Yvonne Scott

Hi John,
The supports are metal. We had a heavy snow in February which started this process of plastic bowing between some of the supports. The rains this spring and lately just made it worse. We built this structure from scratch and saw some of the issues coming up. As I said, we were already purchasing new uprights and connectors to redo but the rains came...

Hey Southern Illinois, this is a long shot but...my 12X20 hoop house collapsed inward last weekend with the heavy rain. I managed to pull the plastic off but the support for the roof is bent almost to the ground. So far the end walls are holding but starting to pull in. Anyone know a handy person in our area who could give me a help? I need someone to cut the roof pieces and take weight off the end walls and maybe put up some supports for the end walls. My son was planning to redo with all new pipe and connectors this fall when he comes. Well we didn't quite make it. Just don't want the whole thing to collapse hoping to salvage some of it. Let me know. I'm in Carbondale. And many thanks! PS: Yes, I've been trying to locate someone in this area already. Folks who understand what is needed, available and don't charge $150/hour are scarce as penguins around here. Oh, and I'm also willing to pay for your time and gas.

Would like to get a couple to add to my fruiting shrubs but they are very expensive. Anyone have established trees that could be used for cuttings when you prune? Or if you've had good luck growing them from seed, let me know. I'm south of Carbondale. Thanks!

I'm excited to add some more fruits to my homestead this year. I'm interested in wild plum, hardy kiwi, honey berries and a specific apricot, the Tilton apricot. I'm in southern Illinois and will drive to a nursery or order from a good source online. Any suggestions? Also any experiences you've had with these, please share. And Happy 2026 to all of us. Thanks!

On a whim I ordered two serviceberry trees and have a nice space for them but have no idea what plants to add for a guild.  Permies: please advise. I'm in southern Illinois zone 7. Thanks

I second (or third or fourth) the idea of a Permies Dating Site. I'm in the older category, healthy, independent, living on my beautiful nine acres in southern Illinois. I don't want to move or move into someone's place. And I'm sure there are many amazing men out there on their homestead who don't want to move either. But we all want some companionship, sharing of resources or at least seeds and transplants, a movie now and then, dinner we prepare together, maybe dancing!!! (COVID really messed that up.) I do peruse the Permies Singles forum but most want to find their 'person' to build their homestead and I applaud that wholeheartedly. It's just not where I am.  If this resonates with others, would love to learn how you're doing the dating thing. Thanks and Happy New Moon!

I’m very happy to learn this little guy IS a dragon—moth. He/she was quite small, barely two inches across wingspread. Thanks Ann for his scientific name. Now to do some more research. Thanks everyone!

A small moth that looks like a miniature dragon was on my porch yesterday outside Carbondale. Is it a menace or not? Sorta cute for what looks like a strange moth.

Hi Blake I’m just getting started with a few elderberries. Bought two varieties Adams and Wilde this year and have some bushes sprinkled around that were already here. I call them Mama Elders. Do I need to worry about cross pollination? Good or bad? Thanks

Hi Barbara!
Great to hear from another potential woman/neighbor. I moved just two miles south of Carbondale in 2020 from New Mexico. I miss the mountains and family there but not 300 days of unrelenting sunshine with 8 inches of rain. I wanted some acreage and an easy house to care for which we landed after just a few months searching online. We were able to hook up with a real estate agent which was so helpful. My 9 acres was purchased about 40 years ago, passed through a couple of owners and this house was completely renovated from a modular home.
As Eric mentioned there are small housing clusters scattered around further from C’dale that will probably be more affordable and with more land than closer in. It’s truly a lovely place to be.
As for medical services it feels like between SIU and Shawnee Health Services I’ve found what I need but I have no major health needs. If you come here to check it out get in touch so we can connect. Maybe we can convene a Southern Illinois group meeting for you!! Keep us posted👍