Bartering ameliorates some of the expense burdens of specialists. I could do mending or trade rabbit for turkey or bread. I enjoy raising rabbit and would be doing it anyway. Communities of pooled resources carries this further. I'd love to find someone to take my rabbit furs.. my hands can't do all the stretching anymore, but rabbit fur hats are the warmest you'll find!
"Doing permaculture" for me has a rather opposite end goal.. allowing me to opt out of the financial/income/economic system to the greatest extent possible.
My dog is playing a fun new game. She goes over to the wall mirror to look at me in the mirror wherever I am, and waits for me to notice. When I see her staring out of the mirror at me, I smile and make a "come" gesture and she spins around and flies to wherever I am. I think she's quite proud of herself for "inventing" this neat mirror game and figuring out how they work. It's hilarious. She dances around like she's laughing.
As someone who does keto and grows all my own produce I want to note that I eat vegetables with every meal everyday and snack on raw veggies and berries as well. Keto isn't no veg/carnivore. It's fat-based low carbohydrates. I don't eat potatoes, grain, sugar. Almost all green veg, avocado, are encouraged and do not move me out of ketosis. Small amts of tomato, eggplant, pumpkin, onion also fine. Regular fresh herbs and berries and melon as well.
Attaching a random keto food pyramid example, you can find others.
I would be inclined to mow frequently, but keep it longer than typical. Mulch mow so all those clippings are going directly back into the soil. Possibly overseed with something like white clover to help improve soil also.
Start saving cardboard.
Look into chip drop or other sources of free loads of wood chips (research, plan).
Have you seen Paul Wheaton's book "Building a Better World in your Backyard..." ? Great ideas for improving and converting lawn areas as well. I'm especially thinking "worm hotels" deep but narrow holes for in ground composting to attract worm populations to aerate and start converting nutrients faster.
Then plan to mow the grass short, cardboard, and woodchip in manageable strips/sections.
Last year I did this to 1/3 of my front yard, and planted it this spring.
Becks Franz wrote:Hi.. my first post and so happy I found this page
Questions for those that have posted.. are there dating sites that are more geared towards this type of lifestyle or is it really just catering your "ad" to try and attract like minded individuals?
Welcome Becks! If there is a site for "us" I haven't found it. There is "farmers only" but that's not been a good source of connection for me over the years. Have poked around on there a bit now and then. Match had a bigger pool of diverse people, eharmony doesn't let you post photos of your hobbies, yard, etc. so that makes it difficult to share who you are as easily, imo. I'm trying FB dating now that I have my first smartphone. Meh. At least it's free but most matches are not close enough to develop, and others are really just looking for an easy weekend hookup. That's not appealing to me at this age/point in life. I want to wake up touching the same person every morning and banter about who's turn it is to get up and make coffee
Bee Brode wrote: as then said broth is occupying space outside of a refrigerated environment (which is premium real estate).
(hoping I did this quote thing right for once)
100% on the real estate comment. It's my biggest motivation for getting my pressure canner; once i realized I can do bone broth, meat, shop bulk sales, etc. and STORE it all without needing freezer space I was sold. I raw pack most things and it pressure cooks while canning, another time-saving piece.
For just tomatoes I would not bother. BUT I love my pressure canner! I do meat, soup, veg, AND it can be used as a water bath canner if I need. It is induction compatible and switching to an induction cooktop cut my electric bill by 60%.
If you want to branch out into preserving OTHER foods then it's well worth it, imo.
So, week/event two accomplished and under my belt! Things learned, ideas validated, more friends made!
I'm learning how to use Instagram @@ that's interesting. I DID do the bundled recipe herbs and that was a GOOD seller! Who doesn't love ranch dressing?
Next time I'm introducing a "grab and go" lower price point flower bouquet. I don't think this market can support even a moderate priced arrangement (mine are a few dollars less than markets around in more affluent towns), although maybe people stop and look wistfully and think about it but decide they can't. Still, lots of conversations with folks asking about different flowers, watching the bees, and stopping to chat!
Looking forward to week 3 with more display tweaks and marketing ideas. Not sure what herbs/recipe will be on the "menu" next time. I think the spoon tomatoes will sell when they are actually fruiting, and that may be by next event. Same with peppermint when it gets a bit larger.
Still actively seeking out and engaging with different local FB pages to get people to the market, and promoting other vendors and products as well!
I've been waiting to hear about an available date, looks like I get to do it AGAIN tomorrow! Exciting. I'm updating how I do some things, bringing different amts. of inventory, I have been learning to instagram as well as a FB page (which I'm very familiar with already). Let's hope that drives more people to the market. It's supposed to be much milder weather tomorrow so I hope that helps.
