Good mornin all,

Dawn I did see tenzi's seed blog, how cool is that to have a meeting to exchange
seeds.   I need to check out in our area to see if we have one or maybe get one
started.  I'll have to ask the pro how to get one going,

I got a few things in, peas,onions,potatoes, beets,radishes,lettuce.

I didn't put out much winter sowing , just wasn't with it this season.  But got
a few containers of cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower.

Many tomatoes and peppers plants growing under lights (100's).  Ok this is
strange.  I started a week and half earlier then Mom with tomatoes.  I used the
top notch organic seed started.  Mom used plaid ol garden soil to start hers and
my plants are just started to get their true leaves and if it was warm enough
mom could go ahead and plant hers outside and have maters in a couple of weeks
(i said the last part meaning wow they are doing great).  Mom grew her's next to
the window.  I think i'm going back to that as well and make my own seed
starter.


I'm ready for spring too, we did get a nice snow a few weeks back.  Ponds are
nice and full. I'm ready for fishing too.

T-bone, have fun on that tractor, till away and have fun gardening.





--- In downtotherootsmagazine@yahoogroups.com, "Dawn" <listsnchats@...> wrote:
>
> Hey Linda! Yep-I think everyone's getting their gardens ready, talking about
seeds and seed saving (Did you read tenzi's blog post about the Seed Saturday?),
and starting those seeds!! Did you do any winter sowing this year? I had 100's
of pots and containers ready to go . . . and no winter! Well, we had our fair
share of cold, but no snow. Just wind and cold . . . and then 65° weather for a
few days, then cold again. All dry though. I decided to pass up on it this year.
Maybe next year we'll see a better winter. We are just now getting some precip,
and we are very grateful for it!
>
> I've got 100's of seedlings poking their head up right now. My cruciferous
veggies all had super germination and my tomatoes are just getting started
peeking through the soil. It is fun to have the space now to start seeds again.
I have really missed that.

My seedlings are doing poorly this year. But my new chicks are doing
great. I pick up 6 bantam cochins and 6 barred rocks. I hope at least a
couple of each are hens. LOL

Hey T-bone, you want to bring that tractor over to my place. It sure
could use some tilling. :o)

Sue in MO

Well iffen you pays fer da diesel fuel to get it there Sue! But I'm a thinkin it
may be more frugal to jist hire a local tractor lover!
 
T-bone

--- On Wed, 4/1/09, Sue Muska <sdm@...> wrote:

From: Sue Muska <sdm@...>
Subject: [downtotherootsmagazine] Re: Looks like everyone is busy these days.
To: downtotherootsmagazine@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2009, 11:08 AM

My seedlings are doing poorly this year. But my new chicks are doing
great. I pick up 6 bantam cochins and 6 barred rocks. I hope at least a
couple of each are hens. LOL

Hey T-bone, you want to bring that tractor over to my place. It sure
could use some tilling. :o)

Sue in MO





------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links








[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sigh, it be rainin here now so no tractor time an it not trout season yet so I
iz puterizin today.
 
T-bone who gots a pot roast in da crock pot

--- On Wed, 4/1/09, linda <walkabout202004@...> wrote:

From: linda <walkabout202004@...>
Subject: [downtotherootsmagazine] Re: Looks like everyone is busy these days.
To: downtotherootsmagazine@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2009, 9:08 AM

Good mornin all,

Dawn I did see tenzi's seed blog, how cool is that to have a meeting to
exchange seeds.   I need to check out in our area to see if we have one or maybe
get one started.  I'll have to ask the pro how to get one going,

I got a few things in, peas,onions,potatoes, beets,radishes,lettuce.

I didn't put out much winter sowing , just wasn't with it this season.
But got a few containers of cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower.

Many tomatoes and peppers plants growing under lights (100's).  Ok this is
strange.  I started a week and half earlier then Mom with tomatoes.  I used the
top notch organic seed started.  Mom used plaid ol garden soil to start hers and
my plants are just started to get their true leaves and if it was warm enough
mom could go ahead and plant hers outside and have maters in a couple of weeks
(i said the last part meaning wow they are doing great).  Mom grew her's
next to the window.  I think i'm going back to that as well and make my own
seed starter.


I'm ready for spring too, we did get a nice snow a few weeks back.  Ponds
are nice and full. I'm ready for fishing too.

T-bone, have fun on that tractor, till away and have fun gardening.





--- In downtotherootsmagazine@yahoogroups.com, "Dawn"
<listsnchats@...> wrote:
>
> Hey Linda! Yep-I think everyone's getting their gardens ready, talking
about seeds and seed saving (Did you read tenzi's blog post about the Seed
Saturday?), and starting those seeds!! Did you do any winter sowing this year? I
had 100's of pots and containers ready to go . . . and no winter! Well, we
had our fair share of cold, but no snow. Just wind and cold . . . and then 65°
weather for a few days, then cold again. All dry though. I decided to pass up on
it this year. Maybe next year we'll see a better winter. We are just now
getting some precip, and we are very grateful for it!
>
> I've got 100's of seedlings poking their head up right now. My
cruciferous veggies all had super germination and my tomatoes are just getting
started peeking through the soil. It is fun to have the space now to start seeds
again. I have really missed that.




