The Self-Sufficient Gardener

Today I tackle five myths (or at the least misconceptions) about soil and fertility.

In today's episode I talk about 10 things you can make from barrels that will benefit you on the homestead.  I cover much more in my book The Scrounged Homestead.  I cover more projects.  How to find barrels and where.  How to secure a source.  The differences in type.  I cover about 70% more in my book plus things to do with pallets, how to find plants for free, etc. The Scrounged Homestead (Amazon Link). (http://www.amazon.com/The-Scrounged-Homestead-Jason-Akers/dp/1480142239)

It is my opinion that if you really want a "beyond organic" garden then it behooves you to avoid tilling your soil.  Besides lasagna bed gardening I don't think we've given gardeners too many options on how to plant their crops without tilling the soil to death.  So today I explain the drawbacks as well as some benefits (short term) of tilling the soil.  I also share 5 methods (excluding lasagna beds) that I have used in the past or am using right now to avoid tilling the soil.

Ok so now that the title has your attention...Today we are going to talk about cooking with things that you might normally throw away in your kitchen.  These are things that are perfectly edible but most people seem to compost them because they require extra processing or they might not even realize they are edible. Here is the website I referenced (http://www.purplekale.com/category/otherwise/)in regard to the creamed leeks (I think there are a few more "trash" recipes there.

On today's show I talk about five things in your garden that you can eat but likely aren't.  I didn't mention some things that are so commonly unlikely edible (like squash blossoms) because these have become mainstream.  I discuss things that up to a few years ago I was surprised you could eat.  Disclaimer:  I talk about carrot greens in this episode. I've had listeners actually tell me that they eat them.  There are various opinions on these.  I basically added them as a sidenote.  I do not recommend you eat them unless you do your own research and come to your own conclusions.  Again I will say that you are responsible for what you put in your mouth.  But I can't recommend that you eat carrot greens because they are easily confused with Queen Anne's Lace greens. Here are some interesting reads on the subject: Green Goddess  (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&ved=0CGUQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgreengoddessgourmet.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fcarrot-green-controversy.html&ei=YiF5Uf3pL8Wa0QGo8ICAAg&usg=AFQjCNE90ycuJpnKQMB9FdBigHcbPrnm7g&sig2=anZYDd525UrRypvhd2dvBw&bvm=bv.45645796,d.dmQ) NY Times Article reference (http://topics.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/13/the-toxic-salad/)   Carrot Museum (yes there is such a thing) (http://www.carrotmuseum.co.uk/carrotops.html) Well Preserved (http://wellpreserved.ca/are-carrott-greens-toxic-deadly-edible/)

Today I talk about the "Kitchen Garden".  This is a conceptual garden that works in a way that fits with property design and fresh, real cooking.  It's not necessary to have one or to use it like I suggest but hopefully this gets some ideas going!

Today I tackle the subject of chicken tractors.  I'm getting a lot of questions about them and since I've built several I know a bit about them.  I figure if you are looking at building one then you don't need me to convince you by telling you what they are good for.  What you need is for someone to tell you the little details.  Tune in today for that!   My tractor assortment (http://theselfsufficientgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/IMG_0374-1024x683-300x200.jpg) (http://theselfsufficientgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/521849_433319173384577_44816320_n-300x224.jpg) (http://theselfsufficientgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/tractor1-300x224.jpg)

On today's show I talk about how useful the much maligned sweet gum tree can be.  Some things I've found out about it and some otherwise documented uses. (data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAkGBhQSEBUUExQUFRUVGBUVFxcVFRQXFBcXFRU...

In today's show I talk about incubating eggs.  Not just my personal experiences but also what studies say about temperature, turning and much more. (http://theselfsufficientgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_0077-300x200.jpg) Also check out my new advertiser - Mike the Gardener's Seed of the Month Club (http://www.averagepersongardening.com/seedsclub/step_2.php?node=THESELFSUFFICIENTGARDENER).  Click on that link and you will save 35% 1 year or longer memberships.  You get seeds delivered to your door at an outstanding price every month.  What more could you ask for?

No, not the philosophical type lessons.  Just concrete things that I did wrong and some right and the things I'm going to change. (http://theselfsufficientgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/rabbit-224x300.jpg)

Today I'm going out on a limb and doing a quick review of the show Chopped.  Chopped shows on Food Network on Tuesdays at 10/9 central.  This show is, in my opinion, one of the best on TV if you are trying to learn to be a better cook.

I talk about some common issues one may encounter when trying to start seeds.  

Episode 187 Considerations for Picking Seeds/Varieties

Its the start of a new (what I'm calling a) season here at SSGP.  There are more changes coming, not just on the farm here but also to the show, format, etc.  (http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/404251_425358924180602_151361619_n.jpg) I won't be doing full all out show notes here on out.  Its a lot of effort that yields little rewards (mostly people just comment on the notes without listening to the shows which means I have to explain things to people who can't seem to find a play button!).  Essentially I'm back to a position where I miss podcasting.  I'd love it if people listen but at this point I'm doing this for me again.   

In today's episode I talk about invasive plants and how some of them can actually be beneficial if you just find the good in them. *Definition of invasive species - able to adapt to new locations well and competes against native species. *My disc...