I have peppermint, moringa, and sweet woodruff plants. I'm still looking for good options to let permies people know what I have for plants, I think they are most likely to know what I'm selling, as well as coming to support local small growers/clean foods. Groups on FB to join, #s to use on instagram, etc.
I'm still reaching out to other markets that I might be able to pick up on other days, if I think I have enough materials to bring. I'm signed up for a one-time weekend community event in October, so I'll get to test run my "kids activities" themes then for sure!
I AM doing "ranch dressing herb bundles" This week, along with the recipe. I can't do samples without a board of health kitchen inspection ahead of time, bummer. Homemade ranch sells itself if people can taste it!
I'd LOVE to be a foster home for children. I have a safe clean drug and alcohol free home, spare furnished bedroom, yard, work part time, experienced with kids, really enjoy having children around. But here in MA German Shepherds are on the short list for dogs that can't be in a home for foster kids sadly. I don't ever see myself NOT having them so I'll have to find other ways to help.
I don't know Hester, I don't think there is anything WRONG with wanting a full physical romantic partner of our preference in our life. Why not focus on it if it's something we really desire? That doesn't preclude neglecting the other whole fulfilling aspects of life, community, and relationship. It doesn't need to be "the thing" that makes us whole, complete. But it sure can be something we desire. Even if we can find happiness without it.
And Amy YES of course you are welcome! It's just a guideline for folks to find comradery, not a rule
Ah, the exercise trap ;) It's hard for clients to wrap their head around that LESS exercise might be the answer! No one is looking to create a power athlete they have to live with; one that needs more and more exercise to even. A good 20 minute free work session is really good thing to substitute for an exercise session too! Quiet, centered, focused, working/ turning on a different part of the brain. I use it at work with my dog before she crates up for client arrivals, instead of playing ball with her (that was getting her riled up and making it harder for her settle for me) and at the end of the day when I just have one dog left..
Thanks Abraham! I had a really nice time, it was so motivating!
What I did with my leftover produce/flowers:
I put the flowers into recycled cups/bottles and passed them out to the other vendors to take home
Herbs went home and into my air dryer in the shed; I give out dried herb collections to family for holidays. A few, like tarragon, went into chop and drop mulching, I just have SO MUCH TARRAGON! lol. My herb spiral grows enough herbs for an army.
Rhubarb, last of the season I thought it would sell but nope. BUT everyone that saw it stopped to tell me about childhood memories of grandmothers/aunts connected to rhubarb <3 Lovely. I'm making pickles this weekend anyway, so now I'll also be making and canning rhubarb juice and compote for ME. YUM. And maybe gifting!
French sorrel left over will be going into the cream sauce recipe that I passed out, and probably onto scrambled eggs for lunches this weekend!
Things I learned: people need suggestions knowing what to DO with things. People prefer ANNUAL herbs (lots of basil requests, and my parsley sold instantly). Bring half as many flowers. I need my own lightweight table; theirs are SUPER heavy and you have to carry it up and down 15 stairs.. I'm too old for that nonsense! I need a market journal to consolidate my notes, thoughts, questions, ideas in one place.
The kids activities are still in the works, but I think it will need definite promotion ahead of time. A handful of kids came, but mostly parents were shuffling/rushing them through the stands. Being a DESTINATION for kids may take a change of mindset. I might get a small table to set up as a kids spot separate from my main table. Will have to see. At this point advertising ahead is hard, I don't have a permanent spot/schedule with this market yet. They are trying to rotate as many new vendors in as possible with limited resources, while they process a nice grant and buy more tents and negotiate a bigger location. I'm HOPING they put me on a regular every-other-week schedule!
I found this super cute free bug coloring page. It works well split in half for a smaller (faster for parents) coloring page. Maybe I'll put up a board for posting them if kids want to leave them :)
I met a SUPER nice woman that completed a PDC a little while ago, and invited her to contact me and visit. I hope she follows up! Would be super to have a permie friend locally.
Today was my first market day. It was great all the other vendors are amazing.. Now I have a better idea of how much to bring next time. Interestingly encouraging people to try the French Sorrel with a recipe and talking about it sold more than any of the familiar herbs. So I'll keep that in mind for next time. I may try a bundling herbs along with a recipe, like "ranch dressing" etc.
I also grow and love sochan (cutleaf coneflower)... perennial early green in the spring and tall lovely sunflower type blooms all late summer/fall that attract goldfinch and pollinators. But, it both spreads and reseeds very freely and vigorously. It's also a north american native so another bonus. I stealth seed bombed it around the wooded path areas of local parks last year. You might not have room for it on a small plot without it becoming a pest. But if you do, it's sort of a spinach/parsley flavor and its a really early harvest, before anything else. I canned a lot of it this spring to be able to have later in the year too. It holds up as well as /slightly better than spinach so far...
