The Self-Sufficient Way

Posted By jasoneakers on March 9, 2010

In this episode I discuss the oh-so glamorous world of garden soil. Learn how:

• To discover your type of soil.
• What each soil texture is best for growing.
• What is the best PH for soil (sorry about the gaffe about the acid/alkaline–I used to mess that up in school too!).
• Why loam isn’t an actual soil type.
• How the different textures contrast and compliment (see the soil triangle here!)
• How compost and mulch imitate a natural system.

Also I introduce my new segment called What I’m Planting Now.

Reminder–The seed contest ends on March 15th. I am sorry but I realized after I posted that there is more than one way to be a subscriber. So I’m asking please that anyone who wants to be entered email me at jasoneakers@theselfsufficientway.com and I will number the emails and pick randomly via Microsoft Excel. Sorry about that!!

 

 Episode 11 Types of Soil [19:21m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Posted By jasoneakers on March 6, 2010

Cleared for the road.

A view from inside out.

Permaculture zone 3(A)

Permaculture zone 3(B) (flags are pecan trees)

A second view of 3(B) from further up the slope. (close flags are pecans, far flags are pawpaws)

Found this lone little holly bush and didn't have the heart to cut it!

Category: General | No Comments »
Tags: permaculture, planting, seedling

Posted By jasoneakers on March 3, 2010

In this episode I discuss:

• Using domestic and wild animals to benefit the garden.
• Making use of a few wild animals that people overlook.
• Using reptiles and amphibians such as snakes and toads (not frogs–frogs stay close to lots of water and are not the same thing!). I talked about building toad habitat in a previous episode.
• Alternatives and downsides to common animals.

 

 Episode 10 Animals in the Garden [22:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Tags: aquaculture, fish, garden, poultry, predator habitat, protein, snakes, toads

Posted By jasoneakers on March 2, 2010

In this episode I discuss ways to get macronutrients and vitamins that people commonly assume gardening won’t provide. Tune in to find out:

• How one vegetable crop can provide a lot of protein and fat.
• Why vegetable protein may actually be a better protein source.
• Why fat from vegetables doesn’t stay in the body for long.
• How Vitamin D is even harder to get than C.

 

 Episode 9 Garden Nutrition [11:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Tags: beans, fat, food, garden, gardening, protein, strawberry, vitamin

Posted By jasoneakers on March 1, 2010

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts1165

This article, while raising awareness is written by a complete moron.  For evidence I present this paragraph:

The legal catch in this case is that it’s not really about the Second Amendment. When Congress passed the Bill of Rights – the first 10 amendments to the Constitution – it only protected people from infringements by the federal government. The Supreme Court later decided that each of the amendments in the Bill of Rights must be applied to the states individually, with specific rulings. The court has done so with most amendments, but thus far not with the Second, which it has explicitly ruled should not be applied to the states.

This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.  So the First Amendment only applies if the Federal Government encroaches?  So that means any state can limit any citizen’s right to basically everything the Bill of Rights allows.  Just as long as the Federal government doesn’t do it.  Again, this person–Laura E. Davis–clearly is smoking something. 

The Tenth Amendment restates the Constitution’s principle of federalism by providing that powers not granted to the national government nor prohibited to the states by the constitution of the United States are reserved to the states or the people.

So there you go Ms. Davis.  The states hold the power UNLESS the constitution (and by default, the Bill of Rights) says otherwise.  In the case of gun rights, the second amendment clearly takes presidence over any state law.

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Tags: 2nd amendment, firearm, guns, self-defense

Posted By jasoneakers on February 28, 2010

I built almost the entire thing in about 6 hours today.  I didn’t get the top bars completed.  I didn’t get the roof completed but I did get the frame pieces cut.  I didn’t get the top bar holders completed.  I also didn’t get the bottom wire floor put in.  That’s it!  All this in 6 hours.

It is hard to see the entrances but used the belt and suspenders approach.  Their is a long slot at the front and 5 holes (3/8″ and 1/2″) on the side.  I plan on also putting reducers to block out some of the entrances during winter.

Total cost so far=$7 (yes that is correct)

Estimated cost at completion=$15 (doesn’t count the bees and peripheral items!).

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Posted By jasoneakers on February 25, 2010

Great news everyone!

I just got word that another one of my articles has been accepted for publication by Backwoods Home Magazine.  The article in question is about Nasturtiums.  It is entitled Nasturtiums: The Super Flower.

I know its probably a small feat but I get excited about the little things!

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Posted By jasoneakers on February 23, 2010

I’ll be holding a contest for listeners of my podcast and followers of my blog.

In order to enter, all one has to do is subscribe to my email list. On March 15th I will randomly select a name from the entire subscriber list and that person will be sent a three sisters garden seed set. The set will include one packet each of Hopi Blue Corn, Kentucky Wonder Pole Beans and Butternut Squash. For anyone needing instruction I can also send an instruction sheet on this tried and true method of companion planting.

So be sure to tell your friends and family!

Category: gardening | 2 Comments »
Tags: companion planting, corn, garden, gardening, planting, three sisters

Posted By jasoneakers on February 23, 2010

In this episode I discuss:

• A multi-layered approach to pest management in the garden.
• Why after you’ve found the pests, you are already too late.
• How the government took something that was good but needed improvement and went in the opposite direction.
• Several simple tips that can help you prevent pest infestations.
• A closed loop methodical approach to pest management.

 

 Episode 8 Integrated Pest Management [21:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Tags: hoverfly, lacewing, organic, pests, toad castle, umbrelliferous

Posted By jasoneakers on February 18, 2010

In this episode I talk about:

• Considerations for choosing seeds such as soil type, sun, climate and hardiness.
• The difference between Hybrid, Heirloom, Open Pollinated and GMO seeds and which is the best choice in my opinion.
• A way to get free seeds that are already adapted to your current conditions.

International Seed Saving Institute (I was way off on the link I quoted!)

Seed to Seed–A great book on saving your own seeds!

 

 Episode 7 Choosing Seeds [16:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Tags: garden, gardening, open-pollinated, planting, seed saving, seeds