Gigi and I have a long way to go before we fulfill our suburban micro-farm dream. It’s not just that we don’t have the land or the livestock for an urban farm . . . we don’t have a clue, either. Our tomatoes are being attacked by a nocturnal horde of either beetles or looper caterpillars as we helplessly spray organic potions on our sad little lacerated leaves.
Okay, it’s not that bad, but we are definitely encountering a learning curve when it comes to dealing with non-beneficial organisms (aka bugs) this year. I’d like to say we’re getting a handle on things, but actually Gigi appears to be losing her grip. Today she hatched a plan to sleep outside and ambush the little critters so we’ll know for certain the face of our enemy.
Just a few minutes ago she walked in with a little critter in her hand. When I could not definitively identify it she walked out the door mumbling “If you’re beneficial I hate to kill you, but” (insert squishing sound here).
We’re not at all like this awesome soil scientist who manages his 2 acre farm in a perfect symphony of seasons and cycles. We’re more like a high-school garage band, trying to find our rhythm and hit a few good notes. Oh, but those notes are so very sweet . . . a perfectly ripe tomato fresh off the vine, the fragrant aroma of hand crushed basil, the spicy kick of garlic chives in a summer salad.
It’s going to be worth it all. Someday we will find a house, we will plant a HUGE garden, and hopefully we can raise some chickens at least. And if for some reason it doesn’t work out, we can always eat fried worms.
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Check this out http://urbanhomestead.org/about These people have an urban homestead that is self-sustaining on 1/5 of an acre!!!!
.-= kate´s last blog ..Ignoring "To-Do’s" =-.
Oh yes, they were part of what inspired me on this path a few years back! Thanks for sending me their link . . . I lost it when I left my old job (it was on my computer there). Their location (California) does allow them a much longer growing season than here in Texas, but I would very much like to emulate what they are doing.
With one addition: animals. This is where the difficulty lies as far as zoning/acreage requirements goes.
The little bugger beattles are eating all of my lettuce! We are headed to Green Mama’s to get some advice. Last time we were in she said the heat should kill em soon…but holding out for said miracle is proving IMPOSSIBLE.
And you know space isn’t an issue! We’ve got a 2×6 plot under Lily’s bedroom window here at the apartment complex! We’ve got two tomato plants, one is about 5 ft tall now!, kale, and a bunch of different greens :] We also have a potted lemon tree who is super cute!
I’d love to come and take a look at what you’ve got!
.-= Mae´s last blog ..Snapped back to reality =-.