Dan,
Thank you for your reply.
Xisca,
Thanks for the plastering insight.
Jay,
As a fiber artist, your metaphor makes perfect sense.
I have lots of native stone and would surely like to use it. I have not researched what our zoning office may say about that yet, though...
Understanding that the building design is informed by the type of materials to be used, what would you say is the most important difference in planning the foundation when using natural materials? What choices do we have in avoiding the use of concrete? Is is possible to plaster over concrete?
Thanks!
I didn't mean to imply that merinos are a preferred breed. They are hybridized to produce a lot of high quality wool and thus need a lot of inputs. I am amazed that they aren't more easily found in Spain. Sign of the times? Dying is a sought after skill and felting can produce some wonderful items!
Dawn -
I do believe the merino sheep breed was developed in Spain. No farms there? I hear you about spinning! I have not yet learned to spin myself, it's on my list. I love to knit and crochet. You are fortunate to have those friends. I believe second hand clothes are absolutely the way to go, especially with children who outgrow them before they wear out.
Since the Chestnut topic is already started, I thought I would add a recent article here. They are doing a lot of research in saving the American Chestnut and it is happening just down the road from me - Syracuse, NY.
At the same time, I have just received about a dozen American chestnut sprouts from a neighbor who reports the parent tree shows signs of blight resistance. I am eager to see how my little seedlings survive. I am very interested in Chestnuts because I don't want to eat wheat and the nuts are high in carbohydrates.
Just to get the cerebral juices flowing - where do your clothes come from? If you make your own - where does the fiber come from? Do you even know? Those who are closer to the process are more aware, of course, and perhaps you have glanced at that tag sewn into your ready-made clothes out of curiosity or ethics about how far that material has travelled. Are there any fiber mills near you? Do you know how to spin? Do you know how fabric is made? Anyone here wear only leather clothing? While technically not a fiber, it had to have been sourced and tanned somewhere.
Hi Chris,
I was looking at your http://endeavourcentre.org/ workshop page and you are not too terribly far but I was wondering if you ever give any workshops on this side of the border?
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing your photos! I love being able to see your part of the world. For next time, I would be interested in the location (and maybe date?) of your shots.
From "back east,"
Valerie
I will experiment in the garden. I can mostly eat my failures there. I suppose I could compost my failures in the kitchen but that is little compensation for when I'm hungry. I am more interested in putting vegetables together without the meat so much.
I am more of a baker. Mix it up, throw it in the oven and you're done.
I really like all kinds of veggies - never met a vegetable I didn't like. My weakness is knowing what foods work together. It seems some folks have a sort of sixth sense about that. I would like something that is easy to throw together with just a few ingredients (long ingredient lists put me off right away, but I have an awesome herb garden) and a bonus would be something that could be made in large quantities and then could be frozen.
Hi Lane,
My first attempt at making a soup from scratch was a dismal failure. It tasted awful! I have been reluctant to try cooking anything since. Have any encouraging words for a shy cook? Super simple recipes?
Thanks for being here!
Great idea and pictures with the pallet swing bed but a bit short on the hanging it from a tree part. One would need a very large tree to safely (for the tree and occupant) support that.
Nick,
Fascinating article, although I had to read it 3 times before I could even start to get it. It is always cool to learn that there is always something new to learn about nature.
Thanks for sharing that!
Hi Victoria,
Thanks for sharing your know how with us!
I am interested in keeping the chickens healthy in winter. Do you do anything special for their coop to make it ready for winter?
Are chickens aware when their eggs keep disappearing from their nests? Are they likely to abandon the nest?
And what about growing amaranth for grain for them?
Have you spoken with your code officer to see what was required or are you making a guess? You may get far by just being frank about budget and environmental concerns with him/her and seeing if they have any suggestions for you. With some ingenuity you may be able to reach a workable situation for all.
Hi Dave,
I was trying to locate the piece that described NewYork City's parking lot plan on which we are modeling our parking lot ordinance but I couldn't find it. Basically, it will state that for every 4 - 6 (we haven't settled on a number yet) parking places in a parking lot there will have to be one tree as well as tree "islands" and possibly permeable pavement and structured soils for the trees as well. I am in Oswego, NY. I appreciate your presence here and I have posted your TedX talk on our facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/OswegoTreeStewards Portland has 3 community orchards! Wow!
Thanks!
I'm not David, but, I can offer some input on your questions.
Our small city has initiated a volunteer group to care for the urban forest. We call ourselves Tree Stewards and use a lot of the principles of the Arbor Day Foundation (which provides grants and other goodies - hint, hint). As part of this initiative, we have written ordinances that have been accepted by the city council to promote the planting and nurturing of trees. We are currently working on an ordinance which will specify how many trees will need to be planted whenever anyone puts in a parking lot since we have an issue with storm runoff. (Who doesn't?) Once you get started with this, you find more resources. We are also going to be putting in a city orchard this year. We'll be starting small and adding to it and, of course, since I'm involved, it will use permaculture principles.
Lyvia Dequincey wrote:So how does one "discover" a clay layer like that? Just years of digging projects on the same land, or are there clues I might find on my land? We have lots of clay around, and I can find out the name of the soil type, but I don't know how to get from that to finding usable features.
I would like to know that, too. I know what soil type I have but how does one go about knowing what is deep underground without hiring a geologist or q geo-mancer? (water witcher?)
Just want to put in a quick word here about sawdust. I would think you would not want to use dust from chemically preserved woods. Lumber shops have to get rid of it some how. Maybe they sell it to those making those wood pellets? Be sure to ask. Also, I understand dust from cedar is toxic to breathe, so keep the dust factor down.
Having been a psychiatric nurse for several years, one thing I have learned is that people who have no contact with mental illness really don't know how devastating it is. I think it is one of the cruelest illnesses "this flesh is heir to." Our science is woefully inadequate in dealing with it and that just may be what the problem is. We tend to try to "treat" (cure?), rather than looking at the person holistically. One thing that stands out to me as I have been reading through these posts is the support and compassion that shows in this community towards each other. Even as others have admitted they tended to be hermits, they are still posting here. I applaud those who have been brave enough to post about their "limitations" but even so, its just another way we are all different, and as was mentioned before, what works for one may not work for another. But being a friend surely helps and no adverse reactions!
The steps have been described but I have been wondering about how long does this take? What can I do to help it along, i.e., speed things up? (I want food!) How can I be sure the proper mycorrhizae are in my soil for trees? What about a neglected lot that is gone to weeds? Would the process be quicker or slower there? What trees would be appropriate first trees to introduce?
Thanks!
More wishes for a speedy and thorough recovery here. All those broken bones! Ouch! At least it was closed - that's good! I'm sure you will heal up just fine with all the good folks around you.
So good to "see" you again! I admire your energy, all over the place and now you're here, too! I followed Emily's blog about your trip down under, it was delightful and made me feel like I was right along with you there.
Of course, I already have Edible Forest Gardens so I won't be in the running for that, nor do I need to take a trip to Montana right now, but that Wellesley Garden plan looks mighty interesting. I have already designed and implemented a small permaculture teaching plot in our local community garden but sure could use more tips. I'm a one woman show here. I am also eagerly awaiting your book on coppicing.
Keep up the most excellent loving work you do and thanks for taking the time to be here. Now.
My weakness is knowing what foods work together. It seems some folks have a sort of sixth sense about that. I would like something that is easy to throw together with just a few ingredients (long ingredient lists put me off right away, but I have an awesome herb garden) and a bonus would be something that could be made in large quantities and then could be frozen.
I have been reluctant to try cooking anything since. Have any encouraging words for a shy cook? Super simple recipes?
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