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

Supplies rss

April 29, 2010

New, just out on DVD!
The Art of Quilting by the West Ladies of Tennessee
With warmth, hospitality, and southern charm, the West ladies offer great insight, encouragement, and a joyful picture of family unity. Their unique and creative DVDs are sure to provide fun skills that will inspire families to work together, learn together, and enjoy [...]

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April 23, 2010

The guy love wearing caps — it’s a must in their urban farmer apparel.  Um, that and camos.  Farmer Justin digs camo’s and for a down and dirty guy camos make a lot of sense – you can wear dirty clothes and not look dirty (saves on laundry and water). Yep, Farmer J is one [...]

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February 24, 2010

Our rural homesteading friends, ladies in Tennessee are back!  Sharing their homespun homesteading skills with another collection of how to videos.

With warmth, hospitality, and southern charm, the West ladies offer great insight, encouragement, and a joyful picture of family unity. Their unique and creative DVDs are sure to provide fun skills that will inspire families [...]

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February 8, 2010

Nothing says ‘I love you’ better than homegrown veggies
There’s a slew of photos from last weeks work and happenings here on the urban homestead (from cheese making to brewing a spring garden tonic with weeds) in queue but first I liked to take some time remind folks that spring is just around the corner and [...]

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November 16, 2009

It’s been awhile but with the holiday’s coming up I figured it was a good time as any to remind our readers how they can keep dispatches coming from the urban homestead via Little Homestead in the City (which is still by far the best, oldest and most comprehensive site/blog on urban homesteading if I [...]

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August 3, 2009

On the preservation front
Now that your summer garden maybe overflowing with fruits and veggies check out our online store for all your urban homestead supplies preservation supplies
New on the wagon is Ball’s FRESH PRESERVING KIT which contains all the essentials for you to start canning your garden’s bounty.
“For someone who has never canned by [...]

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July 1, 2009

Plant Pottery that Works
Ollas this season have been flying off the shelves (virtually speaking)  Good news is that the 1.5 and 1 gallons are back in stock so stock up while supplies last.  What’s even better is we are getting returning customers who are wanting more for their garden and they have nothing but good [...]

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June 3, 2009

Our SECOND winner to receive a HOMESTEAD BLESSINGS 3 set DVD collection is Lisa Ann Kritzel – congratulations and thank you for your support!
Guess what! There’s ONE more sets to give away and we are only 25 more tickets away from announcing a third winner!!!
Here’s how to enter and help support LHITC at the [...]

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June 1, 2009

Our first winner to receive a HOMESTEAD BLESSINGS 3 set DVD collection is Diane Botticelli – congratulations and thank you for your support!
Guess what!  There’s two more sets to give away and we are only three more tickets away from announcing a second winner!!!
Here’s how to enter and help support LHITC at the same time.

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February 6, 2009

Here on the urban homestead we have very few gardening tools.  We have our basic hand powered tools: shovels, rakes, shears, soil blocker, clippers and trowel.
The most used gardening tool here on the PTF urban homestead is the simple garden trowel.   After going through several cheap and flimsy trowels, Farmer D found a sturdy stainless [...]

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December 17, 2008

Yippidy do da!
The ultimate solar-air food dryers are here! Took (unmentionable) long enough, but the FOOD PANTRIES DRYERS are finally here
We really, really thank you for your patience on this.  What a frustration!
If we had know it would take this long for delivery we would have waited to stock them on the Peddler’s Wagon.  In fact when we [...]

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December 14, 2008

There’s a full moon out tonight, whoa-oh-oh ooh… or something like that.  We are experiencing the brillant glow of a full moon.    And last night, while  I was admiring the moonshadow’s and checking on the animals before heading off to bed I even saw a shooting star over the chicken coop.  Yeah, so big deal?  Well, [...]

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June 27, 2008

Farmer D coined this revolutionary call to action back in 2004 on the fourth printing of our PTF brochure (nearly 30,000 of these brochures have been sent out!).
The brochure stated that through sustainable steps, our family has brought about a “homegrown revolution.” Our urban homestead was our living form of pro active protest [...]

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June 17, 2008

For years, you’ve asked for it … now the wait is almost over!
Now you can bring the protest to the streets – wear the revolution on your back.
For those of you who have pre-ordered our new organic and eco screened tees – good news! We are expected them to arrive in the mail this [...]

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May 30, 2008

As summer approaches and the onslaught of garden harvests is about to descend on gardeners across the nation, planting gives way to preserving. Fellow Freedom Gardeners and those who’ve joined the Harvest Keeper Challenge will be stocking up their homegrown harvest for the fall and winter months ahead.
Now, more than ever folks are relearning [...]

