Healthy soil and sustainable growing

["TradingPostPaul" <tradingpost@riseup.net>]

Yes, that's the website of Harvey and Ellen Ussery, and he's on this list
and writes for Mother Earth News periodically. Now if I offered my input on
your article it could end up my article.. ;-). And I don't have the
background for some of your topics. I would add, on local food security
that double cropping can double the output of a home garden. All those
perennials would be the exception of course. Working early and midseason or
late vegetable crops takes more planning and soil work but the payoff is
enormous. Naturally, I had to prove that for myself this last season. Some
of my best guides are Hi-Yield Gardening and Getting the Most From Your
Garden, both from Rodale, and Jeavons' How to Grow More Vegetables. I'm
glad you mentioned knowledge of ancient foods and herbal medicines. It's
going to become more and more important, the way our so-called health care
is going. I have extensive resources on these topics if you want more to
work from. Go for it!

paul tradingpost@lobo.net

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 11/29/2007 at 7:03 AM Douglas  Willhite wrote:

>In twelve years of exploring the internet this is the best homesteading
>web site I've found:
>http://www.themodernhomestead.us/
>
>The following is another excerpt from the "Homesteading in Wildfire
>Country" guest article I'm writing. Your input is welcome.
>Doug
>
>Good News
>
>The good news is there are many specific actions we can take that will
>help buffer us, our families, and our communities from needless hardships.
>We can make our communities less vulnerable by educating each other to
>necessary changes and living more knowledgably, skillfully, and simply.
>Making positive changes will require aware and responsible individuals
>working together in whatever ways are needed. I can tell you from personal
>experience that it feels spiritually empowering and fun to make these
>creative changes.
>
>Positive Goals for Home & Community
>
>*Create local food security with soil building, raised vegetable and herb
>beds; fruit, nut, olive trees, berries, grapes; greenhouses, cold frames,
>chickens, rabbits, goats, sheep, draft horses; heirloom seed saving,
>canning, food drying; knowledge of ancient foods and herbal medicines such
>as acorns, manzanita berries, purslane, and yucca.
>
>*Conserve local water resources with community education, care, and wise
>use. Defend from outsiders with group legal or political action if
>necessary.
>
>*Prepare for safety from inevitable wildfires with tree trimming; brush,
>leaf and dead wood removal; stuccoed eves; roof and vent openings covered
>with steel screen to deflect embers;  Barricade fire-blocking gel applied
>when fire threatens.
>
>*Move toward energy independence by implementing solar and wind power
>technologies for water heating, pumping, and electricity. Super-insulate
>homes, e.g., retrofit with stucco covered straw bales, earthen jacketing,
>2x6 or larger wall cavities, adobe, rammed earth, or underground walls and
>ceilings.
>
>*Continue community education and conversation via email, phone trees and
>gatherings. Knowledge gives us power and security!
>
>*Form a community owned and operated fire department, security force and
>militia if need arises.
>
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