Repurposing

In my attempt to establish a sustainable food supply, I've fenced off an orchard, but it needed to be more than just a few trees with some space to grow.  I know fields are not to have two different grains sown, and a vineyard has some specifics, so in my attempt to be obedient to Scripture, I considered what I could plant around the trees.  It then dawned on me that the Garden of Eden contained all sorts of edibles, including trees, so . . . the orchard has four fruit trees, a strawberry patch, some raspberry bushes, and perennial herbs.

Some herbs can be quite aggressive in their existence.  Planning has been of utmost importance in that I want to establish something sustainable that won't be a continual challenge to maintain.  I've seen some tractor tires repurposed and painted to become sandboxes and that gave me an idea.  When getting new tires on the buggy, there was a $2.00 disposal fee per tire.  I decided to bring them home instead.  I think I've actually united the concepts of raised beds, square foot gardening, and repurposing in this one move.  

I simple arranged them on the ground in the orchard, and have since added more.  A newspaper on the ground, with flake of straw in the center of the tire serves as amazing weed control.  Fill the tire with top soil or potting soil, I prefer to use topsoil and add my own fertilizer, as I have plenty available on site.  I then plant one type of herb, vegetable, or fruit in the tire and maintain as I would any garden plant.  These handy repurposed containers are watered readily when it rains, there is no weeding, and the aggressive intrusive herbs like spearmint are contained.  The great news . . . they are free at tire shops!

Organic Solutions

In looking for organic pesticide, I wanted to share a few tired and true solutions I use.  Some folks plant marigolds around the garden to keep the bunnies from nibbling.  I've heard it works, but I haven't tried it.

My battle with a bunny began when I realized a pepper plant had been munched.  From the looks of it, I immediately recognized the work of a bunny.  I like to use human hair around the fence or even the plants themselves to keep the little nibblers away.  Every time I brush my hair, I clean the brush and place the hair in a baggie.  I really like using hair, because even in the rain, it doesn't lose whatever the rabbit finds offensive.  And we all know wet hair pretty much stays right where it is, so washing away isn't an issue, either.

There are also hot pepper sprays that work very well to keep rabbits and squirrels out of the garden, but that has to be applied directly to the plants and reapplied after rains.



I am unashamedly going to promote one of my products.  Liquified, diluted soap is a great deterrent for furry pests, as well as keeping insects and even some fungus at bay.  My soap is completely biodegradable so it doesn't harm the plant or cause any soil issues.

Keep those plants healthy this year, with organic solutions!

Hummmmmm . . .

In reading the article about subway going halal in some areas, the responses have been mixed of course, according to political leaning.  As I continued to read, two things crossed my mind.  One, it makes good business sense to serve food preferences of the local demographics.  I mean, there's probably not many local restaurants in New England that feature grits on the breakfast menu, but this is about more than just business and demographics.  This is about religion and false religion and bold stands or intimidation.

In regard to the topic of bold stands, the issue that crossed my mind; was one of shame.  Why haven't the Bible believers been vocal enough to inspire this sort of change?  I mean basically now, we have unhappy customers who will boycott these restaurants that are now serving, kosher.  I don't want to eat anything that has been prayed over to a false god, but I am sad that those of us who serve the G-d of Israel are not as effective in our stand.

These circumstances are definitely prohibitive for me to consider going to Subway.  It would be wonderful, though; to be able to dine out, knowing there was no pork next to my order.  I would love to patronize a restaurant that was bold enough to actually serve a Biblical menu.  

With so many companies catering to Islam and so much of our food GMO tainted, growing our may soon be the only option.

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/religion/subway-replaces-pork-halal-meat-some-uk-and-ireland-locations

Perpetual

I was speaking to a friend this week about various experiments I'm conducting as to how to raise the most groceries in the smallest space.  Of course, I'll keep you posted.  She had mentioned that potatoes had kept many folks from starving.  Sometime after the conversation, a thought occurred to me.  I am working on raising potatoes year round in 5 gallon buckets.  I've not been fully successful for a year's supply, but it's been productive enough to keep at it.  I rotate the planting every month, so they can be harvested at intervals.

The past couple of weeks, I've just not been up to much flavor.  Mostly bland comfort food.  Here I was honored to have an unexpected Sabbath guest, none other than Chef Gerry from Cooking with Gerry fame, and the only seasoning on the chicken was sage served with very boring bland baked potatoes.  There was salad, but, I've just been "off my feed" lately.  Back to my thought.  I truly do feel that I am supposed to be prepared to feed people in the coming days.  I'm not talking lavish meals, just nutrition.

As I made some potato soup, it occurred to me that potato soup is very filling, nutritious, and all the ingredients are right here on the place, growing or stored year round.  Potato soup will satisfy the heartiest of appetites, as well as pureed for baby food.

In the mean time, baby steps of sufficiency.  It only takes a window sill to have your favorite fresh herbs.