I'm propagating a bunch of things I think will sell well at my new farmer's market both that I'm starting next week. So far I rooted about a dozen spoon tomato cuttings and I have about 10 different herbs started. The peppermint is ready to pot up. I'm also planning To Do some comfrey root cuttings next week.
I think it's also a point worth making that having a healthy body that tolerates or compensates for poor diet isn't the same as having the healthiest possible body in conjunction with a good diet. You may be able to handle/process/live on a less than ideal diet, but that's not necessarily evidence that the diet is a "good" one and couldn't be even better. You may be able to rest, hydrate, exercise, detox, supplement etc. your way into eating less than ideally and still appearing quite healthy.
That's on my radar too. For now it's a display/packaging/transporting decision. I'm concerned that psychologically that is a turn off to people. Having to pay MORE vs. getting a DISCOUNT. Even though it's the same price, it feels like a punishment vs. a reward. I'm not set up to do wrapped bouquets, need to test the market and see if I want to invest in having other options aside from what I'm prepared for now. I'm excited though. This is a big experiment as I make connections and learn to adjust to the crowd. I'm growing a lot of permaculture plants that other folks aren't familiar with, so I'm looking to connect with permaculture FB pages/groups as well so I can let them know what I'm selling. Plus it will bring people to the market and encourage even more permaculture discussion/support (I hope). While I'm excited about the potential extra income for me, I'm JUST as excited about meeting people, getting children involved (I think activity #2 is going to be to grow your own Moringa tree) and introducing permaculture to bigger community here. One week to go!! Waiting on insurance process (adding an additional DBA name and waiting for that to be processed to the account so I can have it on the certificate of insurance, no problems just processing delays).
Like some others mentioned I roast mine or cook them like home fries. They are a good potato substitute when you eat low carb. Cooking gets to rid of most of the heat.. I keep forgetting to try them boiled and then cooled and made into a fake potato salad. I bet it's yummy I should do that soon.
I do I love purslane refrigerator pickles as a relish.. I make a generic dill brine with a 1 to 2 vinegar to water ratio sea salt and whatever spices or I have on hand and put it in the refrigerator for a couple of days. So good.. It's my favorite way to eat purslane. I fill the jar with raw chopped purslane pour the hot brine over it.
Let it cool and put it in the fridge.
Lilac is nice. Early bloomer, attracts beneficials, grows fast, can be cut hard, comes in whatever size/color you want. And if you have small livestock they LOVE it and it can be coppiced for forage.
I'd personally love a medlar. I've been contemplating if I have room for one :)
Thanks for that! I was stressing about not having "enough" information to really portray it accurately. But I totally need to look at it from the OTHER end. Shorter sound bites.
On another note, I think I'm going to offer a discount for "bring your own" jar/vase/container for flowers to repeat customers. Encourage them to think about bringing reusable containers and not purchasing a new one!
So many ideas, I need to slow down and take it one week at a time. I'm so excited though.
Well, part of the problem with that is relying on an advice or opinion of someone else for your information. It's a starting point only.
Go back to the science. Look at metabolism. Look at comparative biology. Look at evolution. Then consider the source; usually you can find MONEY at the root of the propoganda/advice. Are they selling a book? Promoting a product? Getting paid by an organization trying to find an outlet for surplus subsidized foods? Trying to market a byproduct by finding a nutritional niche?
Here's my first draft. Target audience is LIKELY folks that have never grown a tomato, never mind heard of permaculture before. They probably look for buzzwords but don't really know what they mean in depth.
What would you change? What would you add/delete?
It's a big topic and I need a focus to make it clear and simple why it's in my market stand tagline. I know it's not encompassing. For this purpose, anything glaringly wrong or misleading?
Yeah, most here require it with the market listed as an additional insured.
However, I already carry a full small business policy and I THINK I can get a certificate to cover me under that at vendor events even though it's a different type of activity. Especially if bring cards/flyers/etc. and promote the existing business at the table. Waiting to hear back.
Well, I'm doing it. I've been searching for a local farmers market on one of my days off that is accepting vendors.
I found one, on Thursdays, AND they provide a tent, table, and have NO fee! It's a community incentive to support local produce and help new folks, pretty cool.
I'll be selling a small variety of cut flowers, fresh herbs, veg, and plants too.
I've decided my tag line is going to be "home grown with love and permaculture" and I plan to put together a small flyer/brochure as a basic permaculture intro!
Wish me luck, starts in 2 weeks if all goes well with insurance and whatnot.
