Today, we took our new Yard Chipper out of its box and put it to work. (And I broke it all in one day.)
<a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/20343339@N00/4094435620/” title=”Chipper by sarahtar, on Flickr”><img src=”http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2757/4094435620_1468022fa6.jpg” width=”332″ height=”500″ alt=”Chipper” /></a>
Um, can you say LOVE?
Here at our little Urban Homestead, we have tons of trees. They are beautiful and also a pain in the butt. One of the reasons they’re a pain in the butt is that they regularly drop large branches. Usually during storms, but sometimes just for kicks. When I say large branches, I mean that I have friends who have trees that are smaller than these branches.
These branches accumulate in the yard. We haul them into a pile. And then, after a year, we have a huge pile. In the city, we can’t burn our pile. So, if we need to have tree service, we pay the tree service people to haul it away. This is expensive, but we’ve done it. Otherwise, we could chop the branches up into the 3 foot lengths required for city pickup, and pay the city to pick it up. Expensive and labor-intensive.
Add to this nonsense the fact that we have a high need for mulch around here. Mulch is also expensive.
Enter the Yard Chipper. Yeah, it was like $150. Yeah, that’s kind of a lot. But, um, hello? FREE MULCH! Just in today’s work, in which I nearly obliterated our backyard brush pile, it’s easily paid for itself in terms of money saved in haulaway charges, and money saved in purchasing mulch.
Even more, it’s another step towards being self-sufficient. We have the source for all the mulch we could possibly need or want right here in our yard. Why buy it from the store?
In case you’re wondering, our chipper is a Yard Machines electric model. Most of our yard equipment is electric. It will handle branches up to 1.25 inches in diameter, though it’s more realistic to say that it’ll handle straight branches 1.25 inches. Anything bigger, we cut up with our chainsaw (rechargeable cordless electric Ryobi) and add to the woodpile for use in our outdoor fireplace. Or our indoor one if we ever get the chimney fixed.
Filed under: Home and Garden
Last fall, we took down our vinyl shower curtain and hung up a green canvas one. We had bought it at Target, after they put their back to school stuff on 75% clearance, for about $4. We weren’t entirely sure that an all-fabric shower curtain would work – would it keep the water in? Would it get soaked? Would it drip on the floor?
Well, I’m happy to report that it DID work, it did keep the water in. It got soaked, but it did not drip on the floor.
It did, however, start to break down and tear apart. We think the problem was combined soap scum and mildew. And once it started to go, it really deteriorated quickly.
So, this fall, I bought myself some Hemp and Organic Cotton plainweave and made us a new one. It was not hard to make (I mean, it’s just a big square – 72 inches by 72 inches – with holes for the rings at the top). Hemp is a bit more rot-resistant than cheap cotton is, and we’ll also take it down to wash it more often. Hopefully, this one will last us a good many years.
I like the natural color better than the green, as well. (hey, when you’re buying on clearance, you can’ t be too picky!) If we ever fix up the bathroom, I’ll stencil the shower curtain with historically-appropriate designs.
What I love most of all is that it’s not vinyl. It doesn’t fill our bathroom with noxious fumes. It’s renewable and biodegradable.
Cross-posted at Boulevard Designs.
Filed under: Home and Garden
I’ve been reading and researching about companion planting this year. Now that I’m feeling confident in the garden, I knew it was time to amp it up as far as learning more about what kinds of plants will attract beneficial insects and also repel harmful insects (Integrated Pest Management). Being an organic gardener it’s wise to utilize annuals, perennials and herbs alongside your veggies to help them produce and deter harmful insects. Companion Planting will attract more bees to pollinate and birds to munch on harmful insects. So far in my garden I’ve planted Zinnias, Geraniums, Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Chamomile and still need to add a variety of herbs. Not only was I thinking about Integrated Pest Management but the beautiful array of colors that my annuals will produce. I can’t wait to see what it will finally look like come mid/late June.
I thought it would be helpful to share what I have learned by providing a list of the best plants and herbs to help you on your way to Companion Planting.
Asters
Deters most insects
Basil
Basil repels white fly and makes a good companion to tomatoes, in the garden & the kitchen. Use 3 basil plants to each tomato plant. Basil also repels flies and mosquitoes, so useful in kitchen, outdoor barbecues. Don’t plant near rue. Deters tomato hornworm, aphids, flies and mosquitoes. Slows growth of milkweed bugs and acts as a fungicide.Borage – Deters tomato worm – improves growth and flavor of tomatoes
Borage
Plant with strawberries to increase crop. Also good with tomatoes and squash. Attracts bees to the garden. Deters tomato worms, attracts bees, helps growth and flavor.
