Great Fern Move of 2015

So about a month ago I decided to save and move some Ferns from the front of the yard where we are doing some landscaping to the back yard. I got the 2 biggest bunches and 2 smaller ones I think. The big bunches have big seed pods on them so I hope even if they don't survive the move so late in the season that the seeds will start new next year.

 I found a worm in the roots of the Ferns. We have a large amount of worms in our yard so anytime I dig up anything I find worms.

 Here they are on the north side of out garage. I know they like shade and I hope they do fine here.

Unfortunately, most of the leaves have died off but I still have hopes the seeds will take hold.

Have a great day,
Ian

Spring is Coming!

Spring is Coming!

So...I have no plan for this growing season!

If I see berry plants at the store this year I will by a few and just drop them in the yard some place.

I also need to work on my landscaping and drainage around the house. There are a few big cracks in our foundation caused by a tree right next to the house that was cut down before we moved in. This 60 year old house has all the dirt settling around it and now all the rain water flows to the house not away.

When the grading is done the platforms for rain collection barrels can be installed. Although, I really don't think I will get this far this year.

We have some other drainage issues around the yard that may need fixing also in addition to the creation of a second parking stall for my truck.

I love the idea of raised beds but along with that I want plants that will grow every year with very little tending or replanting. I have heard a bit about "Survival Gardens".

Survival Gardens seem to be from the prepper community as a way to have a secret garden in plane sight. Why can't the average person with a yard do a similar thing? I'm not necessarily looking to make it secret but maintenance free would be great!

I'm going to order this book to get me started!




Have a great day!
Ian

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