dame frank

Helix Aspersa don't eat strawberries. I grow tons of strawberries and it's the rolly polly bugs along with slugs that incessantly get caught eating them. I performed an experiment raising my escargot where I actually had snail pens built to protect them. I experimented with over 70 varieties of what I grow here in my gardens.

I also worked with a high school student who needed a science experiment. Her experiment was so thorough we sent it to the FDA who had listed the Helix Aspersa as an invasive species (which I completely disagreed with). The FDA stated that citrus groves in Florida suffered due to them. I believe they were referring to a different snail so she and I set out to see if they attacked citrus.

I grow lemon and tangerine trees in my greenhouse. We plucked lemons, tangerines as well as leaves from both and only provided this as food for 3 days to 200 snails. We placed food stuff I know they love on one side of the compartment and placed the citrus material on the other side. After 3 days, not a one had lingered into the citrus area. Not one single disturbed leaf but the other side, with primarily cabbage family greens was devastated, destroyed, gone!

Conclusion was that the snails must obviously have been starving to death to even bother with the citrus. Best ploy would be to plant broccoli, cabbage and such in the area then collect the snails that way. They love to nestle under boards or pieces of plywood with one corner setting off the ground about an inch or three. Just low enough that the birds cannot nab them.

I do wish this thread would continue on!
I'm in the rainy climes of WA seeking to purchase land in more hospitable climate or join up with others who have already started their "community". I'm older in my years but have vast professional knowledge in facilitating and building community bylaws/guidelines and rules of order which are very helpful tools for a sustainable community.
I'm a permie gal and have been practicing the art for over 3 decades along with animal husbandry.
I'm seriously considering Tennessee or that general region of the country to transplant to.
I come with lots of good stuff for off-grid living along with cash and income.
So if anyone has need of these types of services, let me know!
I also build bus conversions and have been a general carpenter for over 40 years. Come with tools and very good at teaching.

I raised Helix Aspersa. Takes 3 years for them to grow to full size. They have more predators than a rabbit. Mealy bugs, frogs, toads, garter snakes, birds, chickens and the list goes on and on for what eats them. I cannot protect them enough.
Slugs do far more damage to my crops than snails. Snails are picky eaters. Their favorite food is anything in the cabbage family and banana w/ skins (and most fruit except citrus).
I normally purge them on cornmeal for several days, then nothing the 3rd day. I boil them in shell for 3 minutes then dip into cold ice water. I hate boiling them. The kids love these snails to play with, a favorite.
As well, my son lost most the skin on the front of his body when an unseen tank in a bonfire blew up on him.
He allowed me a large patch on his body to place the escargot snails. We used aloe vera on the remainder of his body. The area where I kept introducing the snails healed with no scars. I learned the Japanese burn centers use this process with the snails. Affirmed, works great! Just let them crawl all over until area is slimed. Repeat often until skin has all grown back.

I just watched a documentary on Agave being used in Mexico to reclaim moisture and soil. They also planted small trees to accompany the agave. Here's the link  

[quote=Tom Berens]Would like to have a life partner but it seems at are age they are all set at there homestead and settled in, or they are looking to leave the rat race at any cost.[/quote]

But not necessarily. Life situations change quickly around here lately! In fact, I, myself, will be hitting the road in July seeking a new homesteading option and will be seeking permies like a bee to honey. I have much to offer and eager to be helpful. I'd rather do that then squander my $ on purchasing land where I'll be sitting there doing nothing but dreaming. I'm a doer and good at helping others fulfill their dreams.

Seems to me, over the decades that I've either had all the "stuff" but not the land and then I've had the land but not the "stuff". I'm back to having the "stuff" and not the land. Rather have "stuff" to share than sit alone on land. PM me if anyone is interested in a helping hand! I'm in WA and heading East by Southeast. Or perhaps heading southeast by east?

Your plans in Rochester pretty much sums up what is being attempted here! Personally, Rochester has more favorable growing soil and perhaps less restrictions than here! Most of the group shares info on FB but I was banned several months ago for posting TRUE stories the cabal fact checked! LOL
Anyhow, one of the networking sites we use is... https://www.foodprosperitycentral.org where events are posted. You might post your event there. PM me when you'd like concerning what you are doing on your farm! I can pass the word around, also would like to check it out myself, see if I can offer something!

LOL. I don't know if "that look" you are donning would go over well with the single permie ladies in the US or particularly in my area!

You know, it's odd as of late. I am single and am in a community in mid-western WA that's full of single women over 60 and all have nice parcels of land (5 acres +). I'm talking about over 100 of them (including myself). Funny thing is, each one of them is different and each one has a quirk that may be challenging to live with. What they mostly have in common is their association with the land for the most part. Some are gardener/farmers, some are into just animals, most wish to be independent of the system. Our climate does allow for year-round food harvesting if planned well enough and this area is just now getting around to setting this up (but on such a small scale that could be expanded). We do see more than our fair share of cloudy/drizzly winter days but will go 90-120 with no rain in the summer. The soils here are rocky and acidic which requires building up of soil and changing pH balance.

All have access to permaculture people (big in my community). Many don't even work their land. Many are widowed or came to this country to be free of yokes in their country. Very large variety of cultures here from Russia, Japan, China, UK, NZ, Australia, Canada, France. Heck, we had a food coalition meeting last night (about 80 people showed up) and I fraternized with all these people of various cultures all with a common goal, how to establish our own health, food system aside from the current system. Most all wish to collaborate, teach and share.

Most all were NOT ok with the mask/vax mandates at all and are well educated on the "poisoning" intent of our government/corporations. All practice herbal and alternative medicine along with food health. We need a dentist who is willing to go out on a limb and perform alternative dental care. And barely any of these gals can do basic carpentry. Our western culture sure created a conundrum in separating the sexes from various important occupations. Men are in a much better position to be self-reliant due to strength and skill sets.

Seems we need more men in this area.

Well son of a gun! I'd pass you along if I had a clue what age you are approximately. That's the first questions these young gals ask every single time. I'm not good at judging age, I'm 61 and you all look like kids to me! ;)

When I started to get grey hair, I was unimpressed with my conditioner to keep my hair from being wily and stiff. I switched to henna in 2004. I get the all natural henna from 'hennaforhair' because she is has a medical degree and researched/developed henna without any of the nasty procedures other henna brands are run through. I was delighted with my clay pack on my hair and only used it once a month. Conditioner free since then and my hair is silky and soft. Mere clay made all the difference in the world and I will NEVER go back to conditioner EVER again!

As well, it's edible. As well, I ended up turning my favorite hair stylist onto it (I would go to her once a month to apply the henna to my strands then go home and rinse it out an hour later). She ended up using the clear henna for hair lice on her customers. It works hands down for smothering lice and removing the eggs.

I experimented with no shampoo or conditioner on my hair when I was showering all summer in my makeshift, gravity-fed garden shower stall. I was amazed. 90 days, no soap or anything other than water on my hair and it was clean and manageable! I had learned that water is a neutralizer in many arenas and I wanted to keep my natural oils on my body. I never shared this with anyone since my aim was not for feedback or judgement but to see if my body needed these manmade concoctions. It did not! My gardens were happy to get watered. I also would push not taking a shower until absolutely necessary which allowed my oils to keep me healthy.