuce, spinach, beets etc. and grow them in plant boxes or directly to the garden.
When I get old and retire, can I come live with you please???

I've circled my currant bushes with chicken wire since the chickens were eating the berries before they ripened. I believe Black Currants are bigger than red and higher in antioxidants. I have one bush but the berries aren't ripe yet.

 

[City farm]

 
I have tried compost and actually have a container in the kitchen but don't do very well with them since the animals get most of our scraps. Even yard clippings won't do because we don't mow that often (too dry here and we don't have sprinklers to keep a nice green lawn going) and I don't have enough brown to balance it out when we do. We only have 1 tree that isn't pine so not many leaves to save in the fall. I think my plan will be to offer to take some aged manure off the neighbors hands and till that into my garden area. First step is to figure out if I'm going to plant in the ground or do raised boxes again. 

If you have a 4 X 4 compost bin you can add anything vegetable.  I add the chicken cleanings, grass clippings, horse or other animal manure I can get, peat moss, and a bag or two of top soil.  If you have neighbors who have bagged leaves and they don't use pesticides perhaps you can get those. 

Now I've read that shredded newspaper is okay but I'm not completely sure.  I've read that inks are now soy based without lead, but I just don't know. 

Our neighbors love our chicken left overs for their compost, or just to spread on top.. Do you use any spent grain in your feed? We just started a new thread about this..
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/907333/brewing-beer-101-mastering-it

 

[newbyintown]

We are in the process of trying homesteading too. We have solar panel, mainly to help with elec. bill when we retire in a few years. But we want to get small solar panels for the pets pens to run fans and heaters. We lowered our elec. bill several years ago by hanging out clothes, and rinsing dishes real well and using the short wash on the dishwasher. I open windows when possible, and use a toaster oven for baking. We are not good gardeners. We have tried 3 years in a row, and spent lots of money. So our solution will be to buy canned goods in bulk, and stock up on those. We don't have a lot of farms here to go and get fresh foods, even though l love to can and freeze. We will get chickens next year, just for eggs (I could not kill one and eat it), and are thinking about a goat or two. I am diabetic, so getting a grain mill is something we decided against. Homemade bread really makes my sugar go up, even though I use sugar alternatives. Any hints we could get on being more self-efficient would be great. Retirement will be rough on the "old budget".

 

[newbyintown]

My husband and I are not good gardeners, so we have finally given up. But one year we got lots of tomatoes. To freeze them, just cut out the stem portion, put in the freezer on a cookie sheet, and when they are frozen, put in a freezer bag. I used these to add to spaghetti sauce, and put with meats to add a little moisture, and to eat with the meat. They are really really good when fresh like that.

 

[rancher hicks]

Our neighbors love our chicken left overs for their compost, or just to spread on top.. Do you use any spent grain in your feed? We just started a new thread about this..
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/907333/brewing-beer-101-mastering-it

I had a guy who stopped for roosters give me some. The birds were not big on it and I don't live near to the brewery like he does. I may just look into it though.

 

[newbyintown]

How do you make your soap? I use white vinegar for a fabric softener and to disinfect

 

[rancher hicks]

We are in the process of trying homesteading too. We have solar panel, mainly to help with elec. bill when we retire in a few years. But we want to get small solar panels for the pets pens to run fans and heaters. We lowered our elec. bill several years ago by hanging out clothes, and rinsing dishes real well and using the short wash on the dishwasher. I open windows when possible, and use a toaster oven for baking. We are not good gardeners. We have tried 3 years in a row, and spent lots of money. So our solution will be to buy canned goods in bulk, and stock up on those. We don't have a lot of farms here to go and get fresh foods, even though l love to can and freeze. We will get chickens next year, just for eggs (I could not kill one and eat it), and are thinking about a goat or two. I am diabetic, so getting a grain mill is something we decided against. Homemade bread really makes my sugar go up, even though I use sugar alternatives. Any hints we could get on being more self-efficient would be great. Retirement will be rough on the "old budget".

Well now what can I say?

I suggest looking on Craigs list for fellow gardeners in your area for help. Start a compost bin now for future use.

I suggest raised beds as they are easy to care for and the sides can be made with recycled materials. Too you get to add the soil and use good garden soil. I buy bags of Miracle Grow that goes on sale. I fill the beds with chicken cleanings or hay or straw and put the soil over the top of that. It all breaks down and I rarely buy bagged soil now that I have my two compost piles going.

Start small and with a plant easy to grow like beans or tomatoes. I prefer pole beans to bush. Try different varieties. Draw out a plan on paper to begin. By using raised beds you can add new beds as you improve.

Why buying canned goods is okay they may have salt or sugar added you don't want. Dried beans are better than canned. Frozen foods are also better. By canning your own foods YOU control what is added.

I was told by a dietician that Stevia is a good sweetener for diabetics. Recipes are not easy to find because we are on the frontier of this sweetener being used so creating your own recipes is an adventure.

Chin up, you can do this.

Rancher

 

[rancher hicks]

My husband and I are not good gardeners, so we have finally given up. But one year we got lots of tomatoes. To freeze them, just cut out the stem portion, put in the freezer on a cookie sheet, and when they are frozen, put in a freezer bag. I used these to add to spaghetti sauce, and put with meats to add a little moisture, and to eat with the meat. They are really really good when fresh like that.

Tomatoes are one of the easiest to can. You can simply wash and freeze the tomatoes with the skins on. When thawed the skins come right off. The same is true of Peaches.

Then after they are thawed you can cook them up into sauce, salsa or chili refreeze or can them. Plum types are best for sauces.

 

[newbyintown]

We are not quite homesteading yet, but one thing is for sure. What we have done, has brought pace of mind. Several years ago, we lowered our summertime elec. bill from $500 to $300, and our winter bill from $300 to $50. Just by turning off lights, and TV's not in use, opening windows, using a toaster oven instead of the stove, etc.. Our gardens don't work out for us, so we will buy in bulk and stock up. We are getting chickens next year for the eggs. They can be frozen so they won't go to waste. Maybe a goat or two, so we don't have lawn mower repair bills. We also have solar panels help us with the elec. bill when we retire. Knowing that no matter what happens, or how much prices go up we will have food and water and elec. We have 3 acres, so the chickens can free range for food. The peace of mind, and the fun of seeing your hard work pay off, and the love and laughter the animals bring, are great rewards.