What to do with un-needed cinder blocks? 08/05/2011
I have 9 cinder blocks that I was originally planning to use to level up my shed. It turns out I didn't need them, and I was going to try to throw them away or give them away. For some reason, an idea came to mind this afternoon... what if, instead of getting rid of them, I use them to make some sort of little planter wall? So I went to the computer to see if anyone else had thought of this, and some incredible ideas were there for inspiration.     The idea is really neat. Now I have to figure out where to put it. I am thinking of building it into the side of the back bank and growing herbs in it or something along those lines. Add Comment I have grass! 08/01/2011
 Ta-da! Here is my front yard with grass! Now I need to either finish the bank with grass seed or plant... but I won't be planting this space until next year.  The back of the house is now walkable! Before, this was a mud pit. Much nicer now.  This is the beginning of my new garden, also in front of the house. I am waiting for the guys to pour a bucket of top soil here so the ground level is higher. Then I'll need to cover with black cedar.  The steep bank behind the house was starting to erode, plus the weeds are decending on it. I have begun planting with a couple of trees and a few juniper. Next year, I have more plans for this patch.  My next weeknight project is to start planting on this slope. I definately don't want it to erode this winter. I will lose lawn if it does. I have holly, juniper, and a nice little evergreen tree, plus a couple of variegated evergreen shrubs to add more color and texture. Hopefully the plants will soon be in and getting acclimated.  This dwarf daylily looks a little worse for wear, but was only planted a week or two ago, already halfway through the season. By next year, I am hoping it will be lush and healthy.  This adorable little groundcover is one of my favorites. The little flowers pop up all season long, and it is spreading out nicely already.  I found this little guy in my flower box. He was so unique and detailed that I thought I'd try to get a pic with my little point-and-shoot. This was the best I coud do! I will make a catalogue of all of my plants, with pcitures and names, next year. This year, nothing looks very good yet and some things are not even in the ground yet. I can't wait to compare pictures of the gardens this year and next year. I hope the difference will be vast! What have I been doing? 07/20/2011
 Here is my house before I started my little gardening project.  A close-up of my front step.  I bought three cheap plastic planters and drilled holes in them. Two holes in the back were for screwing the planters into the step railing.  Two holes in the bottom are for water drainage.  Here is the completed project. Pretty cute!  Here is the beginning of my front garden. I have more ground to fill in, more black cedar to cover the top, and I have to put the plastic garden edger back up - the wind blew it out. I think I'll have to wait until they put the sod in, otherwise the edger will continue to blow away. I have two evergreen shrubs (including a cottoneaster), two varieties of lily, lavender, and 4 or 5 varieties of low ground cover planted here, plus the maple tree. Although it looks sparse now, it will grow in after a couple of years and look lush! I still have room for something else here... perhaps another evergreen? Not sure yet!  My pride, so far, is my little cutleaf Japanese maple. DIY planter project. 05/16/2011
 Hypertufa planters are homemade using three ingredients: Portland cement, peat moss (not a renewable resource -use wisely), and perlite. Any size and shape can be achieved by pouring the wet mix into a mold (container) to let dry. The walls need to be quite thick, so there won't be as much space for soil as with a store-bought planter. For instructions, go here: http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/how-to/how-to-make-modern-cement-planters-using-packaging-132678 To read an article about Hypertufa, go here: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/hypertufa-make-your-own-lightweightawesome-planters-146538 I also found this video - beware, though. The entire video is accompanied by a silly song! Looks easy and uncomplicated here. Livestock in the backyard. 05/09/2011
 Just another link to a site to help anyone who is interested in this topic. This one focuses on animal husbandry. http://barnyardsandbackyards.org/  Urban homesteads are homes which use yard, deck or roof space to cultivate their own food and resources. For example, a home with an acre of yard may have raised vegetable garden beds, a couple of chickens roaming around, some fruit trees and bushes, and maybe even a milking goat. All homesteads are different, so this is an example. Someone who lives in a city highrise might be granted permission to use roof space to put up a couple of beehives and plant a small garden. Both examples would incorporate available space to produce resources for home and vendor use. To begin this topic, I am going to post a couple of websites for further reading. The first is from a family that has used their space wisely, living off their little plot of land. http://urbanhomestead.org/ The second is a database of information that anyone can use for their own research. http://www.motherearthnews.com/ My favorite chicken breeds. 04/28/2011
