Sorry, a little tardy on posting our harvest totals for February.

Here they are

Produce (fruits, veggies, herbs) 138 lb 13 oz

Eggs Chicken 63  Duck 19

Psst, join our growing (free) social network for gardeners

In the last year we've seen a growth of more and more people who are staycationing, growing their own food,  preserving, being crafty and doing more with less.

With new eco lingo like "carbon footprint" and "low impact living" just goes to show that folks are starting to re think and re prioritize their lives.

I believe this homegrown, diy mentality is one of the reasons PTF has been such a tremendous inspiration to people (btw, PTF has been online going on nigh 8 years now! can you believe it?)

Which calls to mind a recent review of HomeGrown (the documentary about our urban homestead) saying:

Should we stay close to our families, and create support networks, maybe we would be better adjusted and happier than our doppelganger typing away in a skyscraper cubicle. But it brings into question the notion that President-elect Obama has brought up in his speeches: will we be willing to sacrifice in order to better the planet for all of its inhabitants? Or will we keep going at the rate we are now and see what happens?  Courtesy Civileats

In choosing a more sustainable path, this choice involves what many greenies skirt -- sacrifice.  But through such sacrifice, a sense of place and quality of life is gained.

What homegrown solutions have you implemented?  What have you sacrificed in order to make the world a better place.

Homegrown Holiday

More and more folks are jumping on the eat and buy local bandwagon.  Why?  Because it makes sense not ship out-of-season foods or goods from thousands of miles away.

Here's an interesting fact

Despite the apparent abundance (and over-abundance) of food in North America, few of us realize how fragile our food supply really is....  In the case of a major natural disaster (earthquake, tidal wave flooding, etc) or disruptions in transport (closed airports, restricted borders, etc.), most North American cities would have less than a three day supply of fresh food. Dry and canned foods could theoretically last up to three weeks, but would be preceded by widespread, panic-driven hoarding.  Courtesy of Bringing Food Home

This year PTF cooked up some challenges to help deal with such unsustainable problems we face.

100 Foot Diet Challenge - Growing Food Closer to Home

Harvest Keeper Challenge - On the Preservation Front

Liberate Your Yard - Growing Food Not Grass

Say AHHHH - Show Us Your Insides

and now during this festive season...

Home-Grown for the Holiday

Are you one of those who eat, sleeps and, well, what ever closer to home.  Are you fed up with the over consuming, mass advertising, have it all culture that's shrinking the earth's resources and just making everyone downright unhappy.

Are your a homebody who likes to stay home, make your own gifts, preparing local and homegrown foods.

Then this nifty little icon is just for you to use on your blog.

Also make a list on the homegrown things you are doing to make this holiday season a more local and low impact one

Enjoy!

Speak Up!

Would you like to see more challenges issued here at Little Homestead in the City?

Declare Your Independence

FIGHT FOR FOOD SECURITY

This July 4th PTF is excited to announce the relaunch of our new sister site for all you homegrown revolutionaries out there. Here's your chance to connect with fellow food fighters from all over the world.

The site will features feeds for contributing bloggers, spot for highlighting 'Freedom Gardener' of the month (this month we feature QUINCE HOMESTEAD), not to mention we'll be offering prizes for points and sponsoring a "Tally Hoe" contest. Please note: we are still working on the site so there still could be error issues.  But we hope to have them ironed out in the next few days.

As with any new venture, this site is in the seedling stage. We hope with your support, contributions it'll grow and mature -- and bear fruit.

In a few days time,  we shift gears a bit move on to the social network for urban homesteaders, revamping the PTF site and more. For those of you who wrote offering to be UH contributing writers - thank you. We have your names on file and will hopefully be contacting you in the near future.

Not to mention I think we'll have to re-do the LHITC journal. Seems like folks aren't easily finding their way around the categories and entries too well.  The journal is filled with so many answers but making the answers easier to find will be something to work on for reader's ease and accessibility.

In the meantime, enjoy the newly launched FreedomGardens.org - sign up and grow for food security.

Onward garden soildiers!

Liberated Yard (since 1990): Growing food not grass. Providing not only beauty but food, medicine and income.

The other day we received a phone call from a young lady who was impressed over the front yard's edible landscaping and wondered if we paid for any "professional help." I informed her that "no, we did it ourselves."

The transformation from home to homestead has been an organic evolution (20 plus years in the making) - slow with many trials and efforts.

The front yard has undergone several "edible" revisions over the last 18 years and we still do this day have grow along with our garden.

A DIY spirit resides with us urban homesteaders, we like get dirty and do things ourselves. And I think that's what makes a garden successful is the personal input that you put into it - the garden is an extension of your heart and soul. You are the only one that know the hottest, coldest, driest, wettest and every idiosyncrasy of your yard.

Steps to making a successful front yard edible garden

1. pretty - be conscious of your neighbors. First thing is you should ask yourself "would I live next door to me."

2. productive - be innovative and use every square inch, be willing to try new edibles varieties

3. practical - use natural growing methods to conserve water and resources

4. personal - DIY and let your edible garden develop into an extension of your very own needs and desires

If you are or have already liberated your yard from the traditional lawn - join others at FreedomGardens.org for the Liberate Your Yard Challenge (check out the nifty digital propaganda images for each challenge issued)

Front yards can be beautiful and productive.