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I've Written a Book!

5/23/2017

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It's not the camper trials one. That one is still in the works. BUT this one is just as awesome. It's called, 

"How to DIY Anything: The Ultimate Maker Mindset" 

and I've been told that it's something to be proud of.

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Rocks and Your Farm

4/27/2015

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Basalt - Boulders of basalt in Hawaii. Small variations in mineral content and size and can change the appearance of basalt's colors, but the same basic chemistry applies

Know Your Rocks

Knowing about the rocks on your farm can really help you to understand the mineral components of your soil.  That mineral component is so important, but often overlooked as most folks go about improving their soils.  However, it's the minerals that provide most of the vital elements needed for plant growth.  So lets have a closer look at the rocks and minerals that you might find on your farm.

Rocks in General

All the rocks on our planet can be divided into three major groups.

Igneous - Rocks that formed from the cooling of molten rock either below ground (plutonic rocks like granite or gabbro) or above ground (volcanic rocks like basalt or rhyolite)

Sedimentary -  Rocks that formed from the cementing together of cobbles, sands, silts or mud size particles into layers of rocks. Most of these are formed in the oceans on the margins of the continents where these materials have have washed from the land in rivers such as sandstone, shale, conglomerate or built up from the remains of animals like limestone.

Metamorphic - Rocks that are formed from the squashed and/or cooked (but not melted) remains of other rocks. These are usually found where mountains formed, continents collided, or close to huge masses of molten material.  Rocks like schists and marbles, quartzites and gneisses.
PictureMy wife Jen and I love to collect minerals. Here she is amongst granite boulders in Maine looking for tourmaline.
All of these rocks are made up of a mix of common minerals: Quartz Felspars Mica Amphibole Pyroxene Olivine Calcite Plus, a splattering of minor minerals.

Here is a table of just a few of the common rock types 

and the minerals they contain:


Rock type        Rock Name        Minerals
Igneous            Granite              Quartz, Feldspar, Mica
Igneous            Rhyolite             Quartz, Feldspar, Mica
Igneous            Basalt                Amphibole, Feldspar, Pyroxene, Olivine
Metamorphic     Marble               Calcite,
Metamorphic     Schist                Mica, Quartz,
Metamorphic     Gneiss               Quartz, Feldspar,
Sedimentary     Sandstone          Quartz, Feldspar, Mica, Clays
Sedimentary     Shale                 Clays
Sedimentary     Limestone          Calcite


Once a rock is exposed to the weather it will start to break down "physically" into smaller grains, and "chemically" into different minerals. These major rock forming minerals break down into the following (lesser/minor) minerals. These are the minerals that you will find in your soils:

Original Mineral         New Mineral      Released Elements
Quartz                        Quartz Felspars                      Clays                 Potassium, Sodium,  Calcium
Mica                           Clays                  Potassium
Amphibole                   Clays,                Iron
Pyroxene                    Clays,                 Iron
Olivine                        Clays,                Iron, Magnesium
Calcite & Dolomite      Calcite,               Calcium, Magnesium

What this means for you...

So, if you know that much, you can figure the following:  If you you live in an area where granite is the dominate rock type (a rock containing quartz, feldspar and mica), you will find your well-developed soils contain quartz, grains, and clays.  Less developed soil will appear sandy as the feldspars have not yet broken down into clays.  The soil will contain potassium, sodium and calcium.

If your homestead is on basalt, you will have clay rich soils with loads of iron and magnesium.

The best way to find out what kinds of rocks you have in your area is to visit your national or state’s Geological Survey. To find those in the USA go here (http://www.stategeologists.org/). They will have maps (many online) and advice to help you discover whats under your feet.

What ever rock type you have on your farm will directly affect the type of soil you have to work with.  With a little love and care, any soil can be amended with fertilizers and organic matters to create fertile, workable ground. It just helps to know what you are starting with!


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Gaz Lewis is a homesteader and geology educator who lives with his wife and children in Maine.  Gaz writes about homesteading on his blog (www.almostafarmer.com) and provides advice to new homesteaders on Startoff Homesteading (www.startoffhomesteading.com).
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Plant Profile: Comfrey Can Do!

1/30/2015

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Comfrey is probably one of the most talked about plants in permaculture plant forums, and it’s no wonder! This prolific plant is stout, easy to propagate and very useful. This little dandy is sometimes called knit-bone, because it is commonly used as a poultice to help heal broken bones. How cool is that!

In fact, since so much has been said, I won’t say too much my self, but I would like to point you to a couple of awesome resources on the matter!

