As I had mentioned in a previous post, I plan on doing everything I can to get that extra bit of savings this new year.
http://www.blogsmonroe.com/backyard/?p=742

The simplest thing I can find to do is start planning now. If I can anticipate what some of my needs and projects will be, I can plan ahead. Some items can be found at flea markets or resale shops, such as the Habitat For Humanity Re-Store. I will also have more time to think of creative solutions if I have more time to think about the tasks ahead.

I do know there are items I just have to buy new. This is where smart shopping plays a major role. I have mentioned before to look at places you don’t normally shop. Farm stores and even auto parts stores are a couple of examples. Farm stores will sometimes mail out “percentage off your order” coupons. These will add savings to what may be cheaper there to begin with. Home improvement stores will often do the same. I am happy to see those coupons and try to plan projects around them.

There are some items that just take shopping around to find the best deals. I keep a list of items I am looking for in my wallet. I then price check these items at stores while I am out and reference the list as I need the items.This helps me find the best price for those items.

Smart shopping can get us much farther in these trying times.

Happy New Year from my family to yours.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I found this at www.popcorn.org. I thought I would share it.

1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup peanut butter — smooth or crunchy
2 quarts popped popcorn

Combine corn syrup, sugar and peanut butter in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil while stirring constantly. Over low heat, boil for three minutes. Remove from the heat and add popcorn. Toss with wooden spoons (mixture will be hot) to coat well and press into a greased 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan. Cool and cut into squares.

Yield: 12 good-sized squares.

I hope you enjoy it.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I have already begun to see cut trees thrown out of the house and kicked to the curb. I would hope that their final destination is a tree recycling center. They will be chipped and will serve a second purpose as mulch. But there are other uses for that tree without it leaving your yard.

The tree can be left out for the winter as an extra home for birds or other small animals. It can simply be left against a fence or other structure or staked up near the bird feeder. The staking option will look much neater if there are neighbors near.

Another option is to cut the limbs off and use them as additional mulch for tender plantings. If you use this option, it is smart to leave some length of limbs left on the trunk. ( Imagine something looking like a hat rack. ) By doing this, you will have a great base for a backyard craft. It could be converted to one or more bird feeders. You could also use it as a rustic pole in the spring. Bury the end and use it as a pole for growing vines, whether for flowers or vegetables such as beans. It would work for gourds as well.

The limbs that are cut off now or in the spring can be cut up and added to the bottom of a new compost pile.

I will be posting directions soon as to how to make bird feeders from the trunk. It is simple to do and it is a fun project to get the kids involved with.

Whatever you choose to do, please make it an environmentally friendly choice.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I suppose you could call today a break in the weather. The snow and ice are pretty much gone. Today we just have high winds to deal with. After the winds die down we have a wonderful opportunity to clean things up before more snow falls. This will save some work in the spring and more importantly for those of us with children, keep them safer.

As I look around my yard there are many sticks and limbs down. The ice and snow, as well as today’s heavy winds, can bring down the limbs and sticks. I plan on getting them all cleared up before more snow falls. I already have plans for a couple of larger limbs that came down. They will make wonderful planters or bird feeders.

The most important reason to clean up now is because of the kids. I know as soon as there is new snow my boys will be out in it. I do not even want to think about what injuries could happen if the kids fell onto these sharp sticks buried in the snow.

This is also a good time to check how all the plants fared against all the heavy snow. Check for any damage and follow steps to prevent any further problems this winter. One place to look is any multi stem plants. Arborvitae are susceptible to snow damage. You can add a support stake and tie the stems tight to prevent heavy snow from breaking them down.

This is also an opportunity to take down the Christmas lights without battling the snow.

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!

The new year is nearly upon us. With that in mind have have come up with a challenge for myself. More of a guideline than an actual resolution. I plan to do everything I can to limit the purchases of any new items for my backyard projects. Whether it be out in the yard or in the shed, I plan to spend very little. If I have to buy something new, my goal is to do it only with some type of discount if at all possible. Keep reading to see how I plan to do this.

My undertaking may not be as impossible as it seems. I consider it a way to be creative, as well as another chance to recycle. I will certainly look to repair rather than replace when it comes to some items. Those repairs may be done by finding unique parts sources when feasible. One of my first projects using this challenge will be an old pull behind garden cart that needs to be restored. I will keep you updated on that project as it progresses.

