Author Archives: Sandy

I’m not trying to grow sprouts . . .

Posted on February 7, 2009 by Sandy

This is the first year I’ve attempted to start seedling indoors, using heat mats and grow lights. My set up includes two shelves with heat mats, on top of which I’ve placed covered seedling starting trays.  These sit under red … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Who could resist a pear like a “fine, rich buttery chardonnay”?

Posted on January 17, 2009 by Sandy

The seed  and plant catalogues have been arriving in droves.  I’m the target market, they know it, and the marketing efforts have been successful.  About a week ago I placed an order for all the seeds I should need this … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

December utility bill, snow, snow, snow, and animal husbandry in a frozen tundra

Posted on December 21, 2008 by Sandy

Our December utility bill (covering mid November to mid December) shows our best energy reduction results so far. Our daily average K HW usage for electricity was down 17%.  Our daily average THRM usage for natural gas was down 34%.  There are two primary reasons for … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy usage, Homesteading | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Pea pods in December, Salty grows up, and a new project

Posted on December 6, 2008 by Sandy

Last post, I noted that I have quite a few pea blossoms in the greenhouse.  I wasn’t sure if I’d actually get any pods though.  That question has been answered.  Now, I’m not exactly thinking I’m going to get a bumper … Continue reading →

Posted in Homesteading | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Photo album: Greenhouse in November, peppers, mache, lettuce, grow lights, and more

Posted on November 22, 2008 by Sandy

We finished building the main greenhouse structure and the beds within the greenhouse in early September. We didn’t actually finish the project, however, and likely won’t finish it until next spring or summer.  First, we have some automatically opening vents … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Chicken coop extension: Chicken tunnel and the north wing

Posted on November 8, 2008 by Sandy

Hindsight being 20/20, we realized after the fact that we could have sited the chicken coop and run better.  We originally decided to place them close to the house because it was the only fenced area.  I still think this … Continue reading →

Posted in Homesteading | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Saved from the stew pot

Posted on November 7, 2008 by Sandy

I’ve written previously that our chickens have been getting idle threats that they are heading to the stew pot if they don’t start laying soon. This threat is made even more idle by the fact that I don’t even eat … Continue reading →

Posted in Homesteading | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Making friends with our Big Leaf Maple

Posted on November 2, 2008 by Sandy

A good portion of our lot is wooded.  I’m talking very big, very tall trees native to the Pacific Northwest.  Most of the these trees are evergreen, not requiring much work, but we do also have native Big Leaf Maple … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments

Photo album: Creative use of umbrellas, new raised beds, wine barrel planters, and metal roof

Posted on October 27, 2008 by Sandy

We’ve had a number of projects going lately and I wanted to share the results of some of this work.  Here goes in a quick photo album. New raised beds and wine barrel planters Gardeners must be among the most … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Green Building | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Finally, some energy reduction progress and RIP Blondie

Posted on October 24, 2008 by Sandy

At the mid-point each month, I look forward to getting our energy bill to see if any of our energy-saving measures are starting to pay off.  So far, I’ve only seen small improvements.  This month, however, the improvements are noticeable.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Electricity usage, Natural gas usage | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments