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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2013 15:03:12 GMT
These days more and more people are starting to go back to growing/farming their own food. That usually refers to mainly fruits and vegetables and the more common animals consumed, as well as a few products harvested from some such critters. (milk, eggs, etc.) I think a place to discuss such endeavors might serve a few members so decided to starts this thread to share knowledge/interests on the topic.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2013 15:33:39 GMT
I've often enjoyed having an aquariums for a good portion of my life. One of the things necessitated to maintain the fishies' well-being is periodic partial water changes. Long ago I discovered that the waste water from those changes had an extremely beneficial effect on the plants that received it. I recently decided that perhaps there was a sensible use for the volume of water during the Winter months, (at least 6 months of "no gardening outdoors" where I live) as it's prone to accumulating far more than I have use for, or merits stocking up on during that period. I decided to put a bit of effort into setting up what I'd need for a small supply of simple vegetables and a good stockpile of bedding plants when the growing season begins. Upon doing a bit of snooping I stumbled across a rather interesting website - www.backyardaquaponics.com/ - that got me to thinking. I've decided that a simple flood and drain system should be pretty easy and inexpensive to set up, so am tinkering around a little bit with making a spare room serve the purpose of giving aquaponics a go. For now it'll likely end up just being basically a hydroponic garden using water from my aquarium until I see how the result weigh out, but I may look into actually adding a large reservoir and edible fish right into the system if it looks promising. At least a person would know exactly what they were eating (associated foodstuffs anyhoo) if they went this route.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2013 8:57:19 GMT
Let us know how that works out. I checked out that article. That's definitely interesting. Do you have the space for something like that or are you just thinking of using the fish water?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2013 16:02:28 GMT
No shortage of room here bug. I just used a spare bedroom. There're still 2 spare rooms left even if needed, though one is being used for indoor storage as things are. Heck, I'm a crazy old hermit remember?... and I even have 2 bathrooms, one upstairs and one down. (that is kinda handy though if I have company over for pool or darts and stuff as there's no need to run upstairs for nature breaks ) Initially I just intended to set up a small hydroponics setup to utilize the waste water from the aquarium, but the more I looked into it, the more it looked like it'd merit the initial cost and trouble that it'd take to go one step further. Actually, I'm easily 3/4 done building an initial module to try it all out, but I still need a few components from the city. I'm not in a big hurry though and that can wait at least until a break in this ugly cold snap we're having. The main thing I require is a big enough tub to support a fish population, but the tub has to still fit through doors too (the module already doesn't but it's all screwed together and can just be disassembled) so I might be searching for a bit on that one. Pretty much just require that and a pump now. (a few necessary fittings too) I was researching sources for information and required resources yesterday, and I stumbled across the first hurdle regarding a full blown aquaponics setup. It seems an annual permit costing far more than just buying the fish at a grocer is required here. (once again, I can't even begin to express how fond I am of government ) There's a steady supply of a few vegetables to consider too though so I guess there're still a few numbers to crunch. Another pretty simple workaround regarding the permit BS would be to just steer around currently recognized food source species, though initial cost and yield per dollar would certainly change some then. Still plenty for me to look further into really, but I should at least be gardening downstairs (just using water from aquarium water changes for now) well before this Winter's done.
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Post by Stumour on Nov 23, 2013 22:11:37 GMT
Her n me do wild gardening... foraging is fun... Deb tried making elderberry syrup n it turned out superb.
Pity the crab apple jellies turned out runny... not enough pectin in the apples
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Post by Stumour on Nov 23, 2013 22:15:33 GMT
I've often enjoyed having an aquariums for a good portion of my life. One of the things necessitated to maintain the fishies' well-being is periodic partial water changes. Long ago I discovered that the waste water from those changes had an extremely beneficial effect on the plants that received it. I recently decided that perhaps there was a sensible use for the volume of water during the Winter months, (at least 6 months of "no gardening outdoors" where I live) as it's prone to accumulating far more than I have use for, or merits stocking up on during that period. I decided to put a bit of effort into setting up what I'd need for a small supply of simple vegetables and a good stockpile of bedding plants when the growing season begins. Upon doing a bit of snooping I stumbled across a rather interesting website - www.backyardaquaponics.com/ - that got me to thinking. I've decided that a simple flood and drain system should be pretty easy and inexpensive to set up, so am tinkering around a little bit with making a spare room serve the purpose of giving aquaponics a go. For now it'll likely end up just being basically a hydroponic garden using water from my aquarium until I see how the result weigh out, but I may look into actually adding a large reservoir and edible fish right into the system if it looks promising. At least a person would know exactly what they were eating (associated foodstuffs anyhoo) if they went this route. Think I'll start heaving through frog jobbies for Deb... they can fair punt out effluent
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2013 22:48:34 GMT
Actually Grey, I was imagining greenhouse for your aquaphonics when I asked about having enough room. Now I am jealous of all the room you have in your home. I have 2 tiny bedrooms and one bathroom. Still the fact that you are doing more than just talking about it is pretty impressive.