In the yard I will try to find plants by trading or other ways where no cash is exchanged. Garden structures such as trellises for climbing vines, beans and such will be made from recycled wood. I plan to build a raised bed this coming year so that will be an interesting challenge.

I have also found that there are times that buying new can actually be cheaper. So if that is the case I will take that route and offer my report. The whole point is to see how much I can accomplish with the least amount of expense. I will enjoy the fact that this will take me to the occasional flea market and garage sale as well.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, from our backyard to yours.

And I heard him exclaim
as the winter winds blew hard
Happy Christmas to all,
I’ll see you in the backyard!

There is no worse feeling than losing or breaking a fastener while working on a repair. Unless it is late at night and you can’t find a replacement. Maybe the only place open sells hardware packaged by the piece and a simple replacement bolt, nut or other item costs a small fortune. I have found a much better way.

There is an initial investment but it pays off in many ways. I purchased a plastic bin of drawers that are available in many stores. I occasionally buy fasteners in bulk (I get them at a farm store) and use the drawers for their storage. The top row of my bin is all 1/4 inch bolts, nuts and washers. I use separate drawers for various lengths of bolts, and the last two are for washers (flat and lock) and nuts. I then go down the row with 5/16 inch, 3/8 inch and so on. I buy them a few at a time and the cost is manageable.

I use the extra storage for other items such as spark plugs, flywheel keys, screws, and the list goes on.

I save time and money by having these items on hand. A late night or weekend fix may keep a project going that would otherwise be on hold. They have been bought cheaper in bulk and I save time and fuel by not having to drive somewhere to purchase these items.

Another place to find parts and hardware on the cheap: Roadside trash.

Really. If you have ever driven past any outdoor equipment in the trash or just sat out free for the taking, you have driven past parts. From simple things like oil drain plugs and filler caps, gas caps, wheels and axle bolts.

You can also find air cleaner housings, throttle cables and so much more. When I do this type of thing I strip everything I can save and keep the brand specific items in a labeled container. The more universal items can be kept in a cabinet drawer if they will fit.

These parts are great to have for repairs and are wonderful when creating any home made, dare I say Frankenstein?, projects.

I keep the unwanted items in an old barrel or two out behind the garage. When they are filled I take them to a scrap metal recycling facility and might even get a few dollars back.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

It seems there is always a repair to be made. One of my favorite things to have on hand is metal pipe strap that is found in the plumbing section of hardware stores, farm stores and home centers. Its main purpose is to suspend pipes in floor joists and that sort of thing. But I find many more uses.

I use it to make loops for hanging tools on the wall. I use it to block light switches I want left on or off.( I cut a piece, loop it over the switch and secure it with the switch plate screws.) I have used it to secure fencing to wooden posts and even cut short pieces to use as washers in a pinch. I can’t begin to list all the uses I have found for this strapping material.

What has me thinking about this right now is another repair I just used it for. The motor on my tractor has a clip that holds the dipstick tube secure. It mounts to the flywheel cover. It vibrated loose and fell off. I was fortunate to notice before I lost the dipstick tube and the oil. I used a piece of strapping and two self drilling screws to secure the tube to safely finish clearing the snow. I screwed one end tight and wrapped the strap securely around the tube. I then secured the other end tightly. This will be a safe fix until I can replace the actual clip. I just had to be certain the flywheel cleared the screws. I turned the engine over by hand to be sure there was room. One screw needed to be shimmed out with a washer for adequate clearance.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Another bout of nasty winter weather is nearly upon us. Do not forget to fill those bird feeders. When the snow gets too deep the birds are unable to find much food naturally. When we consider our area has a good chance at a significant ice accumulation, it makes our feeders even more important. The birds are even less likely to find food under all that ice.

Here’s a project that can be started during the holidays to be ready for nicer weather. The kids seem to enjoy this.

Save your string. String from packages or any other source. Scraps of yarn, old shoelaces and anything else you can come across. Soon we’ll discuss cutting it into various lengths and leaving it out for nesting material.

I’ll see you in the backyard!