------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links








[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello everyone,

I have been gone due to family matters, and it will be hit or miss for a bit
more. I did write a thing on how to hold a Seedy Saturday for you when I could
type, but had no internet access.

tenzicut

Seedy Saturdays

It is getting a bit late to hold a Seedy Saturday anywhere the rest of this
year, but these are the steps we took to hold our very successful event and
perhaps you can start your own for next year. I highly suggest you holding a
Seedy Saturday event if you think you would like to, no matter where you live in
the world, as like I have stated before, each and every year, at least 10,000
varieties of heirloom seeds go extinct each and every year.

I received some Hollyhocks recently at the last event I attended which had been
in their family since the 1800's. I wrote down the family's name and all the
other important info which I thought was useful and documented it on the seed
packet they gave me, so it would not get lost and no one would know how special
this seed is. Even though I hate beans, I have many varieties of green and
dried, as how can I not grow them and pass them on since I have them? I have to
do my part in keeping them from going extinct.

This last Seedy Saturday I was at, I was given some "Ireland Creek Annie" beans
which has been grown locally for many years, the Bird Family gave me some lovely
Kale which they saved seed from this last year and it was the first seed that
they had saved (and gave me alot so I could pass it around to others too). It is
these seeds which are so important as they are acclimated to this area and many
of the varieties or strains are grown no where else in the world. In essence
they have/will become a landrace. "Landrace" refers to domesticated animals or
plants adapted to the natural and cultural environment in which they live (or
originated) and, in some cases, work.


1. Our event started as an idea with two of us over tea. Then when others heard
about it, it grew to four of us who put it on. With more people it is always
more fun, makes the workload less and makes it so you were not the only one
standing as 'front man'.



2. Decide on what you want from your event. I have been to a few Seedy Saturdays
and each one is very different from the other.

A.) The first Seedy Saturday I attended was a small seed exchange in the park on
little tables we brought. (I was actually sick as a dog at it and had severe
enemia, otherwise I may have enjoyed it a bit more).

B.) The second was the event we put on and we chose to make gardening a good
option for people in our more difficult economic times, those who are retired
and those who have children. We wanted to promote locally grown foods, community
gardens and sustainability. We only sold plants (that we donated between us
four) that we seeded and grew, so the 100% proceeds from sale of the herbs and
tomatoes will go into buying tools for the community gardens, making it a
win-win situation all the way around. We educated the public, had nutritionists
there, had local beekeepers there, showcased local food producers, the new
community gardens, etc. And of course the seed exchange and teaching people how
to save seeds.

C.) The last and third Seedy Saturday I went to was very different. I was
invited to have a table at this one from someone who saw me at ours and wanted
me to talk about saving seeds at their Seedy Saturday in a town a few hours away
from mine. There were less seed exchanges at this one, more sales of organic
open pollinated seeds, new/used book sales promoting how to garden, vendors for
composting tea, raised bed hot houses, the community gardening club, all the way
to demonstrations on how to make cuttings and propagate them. There were also
baby chicks there and a flea market. And a local commune who sold seed potatoes
(and I missed getting the local potato variety I wanted which originated here,
but they are going to give me some since I gave them a WHOLE schwack of seed
starts - about 50 kinds).

So decide what YOU want from it and what your COMMUNITY needs from it. It can be
a big or small event, but in my opinion, the seed saving and trading should
always be the main focus of it. I personally disagree with the sale of seeds.
People kept trying to give me money for the seeds I gave away, but I was adamant
that they give me no money and only promise to try to grow out the seed and save
the seed to give to others and/or bring back to a Seedy Saturday the following
year in 2010. I then give them my spiel WHY it is important to save seeds and
what kinds to save and the easiest to start learning with.



3. Find a Saturday sometime in February, March or early April to hold the event.
Make it tenative to step 4.


4. Talk to people in charge of places where you can hold the event, preferably
the less expensive the better, as the objective of this event (for me anyway) is
NOT to make money or SPEND any. Talk to a school, a community service like The
Elks, Rotary, a church, a grange hall, the Legion ect. Most have not heard of a
Seedy Saturday, so learn what one is and then educate them. Most are pretty
excited about what you are going to hold once they find out what it is you want
to do. I had a hall donated to us and the fees voided, but then we found a
better location, better parking and easier found for the public wanting to come.
We invited the other group to come anyway, as many in the other organization
were avid gardeners or wanted to be.

