Comments for Making A Homestead

Comment on Website of the Week: Freecycle.Org by Roswell

Roswell — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:46:23 +0000

Dang, I’m sorry you had such a bad experience. Freecycle has thousands of different groups, each with their own moderators so, sometimes you can get some bad apples. I too have had ads denied for things I “wanted” because I didn’t have enough post offering things. I understand that though because you don’t want an inbox full of people wanting things and not contributing. I think you have to ask for something in the same month you offer things as they don’t look back further than that. As for them being so varied in choice of subject titles, I have not run into that and would be annoyed if I did. I would ask them for clarification in writing and follow those directions, if you are still rejected then send their email back to them.

Comment on Mean Green Juice Recipe by Roswell

Roswell — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:37:00 +0000

I got THIS ONE from Breville and like it a lot. I just dump the remaining veggies after juicing into a bag which I walk out to either my compost bin or my vermacompost bin. The worms love it! Then I just rinse off the juicer and throw everything but the base into the dishwasher. It also came with a brush for any hard to extract food particles, but it is needed often.

Comment on Website of the Week: Freecycle.Org by Fritz

Fritz — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:51:45 +0000

I follow my local FreeCycle group. I have picked up many items that people would have normally thrown away.

My only complaint is the approvers of the ads. It could just be my area, but I have NEVER submitted an ad that was “correct” the first time around. It seems like my local FreeCycle group is staffed by people that wanted to be on the board of an HOA but couldn’t make it. They are like little Nazis. I submitted many ads to give away items when I moved. Then about 2 years later, I submitted 3 ads in a row wanting items. I was contacted by the moderators to tell me that my recent ratio of offers to wanted ads was off kilter. They told me that they would allow it this time, but I needed to submit 3 offers foe every wanted ad. I tried to explain the ~24 that I submitted earlier but apparently that is not acceptable. I’ve also had ads rejected because I put the name of the town I’m in and not the zip, because I’ve put the zip but not the name of the town and because I put both town name and zip. They just don’t seem to all play by the same play book.

Sorry for the rant.

Comment on Mean Green Juice Recipe by Fritz

Fritz — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:45:38 +0000

I had a juicer at one time. What turned me off was that the one I had was so difficult to clean. Do you have any recommendations for some that are easier to clean?

Comment on Starting Seeds Indoors with Soil Cubes by Roswell

Roswell — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:38:17 +0000

I think it really depends on how long you leave the plants in the tray and what you are starting. For the most part roots tend to grow down more than horizontal. That being said there is definitely some root transfer, but not enough to be an issue as long as the cubes are pressed properly. Usually when it is transfer time I take the trays outside and gingerly pull them apart with my bare hands. Most roots separate without an issue, but I keep a sharp pair of garden shears nearby to snip the stubborn ones.

Comment on Starting Seeds Indoors with Soil Cubes by ModernSurvival

ModernSurvival — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:41:53 +0000

Do the cubes stay separate and not have the roots all grow together?

Comment on Starting Seeds Indoors with Soil Cubes by Roswell

Roswell — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:00:13 +0000

Thank you for commenting Fritz. I am not very precise in my mixtures, but I usually do something like, 1/2 Peat Moss, 1/4 Potting Soil, 1/4 Compost hand mixed. I keep a pitcher of water and add to it as I mix it until I’m satisfied with the consistency.

Comment on Starting Seeds Indoors with Soil Cubes by Fritz

Fritz — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:32:14 +0000

Thanks for the post. So, what mix do you use in your soil cube maker?

Comment on DIY Square Foot Garden Modifications by Urban Square Foot Gardening Brings the Country to the City | Raised Gardens Beds

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:49:24 +0000

[...] Square Foot Gardening Tips: JuneSquare foot gardening….harvested lettuceDIY Square Foot Garden Modifications [...]

Comment on DIY Square Foot Garden Modifications by Horobin

Horobin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:54:25 +0000

Really loving the fake owl! It’s amazing the difference something like this can make to your garden. Just shows what you can do when you get out your fencing tools and do it yourself.