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Urban Homestead Facts
LOCATION
Pasadena, CA
(Northwest Pasadena, one mile from downtown Pasadena)
PROPERTY SIZE
1/5 acre (66' x 132' / 8,712 sq.ft.)
GARDEN SIZE
~ 1/10 acre (3,900 sq.ft. / ~ 66' x 66')
GARDEN DIVERSITY
Over 350 different vegetables, herbs, fruits, berries
FOOD PRODUCED
6,000 lbs annually
challenging for 10,000 lbs in 2008 (read more)
URBAN HOMESTEAD SUPPORTS
4 full-time adults, volunteers, and many clients
ENERGY USAGE
6.5 kwh day (and going down!)
SOLAR POWER PRODUCED
9000 kwh ( as of 10/20/08)
GALLONS OF BIODIESEL MADE (since 2003)
1,500 gallons (as of 2/12/08)
"EARTH IMPACT FOOTPRINT" 5.2 acres per person
Tally Ho 2008
PRODUCE
4,340 lbs (9/31/08)
EGGS
Chicken 921 & Duck 1028 (10/22/08)
HONEY
25 lbs (10/20/08)
Steps Taken
Everyday Steps
Growing 99 % of produce
- 6,000lbs on 1/10 acre
Food Preservation/Storage:
- canning
- drying
- freezing
In the Kitchen:
- baking/cooking from
scratch
- yogurtmaking
- breadmaking
- cheesemaking
- sprouting
- cast iron cookware
- no dishwasher or
microwave
Food Choices:
- buying in bulk
- organic
- local
- eating seasonaly
- reducing "food miles"
- fair trade
- vegetarian(over 17 years)
Raising Small Farmstock:
- chickens (eggs/manure)
- ducks (eggs/manure)
- dwarf rabbits (manure)
- dwarf/pygmy goats
(milk/manure)
Composting Methods:
- making/using EM Bokashi
- vermicomposting
- composting food, garden
and green waste
Fuel:
- homebrewing biodiesel
- running diesel car on
biodiesel(~4,000 miles a yr)
Energy Conservation:
- "powering down"
- cut daily energy use in 1/2
12 kwh to 6 kwh a day
- 12 solar panels
- "green" power
- rechargeable batteries
- line drying clothes
Energy Efficient Appliances:
- washing machine
- refridgerator
- water heater(gas)
Energy Efficient Electronics:
- computer/printer/copier
- TV(no cable)/VCR/ DVD
Energy Efficient Lighting:
- compact fluorescent bulbs
- olive oil lamps
- oil lamps filled with
biodiesel
- homemade soy & beeswax
candles
- daylighting
- solar tube
Non-electrical Appliances /
Hand-powered
- blender
- toaster
- grinder(s)
- popcorn popper
- solar oven(s)
- hand washer/wringer
- pedal powered grain mill
- straight razor
- handcranked radio
- mortar & pestle
Natural beauty/no makeup
Homemade Non-toxic
Beauty Care Products
- toothpaste
- deoderant
Biodegrable/Non-toxic
Cleaning Products:
- vinegar
- baking soda
- lemon juice
Natural Health Practices:
- homeopathy
- herbal remedies
- prevention
Water Conservation Efforts:
- low flush toilets
- toilet lid sink
- reusing laundry water
- limit toilet flushings
- limit baths/showers
- mulching
- handwatering
- clay pot irrigation
- solar outdoor shower
- front load washer
- food not lawns
Hand powered garden tools:
- push mower
- broom, rake
- trowel, shovel
- hand clippers
Self-employed
Working at home:
- honey business
- produce/flower business
- craft business
Crafts & Skills:
- winemaking
- survival skills
- edible landscaping
- sewing
- leatherwork
- fiber arts
- animal husbandry
- holistic care
- tinctures
- carpentry
- plumbing
- building
- haircutting
- bicycle repairs
- soapmaking
- candlemaking
- herbs
- urban farming
- website design
- photography
- self publishing
- video & graphics
Living Simply:
- making use or do without
- bartering
- monthly shopping trips
- reduce, reuse & recycle
- second hand clothes
- salvage/thrift store
- consume less
Passive Cooling:
- no AC
- wood floors
- blinds
- windows
- screen doors
- edible forest
- "living" screens
- solar attic fan
Heating:
- no central heat
- woodstove that uses
scrap wood
- dress in layers
Walking the old paths:
- tithing
- day of rest
- stewardship
Saving seeds
Unschooling
Beekeeping
DIY Projects:
- solar oven
- cob oven
- solar outdoor shower
- depaved driveway/patio
- installed solar panels
- roofing
- sheds, etc
- animal enclosure, etc
- this website
- urban homesteading
Using canvas bags on
shopping trips / no plastic
Transportation:
- biodiesel "veggie" vehicle
- 4 "car free" days a week
- walk
- bike
- carpool
- mass transit
- cross country train trips
- 2 airplane trips in 25 years
"Green" Home Upgrades:
- metal roof
Outreach/helping others
along the path
CURRENT TRAILS
Growing 10k on 1/10
Rainwater
Waste water recovery
Support
We Support
« QUACKERS! | Main | URBAN HOMESTEADING »
December 11, 2009
A reader commented recently that she was inspired by LHITC to purchase her first apron - that’s great!