5. Tables. What do you want to do? Educate people? Just hold a seed exchange?
Invite local gardening/agricultural type groups that you think might be
interested in participating. I think we had 20-some tables at our event for
educational purposes alone.

6. Have activities for kids as well. We came up with children planting a pumpkin
seed there at the event and then taking it home to grow (with instructions) and
then bring the pumpkin back to the Farmer's Market in the fall to have a pumpkin
carving contest, toss all the seeds into a bucket from all the pumpkins (which
are all the same variety, "Connecticut Field") to promote the Seed Exchange
again next year.. at the same time, we promoted our local Farmer's Market and
encouraged young gardeners. All the seeds, potting soil and plastic pots were
donated by a local business.

7. Get the public involved, have activities for them to do. The bee keepers
brought full bee suits and let people dress up in them and had pictures taken of
the people. They also brought hives to show people what the supers, brood
chambers, frames, foundation etc was like and why bees are important for
gardening and the rest of the world.

8. People like free stuff. I contacted every single seed company who has or
specializes in open pollinated seeds and heirloom seeds in all of North America,
the UK, France and Israel and they sent me lots and lots of seed catalogs. Seed
Savers Exchange sent me a 27 pound box of catalogs.. no joke!! There were
600-some catalogs and we put them on a table and only a handful were left by the
end of our event. There were many companies which were new to me as well. The
few catalogs left, I donated to another group who was having a Seedy Saturday
after ours.

9. It never hurts to ask for donations from local businesses. One business, gave
us seed that they had and we divided that up into individual coin envelopes,
then we gave people free seed to take home with directions how to grow it. We
made sure all the varieties were open pollinated seed and many were even
heirlooms (BONUS!!!). That way we had door prizes too. Later when some
businesses heard what we were doing which has had NOT approached, they want to
be in on it next year. And we certainly will be holding it next year as this
year was very much a success.

10. Contact the media. We contacted the local paper, the radio station and the
local cable company. I wrote the article for the paper and they were more than
happy to accept it (I sent it to the rival paper of where I used to work hehe).
If you write a good article and send in pictures, the editor is usually more
than happy to print it. I had about a 670 word article, telling what we were
doing, why, why it was important, as well as when and where. Get it in the issue
JUST before your event. We also made posters and put them up all over town. The
printing was donated by a local agriculture group.

11. Thus far we have spent no money out of our pockets other than the seed we
donated from our own stashes and a few phone calls.

12. With our plant sale.. we sent home instruction sheets how to care for the
tomatoes and a sheet on how to care for the (Rosemary, Sage and Thyme) herbs and
recipes on how to use them. Again, the printing was donated.

13. A sign for in front of the place you are holding it is great so people can
locate it as they are driving around looking for the door or building. We found
a 'sandwich sign', (2 boards hinged at the top) and we just printed off "SEEDY
SATURDAY HERE" and listed those who helped sponsor us.

14. Have a greeter type table. I did double duty as the greeter and the "How to
Save Seed" table.

15. Food is rather a good idea. If not for the people coming to the event, for
those who are there all day *L*. We invited a local 'green type' restraunt and
they served organically minded, vegetarian type fare. They made pre-made wraps,
soup in a pot, carrot/beet muffins and some other things. The 3rd Seedy Saturday
I went to, showcased locally grown organic foods cooked in their community
kitchen for their lunch meal and the price was by donation.

16. We chose to have our hours for the event from 9 am to 3 pm.  The night
before, E & R set up their displays. The day of the event we got there an hour
early to finish setting things up (I made mine easy... 5 mins for setup or
teardown). Make sure to have table cloths, a bit of decoration, educational
displays if you like.... (make sure to have liquid if you are talking a lot as
you will go hoarse). The last event I went to, the hours were from 11 am to 3
pm.

17. Relax and have FUN!!! I think the more you stress you make for yourself, the
more can go wrong at the event. Our event flowed with ease. It was like the four
of us had been working for years together, instead of knowing each other for
merely 8-9 weeks. I can't think of anything which went 'off badly' at ours. I
only wish we had thought of a Guest Book for people to write what they liked,
but even a week later I was hearing rave reviews about it.

18. Have a 'follow up meeting' between the organizers after the event. Chances
are you will be holding it again the next year since you had so much fun, so see
what new ideas you all came up with and what you would change.

19. You may want to contact Seeds of Diversity Canada, Seed Savers Exchange or
other people who have held Seedy Saturdays for ideas.

