UPDATE 1: Indoor Lighting System

Michele | March 25th, 2010

Click Here For My Original Blog “Indoor Lighting System”

Click Here For My 2nd Update

Here are several pictures 3 weeks into my seed starting journey for 2010 in comparison to last years lame lighting system. Remember, last year I purchased several lights from a popular chain store, that were labeled “Indoor Plant Grow Lights”. I learned the hard way how important your light source really is and what a difference it can make when it comes to starting your seedlings indoors. Continue reading UPDATE 1: Indoor Lighting System

Selecting Seed for Your Vegetable Garden

Guest | March 19th, 2010

By Mykie Reidy

Before you turn the first shovel of soil or plant a flat of seedlings, in anticipation of bringing to life the abundance of fruits and vegetables that can offer both sustenance and joy, you must first have seeds. Whether you raise your own or buy nursery grown plants, the decision of what specific varieties to grow in your garden has surprisingly far-reaching purpose and consequence. While most gardeners understand that it is important to choose varieties suitable to the soil and climate of their region, few consider where their seeds come from and what kind of corporate practices they support with their purchasing power. If you are committed to sustainable gardening practices, you need to be aware of the prevalence of Genetically Modified (GM) seed, and why and how to avoid them. Continue reading Selecting Seed for Your Vegetable Garden

Urban Zones 3 & 4

Juliette | March 18th, 2010

I was just reading Gaia’s Garden, the second edition. In this new edition Toby Hemenway includes a chapter on Permaculture Gardening in the City. He talks about how, differing from rural locations, zones 3 and 4 in a city setting become the city itself and all of its resources. He talks about how in cities organic matter (OM) is generally looked at as waste, something to be gotten rid of. And that this is a great thing for the urban permaculturist because, often, we are able to access these resources for free.

I know a place near my house were someone has been dumping woodchips and other OM and I am familiar with Agrecycle here in Pittsburgh. I was wondering if any other Pittsburgh city dwellers have sourced places for chaep/ free materials???

I thought that it would be great if we shared those things here. Has anyone contacted the Pitts Parks Conservancy about this? The city???

Toby also mentioned websites that listed public fruit trees/ other edibles (so that the sity itself becomes our orchard!!). This sounds like a great resource and something that would be great for Pittsburgh. Has anyone started something similar??? I was just curious!! Thanks for sharing!

Pittsburgh Permaculture