If you are looking into this topic, I must suggest this site once again: Backyardchickens.com. http://www.backyardchickens.com/breeds/ I previously stated that I was interested in bantam chickens. There are breeds which come in standard and bantam size, as well as many that come in one size only. When choosing, I looked for size, docility/temperament (no nasty chickens at my house) and egg production. Keep in mind that some breeds are ideal for meat, some for eggs, and some are dual-purpose (good for both). There are actually a few ornamental breeds, mainly valued for their looks and used in shows. Here were the docile bantam egg layers that took my eye: Brahma-  >Come in bantam and standard size. >Lay small brown eggs. >Dual purpose. >So friendly, they can be considered pets. >Excellent in cold climates. Cochin-  >Come in both sizes. >Lay small brown eggs. >Considered ornamental. They lay a fair amount, but have quite small eggs. >The friendliest breed. >Great for cold climates. >Tendency to go broody (sitting on eggs to hatch them - no eggs laid). Silkie-  >Bantams only. >Lay small brown eggs. >Ornamental (but still good producers AND meat birds - black-skinned birds popular to eat in Asia). >Very friendly. >Does well in all climates. >Very broody. My conclusion is that the Brahma is probably the best for me. They are not overly broody (average amount), great for my cold climate, and excellent egg layers. They also won't mind a little human attention quite as much as other breeds, and could be tamed if I like. I will post with general bantam coop requirements and care in the future. Plans for my future mini homestead. 04/28/2011
I WANT CHICKENS! I am a supporter of locally and humanely grown food (more posts to come on that topic). Furthermore, I love animals and I love the idea of being more self-sufficient (the doomsday sayer in me wants to be able to survive without dependence on oil or even local farms, if it ever came to that). I did sign a contract that makes me unable to have livestock on my property, but I know I can manage to have a few well-hidden hens in a coop.  I am sure there are many people who have little land and live among neighbors, but enjoy chickens and their own fresh eggs. The backyard coop movement is sweeping the continent and beyond. Let me list my problems and how I will deal with them. Problem 1.-I am not allowed to have livestock. Solution- I will have hens only. It is the roosters (males) who crow and make most of the noise. They also have a reputation for being ornery and even attacking humans. Beautiful birds, but not a neccessity. I will keep them in a moveable tractor or fixed coop and only let them free-range if my neighbors don't mind. Problem 2.-Not a lot of space. Solution- I won't be able to have a large coop, so instead of cramming two or three standard-sized hens into it, I will opt for bantam hens. Bantams are usually about 1/4 the size of a standard bird, so they are perfect for smaller spaces. They also produce small, delicious eggs (the best eggs I ever had were backyard bantams eggs). Better yet, the birds tend to be much friendlier, more docile, and are very cute! I won't be able to let a hen go broody (sit on the eggs until they hatch), and bantams are notorious for going broody. They would sit until the eggs rotted. So I will need to remove all eggs daily. Since I will have to buy chicks or even fertilized eggs from someone else, I may plan on raising a few young ones each spring and take them to a place where the chickens are humanely slaughtered and butchered. I am not sure I have that in me. I have heard it is emotional. But you never know. If you want to know basic chicken care, I suggest a site called Backyardchickens.com. They have a great selection of information, including coop suggestions and breed profiles. http://www.backyardchickens.com/raising-chickens-basics.php Plans for showpiece plants. 04/26/2011
I am going to eventually plant extensively. Less lawn and more garden is better for the environment and means less mowing, plus it looks amazing. My pallette will consist mostly of red, purple and yellow. Lots of pink will infuse the landscape in the spring when the trees bloom. I think the colors will look nice against the deep yellow house.  Magnolia tree I have always loved Magnolias. I plan to use one as the focal of the right side of my front lawn.  4-in-1 Apple tree Four apple types come in one tree. Branches are grafted onto the main trunk. I am not sure where I will put this one yet - it'll need lots of space.  4-in-1 Cherry tree I love cherries. Springtime will be beautiful, with three pink-blossomed trees on my property.  Gnarly tree I am not sure exactly which species I will aquire, but I love spooky, crooked trees.  Azaleas These are flowering shrubs. Many different colors.  Dwarf sunflowers Annuals. I'd like a red variety and a fluffy variety.  Hollyhock A purple variety would be great.  Echinacea "Primadonna" One of my favorites.  Poppies I want tons and tons of different varieties.  Irises One of my favorites, and there are many different varities.  Ornamental grasses They look best grouped together to create texture. To be used near septic bed.  Lavender This will be used as a tall ground cover for the septic side of the house.  Pansies I think these will belong in a "short", thinly planted garden bed.  Woolly thyme Ground cover. It stays close to the ground and blooms in purple.  Creeping juniper This ground cover stays green all year and will be perfect on my back slope.  Evergreens Trees and shrubs. I'll just choose what I like at the landscaping dept. at the time.  I have been living in my small home for almost 6 months. Spring has sprung, and the ground has thawed. I only need to wait on my contractor to install my grass - which, if the past is any indication, may take about another 5 years! Well... maybe not SO long as that, but I don't anticipate it taking any less than the rest of the summer of myself calling and e-mailing in order to finally get them over here to finish the job I already paid for. I have decided to focus on my front steps this year, and hold off on planting gardens until next spring. I will post pictures once my window boxes are installed - I have a cheap but cute solution for this. I already have my seeds germinating! | My Plot -I own 1.5 acres of sloped, steep lawn, plus a small backyard patio. ArchivesAugust 2011 CategoriesAll |
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