20. Make it your own. Put some twists on it, but do always keep it
agriculturally minded and attempt to keep it local.

tenzicut
http://www.downtotherootsmagazine.com

Thanks for checking in, and I hope things smooth out for you.  There must
be a funky planetary alignment or something, cause it seems like a lot of
people are having more weirdness than  usual lately.  I'll hold a good
thought for you.
   The Seedy Sat thing is very cool!!    If I can find a partner in crime I'd
like to do one here.  Not that I know much about gardening at this point lol

Take care,
Phoenix


On 4/6/09, tenzicut <tenzicut@...> wrote:
>
>   Hello everyone,
>
> I have been gone due to family matters, and it will be hit or miss for a
> bit more. I did write a thing on how to hold a Seedy Saturday for you when I
> could type, but had no internet access.
>
> tenzicut
>
>  .
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Absolutely wonderful, Tenzi.  Inspires me to see what we can do for our
community here.  Goodness knows there are a LOT of families that need a garden
this year, and it's going to be like this for at least a few more years, while
the economy struggles to get worked out.

Kim ~ who's enjoying new goatie babies and sun shine today
Blessed Farm, WA

Good to hear from you tenzi! Do write when you can. I thik I speak for all of us
when I say we miss you!
 
T-bone

--- On Mon, 4/6/09, tenzicut <tenzicut@...> wrote:

From: tenzicut <tenzicut@...>
Subject: [downtotherootsmagazine] Re: Looks like everyone is busy these days.
To: downtotherootsmagazine@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, April 6, 2009, 1:29 PM

Hello everyone,

I have been gone due to family matters, and it will be hit or miss for a bit
more. I did write a thing on how to hold a Seedy Saturday for you when I could
type, but had no internet access.

tenzicut



------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links








[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Here' s new to me site that has lots of info about how long foods last, even
differentiates between homemade and bought.

http://stilltasty.com/

pat

   ----------


   ----------


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Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.53/2054 - Release Date: 04/11/09
10:51:00


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

What a great website! Thanks for sending it out.



Happy Easter everyone!



Kathy






----- Original Message -----
From: NJgardner@...
To: downtotherootsmagazine@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2009 11:47:01 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: [downtotherootsmagazine] Food safety and storage site








Here' s new to me site that has lots of info about how long foods last, even
differentiates between homemade and bought.

http://stilltasty.com/

pat

----------

----------

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.53/2054 - Release Date: 04/11/09
10:51:00

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Useful site, Pat!

Thanks :)

Dawn
     ^^^^colorado

I got an e-mail from Miz tenzi today an she be doing ok. But her situation is
still very fluid with little internet access. Again she be doing ok.

T-bone who is lovin hiz wonderfull spring day today

Thanks, Tom!

How are folks in Colorado doing today?  I saw on the news last night they
were getting 1-3 feet of snow.

Weather is crazy.  We were near freezing the other night and had a frost
warning on th 16th....the day after our last frost.   As crazy as the temps
have been, even long term with warm winters, way below temps through March
and April or whatever, for the most part, I don't get frost after the 15th
here.  Even the year where much of area crops were damaged or killed by a
May 23 (or so) frost.

The flowers were a little slow starting this year compared to other years,
but actually on time. My fruit trees are just barely starting to bloom, so
loosing them to frost is remote.  However, the wind never seems to go away
anymore and storms are usually extremely windy....the blossoms get blown
right off the trees.  I have to look into planting some in areas that get
more limited sun, cut less wind.

Its beautiful here today, so I'm heading back outside. Planting is so far
behind its pitiful, but the few peas I did manage to get in are sprouting.

pat


>I got an e-mail from Miz tenzi today an she be doing ok. But her situation
>is still very fluid with little internet access. Again she be doing ok.
>
> T-bone who is lovin hiz wonderfull spring day today
>

   ----------


   ----------


No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.287 / Virus Database: 270.12.0/2066 - Release Date: 04/18/09
09:55:00


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Now I gots ta brag jist a bit Pat. I bout 2-3 days I gonna be forced inta pickin
my asparagus fer da firstest time dis year! I loves dem kinds of crops dat cums
up all by they selves. Was 72F here today but it was a bit breezy too. Sposed to
git cooler agin dis week. Go figure.
 
T-bone

--- On Sat, 4/18/09, NJgardner@... <NJgardner@...> wrote:

From: NJgardner@... <NJgardner@...>
Subject: Re: [downtotherootsmagazine] Latest News!
To: downtotherootsmagazine@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2009, 11:51 AM

Thanks, Tom!

How are folks in Colorado doing today?  I saw on the news last night they
were getting 1-3 feet of snow.

Weather is crazy.  We were near freezing the other night and had a frost
warning on th 16th....the day after our last frost.   As crazy as the temps
have been, even long term with warm winters, way below temps through March
and April or whatever, for the most part, I don't get frost after the 15th
here.  Even the year where much of area crops were damaged or killed by a
May 23 (or so) frost.

The flowers were a little slow starting this year compared to other years,
but actually on time. My fruit trees are just barely starting to bloom, so
loosing them to frost is remote.  However, the wind never seems to go away
anymore and storms are usually extremely windy....the blossoms get blown
right off the trees.  I have to look into planting some in areas that get
more limited sun, cut less wind.

