now, I keep on reading on various forums about farms and farming . I believe that term is misleading especially from a British point of view. I believe post SHTF we will be referring to what the Brits call "smallholdings" at the very most, as without fuel for farm machinery and fertilisers and chemicals we will be looking at "subsistence farming" and everything will be done with hand tools, so we are talking more like "allotments" or large vegetable gardens at most an acre or two, maybe a maximum of 5 acres if we can scrape up an animal or two(see John Seymour's "the complete guide to self sufficiency"), its also about how much land one can manage and how much land one can secure from outside scavengers and raiders.
Farms and Farming.
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I agree, without fuel smaller is better. With a group you may be able to be more ambitious, but big machinery has made farming what it is today. I am on two and a half acres here. I have about 70 fruit trees, 70 blueberries, almost that many grape vines, a 18x21' greenhouse, and a garden that's about 40x20'. I honestly can't keep up with much more by myself. Just keeping things watered during dry spells is a job, and we won't even talk about weeding, spraying(which I do minimally) and harvesting. I really enjoy seeing things grow and learning about better techniques to get them to produce, but it really is time and labor consuming.
I am getting help with the security issue. Tomorrow I'm picking up a shelter dog. It's a collie mix, about a year old male, and is the first of two dogs I want for outside security. If/when shtf happens, having a group of people will be the only way to survive, from both the work load sharing and security aspect.
Why I have seriously started studying permaculture and anything that is no till and fossil fuel free "farming". There is a lot of planning and work to get it established...but it is amazing at the end result.
yes, "no dig" gardening is definitely the way to go, and small plots with paths in between, with a large group someone can manage a larger area but British groups tend to be just family, in our case its just the two of us.
I saw a setup called Japanese something or other where they dug a hole about a foot deep, wrapped a 4' roll of wire around it, then filled it with compost. Once the compost has settled (next season), they planted about six tomatoes around the perimeter. There is some digging, but not needing fertilizer is a big plus. I like the idea of learning as many different ways to farm as you can, then use a little of each as suited to you and your place. I had read about no till, but with all the dammed red clay in my yard I've had to loosen it up to get decent results. I also use that as a good time to mix in a lot of compost. One thing I was happy about, I found an electric tiller/composter on amazon for 75bucks. It has a lot more umph than I was expecting. I actually got it for the greenhouse so I wouldn't asphyxiate myself with exhaust fumes, but it was strong enough to use in the fall tilling of the garden.
Have you tried any pallets yet? A friend set up most of his garden in them, between less weeding and it being sort of a raised bed I may try it next year.
My main garden is on a slope as well, but i haven't terraced it yet. I'd really like to get some of those retaining wall blocks and make a few low walls as it steps down. I guess i can add that to my list of 45 other future projects! It sure would be nice to be rich!
I LOVE pallets! My first one we cut down to make it short...this newest one is full sides and I cannot wait to get it filled with dirt! With my rabbit poop/pee and kitchen waste I almost have enough dirt to fill it
Unlimited energy helps!
Wow, that's a lot for one person to handle.
Our plan is a garden that is about 40x20' as well (with two paths between rows, for salad veggies), and about a dozen fruit trees around the property (apple, orange, avocado, pear, banana), a few grape vines, and lots of blueberry and blackberry bushes. Also, a small medicinal/herb garden, with some additional medicinals (mostly aloe and roses) around the sides of the house (the spikes and thorns make any window entry a painful ordeal).
The roses and aloe already grow (as do lots of blackberries), and an orange tree has been there for years, but we're adding the other trees and bushes next season. The garden, we're putting in during the Feb planting season (making the added fencing in Jan).
We'll probably wait until Mar for the medicinal/herb garden, as there will also be a koi pond in the middle of it. (this whole area is kind of a Gnome garden by the entryway of the home). I'll likely go ahead and put in the pond bed this winter though, just won't add any fish yet (will wait till after the cold).
We're big fans of function but also beauty, so trying to keep it classy. (well, as classy as you can be with a Gnome garden).
