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Decentralist
14 years ago

I got ducks and chickens at the same time. Male ducks try to rape the chickens. I got rid of ducks, kept chickens. 1st rule that you stress but forgot this episode unless I missed it: NEVER LIVE IN AN HOA. Illegal immigrants make 10x better neighbors than the nosy HOA type people. I live in an old non-HOA neighborhood, half non-English speaking, and although it is illegal per the city to have poultry pets, I have done it for years because my neighbors don’t mind, some have chickens too, and it becomes a “don’t ask don’t tell” law.

Gloria
Gloria
14 years ago

I’m in a rual residental area. The thoughts about not being able to manage the large plots like a smaller plot is oh so true. Before moving here I livedin a moble home park. Everyinch of my space was looked after and tended. This 3 acre plot gets overcome with weeds evey time I go to the hospital.Wild animals ate the chickens, and the garden. That was this year. The fruit trees are little still and require that extra TLC. The new chickens and ducks are happy. I have a watering system for the [now]fenced in area for the garden. GREAT thoughts on the making a book for the house, and the things done to the house for selling. I have to move because of health reasons. I’m going to make or at least start one today. Thanks Jack

Dene Brock
14 years ago

Love our irrigation system for convenience, and I love our chickens- but you are right, they require supervision in the garden. They sure do contribute to my compost pile! I’d love to get some ducks.. I think I’d have to really work on the idea of raising rabbits for food. I might have to just start with them for their fertilizer contribution.

Dene Brock
14 years ago

btw.. I like people, but crowds drive me nuts. I don’t think I’d do well if I had to live in a suburban neighborhood or in a big city. I absolutely LOVE my life in the country..

nick
14 years ago

It is cool how homesteading is becoming mainstream. I live in a highly developed area north of pittsburgh and my pet sitter actually advertises that she takes care of “chickens and small livestock” as part of her service portfolio.

Brent Eamer
Brent Eamer
14 years ago

I liked the narrative on everything is solar energy. I’ve recognized this for years and for someone else to point it out, was refreshing Jack.

On a garden note, those Sunberries really take over a square foot garden. My GroundCherries are dropping as I speak. And my saved Bok Choi seeds from my first harvest were planted last week and are now up.

As a further show suggestion. How about irrigation options for Square Foot Gardening?, maybe too late in the season. Otherwise time for another “Get ready for winter” shows.

Brent Eamer
Brent Eamer
14 years ago

My current boss here at the Prince Edward Island Provincial Government used to grow Jalapenos in Austin, he is a Canadian but spent twelve years down there working for TaniSys and he was telling me stories about how big his pepper plants got down there. Needless to say now that he us way up here, his peppers are somewhat smaller 🙁

Brent Eamer
Brent Eamer
14 years ago

One last show comment Jack:

Is is worth watering the ground or do plants benefit from top watering ie) would they better absorb water via the leaves vs the roots.

Looking forward to today’s show

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[…] Podcast Episodes.  The two that happened to be in my queue for listening were a two part series on Urban and Suburban Homesteading, and Urban and Suburban […]

Josh
14 years ago

Great episode. Thanks for the great advice. I can relate to the concept of more land requiring a lot more work to maintain.

I recently bought a house on 5 heavily treed acres (previously renting house on .2 acres in the city). It is pretty insane how much more work it is to simply maintain land.

Chris W
Chris W
14 years ago

Loved this 2 parter Jack, very well done.

Our little one acre suburban homestead has grown a lot in the 11 years since we bought the place. That 10z10 garden and first 3 hens are now over half an acre and 18 layers. This year we have reached 1015lbs of produce from our one acre with fruits, vegetables, and chicken. For those that wonder if it’s worth the effort, trust me, it is!!
(Dawgus at TSP forums)

nick
14 years ago

An honest question here. I read and hear various people say I produce X pounds per year. Do you literally weigh everything and add it up? How are you coming up with this number? I am genuinely curious.

Also great work on the homestead Dawgus!

Thanks!

Chris W
Chris W
14 years ago

nick:

Yes, we weigh everything. Every fruit, every vegetable, and every chicken I butcher. (we didn’t however weigh greens since we only picked a salad or two at a time) We have never counted this way before this year. Normally we go by jars canned or bags frozen or dehydrated. I had just heard of others counting by weight and got curious this season. Even though we added a LOT more garden space this year, I never expected over 1000 pounds. We aren’t done yet, there’s still quite a bit to pick and can…then comes fall crops. I have no idea how far this will go. I really can’t wait to see.

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[…] Episode-494- Urban and Suburban Homesteading […]