Jeff Anderson

I imagine that would largely be due to humidity. If relative humidity in the basement was high enough, maybe from a faulty water heater, mixed with a slight weak spot in the jars seal. The upstairs cupboard might be dry enough that said weak spot in the seal would be relatively stronger........preventing spoiling for significantly longer.


Or I might be completely wrong......that's just what popped into my head, based on experience.

There is a whole world of information to talk about here! To begin, another thing you can use to make tinctures is food grade glycerin. It's sweet, so great for the kids!
http://www.wildroots.com/herbal.htm

Most alkoloids and chemicals can be activated in water. Others, like tetrahydracanibol, require alcohol or oil. A good google search will turn up the neccasary info. heres a good place to start....
http://medherb.com/

paul wheaton wrote:
I think the subject is covered well, I just wanna throw something in ... just my own opinion that is significantly different from most permies:   I would not use cardboard or newspaper for mulch.  It's the glues that hold the bits of fiber together that bother me.  Most folks seem completely comfortable with it.  I'm not.

I'm a big fan of using bales of alfalfa. 

As for shingles ... we're talking about tar shingles, right?  While I can see how this would, indeed, be entirely effective for what you are suggesting, and it is far better than using herbicides ...  I would still look for a something a bit more benign.  But ... that's just me.

I've always felt uncomfortable about the inks in newspaper. I've been told a hundred times that its biodegradable, ( non-glossy, non-color ink) but I just don't like it.

Hello! I found a few intersting things for you! First off Corn Gluten Meal as a pre-emergent!!!
http://www.turfgrasstrends.com/turfgrasstrends/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=12811

When using aged (not composted) manure, the following practices will reduce the potential for contamination:
Manure is considered "aged" when it has sat for a year.
Never apply manure to growing food Crops.
Apply manure in the fall after harvest, and mix it in. Fall application allows the longest period from application to harvest.
Do not leave manure on the soil surface where it can have direct contact with the crop. Always mix it into the soil.
Wait 120 days from manure application to crop harvest. This can be safely reduced to 90 days if the edible portion is protected by a husk, pod or shell.

        For those of you out there who are fed up with the standard university system in this country, a breath of fresh air has arrived. Gaia University (www.Gaiauniversity.org) was founded in 2006 with the goal of localizing education. Localizing education? Aren't schools "local"? In low income neighborhoods and nations worldwide there are villages and towns where all the bright young people are gone. Where did they go? They went to the big city to go to college, and most never come back. Gaia University wants those young people to stay home, get a good college education, and make the place they live better.
        Gaia University offers a unique approach to higher learning by offering students (called Associates) access to accredited Bachelors and Masters degrees and Graduate Diplomas whilst the Associate is actively engaged in self and planetary transformation. Linking your ideals with self-directed practical experience, you act as a world changer, by working for local and global sustainability and regeneration, justice and peace.
The self-directed action learning methodology enables you to study locally, at work or on project, in your own language, supported by Gaia University's Regional Organizers, and a worldwide network of learning providers, tutors and mentors.
        I am actually a Bachelors associate for Integral Eco-social Design, and it's amazing. I'm at my orientation at the Regenerative Design Institute in Bolinas, Ca right now! It's so great to be in a place with so many other people who want to actually WORK to bring change in this world. If you want to work hard too, you should really check it out. If anyone has any questions or wants more details, feel free to ask!

       

Hi Cindybode! In my experience, nitrogen fixing plants can't be overdone. So have fun with it! If you want to find out more about Nitrogen fixation you can look here
http://www.visionlearning.com/library/module_viewer.php?mid=98

Rizobium bacteria, who knew?

      I had the opportunity last night to see an amazing musician. His name is Singing Bear, and he sings permaculture. Singing Bear currently calls San Fransisco home, but travels the world bringing his songs of peace and regeneration to those who need it most. Any money he makes from playing shows goes to fund travel around the world bringing music into orphanages, schools, hospitals, homeless shelters, battered areas, warzones, beaches, colleges, and everywhere that he can. Any excess money he uses to buy musical instruments and other seeds of creative inspiration for those who can't afford them. Please check out his website at http://www.myspace.com/sacredsongbear and check out one of his shows if hes playing near you. you won't be disappointed.