The one thing I've learned about gardening/producing is there's one variable you can't predict. That's Mother Nature. If you think 10 fruit trees will be enough, plant at least double that. In good years you may produce enough to sell or share, but in the off years at least you should get something to feed your family. I would dearly love to have some help with all this stuff, as I think the weeds are winning the war! I have been keeping my head above water, but not much else! Honestly, I enjoy it though. I want to work on some thorns before long. I've mowed over the wild blackberries for ages, but there tough and keep popping back up. I'll try transplanting a few in the winter. What kind of plants are you thinking for medicinal use? I have a good aloe plant, but that's about it.Wow, that's a lot for one person to handle.
Our plan is a garden that is about 40x20' as well (with two paths between rows, for salad veggies), and about a dozen fruit trees around the property (apple, orange, avocado, pear, banana), a few grape vines, and lots of blueberry and blackberry bushes. Also, a small medicinal/herb garden, with some additional medicinals (mostly aloe and roses) around the sides of the house (the spikes and thorns make any window entry a painful ordeal).
The roses and aloe already grow (as do lots of blackberries), and an orange tree has been there for years, but we're adding the other trees and bushes next season. The garden, we're putting in during the Feb planting season (making the added fencing in Jan).
We'll probably wait until Mar for the medicinal/herb garden, as there will also be a koi pond in the middle of it. (this whole area is kind of a Gnome garden by the entryway of the home). I'll likely go ahead and put in the pond bed this winter though, just won't add any fish yet (will wait till after the cold).
We're big fans of function but also beauty, so trying to keep it classy. (well, as classy as you can be with a Gnome garden).
I brought home my first of two shelter dogs today. I set him up a good spot in the root cellar for the night. I think I felt worse than he did for not letting him in the house! I'll keep him contained for the first couple days, and this weekend I'll let him run while I'm out there so he can get used to the property.
We'll definitely be canning too. I do plan to add more fruit trees with time, but I want to start smaller, before I end up buried in rotten fruit.
Aloe (cuts, burns), Basil (lack of appetite, cuts, flatulence), Chamomile (indigestion, colic, anxiety, skin irritations), Echinacea (cold/flu relief), Feverfew (headaches, arthritis pain), Johnny Jump-Up (anti-inflammatory), Lavender (eases pain, antiseptic), Lemon Balm (lots of curative uses), Marigolds (diverse uses also), Parsley, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage (mouth and throat uses), Thyme (antiseptic), St. Johns Wort (depression), Poppies (opiates), Sunflowers, Roses (anti-bacterial), Garlic, Catnip.
Many of these are also pretty flowers in their own right, and you'll see many that are also used in cooking.
Aloe (cuts, burns), Basil (lack of appetite, cuts, flatulence), Chamomile (indigestion, colic, anxiety, skin irritations), Echinacea (cold/flu relief), Feverfew (headaches, arthritis pain), Johnny Jump-Up (anti-inflammatory), Lavender (eases pain, antiseptic), Lemon Balm (lots of curative uses), Marigolds (diverse uses also), Parsley, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage (mouth and throat uses), Thyme (antiseptic), St. Johns Wort (depression), Poppies (opiates), Sunflowers, Roses (anti-bacterial), Garlic, Catnip.
Many of these are also pretty flowers in their own right, and you'll see many that are also used in cooking.
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The great thing about gardening is that you can either can or dehydrate your overages to use during the winter months and also if you have an 'off' season for a certain crop, you can harvest what you can, but hopefully you have enough in storage to get you through till the next growing season. I am currently working on this one myself. Last year my bell peppers did awesome and still have bags of the stuff in storage thankfully. This year, I just didn't get to many. That's just how it goes some years.
How do you store your bell Peppers? So far all I've tried is to flash freeze pieces and vacuum bag them. Great for cooking, but too mushy for salads.
I guess in the spring I'll start some sort of herb garden!
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For bell peppers, I cut in half & take out seeds, lay on cookie sheets and freeze, store in ziplocks. I also dehydrate, can, and pickle but haven't found anything that stores them 'crisp' . When canning you can add in food grade calcium chloride (pickle crisp) and that will help, but still on the soft side. I read about storing them in salt and place that in your root cellar (I just don't have one to try it out). Supposed to keep crisp. I can give you the instructions if you want to try it once you get yours done.
I may try it out one day. I don't add salt to anything anymore with BP issues, but may try some for preservation. So far I've been breaking mine up in smaller pieces to be able to get the air out better when bagging. I flash freeze them first then just break them into chunks. I may leave some in halves for stuffed peppers, good idea. I've got some to pick sometime today.
