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

Powering Down rss

October 22, 2007

Q. I came across your website this weekend, and it has been really enjoyable reading it.  I am trying to switch all our light to compact fluorescents, but I have run into one problem.  In our kitchen, halls, and bathroom, we have light fixtures (holes) that are recessed, and the compact fluorescent bulbs needed for [...]

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October 22, 2007

Q. What did you do to help drastically reduce your electricity usage?

A. We purchased a energy efficient Kenmore model from Sears back in 2003. The City of Pasadena offered(s) money back incentives to buy Energy Star appliances, and we got a considerable rebate! A friend of ours posted on her blog of the drastic drop [...]

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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. How long have you been using your sun oven?
A. We’ve been using solar ovens since the late 1990s. Over the years, we’ve made our share of cardboard solar box cookers (including one from a recycled pizza box). However, over time the cardboard would get dented or just look ratty. [...]

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September 3, 2007

Q. I have a small question: how did you go about unplugging yourself from electricity? How long did it take to find alternatives?
A. As you can see from our ENERGY CHART (PDF) we cut our energy usage in 1/2 to an average 6.5 kwh (from the City of Pasadena site a “normal” Pasadena family uses [...]

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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