A seed a day (Week 4)

On my fourth week most of my my seedlings are looking pretty healthy.  One or two are/were looking a little limp because of over watering.  Plants in my opinion are a little skinny and tall looking for light.  With where we live the time of year and trying to grow inside a home light may not enough to quickly produce vegetables.  I have been thinking about my options and since I am getting close to  a whole flat of seedling I may add a regular shop light.  I have a hard time paying for power for light to grow but it may be worth it to get the plants up and going allot quicker. The choice will be made early this week and I will let you know what I come up with.

Totals
4- Romaine Lettuce Planted 11/2/13
3- Iceberg Lettuce Planted 11/2/13
1- Cabbage Planted 11/9/13
1- Broccoli Planted 11/9/13
2- Iceberg lettuce Planted 11/9/13
4- Romaine Lettuce Planted 11/9/13
2- Iceberg lettuce Planted 11/16/13
2- Romaine Lettuce Planted 11/16/13
2- Broccoli Planted 11/16/13
2- Swiss Chard Planted 11/16/13
1- Lemon Mint Planted 11/16/13
1- Basil Planted 11/16/13
1- Cilantro Planted 11/16/13
1- Thyme Planted 11/16/13
2- Iceberg lettuce Planted 11/24/13
2- Romaine Lettuce Planted 11/24/13
4- Celery Planted 11/24/13

Introduction to my Homestead

So in the process of my family going self reliant I want people to be able to see our progress.  You can see our small city lot, house, garage, and play set,  Currently we only grow in 6 small raised beds and can produce more tomatoes and cucumbers then my family could ever dream of using.  How do you turn those 6 small beds into revalving crops and all the produce you could ever need? Well next year hopefully I will have my property turned into a self reliant homestead!  From the photos below you can see we are not dealing with allot of land but the biggest fear I have is the amount of shade I have not the amount of property.  I have had no problem growing on the north west side of home but we will see if this grows into a issue as my gardens grow.  I am currently working on the plans and locations of raised beds, a small green house, fences and such so we can maximize our use of space.  I hope you are as excited as I am to see the progress!

A seed a day (Week 3)

Sprouting Plants

It is now week three of my seed a day project.  Things are growing well but I still probably have a couple weeks before anything can go into the ground or even a first harvest.  Same as last week any thing in the last weeks plantings that had not sprouted yet I replanted.  This week I planted 8 Regular crops and for the first week I planted 4 spice and herb plants.  I figure if I plan on trying to live off of what I can grow only I will need spices and herbs to help with cooking.

All Plants To Date

Herbs And Spice Seeds

Totals
4- Romaine Lettuce Planted 11/2/13
3- Iceberg Lettuce Planted 11/2/13
1- Cabbage Planted 11/9/13
1- Broccoli Planted 11/9/13
2- Iceberg lettuce Planted 11/9/13
4- Romaine Lettuce Planted 11/9/13
2- Iceberg lettuce Planted 11/16/13
2- Romaine Lettuce Planted 11/16/13
2- Broccoli Planted 11/16/13
2- Swiss Chard Planted 11/16/13
1- Lemon Mint Planted 11/16/13
1- Basil Planted 11/16/13
1- Cilantro Planted 11/16/13
1- Thyme Planted 11/16/13

Urban Prepping and Self-Reliance

So why do I chose to have my homestead, self-reliance complex, prepping head quarters in a urban environment?  The reason I do is because I have no other option at this time.  I would love to have a 1,000 acre farm that I could hunt, fish, and farm on but at this point in my life it just is not feasible.  So I have decided if I can make this happen on my small city lot when its time for me to upgrade to a large property it should be easy to adapt.  Having two kids and a wife who works near by makes it hard to up root my family for both personal and financial reasons.  Most areas like Pittsburgh property values close by the city have risen to a point where a sizable piece of property is un affordable to the normal person.  I will continue to search for that hidden gem near by in our school district but I do not see it popping up any time soon.  So in the mean time while I am waiting to retire far far away or I find that hidden farm someone wants to give away, I will be figure out how to bring all my needs into my neighbor hood.

A seed a day (Week 2)

Last Weeks Seedlings

Its time again to plant this weeks rotation of seeds. So far 3 of my Romaine lettuce seed sprouted and 2 of my Iceberg lettuce seeds sprouted.  The un sprouted seeds may sprout but at this point I re planted these and if needed thin out the extra plants.  This week I added a broccoli and cabbage plant to have some variety. Hopefully in the matter of months I will have enough fresh lettuce and other vegetables to meet my families needs.

Collection After 2 Weeks

Totals
4- Romaine Lettuce Planted 11/2/13
3- Iceberg Lettuce Planted 11/2/13
1- Cabbage Planted 11/9/13
1- Broccoli Planted 11/9/13
2- Iceberg lettuce Planted 11/9/13
4- Romaine Lettuce Planted 11/9/13

Labels With Names and Dates

Row cover can become kites

Unfortunately today one of my row covers became a kite and blew of the bed.  If the row covers can not make it a week I do not believe they will be lasting years to come.  The point on building these and testing them is to find a way we can do this every year and be able to re use frame and cover for as many years possible.  I have a plan for row covers that I think may be better that I will be trying this weekend.  I am still looking for the perfect way to secure plastic and be able to open them and get our harvest. You can not learn if you do not try!

Digging AX a must have tool

 A must have in your garden shed is a digging ax.  These are commonly used by fire fighters and landscapers.  With a traditional ax on one end and a mattock on the other this makes the perfect tool for removing small stumps and digging holes and trenches in soil with allot of roots.  Today I used mine to remove the roots of a large lilac bush.  Time to make room for a large green house!