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21 Responses to DIY urban homesteading
Springfield, Illinois, actually. And I should fess up. I no longer live there, but in nearby Urbana, Illinois, which is super progressive and awesome. I don’t have a house of my own yet, but we do have a killer compost pile, and I’m hopeful for a killer garden this spring.
Humanure, hell yeah! We weren’t able to do it there, partly because we had no back yard, i.e., privacy. It would have happened eventually, though. I visited Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage in SEMO, and planted with humanure.
Have you learned about humanure compost? DONT LOOK AWAY IN DISGUST you just gotta read about it, youll find out
HandsomeSasquatch
September 25, 2012 at 10:53 am Reply
Springfield Oregon?
futureisourpast
September 25, 2012 at 11:48 am Reply
Sustainability is breaking even. It is the least we can do. I mean, compared to where we as a culture are right now, yes, that is huge. But when we think of the world we would like to create for our children and grandchildren, I think fecundity and abundance are more delightful and entertaining ideas. And they’re not sold in stores, unlike the eco trendy crap. I forget who said this, but if they have to advertise it to ya, you don’t need it!
I like when you talk about the word “Sustainable” being a buzzword. So true. To sustain means to hold, like to sustain a musical note implying there is no change or evolution. Isn’t that preferable to a static world? Sustaianable is now a mind control trigger word for many folk willing to conform to our new doomsayers eco-slavery.
Good for you to sense it. Some of the benifits of leaving the dependence on others is increased awareness, less fear, and enhanced bullshit sniffing.
I’m with ya sister. I used to have that life. Worked an hour away from home. Worked through my lunch hour and an hour after work most days, so then I could start my hour drive home. I went back to work three and a half weeks after I had my son. That sure didn’t feel good. It’s taken me two years to learn how to live happily again. Tomorrow we’re planting lettuce in a cold frame. I hope it grows!
Hey,
I’m with you.. We have a place in the city and named it InHisThyme homestead.
We grow a lot of food here. Have the start of a small woodlot forest garden. Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, red currents, bush cherries, Service berries, a purple leaf pink flowered peach with tiny luscious peaches, Trying to learn Permaculture , growing herbs, veggies, worm composting..So we know what you feel!! Keep up the good work!!
cityhomesteader
September 25, 2012 at 2:56 pm Reply
You wouldn’t be the first to utter that comment. It seems everyone here has dogs (except me). Those in particular are hooouuuunnnnddd dogs. Usually if they get goin like that, their guy goes out and yells at them to shut the eff up. I think you get used to them after a while, like the sound of distant traffic or fire engines.
Yeah, walking around with a camera and saying whatever comes to mind doesn’t necessary translate to a full picture. A homestead (as I get it) is basically a home, ecology in its original meaning. I still don’t produce a lot of what I consume, but I am doing more each year. And then there’s the woodstove, homeschooling, sewing, graywater, brewing wine, making kraut, writing, coordinating food not lawns educational outreach, hanging out and helping others… I enjoy it. Thanks.
That’s excellent …… I can’t see most of that in the video,unfortunately, but I’m happy that you manage it.( I really believe in self-sufficiency, if a person has the space to do it.) I only mentioned it because I was surprized to see it called a homestead ,when it didn’t appear that you were producing much of what you you consume.You’ve got my sympathy as far as what 1 person can accomplish alone….with young children it’s tough, I can totally understand. All the best & take care.
In addition to the tomatoes and zucchini, there’s lots of potatoes, onions, garlic, beans, peas, chard. There’s also 2 dozen fruit trees, grapevines, strawberries, black and red raspberries, blackberries, currants, rhubarb, asparagus, and then there’s all the edible weeds and medicinal herbs, pollinator attractors and so on. Each year the human food portion of the yard gets bigger, but I’m only one person and can do only so much! The soil is fabulous–thick, rich and black.
continued…..neighbors takes strain off of farmland & is earth-friendly(& saves you money).But it’s a nice property & I enjoyed your video.Thank you for sharing it.
You’re really lucky to have such a large piece of land in an urban area.And if your soil’s good, as you say, then you’re even luckier. But I have to say, I don’t actually see much food production here,which is sad.Some zucchini & tomato I noticed.Lots of non-food. I’m surprised you don’t grow more on your homestead….using urban land productively, for yourself & to sell,trade with your
Springfield, Illinois, actually. And I should fess up. I no longer live there, but in nearby Urbana, Illinois, which is super progressive and awesome. I don’t have a house of my own yet, but we do have a killer compost pile, and I’m hopeful for a killer garden this spring.
