‘Note From the Urban Homestead’ Archive

Notes From the Urban Homestead 9-1-10

What’s in the ground:
So it’s the first day of September and the second day of a five day heat wave. It’s a good testament to this season. But I’ve not let that stop me from getting some lettuce mix and spinach in the soil. I admit I sowed it when it was still 70 degrees [...]

Notes From the Urban Homestead 8-25-10

What’s in the ground:
I couldn’t believe that my first idea for this week was to start talking about shutting the season down. But don’t despair, I’ll hold off the talk of cover cropping for another month or so, there’s still so much much more food to grow. So, if you’ve reached that point where you’ve [...]

Notes From The Urban Homestead 8-18-10

Well, hello there. I’ve got one more installation in this series on Earthship design ideas.  This time we’re talking water. Same disclaimer as last week: this is a very simplistic description of some pretty ingenious engineering. I present it here as an idea starter…some inspiration for you in your quest to live more [...]

Notes From the Urban Homestead 8-11-10

What’s in the ground:
So if you’ve transplanted your fall crops into the ground, it’s going to take another three of four weeks for them to begin to mature. While you are waiting, it’s a great time to intercrop some beet seed within your rows. As the beets mature, they will inhibit [...]

Notes From the Urban Homestead 8-4-10

What’s in the ground:
I can’t believe this is our first August installment. The season’s flying. Traditionally, August is the hottest month in these parts, but from what I heard, it may be the coolest of the summer. So, I think it’s possible to get a jump on your lettuce season by starting some seeds now, [...]

Notes From the Urban Homestead 7-28-10

What’s in the ground:
Now is the time to start seeding your fall crops if you don’t plan on buying or bartering for transplants. Hopefully you saved some of that seed from the broccoli that flowered in June. You may even want to let your current Kale and Collards bolt so you can harvest their seed. [...]

Notes From The Urban Homestead 7-21-10

What’s in the ground:
So I’m experimenting with the idea of letting my garbanzo beans dry on the plant as opposed to trying to harvest fresh and then dry. This is a technique that can be used on many varieties of legumes such as black eyed peas, garbanzos, black beans. Basically you just let the plant [...]

Notes From the Urban Homestead 7-14-10

What’s in the ground:
This should really be titled what’s out of the ground. After the heat wave of last week and the rains that have came, our spring crops should be on their way to bolting. If you our still putting up with the bitterness of arugula, or the yellow flowers of your broccoli has [...]

Notes From the Urban Homestead 7-7-10

What’s in the ground:
I’ve not even had a chance to test out the new rain water catching system because it has stopped raining. This heat wave is brutal. And just as important it is for you to keep in the shade, drink plenty of water and take it easy, so goes it for your garden. [...]

Notes From the Urban Homestead 6-30-10

What’s in the ground:
If any of your stalky plants were affected by the storm last week, I want to stop you from pulling them out. If you did already, then know for next time that even if a plant is knocked over, even if the root is exposed, you can still try to remound it [...]