I have the permaculture going without intending to . Its not in the neat circle patterns but more here and there I have lots of pecan trees , wild and domestic black berries , apple and now pear trees , garden , and on the outskirts lots of wild edibles . I am going to start a garden that comes back every year like asparagus and spices . Then I have the chickens , hunting , fishing . I am looking into another type of live stock that would be easy to care for since I have 3 large fenced in lots that are empty like meat goate or a small type of pigs like some of the Asian types smaller and maby easier to keep put up .
Rabbits are really easy and have free fertilizer to boot!
I've planted asparagus three times now, with no results yet. Really sucks too as I love it covered with mozzarella and a sprinkle of garlic. I'll try again next spring, but will do some good ground prep this time. I'm leaning towards a pig this winter. A friend said he's done them for years, getting them in the fall and having ham by Easter. I have my main garden on a slope and think a pig pen on the top of the hill may be a good idea.
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My BIL ate guinea before and he actually liked the taste. . . forgot what country they went to visit at the time, just know it wasn't in the US. They are considered pets around here and I am sure PETA would step in. Personally they just remind me of rats too much, put then again I have never tried it so I shouldn't knock it.
I think this is all about getting a good group of starting plants. A friend of mine did this somewhat successfully, even here in FL (though her asparagus are pretty thin, they are just as flavorful). I'm going to see if she'll give me a few starters, when we're ready for them.
The contestants on the first season of Survivor all raved about the taste of cooked rat, believe it or not. One of my favorite shows, so I've read a lot of the "behind the scenes" books with cast interviews, etc. One thing I really took away, Jeff HATES those who quit, and will take every opportunity to burn them publicly during the show.
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What kind of asparagus have you been planting and how are you doing it? I have had really good luck with Jersey Night roots. I planted one group 5 years ago and then another 3 years ago. I dug a trench about a foot and a half deep then and added compost on the bottom, about 5 inches thick or so. Put in your roots and spread them out cause they don't like to be overcrowded, about another foot and a half apart. Cover the crowns with a couple inches of compost and just keep adding 'black gold' (compost) gradually as they grow until you are ground level. The first year, I just let them grow and get established and then by the second is when I start to harvest. They are also hungry little buggers so need to add in fertilizer regularly. I know you get snow during winter months so think you should try to protect your roots. After your ferns dry out, cut them down to ground level and put on a thick layer of manure and cover with straw.
I didn't do any kind of ground prep at all. I took the bulbs/roots and just loosened the clay and hoped for the best. Guess I shouldn't be surprised. Ive read since about planting it and it was pretty much as you just described. I also learned that once it's established it is pretty tough and will produce for years. I don't remember seeing a variety name of any kind on the packaging. I wonder if i should try it in the greenhouse or just in the garden? Mabey I'll try some of both and see what works best.
If I can get a vacation in Feb Im going to get my shovel and wheel barrel and clean out from under the roost poles in my chicken house and spread it on the garden so it will be broke down by planting time this year . last year I burned up a few tomatoe plants with it . Im going to have another try with a asparagus patch eairlier this year . Wonder how it would do simi shaded .
Asparagus roots are supposed to grow feet into the ground and is loaded with minerals brought up by the roots...makes some people's urine smell awfully strong!
This is a follow up to the Back To Eden video...I have implemented a lot of the covering in my own yard...and I have installed two "hugelkultur" beds in my front yard (permaculture)...I only planted 6 asparagus shoots two years ago in one of the hugelkultur beds with blueberries...the asparagus has tripled in output! Taste is amazing and the blueberries are just wonderful!
I build quite a bit of top soil with this rabbit tractor that floats around the yard!
This is the "hugelkultur" bed with the blueberries on each end and three asparagus on each side just after planting before mulching with hay!
This is a follow up to the Back To Eden video...I have implemented a lot of the covering in my own yard...and I have installed two "hugelkultur" beds in my front yard (permaculture)...I only planted 6 asparagus shoots two years ago in one of the hugelkultur beds with blueberries...the asparagus has tripled in output! Taste is amazing and the blueberries are just wonderful!
I build quite a bit of top soil with this rabbit tractor that floats around the yard!
This is the "hugelkultur" bed with the blueberries on each end and three asparagus on each side just after planting before mulching with hay!