So far I've used grass clippings, non-flowering weeds collected, catalpa blossoms, and home compost.
It would be faster to sycthe and use that, but with the tilling every year I'm really battling a heavy weed seedbed and I'm trying to avoid bringing in even MORE flowing/seeding things. Plus, there are loads of poison ivy and thorny patches in the unmowed areas of the park.
My home yard and compost are suffering a bit from me constantly "stealing" the grass clippings. I've not had luck finding anyone with clippings that does NOT spray or treat :(
Weed success! Last year, I judiciously weeded AROUND the lambs quarter and purslane, harvesting and letting it go to seed. THIS year that is paying off as I've had a noticeable increase in both, and fewer of the other things that I pull out. I'm pretty happy about this.
ALSO, I put in several moss rose/ portulaca flowers last year, and left them to be tilled in. HAPPILY they seem to have actually had several pieces survive tilled into the sandy soil and are GROWING in many places throughout my plot. They seem too big to me to just have reseeded, but that is a possiblity also, they do grow fast when it gets warm. I love them so I'm really happy about this, next year I won't buy any I think.
Updates! Photo heavy so I may do a few posts here. First, a row by row! I'm leaving 1/5 of the plot "fallow" but purchased a ryobi weed wacker to make the authorities happy. But I'll just let the "biomass" fall where it lays and get tilled in. Hopefully I'll keep it from much blooming. I'll talk about GOOD weeds and judicious weeding in a following post too.
I'm still planting every week; so many plot neighbors are NOT aware you can succession or rotation plant in the same year! A few "helpful" people told me mid-June it was "too late" to plant anything else. The idea that you plant in May and harvest in fall and that's IT is so pervasive. I see quizzical looks as well when I walk out with an armload every week, when they are KNOW I was putting in tiny seedlings when they were planting big greenhouse transplants. I told them mine would catch up, but they didn't believe it.
going by memory, my edible plant list to date: radish, turnip greens, collard greens, leeks, tomatoes, pumpkin, zucchini, parsley, spring onion, globe turnips, bok choy, tat soi, mustard greens, eggplant, cowpeas, lima beans, lemon basil, canary melon, bush cucumbers, peppers (variety, may be too small, time will tell), runner beans, arugula, swiss chard.
How fun, I just web searched sell purslane at farmers market" and it brought me back here to permies <3. I should have looked here first!
I just applied for a farmer's market stall. I need to look up sample rules, but I may bring some pickled purslane that I LOVE to make and eat if that's allowed.
I've let it reseed in my allotment and it's fat and healthy and vigorous this year!
I'm so glad folks are still visiting and finding value in this thread, and reviving it!
I read back through the beginning and I'll toss out an update and some new/revisited thoughts.
Still single here, lol. One of the things I struggle with when getting to know someone is the whole "already have property" thing. That's not BAD per se, but it's bad to me if there is no room for growth, incorporating my wants/desires/goals/projects into it. Sometimes I feel like I'm just an appliance that someone wants to plug into that empty gap in their kitchen so their life feels complete. I'm looking for, even at this age, someone that wants to BUILD SOMETHING NEW TOGETHER. That doesn't have to mean moving or giving up property, but it's not likely you are going to have my "dream" property/lifestyle already cookie cutter in place. In which case, I'd be happier staying where I am and continuing building my own life and future.
I do NOT mean that as a complaint against folks who really are settled and have created something they want to share with a partner. There isn't anything wrong with that.
I said recently to an online dating prospect that "I'm not everyone's flavor of weird" lol. My image/photos don't necessarily create a stereotype they can easily slot me into, and it's not easy to polarize me into a caricature. It takes time to get to know me (and everyone really) and for all the nuances to unfold! I sometimes feel alone on that quest/approach!
I did talk to one guy, seemed super compatible.. we chatted a couple times a day for 3 weeks, planned a first date. Seemed genuine, our conversations were very nice, had some depth, no weirdness on my radar. Then a couple days before we met I realized I didn't know his last name so I asked. I assumed it was a funny oversight we had been talking about so many other things without any vagueness, etc. He deleted and blocked me! That was a big surprise. Back to the drawing board.
Let's see.. I've joined meet up groups, a local gardening club, started going to dancing once a week (lessons and practice), going on cultural event tours once a month, tried a new online dating platform. I've opened up a lot to making it more of a priority to find community and friendships. I've met LOADS of really nice... women. The support and comraderie has been lovely, but I can't say it's moved me any closer to finding a romantic partner. It's enhanced my life and got me out of a rut, so that's worth something in and of itself. I've also been more conscientious about checking in with friends and reaching out.
