I go on a scavager hunt, obtain at flea market, or drive 100 miles to
town and pay full price - I need to know WHAT is important to get, and which are priorities.
I have ordered a couple of used books dedicated to organic gardening in the desert, and they should be here soon. Any input is appreciated, as books aren't necessarily written from the homestead point of view.
PLASTIC COVERED TUNNELS I've seen pictures over what appears to be cement mesh wire. Bev told me that plastic in the heat has a rather short shelf. It probably also has a short life in high wind. It also costs $ to replace.
Are homesteaders using plastic tunnels? What alternatives are there?
GREENHOUSE Any ideas to contruct an economical one so I can have a place to start the liners for srping planting?
RAISED BEDS Pros/cons. I could stack cement blocks, depending on how
much $$$.
For the raised beds, would I be just adding the local soil (of which I have acres) plus manure/compost or what?
In the raised beds are you growing in rows? or in something called a
X # of plants per square foot method.
COMPOST PITS Any suggestions on the most economical? I'm in very dry conditions, and I know watering will be necessary.
TOOLS About how many years do they last, and would it be a worthwhile
investment to buy extras (i.e. picks, shovels, hoes, machete, etc.) and/or extra handles.
What tools would be a priority.
PLOW I'm currently using a gas engined rotor tiller, which I know is not sustainable in worst case scenario, but it was a b-day gift from dad.
Where does one even get an old fashioned plow and harness system these days?
BTW the neighbor keeps a mule in with her 2 cows and sheep and chickens. I asked why, she said the mule protects the other animals from predators (I assume she means the coyote). True? and is anyone
using a mule for plowing?
I'm thinking the biggest problem I would find would be obtaining enough water to grow enough alfalfa for larger animals, so that isn't
a first choice. But any ideas on how to plow the gardens up without
a gas powered engine would be VERY much appreciated.
POTATOES GROWN IN HAY? Has anyone tried that? I did find out tire method ok in the desert too, I was worried about heat from black tires cooking the spuds...
FIELD CORN Is anyone growing their own as feed for chickens? There is limited vegetation and bugs here, and I know chickens eat grass, bugs, etc.. What else can I feed (grow myself) to feed the chickens.
I can grow alfalfa here. Anything else?
What kind of
One thing I haven't figured out is field corn sweet corn grown to the
dried stage? Or it is a different variety altogether.
corn becomes corn meal?
WHEAT Is anyone growing? Anyone converting it into flour for bread? And is anyone making their own yeast?
That's one thing I could never do---very allergic..James has them tho..
HONEY Anyone raising bees? There seem to be plenty around here naturally, but I' thinking in terms of honey for the yeast in bread.
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