Calendula (Pot Marigold)
Deters asparagus beetles, tomato worms and general garden pests
Catnip
Deters flea beetle
Celery
White cabbage butterfly
Chamomile
Improves growth and flavor of onions and cabbages.
Chrysanthemum
Deters most insects
Dead Nettle
Deters potato bug – improves growth and flavor of potatoes
Eggplant
Deters Colorado potato beetle
Fennel
Repels fleas, so grow it around dog kennel.
Flax
Deters potato bug
Garlic
Deters Japanese beetle – other insects and blight
Geranium
Deters most insects. Plant near roses, grapes and corn. Repels cabbage worm. Oil of geranium prevents red spider mite.
Horseradish
Plant at corners of potato patch to deter potato bug
Henbit
General insect repellant
Hyssop
Deters cabbage moth, white butterflies, good insect repellant
Lavendar
Lavender bags repel mice, ticks and moths.
Marigold
The workhouse of the pest deterrents. Plant throughout garden to discourage Mexican bean beetles, nematodes and other insects.
Mint
Deters white cabbage moth and ants
Nasturtium
Good insect repellent. Deters aphids, squash bugs, striped pumpkin beetles
Onion Family
Deters most pests
Oregano
Plant near broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower to repel cabbage butterfly and near cucumbers to repel cucumber beetle. Also benefits grapes.
Petunia
Protects beans
Peppermint
Planted among cabbages, it repels the white cabbage butterfly
Radish
Especially deters cucumber beetle
Rosemary
Deters cabbage moth, bean beetle and carrot fly
Rue
Deters Japanese Beetle
Sage
Deters cabbage moth, carrot fly
Salsify
Repels carrot fly
Southernwood
Deters cabbage moth
Summer Savory
Deters bean beetles
Tansy
Deters flying insects, Japanese beetles, striped cucumber beetles, squash bugs, ants
Tomato
Asparagus beetle
Thyme
Deters cabbage worm
Wormwood
Carrot fly, white cabbage butterfly, black flea beetle
Diana Bauman is a Local Spanish foodie. You can view her personal blog at: A Little Bit of Spain In Iowa.
Filed under: Home and Garden
I never stopped to think about lead in soil, until a friend of mine posted about it on facebook. (http://projectsformoms.blogspot.com/) For all you twitterers out there, @ShannyM515, had mentioned that she couldn’t plant due to lead being in her soil. As I read that, I started to think about my own soil. We live in Des Moines, Beaverdale area, which is an old neighborhood where many homes have been painted and treated for lead paint. That paint could have leaked into the soil making it hazardous to start utilizing it for a garden. With the recent popularity of home gardens, I thought it would be great to share a link that I just found on lead.
For Urban Gardeners, Lead is a Concern
Diana Bauman is a Local Spanish foodie. You can view her personal blog at: A Little Bit of Spain In Iowa.
One of the greatest things about living in Des Moines is that they are actively a part of the Local Food Movement. The Des Moines Community Garden Coalition provides four areas throughout the metro for Community Gardening. The Franklin Community Garden, The Drake Community Garden, The Edmunds/Oakridge/Sherman Hill Community Garden, and the new Downtown Community Garden. The city provides the plots, compost, mulch, and water free of charge as long as you maintain your garden and grow organically. What a deal!!
For those of us that live in older neighborhoods with way too much shade, this is the perfect opportunity to start growing your own organic produce. Not only is this economical but for newbie gardeners, you will find a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips by meeting your garden neighbors. Seasoned gardeners and newbie’s alike work side by side learning from each other and forming lasting friendships. There are people from all walks of life and all ages involved. It’s a great way to learn about where our food actually comes from and organic methods of growing and care.
For more information on joining a community garden please visit the Des Moines Community Garden Coalition.
Diana Bauman is a Local Spanish foodie. You can view her personal blog at: A Little Bit of Spain In Iowa.
The Register had an article on Urban Chickens this morning. Seems Des Moines metro is one of the few areas where they’re OK in the state! I find it interesting that Marshalltown outlawed backyard chickens because some Latino immigrants were butchering their chickens in their yards and allowing the blood to run into the street. Um, what about just making it illegal to allow blood from butchered animals to run into the street?
