Randy Bachman

I didnt eat it. Thanks for the picture. The leaves on what I pulled are definitely different. I dont know anything about dock, but I’m guessing its not edible.

Just harvested my very first skirret. I planted a package after our discussion before it got really cold. I only found one that actually grew, wasn't even sure what it was, almost thought it was a weed. Here are the pixs. Tell me if I am mistaken.

I have used Kenneth and Douglas’ methods dozens of times in my repair business. I offer 2 refinements: dont slot the bolt unless it sticks out a bit; and be ready to buy a tap the size of the hole if you end up drilling the old bolt, so you can clean up the threads.

I’ve been a flower presser for decades. I would stick them in my Bible to flatten. Moist ones would go between paper towels to wick the moisture and not wrinkle up the Bible paper (ask me how I know!). When I came across a flower while reading  I would try and remember where I got it. I finally had so many I moved them to my farm / Permaculture journals and just lightly glue them in. That has been wonderful. I will put them in cards on occasion too. People always comment. 😀 sometimes they are very thick like grass seed or daisies. I will put those under thick books to press. I guess someday i’ll make a real press, but I’m in no particular hurry.

Jeff Lindsey wrote:Walden, by Henry David Thoreau is the classic that got a lot of people moving out of the urban areas.

Ten Acres Enough by Morris has recently been discussed here. It is more of a "how to" but it does have some interesting family dynamics.
Enjoy

I read Walden every year since 1976 (high school) wonderful book. I have to limit how much I read at anyone time. Over the years it has changed, or is it me? I suspect the latter.

I finished Ten Acres Enough last month. While not always permies-friendly i live it. I was going to pass it on, but decided to keep it and read if again. His life tracked mine in so many ways.

Thom Bri wrote:… My peach grove, 20 trees, is all from grocery peach pits, but can't get apricots to sprout.

was there anything special you did for the peach pits? Do you start them in pots or direct sow? How long from pit to a 2 foot tree?

[quote=Sarah Joubert

I am looking for bee food in my hot, dry climate. After researching the plant, there is conflicting info out there. Some say it has been used as a herbal remedy with other sites stating it's toxic-even the honey.
Anyone out there have experience with Tecoma stans?

Got cookies, not honey 😀 from the bees so you may have a point about toxicity.

Bought our first homestead last fall. The previous owner had some Yellowbell growing. The one plant was well over 7 feet tall and filled with of yellow bell flowers. It just wouldnt quit. The bees brought me cookies to show their appreciation. Finally the flowers stopped and these long seed pods appeared en mass. I bagged them up (a whole shopping bag full). After drying all winter i carefully removed the little wing seeds. Almost a pickle jar’s worth. I am planting them everywhere on my 5 acre parcel. I do hope i have hundreds of these germinate. I also planted bell pepper and jalapeño seeds i got from store-bought produce just to see if they will grow. I am glad to know others do it too.

Zone 9b here. Many years ago my Mexican and Honduran customers told me about this superfood Moringa tree. Every part is edible and vakuable. I bought seeds and quickly sold all the small ones. I took one home and planted it. It grows qucickly and is fairly narrow. However a hard freeze kills it, or so i thought. My wife cut it off at the base and i dried the leaves and the perfectly strait pole of about 1.5in in diameter. The next year three poles came up from the base. While one freeze takes it out, it is a nearly perfect copicing contender. I even made some dowels out of it. It needed no care. If you are in a warmish environment and want sturdy pole wood it is a good one.

Amy Gardener wrote:The Los Angeles area fires are the latest wake up call for those living in extreme drought conditions.
Today I completed a small easy project (about 5 hours work) that may help protect this property from future fires. I cleared out the flammables in Zone 0 (fuel reduction 0 - 5 feet from the house) and composted the debris. I pruned tree limbs, cut native grasses and cleared anything that could catch fire that was near the house to create a wildfire safety buffer.

I love the diagram. What software did you use for that?