At my local library I found a copy of The Urban Homestead and have most of the weekend reading it. I’m not sure what I’m going to do when I have to give it back next week. There may be a few tears in my eyes.

Though winter is almost here I’m getting my gardening plans ready, and my gardening areas. I want to try a few ideas from the book, like raised beds. Especially since we are renting and I don’t know if my landlady would be pleased with big areas of the yard dug up. The former flower bed (picture above) in front has bee dug up, covered with newspaper, and mulched with leaves. I’m going to try to keep it mulched down and hopefully kill any remaining flower seeds. There were also some decorative bushes planted in there with roots too deep and long to dig out. Hopefully by spring they’ll be dead, or at leask weak enough I can get them out.

Next I’m putting a few raised bed boxes in my backyard. My first one I’m using some old wood I found in the garage gathering dust. The Urban Homestead says not to use treated wood, which I’m pretty sure these are. But the reuser in me just can’t stand the idea of letting these perfectly good pieces got to waste.

Besides, swinging a big hammer is a great way to get out some frustration.

I’m also making plans for my garage. There is a huge south facing window in there just begging for hanging plants. Right now I’m thinking strawberries would be great, but tomatoes would also be a good choice. The built in shelves in the corner are the perfect place for some herbs in little pots. I was planning on a window box, but all of my windows have heavy screens on them. I’d rather not try to take them off and risk hurting something on the house.

Next on my list, vermiculture. I’ve got a big plastic storage tub that I’m not using right now, and there is a great set of instructions for using a plastic tub in The Urban Homestead. As soon as I find a warm place for them…