An urban homesteaders wardrobe is not complete without aprons (ok, I am speaking for us females!)
There’s something about aprons that really evoke a true pioneer urban homesteading spirit.
Aprons are very “eco conscious” if you think about it. In the old days they couldn’t just up and throw their dirty clothes in a washing machine — it took hours to do the laundry, so aprons were a practical way to keep clothes clean, saving both time and water. Saving water is a big deal these days, so who knew Grandma was such an eco chica
Besides the their eco qualities, aprons are so very feminine! And we gals certainly need a dose of femininity with chicken crap on our feet, flour dust in our hair and hands, well, hands that are on the “rough” side!
My sister and I are suckers for aprons and these two beauties are the newest in our collection. I have to be honest, we didn’t make them but they are handmade (from a guy in Italy - more on that later, oh, and there’s no wedding bells if that’s where your mind is going) These new “LHITC signature” aprons will be our “going out” aprons as we wouldn’t want to spoil ‘em with tomato splatters!
Speaking of an urban homesteaders wardrobe, seems like the urban homesteading craze has caught the eye of fashion world - seems like nothing escapes these people (sheesh)
Tips for Greener Clothing and Laundry (via treehugger)
My notations are in bold!
1. Choose apparel in muted shades that won’t readily show dirt or stains (check - Justin and his Farmer duds aka military camouflage hides the dirt, he says, and, don’t forget, for us gals - the handy aprons!)
2. Select textured fabrics over flat weaves for the same reason
3. Read care labels before you make a purchase (check)
4. Don’t buy clothes that need dry cleaning (check - never been to a dry cleaner)
5. Don’t buy clothing that must be hot washed (check - we do all our laundry in cold water)
6. Wash on cold cycle, preferably with a front load washing machine (check - have front load washer)
7. Line or air dry, instead of using tumble driers (check - never owned a dryer use a simple piece of string — aka “sun dryer” )
8. Fold clothes straight off the line, so they don’t need ironing (check - rarely use an iron)
I’d also like to add that sometimes we go days/a week wearing the same outfit. Our motto is “Why wash it if it ain’t dirty!”
Urban Homestead Outfitters
Flannels, overalls, aprons wearers, granny boots unite!
In what ways have you “greened” your wardrobe? Actually, I hate using the word “green” with all the greenwashing going on, so how about suggesting another word - like simplifying or ???????
Care to share/post a link to your favorite modern pioneer apparel?
I think my favorite image of an urban homesteader is Barbara Good’s patchwork skirt - or how about her half jean half orange trousers? Oh and for those who haven’t a clue who on earth I am talking about then you are missing out on some hilariously retro urban homesteading entertainment.
What about you?
Tags:
homesteading,
Urban Homestead,
urban homesteader,
urban homesteaders,
urban homesteading
Topics: Clothing, Composting, Low Impact Living, PTF Spotlights, Posts by Anais | Tags: homesteading, Urban Homestead, urban homesteader, urban homesteaders, urban homesteading
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PATH TO FREEDOM
PEDDLER'S WAGON
FREEDOM GARDENS
"LITTLE HOMESTEAD"
DERVAES GARDENS
URBAN HOMESTEADING
Entries (RSS)
Tips for Greener Clothing and Laundry (via treehugger)
(5 votes)
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December 11th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Terrific post - I’ve just discovered you, and what a treasure your site is. Thank you for encyclopedia of information I’ve gotten in just a few days.
We hang our worn once clothes up immediately after taking them off - the next morning we hang them on our balcony that catches the sun from rise to noon. The sun is the best disinfectant/deodorizer ever. We can usually alternate two or three outfits total for the week. The kids are messier, but aprons, for everthing is a great idea. Unless clothes are actually soiled, its much more economical, water wise, and it saves the clothes the wear if you’re still using a tradtional top load washer.
Sounds like we have our sewing project for the next homeschool term.
December 11th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
i love the good life! that show cracks me up, and inspires me , i’m nit sure any other tv show has had that effect on me all others make me lazy