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May 13, 2008

Attention all you urban homesteaders and homegrown revolutionaries!
You’ve asked for it!
Now you can take your protest to the streets. Wear the “revolution” on your back.
The revolution will be homegrown! Can you dig it?
Pre-order 100% ORGANIC-ECO SCREENED TEES TODAY (please allow 6-8 wks for delivery)
Special introductory offer $20.00 (w/free shipping) Men & Womens available [...]

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April 21, 2008

I know from past comments, the unplugged kitchen holds a fascination with some our readers. Like I blabbed in the Video the urban homestead’s kitchen has only one plug in appliance and that is our ENERGY STAR (efficient) fridge. Some of the plugless “appliances” featured on the NY TIMES Video can be purchased via our [...]

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April 1, 2008

There was such a great response to the natural and DIY hygiene post (like to see readership contribution – keep those comments a coming!) that I thought I should add a bit about our natural deodorant experience.
Like one reader said, body odor really depends on environment and the food you eat – we agree! [...]

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March 19, 2008

:: SALE :: Attention all Victory Gardeners save $2.00 on GARDENING BY THE MOON CALENDAR.
Growing your own food? These calendars are full of growing informative to help make this growing season a more productive one.
Gardening by the phases of the moon is a technique that can speed the germination of your seeds by [...]

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February 27, 2008

Shipment of ollas arrive at the urban homestead
With temperatures in the upper 80’s this week, garden work is in full swing.
Getting ready for the spring plantings with a shipment of ollas that were delivered on Monday. This will be our third season integrating the ancient, yet very efficient, clay pot irrigation method in the [...]

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February 19, 2008

 Here’s about a week’s worth of eggs collected from the urban homestead’s resident chickens and ducks.   We have two of these nifty wire egg baskets (now offered on the Peddler’s Wagon) to collect the eggs in – one is hanging up in the chicken coop and the other in the kitchen.    Leaving the “natural coating” on the [...]

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February 6, 2008

Plugless appliances
Answers From the Urban Homestead – Unplugged Kitchen
Promised you! I didn’t forget. It may take me like a hundred years, but I will (hopefully) answer everyone’s questions. And if I haven’t, don’t take it personally because it could have gotten lost in all my computer files.
Q. I liked reading about your unplugged kitchen. I [...]

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February 5, 2008

Still working on tying up the lose ends on the new online store and since yesterday we’ve added a few more products like…
Wire Vegetable Harvest Basket (new this year on the urban homestead), Encyclopedia of Country Living Book (our all time favorite!) and much more. Check out all the latest new products
We are pretty darn [...]

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February 4, 2008

Peddler’s Wagon Re Launch
While I’ve been categorizing seven years worth of journal postings….
WHAT’S NEW IN THE NEW YEAR PROJECT #4
While Project #3 (100footdiet.org – still waiting to hear back from a reader who offered to help with coding) and Project #5, #6, #7 and #8 are still in the works (thanks M for helping out!), [...]

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December 12, 2007

To help out with your shopping this season, we’ve put together our very own Peddler’s Wagon Gift Guide
Top sellers are (not in any particular order):
To Go WareSportSun OvenOllaStainless SteelWater BottleKitchen ComposterGardening by the Moon Calendar (we have the beautiful 2008 in stock!)Sun Mar 200 Garden ComposterGreen Solar Cone Digester
and may we also suggestthe collection of [...]

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November 27, 2007

Botanie All Natural Soap Kits
New! Not yet listed on the Peddler’s Wagon
Botanie 100% Natural Soap Making Kit
After reading about the hidden chemicals in beauty and toiletries products and with natural soaps being somewhat costly, you’ve finally decided you wanted to make your own using natural, organic ingredients.   Well, now you can with this all [...]

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November 26, 2007

Answers From the Urban Homestead – Solar Ovens
Q. I would like to start using a solar oven, but the temps are dropping here in PA. Is there a minimum temperature at which the solar oven will work?Thanks for answering my question. And thanks for your work!Kym Helwig
A. Thank you for your question and positive comments, [...]

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November 26, 2007

2008 Gardening By The Moon Calendars
Hot off the press and in stock!   These calendars were one of our best sellers last year. They make great gifts for veteran or newbie gardeners, urban homesteaders & farmers alike – get yours (or a couple) before they are gone. ORDER yours today at PTF’s online store
:: [...]

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November 20, 2007

Solar ovens
Peddler’s Wagon Product Review
Practical products for the urban homesteader Sun Ovens
Back in the early 1990’s I remember building our first sun oven using cardboard boxes, aluminum foil and piece of glass.   Although homemade ovens are a great diy project (a few years back we built a sturdier sun oven using scraps of plywood [...]

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November 15, 2007

PTF’s online store, aptly named thePeddler’s Wagon, which features practical goods and gear for the urban homestead/pioneer is highlighted on TREEHUGGER’s GIFT GUIDE selling thebike blender kit.   Don’t forget,  we also do sell quite a few other products that TreeHugger featured.
Products from the Urban Homestead
We know some of our readers have been saving up [...]