Its beautiful here today, so I'm heading back outside. Planting is so far
behind its pitiful, but the few peas I did manage to get in are sprouting.

pat


>I got an e-mail from Miz tenzi today an she be doing ok. But her situation
>is still very fluid with little internet access. Again she be doing ok.
>
> T-bone who is lovin hiz wonderfull spring day today
>

   ----------


   ----------


No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.287 / Virus Database: 270.12.0/2066 - Release Date: 04/18/09
09:55:00


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links








[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hey Tom.,

You are a bit cooler and later than I am here.  The asparagus started coming
up about 2-3 weeks ago, but it was slow.  The purple came up about the same
time.  On the down side, I didn't ever get around to weeding the green bed
last year, so its pretty sad.  Its also about 18 years old and if any of the
plants are the originals, are about spent.  If I get time, I'm going to
really dig out the weeds, dig out all the anise hyssop that's in there (that
doesn't seem to interfere with production, just hides the spears from me)
and thin it out.  I have several self seeded purple plants scattered around
the yard, so I might move them.  I like it so much better
than the green.

I have seed in the fridge for Green Globe artichokes.  They are supposed to
be hardy here with some protection.  Since my marjoram survived the 5 deg
weather covered with leaves, I think they'll be fine.  I also get an
abundance of feld salat.  If its not overed with snow, its probably big
enough to pick in Jan.  I want to build a raised bed with a good solid
frame, so I can keep track of where this stuff is - cover it if I need to,
and start picking it earlier.  It goes to seed in a flash.
You can also grow leeks as a perennial kind of.  Just leave some in the
ground and you'll get little ones - not sure if the bulb splits or if it
just grows a side shoot from the root.   You could probably keep a potato
bed going too,
at least for a couple years before disease or wireworms do them in.

It was 78 the other day, cooler yesterday, and back to nasty.  A day after
all the rains stopped, they put up wild fire warnings because it was going
to be breezy and dry.  Well, the good news for the fire service is that its
raining again.  Flooding rains.    Wish I got more planted this weekend, but
I'm still cleaning up last years stuff.  Planted about 50 seed potatoes and
have a ton left.  This bunch was all in straw.  Actually, I guess I'm better
off I didn't get more seeds in...they would have washed out
of the beds.  We're supposed to have really nasty storms overnight...more
thunderstorms, hail and who knows what else.

Anyone else have any hardy, perennial veggies they grow?

pat



Now I gots ta brag jist a bit Pat. I bout 2-3 days I gonna be forced inta
pickin my asparagus fer da firstest time dis year! I loves dem kinds of
crops dat cums up all by they selves. Was 72F here today but it was a bit
breezy too. Sposed to git cooler agin dis week. Go figure.

T-bone


   ----------


   ----------


No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.287 / Virus Database: 270.12.1/2070 - Release Date: 04/20/09
17:56:00


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Yeah Pat you gots da ocean to moderate temps where you is. I wanna git me sum
rhubarb started an sum strawberry/raspberry/etc berrys started again.
 
You asparagus ain't worn out at bout 18! Jist gi tit weeded and fertilize it sum
an mulch. The oldest part fo my patch be planted bout 1972 an it still doin
well. I do rototill it every spring bout 3-4" deep but I also planted deep so I
could do that.
 
T-bone


--- On Tue, 4/21/09, NJgardner@... <NJgardner@...> wrote:

From: NJgardner@... <NJgardner@...>
Subject: Re: [downtotherootsmagazine] Latest News!
To: downtotherootsmagazine@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2009, 12:26 AM

Hey Tom.,

You are a bit cooler and later than I am here.  The asparagus started coming
up about 2-3 weeks ago, but it was slow.  The purple came up about the same
time.  On the down side, I didn't ever get around to weeding the green bed
last year, so its pretty sad.  Its also about 18 years old and if any of the
plants are the originals, are about spent.  If I get time, I'm going to
really dig out the weeds, dig out all the anise hyssop that's in there
(that
doesn't seem to interfere with production, just hides the spears from me)
and thin it out.  I have several self seeded purple plants scattered around
the yard, so I might move them.  I like it so much better
than the green.

I have seed in the fridge for Green Globe artichokes.  They are supposed to
be hardy here with some protection.  Since my marjoram survived the 5 deg
weather covered with leaves, I think they'll be fine.  I also get an
abundance of feld salat.  If its not overed with snow, its probably big
enough to pick in Jan.  I want to build a raised bed with a good solid
frame, so I can keep track of where this stuff is - cover it if I need to,
and start picking it earlier.  It goes to seed in a flash.
You can also grow leeks as a perennial kind of.  Just leave some in the
ground and you'll get little ones - not sure if the bulb splits or if it
just grows a side shoot from the root.   You could probably keep a potato
bed going too,
at least for a couple years before disease or wireworms do them in.

