Saturday, May 26, 2012

First post, First post!

Hi,


I will be documenting my urban farm building and home sustainability projects here on this blog.

My wife and I bought out first house in the summer of of 2011. We did some basic renos to expand a washroom on the second floor and installed new water lines and a hot water tank.

We found out we have a sewer line problem caused by our new low-flush toilets...not fun when you think you're doing something good for the environment. This is cost money to fix and in the mean time we must not be stingy with our water usage to keep the lines running...exactly what we where trying NOT to do!

After we save to fix the sewer line we also have to save some big money to build an income suite in our basement. Out first plan to save money is to rent out our spare bedroom on the main floor. Our second plan to save money is to find ways to reduce power and gas consumption in the home. After we fix the sewer line we will save on water consumption also.

This year I will be attempting simple home projects and preparing the yard/garden for our first home garden season spring 2013. I was hoping to begin growing a full garden this year but we have just decided to do a few containers. The job of preparing the soil, compost, raised garden beds, rain barrels, fixing some fences, minor landscaping around the house, and a little bit of demolition in the basement will be more that enough work for us this summer.

I hope I get everything done this summer/fall and then have a very relaxing winter before the full on grow season happens.

-Ian