This weeks preps check-in

[Mountain trapper]

Man, I remember chasing pigs as a kid when they got loose. How are you going to catch them to put them back up at night, just call them with feed?

I've chased the little porkers around as a kid too. We're going to start with 4 wiener pigs and keep them penned up for a couple of weeks before turning them loose. After I open the gate I'll keep giving them a little feed and table scraps in the pen. They'll know where their water and easy food is and come back before dark. Even though we have miles of property I don't think they'll wander off too far. One excellent benefit, for me anyway, of having free range pigs is they will kill any rattlesnake they find. It's not an issue this time of year but will be this spring and summer.

 

[SheilaT.]

I'm not huge pumpkin fan, but my wife likes them. What do you to can yours?

I follow the ball book recommendations. http://www.freshpreserving.com/canned-pumpkin-or-winter-squash---ball-fresh-preserving-br3325.html

Both me and offspring love pumpkin, soup, risotto, pie(him not so much) bread, muffins.

Ididn't manage to get another one today.

 

[jimLE]

i put up some curtains in the laundry-room today.in which that includes removing the store bought canned and dry foods from my home made shelves,then moving the shelves out of the way..and then the dryer.im pretty much done with all of that now.in which i've gotten those foods arranged better now.next will be the kitchen cabinet we're using as a pantry..

 

[SheilaT.]

I had a piece of really good news today. I have an Allotment http://www.nsalg.org.uk/allotment-info/brief-history-of-allotments/.
Now this may not sound all that life-changing but it means next season I will be growing my own veg again. A major prep for me as we really don't like tinned vegetables (home canned are great) with luck I should get some Garlic and Broad Beans planted in the next few weeks. Being an embarrassingly persistent git sometimes pays off

 

[Brent S]

I had a piece of really good news today. I have an Allotment http://www.nsalg.org.uk/allotment-info/brief-history-of-allotments/.
Now this may not sound all that life-changing but it means next season I will be growing my own veg again. A major prep for me as we really don't like tinned vegetables (home canned are great) with luck I should get some Garlic and Broad Beans planted in the next few weeks. Being an embarrassingly persistent git sometimes pays off

That's a cool system. Where is the land in relation to your home?

 

[SheilaT.]

That's a cool system. Where is the land in relation to your home?

It's about a 20 minute walk away. just the other side of the rail tracks and out in the country.
I'm getting quite giddy, I have missed not having home grown food and I've really missed the exersise.

 

[Silent Earth]

I had a piece of really good news today. I have an Allotment http://www.nsalg.org.uk/allotment-info/brief-history-of-allotments/.
Now this may not sound all that life-changing but it means next season I will be growing my own veg again. A major prep for me as we really don't like tinned vegetables (home canned are great) with luck I should get some Garlic and Broad Beans planted in the next few weeks. Being an embarrassingly persistent git sometimes pays off

Lucky girl, Its hard getting an allotment in this village and its compounded by nepotism because if you are not part of the local ( often closely related) crowd you find your crops stolen or killed, tools stolen etc

 

[Brent S]

How much area do you have to work with ?

It's about a 20 minute walk away. just the other side of the rail tracks and out in the country.
I'm getting quite giddy, I have missed not having home grown food and I've really missed the exersise.

 

[SheilaT.]

How much area do you have to work with ?

It's 10 pole or 250 square metres or 2700 square feet. A plot is measured by area, not dimensions.

Plenty to be more or less self sufficient in veg if I'm selective about what I grow. 2014 all I bought veg-wise was the occasional bag of salad, carrots, celery and potatoes.

 

[Brent S]

It's 10 pole or 250 square metres or 2700 square feet. A plot is measured by area, not dimensions.

That's awesome. My greenhouse is only about 400 sq ft and I'm able to can a lot from it. Do they have water and tools available, or do you supply what you need?

 

[SheilaT.]

Water is supplied, but you provide your own tools and equipment. I have more gardening kit than I really need(it's a shopping problem I have). The first thing to do is get the polytunnel up.

I was thinking of doing a photo diary.

 

[Brent S]

Water is supplied, but you provide your own tools and equipment. I have more gardening kit than I really need(it's a shopping problem I have). The first thing to do is get the polytunnel up.

I was thinking of doing a photo diary.

Great idea. Helping others learn to do for themselves is what this forum is, or should be, about. I'll try to post a pict of my greenhouse today. I say greenhouse loosely. It's really just a frame with plastic over it, nothing fancy. But the protection it gives is great for producing more veggies. It's cool to have stuff growing this late in the fall.

 

[jontte]

I mentioned earlier that I made a light harness for recon/reccee,this is what I plan to carry,not much as I emphasise all on stealth and ....movement undetected.
took in to the pic the possibility that I will have my mosin m38 with me,could be my 10/22 also.

 

[Silent Earth]

Water is supplied, but you provide your own tools and equipment. I have more gardening kit than I really need(it's a shopping problem I have). The first thing to do is get the polytunnel up.

I was thinking of doing a photo diary.

Please do Sal with step by step instructions if possible.

 

[Maverick]

I had a piece of really good news today. I have an Allotment http://www.nsalg.org.uk/allotment-info/brief-history-of-allotments/.
Now this may not sound all that life-changing but it means next season I will be growing my own veg again. A major prep for me as we really don't like tinned vegetables (home canned are great) with luck I should get some Garlic and Broad Beans planted in the next few weeks. Being an embarrassingly persistent git sometimes pays off

So, is this similar to community gardens we have here in the states? We have community gardens all over here but generally it's first come first served on most and the rest is a simple sign up sheet with the local parks services and pay no rent nor water service.

 

[SheilaT.]

I'm not entirely sure Mac. Most allotments are council owned and you apply and go on a waiting list. Once your name reaches the top you get the next available plot. You pay a small rent and the plot is yours. The link gives all the history etc.

 

[SheilaT.]

Have you checked to see if there are any private allotments in your area?

Lucky girl, Its hard getting an allotment in this village and its compounded by nepotism because if you are not part of the local ( often closely related) crowd you find your crops stolen or killed, tools stolen etc

 

[Silent Earth]

Have you checked to see if there are any private allotments in your area?

Yup and there are none

 

[Brent S]

What about at your home, is there any room to even plant a few tomatoes or something?

 

[Brent S]

Great idea. Helping others learn to do for themselves is what this forum is, or should be, about. I'll try to post a pict of my greenhouse today. I say greenhouse loosely. It's really just a frame with plastic over it, nothing fancy. But the protection it gives is great for producing more veggies. It's cool to have stuff growing this late in the fall.[/QUOTE
Here are Picts of the greenhouse. Mostly potatoes, peas and beans. There are some other things like spin ache and onions too.

 

[jimLE]

well,I'll be..mom is finally getting rid of A LOT of old clothes.i already have a bunch of room in my closet for preps now,plus we just dealt with clothes from the laundry-room..she's thinking of a floor type cabinet for food in that location.then another cabinet for food,where the home made shelves are,in which it'll be for food as well. .her bedroom closet will be next...then the hall closet..preppers paradise.all in all..freeing up lots of space for preps..

 

[SheilaT.]

Fantastic Brent. I'm hoping to do something similar in my polytunnel next year, get the tomatoes chillies and peppers started off nice and early and extend the growing season of peas and beans later on.

 

[Brent S]

My phone died as I was trying to post Picts. Here's another try

 

[Brent S]

 

[Brent S]

 

[Brent S]

While we're on a roll with pictures here is the house for the kids we've been working on.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Got a good start on the pig pen over the last couple of days. I sized it for up to 8 market sized (220-240#) pigs but plan on 4 to start with. I'll butcher 2 for the family and sell the other 2. I tried to attach a picture but I guess my phone is too slow.
Tomorrow I'll excavate the sites for the chicken coop and the fur shed. As long as I get the foundation and floor in before freeze-up I can build all winter.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Here's the start of the pig pen. Should finish in a couple of days.

 

[Brent S]

Here's the start of the pig pen. Should finish in a couple of days.
View attachment 6251

Great view!

 

[jimLE]

we finally got done with all of the closets.we now have plenty of clothes for a yard sale.and more space for preps.saved more buttons from another top.plus it has 2 flower designs on it.in which it had imitation pearls on it.their saved.figure i can use thread to make a pearl necklace and sell it in a yard sale for 10-25 cents..and finally starting my next months primary shopping list,plan on doing it up right for extra food preps.