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

Recycling, Reusing rss

October 22, 2007

Q. Is it better to burn non-recyclable paper products (tissues, used paper towel, etc.) or let them go to a landfill?
A. We recommend people compost paper products that can’t be recycled.  That way, you keep the air cleaner, need less landfill space, and create compost for gardening.

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October 22, 2007

Q. Have you had any dealings with setting up a free store? I own a second
house in a small Kansas town that might benefit from some freecyling
and I
was wondering if you had any suggestions.
A. Information about setting up a freecycling group can be found at
http://freecycle.org/ Click “Start a Group.”  There’s also an
interesting, although older, [...]

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October 22, 2007

Q. What a marvelous Website.
I found it while attempting to discover if anyone had ever used old broken up asphalt paving as a garden path or patio. I have found some at a roadside dumping, and as it is attractive and lighter to pick up than broken concrete, I thought of recycling it. But, I [...]

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September 4, 2007

Q How did you construct your recycled concrete patios and walkways? The circular shape of the concrete pieces creates such a nice flow – much different from standard pavers. Do you need a lot of masonry experience to make them?
A. We rented a jackhammer from a local building material store to break up the ~20′x~30′ [...]

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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