A journal of modern day pioneers forging a new frontier in the city through intensive agriculture and extreme sustainability in urban homesteading.

Reviving the old-fashioned "can-do" spirit of self-reliance and resourcefulness, they have faced many challenges. With faith and determination, these once-ordinary city dwellers are boldly reclaiming their lives and land. continue

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June 18, 2010

Spanky and the camera share a special relationship. He loves it and it loves him right back… Seriously, the cat turns on the charm like a lightbulb and struts his ginger-striped self around like he’s on some sort of catwalk.

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June 4, 2010

“.. I was wondering if you could just point me in the right direction towards organic duck feed? I am not finding ANY sources that carry organic feed for them–especially not for the baby ducklings.”

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March 11, 2008

The 100+ year old house next door is being renovated which means that for the last six months or so, we have had lots of activity there. And, the presence of a lot of men. Latino workers, that is.
Generally, this affects us very little. …
Until, Fairlight gets into her once-every-23-days heat cycle [...]

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March 7, 2008

Some new updates to the journal today. Scroll down to the bottom of this blog to check it out. I need to implement some css styling (To P~ , I’ll be sending you an email soon regarding this! I haven’t forgotten!) and make it pretty, but it’s functioning.
Other new features will come [...]

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February 22, 2008

… with creativity. Projects abound… only to crash into the immovable barrier of the age-old dilemma: too little time, too many ideas.
It’s Jordanne again, the girl behind the site (actually SITES, as in the plural form). The one whose brain feels a bit too much like a computer these days. Honestly, when I [...]

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February 21, 2008

Hi all! Jordanne here! Just a quick note to inform those of you on Internet Explorer that I am aware of some display issues on this journal. This is due to IE6’s crappy … er… flawed system. Thanks to those of you who pointed it out as I am an [...]

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August 1, 2007

Practicing the Three R’s at school: PTF’s ePeddler’sWagon is not for adults only!
What’s new on our wagon are green goods for yourBACK TO SCHOOL needs: hemp book packs, reusable lunch containers, recycled writing supplies, etc.    
These are just a few of the new items that are going to be featured on
PTF’sePeddler’sWagon. In a few months [...]

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August 1, 2007

PTF Gets Nod From Sundance’s “GreenZine”
GREENZINE, the Sundance Channel weekly email dedicated to coverage of the green movement says:
“The Dervaes family is truly inspirational. They have managed to turn a small home into a sustainable lifestyle model. It is almost as if their homestead is its own country, completely renewable and self-sustaining. At the [...]

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December 13, 2006

Sorry
Sorry for the lack of postings lately, things have been pretty hectic and stressful lately. I won’t go into the details, but believe me we are all worn out and tired.   Speaking of postings, something is up with the fonts/colors/bolding of the text on the journal page. I must have forgotten to close a [...]

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December 11, 2006

Sorry for the lack of posts recently, I/we’ve been busy with some other things that have come up so, unfortunately, posting took a back seat for a few days.
New Drake
After a few ruffled feathers and agitated quacking from the gals the new Khaki Campbell drake is settling in nicely. He was a little frightened at [...]

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March 29, 2005

Mint, Strawberries & Green Onions
Article: Rock dust grows extra-big vegetables (and might save us from global warming)
The couple say that the rock dust means that crops don’t need water to produce harvests of magnificent vegetables. “It would be perfect for Third World countries that are usually unable to grow crops because the land is so [...]

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January 31, 2005

After the deluge of rain in early January, we’ve enjoyed a chance to dry out for a few days.
The brief interlude of warm weather certainly gave wrong vibes to some of our fruit trees. Thinking it’s spring, they’ve started to produce blooms — a bit early. The last frost date here is sometime in March, so [...]

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We believe in sharing our blessings and remain committed to keeping this site free of outside commercial advertisements or sponsors. However, that means we need you to support our growing efforts that benefit not only you but others who are on the same path.

The Urban Homesteaders
Jules DervaesJustin DervaesAnais DervaesJordanne Dervaes
Cast of Characters
    
   
    
    
    
 
Blogging Since 2001
Got an hour or two or a couple of days?

Clear your schedule, kick back, and follow the Little Homestead in the City chronicles through the years. Please read responsibly and in moderation. Remember to feed your family and or pets and water your garden...

There's 2,568 posts so it might take awhile. Consider yourselves warned.

COMPLETE URBAN HOMESTEAD ARCHIVES:



LOCATION
Pasadena, CA
(Northwest Pasadena, one mile from downtown Pasadena 100 yards from 11 lane freeway)

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
~ 400 different vegetables, herbs, fruits, berries

FOOD PRODUCTION
~ 6,000 lbs annually / 99% of our produce $75,000 savings

URBAN HOMESTEAD SUPPORTS
4 full-time resident adults, a menagerie of animals, volunteers, and many clients

ENERGY USAGE
$12 a month / 6.0 kwh day

WATER USAGE
$600 / 175,000 gallons a year

SOLAR POWER PRODUCED
12,410 kwh as of 5/12/10

GALLONS OF BIODIESEL MADE
2,500 gallons as of 5/12/08

FACTS N FIGURES
Learn more about the Urban Homestead
Full Stats Summary