Now it find it odd that you would need permits since you are not planning on selling anything. To quote the payroll clerk from that great flick "Raising Arizona", "Gubmint do take a bite, don't she?"
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2013 22:54:01 GMT
I'd wager that the waste from your frogs (I don't know much about raising frogs but you must hafta clean their tank from time to time and be left with notable wastewater) I'd guarantee that it'd serve fantastic for use on any flowers or garden endeavors, as well as be much appreciated by any trees under your care. The stuff from my aquarium is almost like steroids for plants in my garden and greenhouse. Here's another pretty decent link for the aquaponics endeavor I'm exploring. - theaquaponicsource.com/ and another with some pretty good pics - www.freestylefarm.ca/2012/12/06/basement-aquaponics-raising-tilapia/Edit : I agree with that quip bug and feel governments are an unbelievably parasitic entity nowadays. It's sadder still that the populace stands for their garbage .
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2013 2:12:03 GMT
Hey does anyone have any suggestions for keeping slugs off my kale, and romaine lettuce? Ive tried salt, and a few other very odd southern suggestions, but nothing helps. I don't want to spray cause that defeats the purpose of having an organic garden.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2013 2:33:24 GMT
I've heard that if you scatter ground eggshells that will discourage slugs. Another is to get a milk carton, cut the top off and fill it with beer. I keep meaning to try both, but haven't.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2013 3:19:08 GMT
When I was growing up we used almost anything granular that'd be a nuisance by sticking to them lots and made a ring around the plants. Sand, kitty litter, and coffee grounds all ring a bell. They seemed fairly effective for slugs and snails. Now them dang green caterpillars on the other hand....
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Post by tizzahell on Nov 26, 2013 10:59:44 GMT
Capsicum (hot pepper) is a natural/organic spray for gardeners... not sure how well it works for slugs though. I've heard the beer thing too but, I thought it was a shallow dish; set level with the ground.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2013 0:49:08 GMT
I ended up abandoning my original game-plan regarding aquaponics as the red tape and malarkey associated with acquiring blue talapia was just more than I was willing to try wading through. I settled for more accessible fish and have everything running now. Still notable revisions are required but at least I can play now and get my hands wet. I've got Romaine lettuce and Spanish onions already growing, and broccoli planted but not yet sprouting. I grabbed another heater and a strapping new high power filter (needed until the plants get better established so they can handle filtration requirements) for half price on "Black Friday", and the fishies seem to have settled in pretty good now.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2013 21:16:38 GMT
It already seems like this (aquaponics) might be a worthwhile project, as well as a little bit of fun to tinker around with. Already, all 8 of the romaine lettuce plants have sprouted as well as 1 of the 2 broccoli plants. The spanish onions are growing noticeably already too and they're only in 6 inch pots of dirt sitting on top of the gravel where I just water them manually. It's all still just using the same little 55 watt bulb too. It isn't quite set up completely yet as I'm still trying to find a reservoir of adequate dimensions for the fish/system.
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Post by Stumour on Dec 6, 2013 23:15:18 GMT
romaine is a splendid lettuce... try the red variety too, sir. Oh... now is the time to plant garlic... it needs severe frosts to kick it up the arse. Me n she have wild garlic in pots that we "rescued" late summer.... it's incredibly potent.... far better than the shit that stores flog ya. Also, garlic keeps other critters at bay such as carrot fly n cabbage whites (the main cause o caterpillars). Try planting marigolds too in between crops to deter pests
edit.... marigold flowers are nice in salads too...
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