Douglas Buege

With the right timing, honeyberries are delectable.  I usually wait until they've been purple two weeks.
D

My three favorite, in order, are 1) European scythe, 2) European scythe, and 3) I can't remember but it rhymes with lithe.

I have a field of 400 baby stone pines.  I was mowing but the mower is loud, sucks gas, and moves way too fast.  I can't see individual plants as I whizzzzzzz by.  The scythe is quiet, and quite careful when used with full attention.  I consider scything a key Zen activity. It narrows my perspective and focus to the job at hand.  

I really suggest quantifying every element in this build from cubic meters of soil moved to soil density as it varies with depth to diurnal temperature fluctuations.  Pushing the data collection will really help me translate the project to a flat site in northeastern Wisconsin.  I've dreamed of a greenhouse that doesn't contribute to climate change for decades.  This is a project that excites me!

I ordered the Mother Earth News archive on a jump drive for $30+.  It's in an EPUB format which means I had to download a program to read books on computer.  I was dismayed to find that there is no INDEX to search for information and the articles don't include images.  As I age, I find it harder to remember which volume had which article so I'm finding that I wasted my money.  My hope was to recycle or give away my back issues, many from the 1970s, but I won't do that now.  I might give the jump drive to somebody, though.  In fact, it's yours for $20, which will include all shipping.  But don't waste your money on it.  Yes, the drive does have a little red light that flashes in a cool way.  But that's the best thing I can say about it.

I'm in the process of making my own index.  Maybe I will post it here!

Benjamin,
Indeed, you are right.  I need to jump right in to the deep end and peen.  I've got to stop preparing and just do it.

But, of course, I'm going to wait until it warms up.

I purchased a new scythe from Botan this summer and am really impressed with this very useful tool.  I've been establishing an edible forest garden in an old field and use the scythe to cut the grass around individual trees.

What I'm concerned about is my new level of scythe anxiety.  Botan took me out and had me cutting.  That was great.  HE also showed me how to peen.  I've looked at videos of peening, but I"m really worried about actually doing it.  I don't want to destroy or even damage a really powerful tool.

Any advice?

I'm going to pick up Ian's book with hopes that a good resource will make peening possible.

I'll purchase your Mollison book.  How would you prefer payment?  My email:  djbuege@gmail.com

Eric,
I agree with you.  UPS should be accountable.  I'll see what happens.

Yes, I could contact my credit card company but I won't.  It's not about the money.  It's about an agreement between me and Prairie Plant Systems that I would pay for healthy plants delivered in that state.  They failed.  I believe that they should remedy the situation or deal with the consequences.  The consequences in this case are having people in the Permaculture community know how they deal with customers.  When we appeal to a greater power such as the government, the police, or the credit card company, we reduce the importance of interhuman connections that help sustain our larger society.