Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[kathie wood <whisperingwind190@yahoo.com>]

I personally would love to see any links that would help me garden and build things as cheaply as I can. Thank you !  Kat

Tradingpost <tradingpost@lobo.net> wrote:

I have suggestions for cold frames, greenhouse, etc. if interested. I use cheap lumber and plastic, not used windows. They don't come in the right sizes, and glass can be broken by hail or accidents. I staple through a special thin plastic strip over 6 ml UV plastic to the lumber. It's called Poly-Tack from my local greenhouse supply. Without that I've used duct tape before, and electric stapler of course. Duct tape won't hold up in the sun after a few months tho. I use Phillips deck screws, not nails. We have high winds. One trick: any plastic needs to be stretched tight to fasten down, best in warm weather when it expands slightly. Then in the cold it's tight as a drum. Flopping plastic tears sooner.

For small projects you can get by with 2x3 lumber and regular 3 or 4 ml roll plastic. I can send on links for cold frame construction if you want. Any question, just holler. That's what I do.

paul tradingpost@lobo.net

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

On 5/22/2008 at 7:11 AM kathie wood wrote:

>I joined this group as I am one of those seniors who fall just above the
>poverty level and only get a limited income monthly. I am trying to get a
>garden going as best I can but this silly weather is making what growing
>season I have left very short. I am looking around this area for used
>windows people want to give away so that I can somehow build a small
>greenhouse or growing boxes to help further my plants growth along. It is
>scary how things asre changing and beings I live off grid I am truthfully
>very afraid of what this coming winter will bring. I use not only gasoline
>for my generator and have solar, I use porpane for my refrigerator and
>cook stove too.I may very well have to turn to be a vegetarian when I can
>no longer afford to buy propane to keep my meats, milk and eggs cold. We
>all shall see soon I am afraid. Kat
>
>Liz wrote: At 12:37 PM 5/21/2008, you wrote:
>>It caught me that they kept saying that the food stamps aren't increasing
>>with the price increases of food. Well the paychecks of the working class
>>(and other classes but I'm less worried about them) aren't going up
>either -
>
>I was thinking that too. My expenses have almost doubled, because gas
>accounts for most of it. It's likely that there will be a small
>increase in what I get paid per inspection, but it isn't going to
>come anywhere near the percentage of increase in cost. And I'll get
>that only if the prime contractor decides to share a bit more of what
>she gets paid. She's done that twice in the current contract, and
>there's no guarantee that she can afford to do it again.
>
>>That's what scares me, that those who are
>>just above the poverty line will fall below it and not have any help
>>available for them.
>
>What the article says about mothers giving their children whatever
>will fill them up, whether it's good for them or not, is truly scary.
>That's third-world thinking, the kind of thing that makes people eat
>mud cookies in Haiti.
>
>
>>I'm glad I live in an area where I can grow my own food. 'Cause at least I
>>have that. As it is I'm pretty sure we won't be able to afford oil next
>>winter unless they adjust the income levels for fuel assistance, but to
>not
>>be able to afford food as well, well that's a real kick in the face.
>
>I've noticed that people are getting more creative in using coupons,
>but of course the problem with them is that they're usually good only
>for highly processed "food." I hear friends bragging about spending
>only $100 for $150 worth of food, but when I ask them what they
>bought, it's cereal and pasta dinners and packaged pizza.
>
>Grow that garden. I try to bring that up with everyone I talk to, and
>more and more people are responding that yes, they're growing a
>garden this year too. Every little bit helps.
>
>Liz in SW VA
>http://life-as-a-spectator-sport.com
>
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