Comments on: MODERN DAY URBAN HOMESTEADER

By: Hannah

Hannah — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:48:40 +0000

The how tos are my favourite. I love learning from what others are doing, recipes too. And photos seeing everything growing, and the community stuff you have happening.

By: Beverly

Beverly — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:54:39 +0000

Ditto with what everyone has said. Just keep writing so we can keep reading and learning! Also love the animal photos the best, but enjoy all the photos you post.

One thing that did come to mind is:
What would be your top 10 gardening books that you consult?

This is my first garden is several years, and the first one that I'm trying to do organic, and I'd love to have a few good reference books. How to battle bugs? Succession planting, composting, etc, etc, etc.

Love PTF!
Beverly

By: Ingrid

Ingrid — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:22:38 +0000

Like many others I have lots of specific questions for everyone at PTF, but, as Laurie said in a previous comment, I know it is difficult for them to answer because they are so busy living the path. If it is any help to those of you who are also in So Cal, here is a link to a planting schedule I found online:

http://www.digitalseed.com/gar.....table.html

Also, if you go back and read in detail the archives to the PTF site (about 8 years worth I think), you can glean information answering lots of the questions you have. I keep a file on my computer where I put bits of information, arranged by category, pertaining to vegetable gardening, food preserving, composting etc etc. whether I need the particular information at that time or not. When the need arises, chances are I already have the information handy. I also add information as I glean it from other gardening sites, books, and personal experience. (usually lessons learned from my failures in the garden - even failures are valuable!)

They also have a nice selection of helpful books available in the peddlers wagon on the PTF site. You can get a great book and support PTF at the same time!

Thanks again to the Dervaes family for sharing so much with us - I especially love the photos! Everything looks so lush and green and the animals, well, I just want to hug those goats and maybe a chicken or two as well! I am so grateful for your inspiration.

By: Di

Di — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:00:24 +0000

Well my reasons for wanting to know what they are planting and what is working for them is entirely selfish. I'm in So Cal too according to googlemaps I am 42 miles away. You can bet your butt if I am ever of need to head down that way I'll be calling to see if they are available for a tour! lol. In fact now I see they are ONLY 42 miles I may make a special trip at some point.

By: Christine

Christine — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:32:50 +0000

I have raised both milk goats and Jersey milk cow. What I would like to know, is, how you feed your goats, what, how much and how offten. Since they are mini's they would probably eat allot less then reg. sized does. I noticed from one of your pictues that you feed greens in a plastic milk container. What are the greens? Do you feed a grain supplement, how often. Also, how do you keep the smell down? Do you have the animals on cement, or on sod? Do you lime? Things like that. Do you worm the goats? Do you bathe them? Lots of questions, but when you have a rainy day to write! No hurry! Are the goats bred yet, if not, then when? Thanks so much for every thing. Sometimes I get to feeling like I'm the only one who wants to live like this, but then I look to you guys, and you are farther along then we are now.We were more prepared, but moved, and now we are starting all over. That's exciting in itself. Lot's of extra work though.... Again thanks allot! God Bless You and Yours! ...C

By: Ellen Christian

Ellen Christian — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:55:04 +0000

I'd love to see more of your day to day activities. What do you do each day & how do you do it differently than our average person? I'd love more photos of the inside of the house - maybe highlighting any handmade, off grid or unusual items. I want to know how I can do what you do here in Vermont on my two acres. I think it's great that you are focusing more on outreach but sadly I am way too far away to be able to attend your functions. What I can gather from this blog and other sites online is the only way I can figure out how to do what you do here. I am looking forward to all your future posts & pictures!

By: Sue

Sue — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:21:15 +0000

I love your journal. I never seem to get tired of animal pictures.

By: D~

D~ — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:20:48 +0000

As others have mentioned, I would love to know more about seasonal plantings and timing.

Most of all I just want to say that when you are at a loss for words, your photos alone are amazingly inspirational!
Thank you for all that you do and all that you share. You have brought an incredible awareness into my life and I am truly grateful!

By: Darren

Darren — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:05:39 +0000

I'd love to see photos and commentary on one page of a single plant (or group/guild, or garden bed), from germination through to harvest and composting the remains (with dates!).

Lots of web sites show you how to sow seeds, how to transplant, how to harvest, etc. But I haven't found any that show a single plant throughout its entire lifecycle.

There are little nuances I think this could show, such as repercussions of decisions in thinning out seedlings, pruning, staking and tying up plants, their fruit bearing period, planning for succession, etc.

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:29:31 +0000

Ditto what has been said, but I am also interested in watering- besides the tanks and ollas, what are you planning. I think we are all waking up to oil prices, but I think water is going to be the shortage in the future.