Spinach growing

Yes, one can grow spinach under clear plastic in a townhouse patio area in temps less than 50 degrees. Now...what else can I grow? hmmm...

Trials and Tribulations and Limitations

Not one to accept limitations readily, I am realizing more and more that while my desire is there, my checking account doesn't provide the resources. Not to mention the limitations artificially placed on me by this stupid stupid homeowners association I'm a member of.
More and more I'm getting frustrated by the "rules and regulations" put upon me by those in charge of my life. Okay, so I have allowed them to be in charge of my life. Except the compromises I made were worth it. Those benefits for me are becoming decreasingly acceptable. I don't want to make this a political issue....I don't want to make the greening of my life a political issue, but it is....that's just the fact of the matter.

How much energy can I recoup from money put out into solar panels...and the time and energy I put into getting it approved through my hoa? oy vey! dunno.

Two new experiments

Easy to make and inexpensive easy to use solar collectors

Wind power for a townhouse?

Winter vegetable and herb growing

I divided some of the herb plants growing in the patio and potted them up to grow on my kitchen windowsill this winter. We'll see how they do. Years ago I attempted this for several years in a row, but each time the herbs developed insistent aphids and gnats that would not go away not matter what I did.

I also have a small experiment growing in a small section of the patio. I cleared a way maybe a three-foot patch in which I sowed a few rows of spinach seeds. I covered the area with clear heavy-duty plastic sheeting, suspended/attached between two half moon metal supports...essentially creating a coldframe. Not exactly sure how water's going to get in there, but of course the soil with the seeds in it will get moisture from surrounding soil I suppose...wicking.
If this goes well, I will consider expanding the area. Trouble is I'd have to move some perennials.

Composting in black plastic garbage bags

I've been saving organic matter and putting in an 18-gallon black plastic garbage bag. I have one bag almost full now. Steve has been providing contributions. :-)

Once this bag is full, I'll add 1 cup lime and 1 quart water, tie tightly and store somewhere....probably my garage. If I continue this throughout the winter, I'll undoubtedly have a wonderful supply of compost for the spring!!

Winter Composting for the Townhouse Owner

I have a small patio area that belongs to me and I can do anything I darn please with it...however, reasonably, I can't use the space for a regular compost pile. I recalled reading years ago about winter composting in black plastic garbage bags.

This morning I went through my garden area and pulled up some dieing plants and trimmed my tomato plants so that whatever green tomatoes on there would ripen that more easily. I now have a nice, but small, pile of compostible material. My plan is to use that plus whatever else I collect before snowfall and kitchen veggie garbage to a 30 to 40 gal black pastic garbage bag. Add couple tablespoons of nitrogen (I have bloodmeal), 1 cup lime (which I need to buy), 1 quart water, shake it up, close tightly and store in my basement for the winter. Next spring I'll have a nice bag of compost. Perhaps I will create additional bags with kitchen veggie scraps over the next few months and perhaps I'll be able to gather up leaves from my front yard.

Cool, eh?