Urban Homesteading/City Farmer

[allterrainwarrior]

Hello all,

I have become fascinated with the idea of city farming and developing an urban homestead. Of course like many urban homesteaders I would love to have a place in the country all to myself so that I can live off of the grid. But it's not going to be possible right now.

Im by no means am an expert at gardening or even homesteading, but I do have a strong desire to turn my small plot of land in the city into a thriving small orchad, vegetable and wild flower garden that can sustain my family and itself for years to come. I blog on the http://urbanself-sufficientist.blogspot.com/ This newyear I will attempt to turn the remainder of my less than 1-10 of an acre into a bustling, active vegetable garden.

My idea to do this in the city was really encouraged when I came across this site http://urbanhomestead.org/journal/2008/10/31/on-the-stead-2/
These guys stories are unbelivable and it goes to show that no matter where you live you can turn your box into a productive homestead.

If you have any thoughts on Urban Homesteading I would love to hear from you. I am currently trying to come up with ideas and a design for my backyard to transform it into a productive vegetable garden. The garden is facing south and is able to get Sun all day.
I just need to figure out how and where to plant my crops so that they work with one another.

I dont have the luxury of having things spread out so i have to grow many of my vined vegetables and fruit vertically.

Any other suggestions would be greatky appreciated.

[leera]

I too would love to live in the country,but currently live in town.I do not have anywhere to plant a normal garden.SO,I do container gardening.Which is challenging,and sometimes not so rewarding,But I still try.

Lots of photos,sorry I couldn't resist...... :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/leera/100_0342.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/leera/100_0474.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/leera/100_0476.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/leera/100_0555.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/leera/100_0556.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/leera/100_0559.jpg

Then sometimes you get little problems like this one.....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/leera/tomatohornworm.jpg

But for me,it's not as much being able to produce my own food supply,but the challenge of growing things that wouldn't normally be found in containers....

Since I started doing this several years ago,and you can tell by the photos that I live in a trailer park,many of the other residents have followed suit,and now grow veggies rather than flowers....a few have even tried growing corn in the flower beds rather than flowers....it's been a really interesting transformation of the neighborhood.

Some day I will have my place in the country and lots of room to plant all sorts of things,but for now,I'll settle for what I can grow in a planter.....

Going to be ordering some Tophat blueberries as soon as I get my garden catlogs in the mail...... ;D

[allterrainwarrior]

Leera - Great Post!!!!

Veggies look great! and although a pain in the rear that pillar is AWESOME! The problem that I have had this year is with pollinization. None of fruit and veggies that flowered grew. I had amazing flowers on my zuccini and my tomatoes plants were growing strong, but no harvest. Im going to plant alot of wild flowers around the perimeter of my house to attract more bugs and hopefully I can have a bountiful crop this new year.

[hunter63]

You got the right idea.

I have been a gardener all my life. Doesn't matter where I lived.

Started with with my folks.
They gardened so as to provide food, as depression/WW2 survivors mostly did.
Just about every yard had a garden, some bigger than others, some more flowers than veggies.

They weren't "gardeners/homesteaders" they lived in town and were just "people" that grew good stuff to eat and "get by".

We learned from them, as well as the older people in the neighborhood.

Of course this came at the price of helping dig, ( like with a spade), plant, weed, harvest (pick).

Now it seems that we need all the books, tools, tractors/tillers, information.
Which I admit sure is nice, since the younger ones in the neighborhood seem to think that a Game-Boy is more fun. (yep, probaly is, 'course you aren't learning anything)

So it goes, work hard at it, read all you can, look around and see who has a garden (or Homestead) close by, stop and chat.

I don't know any gardener/homesteaders that wouldn't just stop what their doing and help you out, or just talk.

Brings to mind the biker dude across the street, shooting the brease with the old lady down the steet, seems they both like roses.

[fnfredux]

Leera - Great Post!!!!

Veggies look great! and although a pain in the rear that pillar is AWESOME! The problem that I have had this year is with pollinization. None of fruit and veggies that flowered grew. I had amazing flowers on my zuccini and my tomatoes plants were growing strong, but no harvest. Im going to plant alot of wild flowers around the perimeter of my house to attract more bugs and hopefully I can have a bountiful crop this new year.
Zuchini have male and female flowers, you can pollinate them yourself, just take the petals off a male flower and use the stamen to pollinate the female flowers.
Tomatoes are self pollinating and you can actually fertilize your plants by merely shaking them. Not all varieties are self compatable so check the variety.

[allterrainwarrior]

[quote author=hunter63 link=board=sel-homesteading;num=1230043561;start=0#3 date=12/23/08 at 09:34:16]You got the right idea.