First, there’s Paul Wheaton’s video, “Why Permaculture Folks Love Comfrey.” It’s a 10 minute video, where some permaculture experts talk about the awesomeness of this beneficial plant! Toby Hemenway, author of “Gaia’s Garden,” even calls comfrey the King of Permaculture! If you are even a little bit curious, about comfrey, I would check it out. 

Secondly, I’m going to point you to the Plants For A Future Database (PFAF). They are a non-profit, research organization dedicated to researching and providing information on ecologically sustainable horticulture. They have been compiling a database for more than a decade. That database currently has more than 7,000 different species of plants. THEY ARE AWESOME!!!! PFAF lists 5 different species of Comfrey, edible, medicinal, and other uses for the plant, growing conditions, propagation techniques and more. 

Here are some highlights from the PFAF entry on Symphytum officinale, or common comfrey:

  • Comfrey likes to grow in Damp, often shady localities, in meadows, woods etc, especially near streams and rivers.
  • USDA hardiness zone : 3-9
  • Suitable for nearly any kind of soil.
  • It’s most commonly used for the external treatment of cuts, bruises, sprains, sores, eczema, varicose veins, broken bones, as it contains a substance called 'allantoin', a cell proliferant that speeds up the healing process.
  • It’s roots and dried leaves are dried and used for tea, or are roasted and ground to be used with chicory and dandelion to make a coffee substitute.
  • And finally, comfrey’s nutrient-rich leaves make an excellent plant food as a green mulch, or soaked in water as a compost tea.

For more on this highly beneficial plant, including toxicity information, check out the database at www.pfaf.org.

We’ll see you soon with another awesome Plant Profile from Haven Homestead!
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Courtesy of Google Images.
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Homestead Breads

12/23/2014

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Courtesy of Google Images
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©Lindsay Hodge 2014
Have you reached Bread Equilibrium?

Equilibrium is when opposing forces find balance, or when something is in a physical state of balance. When I talk about bread equilibrium, I am referring to finding a balance between the deliciousness, healthiness, and feasibility of making homemade bread while also being a busy mom/wife/artist/professional/writer/photographer/etc. 

For example, have you ever tried making croissants? They literally take days to make from scratch, but they are SOOOO delicious. I don't make them. They take too long to make myself. I find equilibrium here by buying them on occasion.


I have been trying to find that perfect balance of recipe, timing and know-how in all sorts of home-made bread making experiences. I feel like I have reached Tortilla Equilibrium (I'll post the recipes below!), I am almost to Dinner Roll Equilibrium, but Sandwich Loaf Equilibrium seems to elude me! Share your experiences with Bread Equilibrium (or the lack thereof!) below. And don’t forget to check out my post on Grit.com, “Reaching Tortilla Equilibrium: A Follow Up Post.”


Oh! and here are those recipes! I hope you enjoy!

Sourdough Tortillas

Ingredients:
2/3 C. Sourdough Starter
3 C. All-purpose Flour
1 tsp. Salt
1/3 C. Vegetable Oil
1/2 C. Hot water

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine starter, flour, and salt. Mix until it looks like coarse crumbles. Add oil and water alternately, and mix until completely incorporated. Knead for 5 minutes, or until the dough becomes very smooth. Separate into 12-16 equal balls. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes. Roll flat. Cook on dry frying pan on medium-high heat for about 30 seconds on each side. You'll know when to flip because it will start to bubble and puff. 


Serve immediately. 


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©Lindsay Hodge 2014

Tortillas Sans Sourdough

Ingredients:
3 C. All-purpose Flour
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Baking powder
1/3 C Vegetable Oil
1 C. Hot water

Directions:
Mix together dry ingredients. Add oil and water alternately, and mix until completely incorporated. Knead for 5 minutes, or until the dough becomes very smooth. Separate into 12-16 equal balls. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes. Roll flat. Cook on dry frying pan on medium-high heat for about 30 seconds on each side. You'll know when to flip because it will start to bubble and puff.


Serve immediately. 

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©Lindsay Hodge 2014
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Mulching your Garden? You should be!

10/17/2014

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Every one likes to see that beautiful dark earth when they till up their garden in the spring, but then they spend the rest of their summer pulling weeds, watering and fertilizing the bare earth around their plants. Then when autumn comes, people fill up their garbage bins with all of the fallen leaves, and leftover stems and dead plants.

Well, I'm here to tell you there is a better way. Mulch. Mulch makes everything better. 

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    Lindsay Hodge

    Lindsay Hodge is our resident Writer here at Haven Homestead. She keeps this blog, a GRIT blog, and writes other fun things too.

    Check out her author website at www.lindsayhodge.com.

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