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November 11, 2007

Green Is Universal
With the globe covered in green moss for this special occasion, Saturday’s Eco Fair wrapped up a green week on NBC. Path to Freedom was one of over 30 vendors boothing around the famous globe on an absolutely gorgeous fall day.
Decked in our homemade aprons (thanks Clare), homegrown revolution t shirts and straw [...]

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October 19, 2007

P.S
Just a note about the last post, hoping the letter didn’t give the wrong impression to those true fellow travelers out there who, inspired by our journey, have started on their own path. PTF is with you 100%.  We are glad that you have found inspiration from our work.   We had an idea at [...]

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October 15, 2007

Giddy Up
The Peddler’s Wagon will be filling up with a wagonload of sustainable items (some brand new) and coming into a cyber town near you and we need your input. The old time proprietors want to know what we should fill the wagon with, bringing goods that you need for your own urban homestead.   [...]

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September 16, 2007

Homemade vegetable lasagna
Diet of an Urban Homesteader
To answer a reader’s question: “what’s B, L & D stand for?”
Answer: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Highlights, this week on the urban homestead we enjoy the return of mixed greens to our diet, and for a special Roshashana dish, made two large pans of vegetable lasagna.   Since we are [...]

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August 31, 2007

Conscious cooking
Hot & Muggy
Whew, it feels as if we are living in a sauna. Temperatures and humidity levels are insane and there’s no relief in relief in sight
The power companies are asking (should be mandatory!) folks to conserve energy and of course, we do our part here on the urban homestead.
Opening doors and windows just [...]

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August 28, 2007

Humid Again
Just after saying the humidity is gone guess what? Well, mr humidity was back over the weekend socking the Southland under oppressive humid temps thanks to a Hurricane down south.   Sunday large thunder clouds rose menacingly over the San Gabriel mountain range and tower miles above the ridges but unfortunately the ‘boomers’ don’t [...]

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August 26, 2007

Summer harvest
Growing Closer to Home – An Urban Homesteaders Diet
After a brief absence, back to posting our daily meals. Enjoy.
Saturday
B – Buckwheat pancakes made with homegrown duck eggs, raw milk served with
homegrown peaches
D – homemade w.w. tortillas served with homemade spanish rice (homegrown
peppers, green onions, tomatoes) and sauteed homegrown peppers
Sunday
B – homemade granola
L – leftovers [...]

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August 23, 2007

Deconstructing SOS Solar Oven
When the sun is shining, break out the solar oven {Globe & Mail}
Solar cooking has long been the domain of wilderness campers looking to harness the sun’s energy to make backwoods brownies.But with global warming in the collective consciousness, a small, growing number of urban dwellers are turning to solar grills and [...]

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August 21, 2007

Pumpkin twins
Fall is Just Around the Corner
Labor day is just around the corner…. fall is creeping up. Unfortunately, summer temperatures are still putting out the heat.   A cooling trends is reported this week — what a relief that will be!
Walking past the beds of eggplants the other day I had to stop in disbelief [...]

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August 3, 2007

Both Sides Now
When we have time we sneak a peek through the referral statistics from the PTF website and it’s great to see the many sites that link to ours (and if you are one of those linkster who’s reading this post – thanks for spreading the word) Besides the insane amount of traffic (46,000,000 [...]

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August 2, 2007

These Are A Few Of Our Favorite Things
Out of the blue we received an email from a writer forThisNext who asked if we, urban eco-pioneers, had a few sustainable products that we like using around the urban homestead.
Browse on over toThisNext and check out over a dozen of “PTF Picks“… I’m sure you’ll enjoy the [...]

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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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July 25, 2007

Summer Shower!
Early Monday morning we were awaken by pitter patter on the roof. Could it be? Rain?   A little summer shower to break the heat and humidity was short lived but nice while it lasted.    Not having time to catch much news these days but wanted to send our thoughts to our readers who [...]

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July 10, 2007

- “June gloom” in July? Finally getting a bit of the gloom which is bringing the temperatures out of the century mark to a more comfortable zone.
- Going green? Need lots of green.  We are looking into green web hosting services.   We want to transfer the entire PTF and Peddler’s Wagon sites to a [...]

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June 26, 2007

Green driveway strip, kombucha mother, this year’s wine crop
- made apricot fruit sauce with homegrown apricots
- bought a few 1 gallon glass jars wholesale so can start kombucha and rejuvalac cultures (have to find ways to use 800 lbs of grain that were given to us by a friend). After sprouting and fermenting the grains [...]

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The Urban Homesteaders
Jules DervaesJustin DervaesAnais DervaesJordanne Dervaes
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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