I have been a gardener all my life. Doesn't matter where I lived.

Started with with my folks.
They gardened so as to provide food, as depression/WW2 survivors mostly did.
Just about every yard had a garden, some bigger than others, some more flowers than veggies.

They weren't "gardeners/homesteaders" they lived in town and were just "people" that grew good stuff to eat and "get by".

We learned from them, as well as the older people in the neighborhood.quote]

Hunter- I have been doing alot of reading on the net and talking to many people from the WW2 era about victory gardens. I was moved by how many people in neighborhoods across the US worked together.

My wife and I purchased a Greek Revival built in 1904, it was totally remodeled and updated. It also happened to be our neighbors great aunts original house and we have some history on it. There is a cottage on our property and during WW2 everyone in our neghborhood had victory gardens but no one had a place to wash there clothes. The cottage that I have in the back was turned into a public laundry facility for everyone in the neighborhood and people bartered goods and services in exchange to use the facility.

I have a soft spot in my heart for human kindness and groups of people working together. Hopefully many more people will get there acts together and start to develop that mindset. Thanks for the post

[allterrainwarrior]

Zuchini have male and female flowers, you can pollinate them yourself, just take the petals off a male flower and use the stamen to pollinate the female flowers.
Tomatoes are self *pollinating and you can actually fertilize your plants by merely shaking them. Not all varieties are self compatable so check the variety.


fnfredux- thanks!! This upcoming year I will definately do that. I from may of this year I have been gathering all kinds of goodies for my compost pile to use this upcoming year. My worms are turning this stuff over and have made me some really good compost. I will have to do more research on fertilizing tomatoe plants and definately will look into the shaking technique. Thanks for the tips.

[leera]

I've never had that problem.....apparently trailer homes are magnets for bees of all kinds......

I just got my first 2009 seed catalog in the mail today.....going to make my wish list tonight.... ;D

[hunter63]

This article in MEN mag features my folding tomato cages, and includes pic's of my garden:
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/2007-04-01/Do-it-Yourself-Tomato-Cages.aspx

Click on the image gallery.
This is a urban garden that started out as a flat hard pan of clay.

[allterrainwarrior]

I've never had that problem.....apparently trailer homes are magnets for bees of all kinds......

I just got my first 2009 seed catalog in the mail today.....going to make my wish list tonight.... ;D

Leera- have you had any success in growing fruit besides tomatoes in containers. My wife and I are thinking of trying to get some dwarf fruit trees and grow them in large containers on the back deck. And do you have any idea where I should search for a good supplier

[allterrainwarrior]

This article in MEN mag features my folding tomato cages, and includes pic's of my garden:
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/2007-04-01/Do-it-Yourself-Tomato-Cages.aspx

Click on the image gallery.
This is a urban garden that started out as a flat hard pan of clay.

Hunter- Thanks for the post! Your Garden looks very innovative and a great use of space. My thinking is going along the lines of what you have done. Im want to maximize as much space as I can produce fruits and veggies that can help one another. As my project gets underway I will post pictures and hopefully I am as lucky as you guys have been. There is one thing for sure I definately need to keep talking to you guys to gather some more great ideas.

[Archangel]

ATW,
Here are two books you may find interesting:
The Victory Garden Kids Book and The Intergral Urban House both should be avaible through your libary,
You should check out will allen on the plant section,
Michael

[leera]

Leera- have you had any success in growing fruit besides tomatoes in containers. My wife and I are thinking of trying to get some dwarf fruit trees and grow them in large containers on the back deck. And do you have any idea where I should search for a good supplier

No,not yet.In order for me to be able to grow anything like dwarf trees or pole trees,I would have to have a place to shelter them in the winter as the roots being above ground would likely cause winter kill,and I don't.So I haven't tried.

I'm pretty sure you can order them from Gurney's or Park's I would just do an internet search and see what pops up for you.

This year I will hopefully have an abundance of strawberries though.I bought a bunch of June bearing plants at the farmer's market,and let the runners go into planters that I set next to the main plants....We'll see what happens.

I'm going to try blueberries too,there are several dwarf varieties out on the market now.The space they would need,I think I can manage to find for over wintering them above ground.

As an experiment I did plant some Rhubarb in a very large planter last spring,we'll see if it comes back or not.

My growing space consists of 26-30 large planters around the place,and numerous(12 or more) hanging baskets.

I don't use anything other than organic potting mix and compost to fill my planters and baskets,and every year refresh them with a fresh mix in of more compost.If I think the mix is too heavy,I will also mix in some vermiculite to help keep it from compacting too much during the growing season.