It was 78 the other day, cooler yesterday, and back to nasty.  A day after
all the rains stopped, they put up wild fire warnings because it was going
to be breezy and dry.  Well, the good news for the fire service is that its
raining again.  Flooding rains.    Wish I got more planted this weekend, but
I'm still cleaning up last years stuff.  Planted about 50 seed potatoes and

have a ton left.  This bunch was all in straw.  Actually, I guess I'm
better
off I didn't get more seeds in...they would have washed out
of the beds.  We're supposed to have really nasty storms overnight...more
thunderstorms, hail and who knows what else.

Anyone else have any hardy, perennial veggies they grow?

pat



Now I gots ta brag jist a bit Pat. I bout 2-3 days I gonna be forced inta
pickin my asparagus fer da firstest time dis year! I loves dem kinds of
crops dat cums up all by they selves. Was 72F here today but it was a bit
breezy too. Sposed to git cooler agin dis week. Go figure.

T-bone


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Today April 22, 2009 is Earth Day!

Celebrate & Accelerate

Earth Day is a time to celebrate gains we have made and create new visions to
accelerate environmental progress. Earth Day is a time to unite around new
actions. Earth Day and every day is a time to act to protect our planet.

Today I will be planting two fruit trees and a grape vine in my yard and will
spend time cleaning up the roadway in front of my and my neighbors houses. This
afternoon I am giving an introduction seminar on solar off-grid living at our
local library and tonight we have a drum circle in the park where we will sing
and dance to mother earth for all she has given us.

Please tell us what you will be doing to celebrate earth day ?

Even small things make a difference!

LaMar
www.simplesolarhomesteading.com

We had a great time at the North Country Energy Fair. We had about 20 people
attend our "DIY Solar class", 10 at our "Make your own biodiesel" class, and
about 50 attend the off-grid water pumping and filtration class we presented
with a panel of 4 others, including Jim Juczak of Woodhenge and Rob Roy of
Earthwood. Rich Douglas covered wind pumping, Jim covered deep well hand pumps,
I covered filtration, John covered solar pumps and Luke Martin covered well
buckets. Rob's presentation covered pedal powered piston pumps. We gave about 30
rides on our E-Zip electric bike, and everyone had a lot of fun with it. Our DIY
Berkey Water Purifier was a big hit, as was the Nature's Head composting toilet,
and the MRSA and Swine flu resistant cleaning products. Tom Leue presented his
Yellowheat veggie furnace.

More info at http://www.green-trust.org

should I add crushed limestone to my veggie beds now or wait until fall?
I'm going to do the grassy areas - hopefully i'll finish cutting it all
tonight before it rains.  The DARN sheep sorrel is already gong to seed.
pat

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I'd add it now Pat. If you use ground limestone and NOT burnt lime it will not
hurt your plants and will start to work now. The neat thing about limestone is
that it works slowly and won't burn. And when the pH get nearer to neutral it
slows up. Sort of auto-balancing.
 
T-bone who thinks more folks need limestone in their gardens

--- On Tue, 4/28/09, NJgardner@... <NJgardner@...> wrote:

From: NJgardner@... <NJgardner@...>
Subject: [downtotherootsmagazine] hey Tom
To: downtotherootsmagazine@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 6:29 PM

should I add crushed limestone to my veggie beds now or wait until fall?
I'm going to do the grassy areas - hopefully i'll finish cutting it all

tonight before it rains.  The DARN sheep sorrel is already gong to seed.
pat

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Thanks, Tom!  I knew I could depend on you.  If I started checking the
bookshelf, I would have gotten totally sidetracked.

I didn't finish cutting the grass - the battery died in the mower.  I got
part of the grassy areas limed.  And some of the beds that aren't planted
yet.  If its too wet to do anything else tomorrow evening or Thurs, I'll
finish that.  Its supposed to be rainy the rest of the week I think.

Anyway, we had a few really nice days.  My seedlings liked the warmth and
the sun.  It was really dry though, so I had to water them a lot.  Can't win
around here this year..its either been raining or they're putting fire
warnings up.  We had our first official heatwave.  I hope your ground dried
out enough for you to play with your tractors, Tom.

I got a list a mile long of things to do on a rainy day/evening....I guess
ought to get some of the asparagus into the freezer.  The purple is really
good this year.

pat



I'd add it now Pat. If you use ground limestone and NOT burnt lime it will
not hurt your plants and will start to work now. The neat thing about
limestone is that it works slowly and won't burn. And when the pH get nearer
to neutral it slows up. Sort of auto-balancing.

T-bone who thinks more folks need limestone in their gardens


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Well I done picked over a gallon of cut up asparagus on monday! And it gonna be
ready to cut agin tomorrer. Most of mine be one of dem Jersey hybrids. It be a
growin machine!  I also been bass fishin in da neighbors private pond. Landed 20
on sunday and 30 last nite. I kept 5 and 6 fish. They gonna end up in da
freezer. Mity good start to puttin food up season sez I!
 