Humanure, hell yeah! We weren’t able to do it there, partly because we had no back yard, i.e., privacy. It would have happened eventually, though. I visited Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage in SEMO, and planted with humanure.
zomba23
September 25, 2012 at 10:24 am
Have you learned about humanure compost? DONT LOOK AWAY IN DISGUST you just gotta read about it, youll find out
HandsomeSasquatch
September 25, 2012 at 10:53 am
Springfield Oregon?
futureisourpast
September 25, 2012 at 11:48 am
Sustainability is breaking even. It is the least we can do. I mean, compared to where we as a culture are right now, yes, that is huge. But when we think of the world we would like to create for our children and grandchildren, I think fecundity and abundance are more delightful and entertaining ideas. And they’re not sold in stores, unlike the eco trendy crap. I forget who said this, but if they have to advertise it to ya, you don’t need it!
zomba23
September 25, 2012 at 12:36 pm
I like when you talk about the word “Sustainable” being a buzzword. So true. To sustain means to hold, like to sustain a musical note implying there is no change or evolution. Isn’t that preferable to a static world? Sustaianable is now a mind control trigger word for many folk willing to conform to our new doomsayers eco-slavery.
Good for you to sense it. Some of the benifits of leaving the dependence on others is increased awareness, less fear, and enhanced bullshit sniffing.
slowfinger2
September 25, 2012 at 1:04 pm
Nice video.
JonnyMuzz
September 25, 2012 at 1:28 pm
Powerful video.
389Lee
September 25, 2012 at 2:18 pm
I’m with ya sister. I used to have that life. Worked an hour away from home. Worked through my lunch hour and an hour after work most days, so then I could start my hour drive home. I went back to work three and a half weeks after I had my son. That sure didn’t feel good. It’s taken me two years to learn how to live happily again. Tomorrow we’re planting lettuce in a cold frame. I hope it grows!
beckyr1974
September 25, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Glad to see and hear this again Zomban! So much depends on not believing in weed whackers. Thanks friend<3
mmmshody
September 25, 2012 at 2:44 pm
Hey,
I’m with you.. We have a place in the city and named it InHisThyme homestead.
We grow a lot of food here. Have the start of a small woodlot forest garden. Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, red currents, bush cherries, Service berries, a purple leaf pink flowered peach with tiny luscious peaches, Trying to learn Permaculture , growing herbs, veggies, worm composting..So we know what you feel!! Keep up the good work!!
cityhomesteader
September 25, 2012 at 2:56 pm
You wouldn’t be the first to utter that comment. It seems everyone here has dogs (except me). Those in particular are hooouuuunnnnddd dogs. Usually if they get goin like that, their guy goes out and yells at them to shut the eff up. I think you get used to them after a while, like the sound of distant traffic or fire engines.
zomba23
September 25, 2012 at 3:26 pm
I would have to shoot those damn dogs barking in the background.
hrd2bhumble76
September 25, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Yeah, walking around with a camera and saying whatever comes to mind doesn’t necessary translate to a full picture. A homestead (as I get it) is basically a home, ecology in its original meaning. I still don’t produce a lot of what I consume, but I am doing more each year. And then there’s the woodstove, homeschooling, sewing, graywater, brewing wine, making kraut, writing, coordinating food not lawns educational outreach, hanging out and helping others… I enjoy it. Thanks.
zomba23
September 25, 2012 at 4:37 pm
That’s excellent …… I can’t see most of that in the video,unfortunately, but I’m happy that you manage it.( I really believe in self-sufficiency, if a person has the space to do it.) I only mentioned it because I was surprized to see it called a homestead ,when it didn’t appear that you were producing much of what you you consume.You’ve got my sympathy as far as what 1 person can accomplish alone….with young children it’s tough, I can totally understand. All the best & take care.
ggmorvaj
September 25, 2012 at 4:42 pm
In addition to the tomatoes and zucchini, there’s lots of potatoes, onions, garlic, beans, peas, chard. There’s also 2 dozen fruit trees, grapevines, strawberries, black and red raspberries, blackberries, currants, rhubarb, asparagus, and then there’s all the edible weeds and medicinal herbs, pollinator attractors and so on. Each year the human food portion of the yard gets bigger, but I’m only one person and can do only so much! The soil is fabulous–thick, rich and black.
zomba23
September 25, 2012 at 5:16 pm
continued…..neighbors takes strain off of farmland & is earth-friendly(& saves you money).But it’s a nice property & I enjoyed your video.Thank you for sharing it.
ggmorvaj
September 25, 2012 at 5:48 pm
You’re really lucky to have such a large piece of land in an urban area.And if your soil’s good, as you say, then you’re even luckier. But I have to say, I don’t actually see much food production here,which is sad.Some zucchini & tomato I noticed.Lots of non-food. I’m surprised you don’t grow more on your homestead….using urban land productively, for yourself & to sell,trade with your
ggmorvaj
September 25, 2012 at 5:58 pm
great views nice garden so far! your place could be really beautiful with a good weed whacker and some elbow grease! =)
phrygian360
September 25, 2012 at 6:19 pm
I love your views- this is our dream too. 🙂
vlk41
September 25, 2012 at 6:36 pm
Hey Zombans, I saw this link on the yuku board. This is our future – thank you for sharing it. I hope you post more.
newblueprint
September 25, 2012 at 7:15 pm
So much has changed since I last saw it, when Rich was living there. It looks great!
C. Milton Dixon
September 25, 2012 at 7:24 pm