Boy,I sure will be excited when we finally have some land to garden in.....with any luck we'll be in a place by next fall......at least with everything being in planters,I can move them all if need be..... :D

We were trying this year,but had some old financial issues pop up that we need to take care of first,so we had to put moving on hold yet again....

[mom]

I have been doing some Google Book Searches and came up with this oldie but goodie

The Back Yard Gardner - of course it was written in 1917 but much is very pertinent today

http://books.google.com/books?id=tLIaAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=subje ct:%22poultry%22&lr=lang_en&as_brr=1&as_pt=ALLTYPE S#PPA156,M1

[otterbob]

I do not have anywhere to plant a normal garden.


I see huge amounts on garden area , You just need to remove some of that sod ! {lawn}

Just a 3 ft. strip around the house would give you the same as a 20'X25' = 500 sqft. plot

Otter Bob

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/leera/100_0342.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/leera/100_0474.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/leera/100_0476.jpg

[mom]

I agree with Bob - grass is for Golf

[allterrainwarrior]

ATW,
Here are two books you may find interesting:
The Victory Garden Kids Book and The Intergral Urban House both should be avaible through your libary,
You should check out will allen on the plant section,
Michael

Archangel- Thanks for the reccomendations, I have been trying to find a reason to go to my neighborhood library instead of Borders.
Will Allen is awesome!! What he has been able to accomplish is remarkable. It's amazing what you can do with such little space and the ability to recycle and turn that back into produce. I would like to accomplish the same things. Its going to be tough because im not trying to go broke over doing it. I think the best part about homesteading is how resourceful you can be and how creative you have to be inorder to produce something. It's becoming a way of life for me. Thanks for the post.

[allterrainwarrior]

I have been doing some Google Book Searches and came up with this oldie but goodie

The Back Yard Gardner - of course it was written in 1917 but much is very pertinent today

http://books.google.com/books?id=tLIaAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=subje ct:%22poultry%22&lr=lang_en&as_brr=1&as_pt=ALLTYPE S#PPA156,M1


Mom- Thanks for the reference. I surprised to find the whole book on line. I downloaded it. It is amazing that it's from 1914, but I guess I shouldnt be to surprised because back then people were more in touch with the land. I appreciate the reference.

[flatwater]

Hunter63 great tomato cages. Have you had any trouble with them blowing over in a bad wind.?

[allterrainwarrior]

I'm pretty sure you can order them from Gurney's or Park's I would just do an internet search and see what pops up for you.

I don't use anything other than organic potting mix and compost to fill my planters and baskets,and every year refresh them with a fresh mix in of more compost.If I think the mix is too heavy,I will also mix in some vermiculite to help keep it from compacting too much during the growing season.

Boy,I sure will be excited when we finally have some land to garden in.....with any luck we'll be in a place by next fall......at least with everything being in planters,I can move them all if need be..... :D

We were trying this year,but had some old financial issues pop up that we need to take care of first,so we had to put moving on hold yet again....

Leera- Parks and gurneys look good. I really like the prices at parks. I may also adopt your compost routine since I have alot of it that I will use for my beds this coming year. I was cruising around the neighborhood and saw a pile of old treated wood that looks like they have been sitting there for decades. Im going to gather them up and use them for my raised beds. Good luck on the new place.

[leera]

Bob,one problem.........trailer park rules....... :(

They are very lienient with my planters and have not complained,but you have to have ANY type of yard stuff approved........they would not approve any options for me to dig up part of the yard.

I used to have a small plot at the very back of the yard,then the park owner decided to dig a big drainage ditch right in it's path.....they would not allow me to simply move my garden closer to the house for some reason,not sure why.....so I'm stuck with using only planters for now.

It drives me crazy too,since I come from a family of gardeners.....Mom's garden used to be 1/3 of an acre......that was just the veggie garden,that didn't include the fruit trees,berry bushes,asparagus patch,etc,etc........

Can't wait to get out of here and onto some land of my own.......

[otterbob]

Bob,one problem.........trailer park rules....... :(
Can't wait to get out of here and onto some land of my own.......

Yea, I thought so !
I was just pointing it out to get members to think food/garden for the same water and maintainance.

Otter Bob

[leera]

;D I don't waste water on the lawn either......when it's dry enough to turn it crispy,I just leave it. I only water my planters.I have to pay for my water usage,so I don't waste anymore than I absolutely have to.

I have a nearly no lawn plan for when we finally do get some land of our own.

I want to fully incorporate edible landscaping,plant a small orchard,and several different berry patches,along with a larger than normal veggie garden.

If we are able to purchase land in an area where livestock is allowed,we will also raise all of our own meat supply.