(And let’s not pretend that the only people bleeding out animals in their houses/yards are Latino immigrants. A house my sister looked at in Omaha featured a large set-up in the garage intended solely for dressing animals the former homeowner had hunted. Including a drain for the blood.)
Filed under: Home and Garden
Well, we’re entering the Rainy Season here in Iowa. Have you thought about collecting rainwater for use in your yard (or even your home)?
Our family’s owned two rain barrels since we bought our house in 1999. One of them split open this last winter, and I’m waiting for a warm enough day to try patching it with some caulking before just buying a new one. We’ve enjoyed the barrels, and use the water collected for watering the garden and trees, handwashing while outside, and the kids use it for play. I will say, the water pressure is certainly nothing to write home about, and even though our barrels have threaded spigots for garden hoses, the water pressure is simply not high enough to actually propel the water through the hose, so we’ve just emptied water into a bucket and hauled it wherever we need it.
If you’re thinking about collecting rainwater, in barrels or simply in a water garden, here are some good local resources:
Backyard Abundance (mainly an Iowa City resource, but good info for all)
Gutterworks in Barnes City carries the exact brand of water barrel our family has.
If you don’t want or need fancy-pants barrels, you can use 55 gallon drums. Mygrandparents used to have a giant wooden barrel under a downspout. We used a dipper or bucket to get the water out.
Caution: any standing water provides a great place for mosquitos to breed. Cover your rain barrels if possible. I’ll post on nontoxic mosquito deterrants in a bit.
Filed under: Home and Garden
Since I first posted about this several months ago, our family’s gone back and forth on the chicken thing. I really wanted to go ahead, but felt that my husband was reluctant. Ultimately, in the throes of a Dealing With A Newborn Plus A Preschooler Plus A Business Is Just Way Too Much crisis, I decided we were definitely NOT going to have chickens.
Then a few friends continued to talk about it, and pointed me to Ed Fallon, who raised chickens. Ed and I never had a chance to hook up (I swear, I am never near a phone with the kids are both quiet), but as I felt a little less overwhelmed with the demands of two children, a household, and a business, I started thinking about the chickens again.
Ultimately, I spent the weekend and last night reading online a LOT, and looking at coop designs, and whatnot, and decided I’d love to do it, but still felt my husband was not really as excited as I was.
Tonight he came home and I said “so, what about chickens, what do you think?” and he responded, to my surprise, “I thought it was a done deal, what are you waiting for?”
Well, alright. So, we’re going to get chickens.
And it so happens that at least two of my fellow city-dwelling friends are going to be getting chickens this spring, as well. Check back here for updates on our adventures with chicken-raising! Hopefully, I’ll be able to talk them into blogging a bit about their processes, as well. You can also check out our Facebook group for Iowa Urban Chicken Farmers.
I’ve been reading back over posts from blogs in my Bloglines that I have saved for one reason or another. I had this one marked, thinking about putting it into practice at our house this spring.
The main obstacle for my house seems to be that my washer is not only a long, long way from anything that might need to be watered, but it’s also underground. I’ll be curious to see if the washer pumps the water out with enough force to propel the water uphill and some distance away.
I will say, when the Planet Green channel first debuted, our family was less than impressed. It seemed to show mostly reruns of other Discovery-family shows, like the Iowa Farm Bureau Bike episodes of American Chopper.
But lately, I’ve been watching it more and more. Last night, awakened just enough by Genevieve (who is 3 days old) to be unable to get back to sleep right away, I found myself watching Living with Ed, which was on for about 8 hours in a row. Apparently, as I fell back asleep, TV still on, my husband awoke and watched it for several hours, as well.
By the time I woke up for the day, he was ready to order the solar panels we’ve talked about for years, in addition to a small wind turbine.
The show really is fun. It follows Ed Begley Junior and his wife Rachelle as they try to make their southern California home as energy-efficient and Green as possible. They also visit their famous friends in nearly every episode, including Bill Nye, one of my favorite people of all time, who lives just down the street.
Of course, for as fun and inspirational as the show is, it’s hard to get past that also rubs our faces in the fact that it’s easier to be green and super energy-efficient when you have lots and lots of money to spend on new appliances and recycled carpet.
I will say that the other drawback from my vantage point is that the show showcases so much buying of new things. There’s no discussion of whether it might be greener to continue to use the old oven instead of getting a new one, for example.
