It seems there are always things that need to be tied down, tied up, or just secured tightly. The link below gives instructions on tying ten different knots that can be very useful around the home and garden.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/1979-05-01/How-to-Tie-Useful-Knots.aspx

This a great rainy day activity. Practicing tying knots. You don’t need anything more than a length of rope.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I am always looking for interesting ideas. This is a unique story on building an inexpensive greenhouse. It is an economical approach for those who are up to the building challenge. One of these days I will have a greenhouse. The possibilities a greenhouse gives its owner are endless.

The variety of plants that can be grown because of a greenhouse are endless. Many items that are not available from local sources can be grown yourself from seed.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/How-To-Build-A-Greenhouse.aspx?utm_campaign=DIY&utm_medium=email&utm_source=iPost&utm_content=3.25.09+DIY

I’ll see you in the backyard!

The first step to adding chickens or other poultry to your backyard is choosing your chicks. I found this to be a helpful link.
http://urbanchickens.org/raising-baby-chicks

I just found a great link to building a simple and economical poultry pen.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Hands-On-How-To/Poultry-Pen.aspx?blogid=1504&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email

A steady supply of fresh eggs and composting material is just a few steps away. This can be a wonderful backyard project. Please feel free to ask if you have any questions.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I found this to be an interesting story. A friend sent it to me. It deals with people being allowed to keep chickens in their yards within the city limits.

http://www.freep.com/article/20090125/NEWS05/901250373

A steady supply of fresh eggs and composting material that is a good source of Nitrogen, right in the backyard. What a great deal!

I’ll see you in the backyard!

This is the final installment of root cellar options. We will be discussing two more types of storage options.

Tile, barrel or garbage can pit, buried in the ground:

The only major differences in these types of storage is whether they are directly buried into the ground or are positioned on a slant and are partially above ground. The barrel pit is also a good way to store fruit.

A barrel is buried sideways in the ground, about two feet deep. Gravel should be placed under the barrel to aid drainage. The barrel is then mounded heavily with soil and straw or hay is added thick enough to be used as insulation. Large sheets of wood ( or possibly a heavy tarp ) are then placed over top to keep the straw in place and protect it from the elements.

The tile pit and garbage can pits are very similar. The only real difference is that the tile does not have a bottom. The garbage can does, and makes it quicker to build/use. The location should be out of direct sun and be well drained. Dig a large hole to accept a large piece of tile or garbage can. Gravel should be placed on the bottom of the tile and bricks should be placed on the gravel. Your crops can be placed in appropriate containers and placed on top of the bricks. Add a top and a layer of insulation. A secondary top over the insulation material is a good idea.

Storage pit built of lumber, buried in the ground:

Dig a large pit and build a 2×4 frame to fit it. 3′x6′x2′ seems to be a nice size. The sides should be tightly stretched hardware cloth. If the pit is larger than the frame, a layer of insulating material can be placed around the frame. It Should have a wooden bottom and hinged wooden top. A layer of builders sand should cover the floor. Add a mixed layer of vegetables and another layer of sand. This can be continued until the pit is filled. The top can be covered with bales of straw for insulation. A tarp over the straw protects it from the elements.

I will be adding information regarding storage of your crops very soon. Items such as what can be stored, for how long and what to store the crops in.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

We will now be looking at hay bale and mound storage options. These are described below.

Hay bale storage is quite simple. Build a rectangle out of the bales of hay. Add some loose hay in the bottom of the bale framework. Place bales of hay over top as a lid. Rocks can be used under the lid bales as ventilation when the weather is above freezing. The area can be lined with wire mesh to keep out rodents. This works well for most root crops.

Mound storage is an above ground option also. The first step is to pile hay or straw on the ground. The vegetables can then be added to the top of the pile. More mulch is then added, followed by soil. The soil should be mounded to encourage water to run off the pile. This is then topped with a waterproof cover, such as a tarp. Be certain to keep the edges of the tarp secured. A trench can be dug to keep the water draining away. This extra soil works well to hold the tarp in place. This type of storage is best for climates where the ground does not freeze severely.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I am starting off with two storage options. Basement and in ground storage. These two options have brief descriptions below.

A basement can be used as a cellar. The best location is one away from the furnace, preferably in the northeast corner. Nearby windows are a plus for adding ventilation. The windows should be shaded to block sunlight. This area can be insulated from the rest of the basement to keep the temperature down. Water can be added occasionally, whether sprinkled on the floor or in a small container to increase humidity.

A basement with a walk out can be a great place to store a harvest. Simply insulate the rest of the basement from the stairway with a temporary door. This will give quite a bit of storage right on the steps. Adding temporary walls can expand the storage inward for even more space. Just be sure to insulate the walls. The same tips from above can be used to add humidity as needed.

A real simple short term storage solution is in ground storage. The length of storage time just depends on the climate. Root crops can be left right in the ground and heavily mulched. Straw, leaves and grass clippings are just a few options for mulching material. The crop can be dug out as needed. This will give some storage options even in our colder climate before the weather becomes too cold retrieve the harvest.

More options will be coming soon. Please post any questions or comments you may have.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Most of us probably have not used a traditional root cellar. These came in many different shapes and sizes and were built underground. They were usually kept with a dirt floor that could occasionally be sprinkled with water to maintain high humidity.

These were wonderful ways to store harvests for extended periods. The sad truth is we do not see those type of structures anymore. Most of us would not have room for such large underground storage spaces. I can only imagine the joy of opening a large old heavily insulated door, built into a framework of timbers or stones. To step inside to find all the fruits of our labors stored away at a perfect temperature as the winter cold and winds seem miles away.

We may not want to build such a structure, but we can use the basic idea in a more backyard friendly way. Below are some options for your own mini root cellar.

Different storage options are listed below:

Cellar storage, in a basement

In ground storage, this works in many areas

Hay bale storage, built above ground

Mound storage, built above ground

Tile, barrel or garbage can pit, buried in the ground

Storage pit built of lumber, buried in the ground

These are a number of ways to store our harvests. I will be describing them in detail in future posts. I will also add charts to aid in deciding what can be stored and for how long.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I was just thinking about the changes this blog has gone through since I started it not that long ago. As I fast forward to now I see some of the things I have posted and some things that will be coming soon. I am excited to be starting a series I’m calling ” Old is New Again “. This has me reflecting on what I’m trying to bring to all of you. You will continue to see everything you have come to expect from this blog, but I plan to add another aspect. A homesteader’s approach on many things.

Growing a garden, or any other things we do in our yards is, in my opinion, better therapy than any of us could ever pay for. The vegetables, fruits, berries and even nuts we may grow are very healthy for us. Growing these items can only make us healthier. Add that to the money we save because we are growing some of our own food and are healthier (less doctor visits) it is a very attractive venture.

I know most of us are not going to buy a cow or goat to supply our own fresh milk. But we can all do what we can. I find a real connection to a simpler time as I become more and more self sufficient. In these hard economic times it really seems to make sense to learn from earlier days.

I would love to hear from any of you to get your opinion on this approach to some posts on The Backyard Gardener. Together we may make our lives better, save money, be healthier and find new uses for existing items. Please post any comments you may have. Thank you.

I’ll see you in the backyard!