[Duchesse]

I too am an urban homesteader. Since I bought my little ranch home in NYC 19 years ago I've done organic gardening. *I always wanted a garden. I learned about gardening and composting from a good book I bought back in 1988, Organic Gardening (a Sunset guide).

I'm no longer interested in getting down on my knees in the dirt so for the first time this year I had *a Square Foot Garden. *Details in a book with the same title by Mel Bartholomew. *His methods are for people who want to grow a large amount of food and flowers in a small amount of space with minimal work involved. :o *Mission accomplished Mel. ;D

He also has a video that demonstrates and explains his particular method of container gardening. He uses a special "mix" that means almost no weeding. *It's a pleasure to garden the Square Foot way. ;D

Everyone was impressed and said although they didn't garden if they did this would be the way. *My sister who has a hip injury said she's going to have this type of garden when she buys a home *

In my 4 little boxes I *grew herbs and a wide array of vegetable. *mint, thyme, sage, chives, cilantro/coriander, lavender, Tomatoes, peppers (sweet and hot) watermelon (too small) corn (too close together) collards, cabbage, lettuce, snow peas (small harvest), cucumbers (small harvest and funny shaped :-/)

I figured out what I did wrong and next year I'm sure I'll get an even better harvest than this year.

If you have back problems, are disabled or just want to garden standing or sitting then square foot gardening is for you. *Your harvest will be pretty good too.

And if you're really determined to homestead consider animal husbandry. *Chickens, rabbits, are an option.

I'm an outlaw, *8) I have 4 pygmy goats .

[Duchesse]

;D I don't waste water on the lawn either......when it's dry enough to turn it crispy,I just leave it. I only water my planters.I have to pay for my water usage,so I don't waste anymore than I absolutely have to.

I have a nearly no lawn plan for when we finally do get some land of our own.

I want to fully incorporate edible landscaping,plant a small orchard,and several different berry patches,along with a larger than normal veggie garden.

If we are able to purchase land in an area where livestock is allowed,we will also raise all of our own meat supply.



Where have you been looking for land? I recently purchased land in NC after seeing prices and crime go through the roof outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

Healthcare, entertainment, access to Airport were all important to my choice of state or city.

I decided to center around the Durham/Raleigh/Chapel Hill area for all the aforementioned reasons.

I found 10 acres about 30minutes from Durham but, only 10 minutes from a lovely little town that has quite a few amenities (hospital, entertainment, dining, shopping).

Unrestricted land , not governed by covenants and zoning laws against (homesteading/unconventional housing/farming/gardening/animals ) is hard to come by. ::)

Good Luck in your quest!

[leera]

We are most likely going to be staying here in MI,this is where my job is.

Where we currently live is still very much a farm/agricultural area.I just want to be outside the city/village limits where livestock are permitted.

In this area you need a minimum of 3 acres to able to able have goats,chickens,etc.....

[siderea]

i was looking up in Google books for Five Acres and Independence, and came agross this gem.A hilarious treatise on urban homesteading written in 1885//
http://books.google.com/books?id=rAVFAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=five+ acres&lr=lang_en&as_brr=1&as_pt=ALLTYPES&ei=0BJXSY 6xOZrukgTr-53pCQ#PPR1,M1

[gregabob]

Thanks for the link. I downloaded the book-the introduction is pretty funny! The writing style is definitely different! 8)

[catrules]

Hey all terrain

I just got my catalog from raintree nursery. They have multiple varieties of dwarf trees that are claimed to have the ability to stay between 4-8 feet depending. They also have a bunch of the combo trees where there are two or three varieties on one tree which makes them self polinating. They also have a fruit cocktail tree with plums, peaches, apricots and nectarines. Sounds interesting. I have not tried their products yet, but plan to order a peach and a cherry tree. Then we are going to plant apples and pears at my MIL's two acre property in the country.

[Rick9Plus]

Check out the Dervaes Family in Pasadena, CA and prepare to be inspired. Their web site (http://www.pathtofreedom.com), along with their online videos show how they grow TONS of food annually from a small, urban lot. While you may never decide to get as into it as they do, their example will set you well on your way to a sustainable urban homestead.

To use of of their own phrases: Resistance is Fertile!

[silvergramma]

several books i would recommend are "four season harvest" "how to grow more food on less land than you can imagine..and square foot gardening and the videos that go with... i have an acre inside city limits that i am planning to go hog wild on,, oh by the way,, get semi dwarf fruit trees.. they are the best..

[Dawgus]

A good inspiration for urban farming is this blog I found over a year ago: http://thirtyfivebyninety.blogspot.com/ It amazes me what they do on under 1/14th of an acre!!!!

[MotherCharlotte]

What a cool blog Dawgus, thanks!