T-bone

--- On Wed, 4/29/09, NJgardner@... <NJgardner@...> wrote:

From: NJgardner@... <NJgardner@...>
Subject: Re: [downtotherootsmagazine] hey Tom
To: downtotherootsmagazine@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 12:20 AM

Thanks, Tom!  I knew I could depend on you.  If I started checking the
bookshelf, I would have gotten totally sidetracked.

I didn't finish cutting the grass - the battery died in the mower.  I got
part of the grassy areas limed.  And some of the beds that aren't planted
yet.  If its too wet to do anything else tomorrow evening or Thurs, I'll
finish that.  Its supposed to be rainy the rest of the week I think.

Anyway, we had a few really nice days.  My seedlings liked the warmth and
the sun.  It was really dry though, so I had to water them a lot.  Can't
win
around here this year..its either been raining or they're putting fire
warnings up.  We had our first official heatwave.  I hope your ground dried
out enough for you to play with your tractors, Tom.

I got a list a mile long of things to do on a rainy day/evening....I guess
ought to get some of the asparagus into the freezer.  The purple is really
good this year.

pat



I'd add it now Pat. If you use ground limestone and NOT burnt lime it will
not hurt your plants and will start to work now. The neat thing about
limestone is that it works slowly and won't burn. And when the pH get
nearer
to neutral it slows up. Sort of auto-balancing.

T-bone who thinks more folks need limestone in their gardens


   ----------


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Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
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HI folks,

Right now there is a lot of concern and some panic over the swine flu and I do
not want to add to it but just help people prepare and prevent this flu from
becoming a worse problem than it already is.

I am a Health Education Specialist and was the ARC Health and Safety Service
Director for Utah for several Years. I am still an ARC consultant and I have
been called back to active duty as part of the WHO action to raise the flu
threat level to 5 which means a pandemic is imminent.

The best action anyone can take is to be prepared and prevent the spread of this
flu strain. At present there is no vaccine for this strain but there may be in
the near future. There are medicines that will help control symptoms such as
Tamiflu but these will only hep those already infected and will not keep anyone
from getting the flu.

The swine flu we are experiencing is a combination swine and bird flu that has
jumped to humans and is a serious health concern especially to the very young,
elderly, and anyone with a depressed immune system.

The symptoms for this flu are very similar to all flu viruses. A headache and
fever, nausea, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, dizziness, and lack of energy.

Anyone having these symptoms should get medical attention and prevent spreading
it to others. Wash your hands with soap thoroughly, do not prepare food, wear a
mask if possible, and avoid contact with other people especially those with a
high risk of infection.

Dehydration and pneumonia are the concerns with any flu and if treatment is not
received it can progress and deaths have resulted. Most people will recover from
the flu with treatment.

Because this flu spreads from person to person it is best to avoid contact with
anyone that could be infected. This means stay away from large crowds and keep
home visitors to a minimum. Avoid confined travel such as airplanes and public
transportation.

At present there are public schools being closed and this will most likely
increase as the flu progresses. If your kids are in public school you might want
to consider home schooling for awhile if you are in an area where the flu is
present.

Avoid high risk areas where the flu is present. Hospitals, clinics, and pharmacy
lines.  If you need prescriptions get them filled now and consider getting extra
and storing it in case you are not able to get them for awhile.

In the event the WHO goes to level 6 there may be problems getting needed
supplies. NOW is a good time to check and restock your food storage, water,
medical supplies and necessary home supplies. Extra gas for a generator,
candles, and lamps just in case. Refill your propane tanks if needed.

In most cases the flu will spread quicker in large cities and slower in rural
communities. You should prepare to be self-sufficient for one month or longer in
the event stores and transportation are not available.

In the event of general quarantine follow the directions of WHO and your local
medical and safety services. DO NOT PANIC!

If people will take basic precautions and be prepared very few people will get
this flu and the danger level will pass quickly.


LaMar
www.simplesolarhomesteading.com

Jim describes our Homebuilt DIY Wind Turbine -

http://www.green-trust.org/

I have a small herd of miniature dairy goats I need sold asap, to make room for
a cow that needs to be moved here before the end of the month.  Need to know
when I can post and such, as I am posting everywhere I can to get them moved,
but wanna respect the policies.

