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

Green Home rss

September 16, 2007

Q. It’s Denise here with a question regarding your oil lamps.
Somewhere on your site I saw that you use bio fuel for your lamps. Are these your typical oil lamps? And the bio fuel is used rather than the toxic stuff from the stores? How bright does it burn? I have some olive oil lamps [...]

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September 6, 2007

Q. I came across your website while researching a project I’m working on. I’m currently working as an horticultural intern at Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York City. As part of the internship we’re required to do a project on any horticultural or environmental topic of our choice. My choice is urban homesteading. I’m extremely [...]

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September 4, 2007

Q. Besides replacing your appliances and the solar power, what other ways do you cut electricity?
A. Besides changing over the majority of our appliances and such (computer, tv, fridge, washer) over to Energy Efficient models, we do without all “unnecessary gadgets” such as hair dryers, electric shavers, blender (use a hand crank one), microwave, can [...]

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September 4, 2007

Q. What type of refrigerator did you buy?
A. We purchased a energy efficient Kenmore model from Sears back in 2002. The City of Pasadena offered(s) money back incentives to buy energy star appliances and we got a considerable rebate! I can’t seem to find it now, but a friend of ours posted on [...]

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September 4, 2007

Q. You’ve written a bit about installing a metal roof. Can you explain the benefits?
A. There are many benefits of owning a metal roof. Here are just a few to consider:
Energy Efficient
Metal roofing is on the leading edge of technology with a wide variety of finishes, designs and colors that provide greater energy savings compared [...]

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September 4, 2007

Q. I appreciate the info on your roof saga! What kind of insulation are you doing? I’m thinking about that more and more for my house, since heat loss is undoubtedly one of the biggest expenses for the winter. I’m trying to reduce my footprint, but there are so many things to be done! Baby [...]

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September 4, 2007

Q. So I guess there’s still going to be Teflon in the metal roof?
A. Nope, we choose the lesser of two evils. The metal roof has drinking water safe acrylic coating.

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September 4, 2007

Q. We follow the mellow yellow method too and I try to remember to flush all toilets before bedtime but sometimes I forget and the toilet stains like crazy, especially in the summer (we are a household of 7). I use only natural cleaners and nothing seems to remove the stain from the very bottom [...]

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September 4, 2007

Q. Is the metal roof drinking water safe
A. YES! Our roof is considered “drinking water SAFE” by World Health Organization’s standards. This element was a major factor in what brand we chose.

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September 4, 2007

Q. What brand of Metal Roofing did you choose?
A. We did choose a brand of stone coated metal shakes [there are about 1/2 dozen companies companies that make such products]
We chose this brand because:
» the metal “shakes” are not too “fake Disneyish-looking,”
» has acrylic not Teflon or PVC coating
» ENERGY STAR rated
» contains recycled [...]

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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