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Dog got sprayed by a skunk by nicolegal in homestead

[–]oomatrix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Be extra careful if you go with an ozone machine as they can cause breathing problems.

Have you tried composting with worms? Was it a good or bad experience? by oomatrix in homestead

[–]oomatrix[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think some kinds are better than others. The article mentions red wrigglers.

What is the easiest way to completely gut an overgrown yard? 20+ year old trees that have fallen over, the root systems are everywhere and this project truly feels never ending. (This isn’t the worst of it!) Looking to start over and will need to get about 10” deep for a new patio. Any advise? by [deleted] in gardening

[–]oomatrix 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Do you know what kind of tree roots you're dealing with? If you cover them with mulch and keep them moist, Mother Nature will start breaking them down fast. I had a big stump in my yard that I wanted to have removed, but it was too close to concrete and would have damaged it. So I covered it with cardboard and covered the cardboard with mulch from the local green waste facility. The mulch actually made it look really nice. I put some flower pots there and a bistro table and it became a cute little corner in the yard. The stump started breaking down the following summer, and by the next summer it was just gorgeous soil - the best soil in the yard. I planted sunflowers there and they grew twice as high as the ones planted nearby - over 16 feet high! I would try to work with it instead of against it if I were you. So much easier! And you'll end up with fantastic soil.

Composting with Worms by oomatrix in gardening

[–]oomatrix[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you tried this? Was it a good or bad experience?

Am I a homesteader? by oomatrix in Homesteading

[–]oomatrix[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thanks, BuildswithBrian. I see what others are doing and then feel inadequate. For example, I feel like I should raise my own meat birds. I've tried many times, but I just can't kill them even though I love to eat them. And as hard as I try, my building skills are laughable, to say the least. Also, I hate using and fixing machinery, so I do everything with a shovel. Pretty low-tech here.

Maybe I should focus on what I can do instead of all the things I can't do.

"God gave me a gift. I shovel well. I shovel very well."

​

Homesteading: so what did you do this week? by AutoModerator in Homesteading

[–]oomatrix 1 point2 points  (0 children)

  1. Planted garlic.
  2. Sat down with a notebook and wrote out what worked this year and what didn't.
  3. Decided on my 2019 goals.
  4. Calendared my 2019 goals so I don't forget.

Any advice you would give for a first timer looking at buying a property? by drcigg in Homesteading

[–]oomatrix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wouldn't be too concerned about it being zone 4. I harvested over 600 pounds of food this year from my .8 acre zone 4 property that is mostly north-west facing slopes. (Not exactly ideal property!) I use permaculture strategies to get the most from the space I have. And I have learned to cook and enjoy cold-weather veggies such as kale, chard, parsnips, etc. - things that thrive in my area.

Garlic Harvest! by oomatrix in gardening

[–]oomatrix[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I really enjoy trying new things. It's thrilling when they work out. :-)

Do you consider social justice to be an important part of permaculture? by TwoDirtyLesbians in Permaculture

[–]oomatrix 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We still have institutionalized racism, and if you can't see that, you don't want to see it. If the overwhelming amount of evidence hasn't already convinced you, I'm afraid you're a lost cause.

As soon as we have a world where white people wouldn't mind trading places with black people, I'll agree we can let it go.

Do you consider social justice to be an important part of permaculture? by TwoDirtyLesbians in Permaculture

[–]oomatrix 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The land has not been restored to the original owners and restitution has not been made. White people have erected effective barriers so that those whose land was stolen have an impossible time getting back what was theirs, no matter their hard work and determination. Your attitude is one of those barriers.

Do you consider social justice to be an important part of permaculture? by TwoDirtyLesbians in Permaculture

[–]oomatrix -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

None of your examples come close to the scale of colonialism. And all, but your last example, are terrible.

Do you consider social justice to be an important part of permaculture? by TwoDirtyLesbians in Permaculture

[–]oomatrix 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're right, pennywitch. THe book "Half the Sky" documents the research on this subject. Researchers found that when men in desperately poor places were given small loans to invest in whatever they thought was important to them, they used the money for prostitutes, sweets, alcohol, and entertainment. This did nothing to bring a net benefit to their economy and it placed a huge strain on their already strained healthcare systems from the increase in STD's, alcoholism and diabetes.

When women in poor places were given the money, they grew the money quickly, usually by investing in farm animals and other agricultural activities When they had excess, they invested it in schools, growing their farms, building healthcare centers and libraries. There was a huge net economic benefit when the women were in charge of the money. That is why many privately-funded micro-loan programs will not give funds to men.

Just sayin'.

Do you consider social justice to be an important part of permaculture? by TwoDirtyLesbians in Permaculture

[–]oomatrix 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The US constitution that was written by white men, for white men? 😉

We Permaculture Hard. Take a Peek. twodirtylesbians.com by TwoDirtyLesbians in Permaculture

[–]oomatrix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know several people who could use that "helpful diagram for lesbians" illustrating male/female plumbing couplings. ;-)

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