Kim
Blessed Farm, WA

Hey folks, it's Melissa in Nicaragua. I'm back in civilization again,
and ready to share some of the crazy antics we've been through. Problems
with nasty neighbors and useless cops has us moved off the finca and
renting in a much more tranquil part of the country. We're surrounded by
sugarcane fields and I have most of my animals around me. Had to sell
off the pelibuey, but I've got a pig, 4 Muscovy ducks, 4 of my horses
and 14 dogs (just had a litter of Catahoula pups!).  The ducks are
laying three to four eggs a week. My homestead tomatoes are all bearing
fruit, the radish bed is chock full, and I'm  picking 5 to 6 okra a day.
For now, I'm only getting into town once a week to visit the cyber cafe.
Once I get it hooked up at home, I should be on LOTS more!!!   Here's my
latest homesteading fiasco..or is it adventure? Quizás?   It had been
a while since Roger had the time to enjoy a nice leisurely horseback
ride, so the fellas headed out Saturday down a dirt road that leads to
the Mombacho Volcano. I had planned to continue construction on the
front patio but our new pig, Wibur, had his own plans as well. He came
strolling around the front of the house, munching away on the green
grass, looking happier than a pig in you-know-what. Uh oh, I thought, as
we had removed the rope around him only two days before.

Now Wilbur had some rough treatment at his last home, lots of yelling
and kicking from the cuidador (caretaker), and I've been trying a
different approach over the last two weeks. Soothing words, slow
movements, and (carefully) hand-feeding him bananas, mangos and peeled
plantains has worked wonders. The angry and aggressive pig that came to
us has mellowed somewhat, even though he still knows his own mind and is
big enough to back it up. I grabbed a rope, a bowl of dog food and began
sweet talking my way close to him. He led me on a merry chase around the
yard a time or two, with my Catahoula curs urging me on voiciferously of
course.
[http://www.therealnicaragua.com/vb/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif]
It's a good thing they were in their dog pen or it would have been a
whole different kind of pig hunt!

I herded Wilbur around to the other (quieter) side of the house, laid
down the bowl of food, and sat down next to it. He was wary of course
but his tummy won out and I was able to gently put a rope around his
neck, then behind his front legs, while he "pigged out". Once he
realized what I had done, he was no longer a happy pig. We ended up
jogging around the yard, Wilbur on a long blue leash, looking for all
the world (and definitely to the neighbors passing by) as if we were
simply getting in a little exercise. If my neighbors didn't think I was
a crazy Gringa before, they do now! "Is she really walking her pig?",
the confused looks on their faces seemed to say.

Getting him back into his pen was easier than I thought it would be,
maybe he was just tired of the game. I know I was. Guess that's why I
let my guard down. Wilbur decided to try a quick end run around me as I
was closing the gate and, as I tried to stop him, I caught my longest
finger nail between two boards, ripping it off below the cuticle. OUCH!
The sweet lady who had been so calm in returning a wayward pig to his
home disappeared in an instant, to be replaced by a screaming,
red-headed banshee with a mouth like a sailor. Okay, now the neighbors
are positive there's a crazy Gringa here.
[http://www.therealnicaragua.com/vb/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif]

That pretty much put an end to any patio construction plans I had, the
only thing on my mind at that point was a double shot of cola de alacron
and cold Toñas... lots and lots of cold Toñas. There's never a
dull moment when homsteading in Nicaragua!   __________________
"You can always recognize a pioneer; they're the ones with an arrow in
the back."


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Kim you can post for sale homesteading type items on any friday. Certainly you
goaties quality.
 
T-bone who also be a moderator

--- On Sat, 5/9/09, Kimberly Smith <k_frog100@...> wrote:

From: Kimberly Smith <k_frog100@...>
Subject: [downtotherootsmagazine] What's the sales posting policy here?
To: downtotherootsmagazine@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2009, 3:04 PM

I have a small herd of miniature dairy goats I need sold asap, to make room for
a cow that needs to be moved here before the end of the month.  Need to know
when I can post and such, as I am posting everywhere I can to get them moved,
but wanna respect the policies.

Kim
Blessed Farm, WA



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--- In downtotherootsmagazine@yahoogroups.com, "Tom T." <briarpatch1945@...>
wrote:
>
> Kim you can post for sale homesteading type items on any friday. Certainly you
goaties quality.
>  
> T-bone who also be a moderator
>

Okey doke.  Missed my window, then, lol.  Trying to get these guys moved asap,
but if I have anyone left Friday, I'll post them.

Thanks!!

Kim
Blessed Farm, WA

Well iffen you needs to move dem critters that fast go ahead an post em.
 
T-bone

--- On Sat, 5/9/09, Kimberly Smith <k_frog100@...> wrote:

From: Kimberly Smith <k_frog100@...>
Subject: [downtotherootsmagazine] Re: What's the sales posting policy here?
To: downtotherootsmagazine@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2009, 5:12 PM

--- In downtotherootsmagazine@yahoogroups.com, "Tom T."
<briarpatch1945@...> wrote:
>
> Kim you can post for sale homesteading type items on any friday. Certainly
you goaties quality.
>  
> T-bone who also be a moderator
>

Okey doke.  Missed my window, then, lol.  Trying to get these guys moved asap,
but if I have anyone left Friday, I'll post them.

Thanks!!

Kim
Blessed Farm, WA



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