April 2009 Blog Posts (47)

How to use Chicken Manure in your Garden for Fertilizer

Growing up in Central Florida, I was fortunate to have good year-round growing conditions. My grandparents were avid gardeners, and I remember the big jar painted white sitting on the counter to collect food for the compost pile. Once it was filled, my granddad would take it out to the compost bin and turn in, creating a rich soil. Although he composted, I was not introduced to chicken poop fertilizer until I was much older.

I was lucky to grow up with an awareness of composting, and… Continue

Added by Suzie O'Connor on April 29, 2009 at 12:30pm — 6 Comments

Growin bags of strawberries are coming up wonderfully!

I am happy to say that they are all taking nicely and coming up really well. They are on week 1 in the growin bag. Then instructions say to leave them laying flat for 2 weeks.

Added by Melissa Rennells on April 28, 2009 at 7:25pm — 1 Comment

Cooking in Lylah's Kitchen - Swiss Chard

When was the last time you thought about gardening and growing your own food and live a sustainable lifestyle in the city? What if you could only eat what you grow - or at least primarily - how efficient and or creative would you become to thrive with Lunch in a Box or…

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Added by Michael and Lylah Ledner on April 27, 2009 at 10:21pm — 5 Comments

Little Garden Boy Share About Dinner in a Box

No 'Poo

I'm goin' for it.

In the mustard bottle, "shampoo" : 1 Tbsp baking soda.

I fill the bottle with water in the shower. Give it a good shake, and apply to the roots. Massage it in, and rinse out.

In the spray bottle, "conditioner" : 1 Tbsp of ACV per cup of water, plus a few drops of essential oil (I used hyacinth). I store it in the fridge.

Spray it on the ends. Let it sit for a few minutes, and… Continue

Added by grrlscout on April 27, 2009 at 9:00am — 4 Comments

Finding a Permi Home in the Valley

I'm new to Phoenix and now that I've sold my house in IN, I hope to buy in next few months. I'm looking for tips from folks who've been around awhile and know the 'pulse' of the Valley. Areas to avoid or consider inside the 101, probably more Central - with or without flood irrigation. A quiet haven , under 170,000.
Name of honest, like-minded realitor, would be great also.
Thanks all.

Added by Mary Ann Zoeller on April 26, 2009 at 10:00am — 7 Comments

community resilience at the local government level

The sub-title of this online community says "join us in creating a more sustainable phoenix!" I am taken back by this. sustainability is an incredible complicated and hard thing to imagine. Let alone actually create. And I ask myself, Can you make something 'more sustainable' ? Either it is sustainable or dependent upon something external for its survival. Ultimately any system will fail if it isn't fully sustainable.

It has been my experience working with sustainable systems that a… Continue

Added by Andrew Martin Schreiber on April 24, 2009 at 10:27pm — 4 Comments

Need a nutritionist

Hi Permies! I was wondering if anyone in our network was a nutritionist or has special training in how we burn calories and digest food. Please contact me via email.
Thanks,
Rachel

Added by Rachel Kettenhofen on April 23, 2009 at 6:44pm — No Comments

Designing a Vegetable Garden Class, Week Three Notes

Designing a Vegetable Garden Class, Week Three Notes

Need mulch? Tree chipping companies have to pay to dispose of their chips so may deliver to you free of charge as a win / win.

Rooftop gardening was discussed, and it was mentioned that some plants might hang from the roof. Important: the roof must be very well supported in order to carry the weight of earth, water and plants! Idea: we could plant native gourds in large containers on our 2nd floor deck, then let the… Continue

Added by Rob on April 23, 2009 at 11:00am — 6 Comments

How to build an Herb Spiral

Phenomenal example of an Herb Spiral at Joan Baron's home

Hi All, I have been asked by many people (most recently Martha last night) about herb spirals. They are a beautiful and productive use of space for the home permaculturalist. I wanted to share some resources that I have seen with you all in the hope that you will feel empowered to go ahead and start using all that Urbanite!…

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Added by Liz & Dan on April 23, 2009 at 8:00am — 12 Comments

Watching the discovery green echo channell. What are we doing to reduce our echo foot print?

What are we doing to go green to reduce our carbon foot print.

I will start off with my own family.

I only run the dishwasher in the off peak hours, and if I have a full dishwasher.

Keep lights off, and use natural light as much as possible.

We plan our trips to be done in one day for errands.

We have one vehicle, and maintain it to keep it current for emissions it puts out.

Recycle grocery store bags for collecting trash, and picking up dog poop.

Low E… Continue

Added by Melissa Rennells on April 22, 2009 at 10:10pm — 1 Comment

Earth Day @ The Farm at South Mountain

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Added by JLPhoenix on April 22, 2009 at 5:30pm — No Comments

Special Tour on the Farm at South Mountain & Vegetarian Dinner Earth Day April 22nd!!!

Celebrate Earth Day with Quiessence and the Farm at South Mountain as the Q present a very special vegetarian Earth Dinner & Farm Tour. Discover the merits of sustainable farming right at the source as you stroll through our organic gardens and scenic property.

~Vegetarian Menu & Cocktail Pairing~

Celebrating the Earth's Bounty

Sugar Snap Pea Soup with Crème Fraiche

paired with Fresh Mint and Organic Vodka Spritzer

Marinated Spring Vegetable… Continue

Added by JLPhoenix on April 22, 2009 at 5:30pm — No Comments

Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

I have a greenhouse and was looking for a local place to buy Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth. Does any know where Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth can be purchased? I live in Phoenix - Northern and the 51
Thanks

Added by Jim Feldhan on April 22, 2009 at 1:13pm — 2 Comments

My "vacation" day

Monday I had a doctor's appt mid-day, so I just took the whole day off.

6:00 am

First thing, I hit the gym. When I got home, I folded the bread dough that I had prepared the night before, and hit the showers.

8:00 am

All sparkly clean, I did some graphic design work, and then pre-heated the oven. I finished the baking and MM MM it smelled good.

I'm not much of a baker, but the… Continue

Added by grrlscout on April 22, 2009 at 10:37am — 5 Comments

Glorious praying mantis sack has hatched!

I'm very happy to report I have tons of praying mantis on my plants. They are so cute!

Added by Melissa Rennells on April 21, 2009 at 12:29pm — 7 Comments

Tree Planting in the Driest Place on Earth

The BBC had an interesting story today regarding efforts to begin reforesting a place with severe desert conditions. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7934406.stm

Added by Rob on April 20, 2009 at 9:16pm — No Comments

Lunch in a Box

Lately, I've been saying "Lunch in a Box" meaning that out in one of our garden "boxes" there is food to be harvested for lunch or dinner. I like thinking of it that way - and today, I harvested probably the last of…

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Added by Michael and Lylah Ledner on April 20, 2009 at 12:16pm — 5 Comments

East Valley Permies

I live out in the east valley and wonder if there is any interest in starting a permie group for those of us in this area? Anyone who has started other valley permie groups - feel free to respond with helpful tips. If there is a group already formed, I would be interested in learning more.

Added by Kathi Metzger on April 19, 2009 at 8:16pm — No Comments

My first garden.

I know it's a little late in the spring but I finally got that hole dug. It's an infiltration basin.

About six inches under the soil level I found a layer of concrete 1-2 inches thick, which explains why nothing was growing. (cuss cuss profanity) A few weeks of digging later (yeah I'm slow I have fibromyalgia) and I have a concrete free basin about 9 feet across. I fill with mulch, divert wash water, and have nothing to plant except all the seeds I've had for a year waiting for this magic… Continue

Added by Philodice on April 19, 2009 at 8:01am — 3 Comments