Scott Stiller

They were a mix of pine, poplar and oak. None of it was sawdust, most of it was decent size. I mixed it into the regular mix without thinking ratios. Maybe a fourth of the mix was chips. We did have a decently wet winter and early spring.

Good morning friends! I wanted to pass along something I discovered over the past year. For the past few years I’ve piled copious amounts of grass clippings and leaves into my garden beds. This year I was able to get a large amount of free local wood chips from a friend. Once I ran out of planned uses for the chips I started mixing them into my garden topper mix. The results amazed me. In a few weeks I had a crazy amount of worms living under the mix. The soil was transformed overnight! Some of these were new beds that I was trying to prepare for the 2020 season but were able to use them this year. The only downside was varmints. Some of the beds are near the woods and I guess a tasty worm meal was on the menu for some creatures. I had to replant one particular bed four times. When I would go out in the morning it looked like someone had dug everything up! Other beds had to be transplanted a couple times as well.
Anyway, I’ve been here five years and I’ve never had yields like this year. It was also done with the least amount of effort. Hope this helps someone out next planting season. Scott

You make a good point. I had forgotten a lot of what you said about the heat and clean burning of a rocket stove. Thanks for reminding me of the qualities that aren’t quite right for a smoker.

Anyone ever heard of such a thing? I’m not positive it would even be practical. The thought only occurred to me because I’d love to have a smoker built by my own hand and maybe something a bit different.

Looking forward to reading your book. I’ve been tinkering with market garden styles and greenhouse upgrades. I’m sure there will be some knowledge in there for me.

Great idea Chris. I’m going to definitely try that!

Lights are not a bad idea. They are smaller and more reasonable than they used to be.

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted here. I just wanted to throw a Big Thank You out to all of my friends here. I also have good news! Year after year I have saved a few scrawny seeds from whatever plants my herd of squash bugs bugs have destroyed. Every year it has gotten a bit easier. This year was the breakthrough though. I was able to harvest a sizable amount of spaghetti squash, and pumpkins! The plants were (still are) so robust no amount of bug pressure could stop them. I am now 100% convinced that permaculture has not failed but enriched my life and farm. Next year I will go out to plant hundreds of my seeds that are sure to do well. I would like to especially thank Joseph Lofthouse for his insights that turned out to be right on the money.

Thanks Mandy. I should have mentioned that these were plants from cuttings. I am looking for exact clones for next year.

Hey friends! Got some really good pepper, and tomato varieties that I want to plant out next year. I currently have them in pots in my house. That’s really the best I could do right now. I can already tell they’re not big fans of forced air heating and cooling systems. If anyone has any tips on overwintering in this manner please let me know. Thank you!