Back in March I built a solar still in my backyard. As Arizona is a dry place and my backyard does not have a creek in it, I tried to suck moisture out of plants. This did not work. I finally got around to editing the video. Watch below if you care to watch my [...]
Archive for the ‘backyard’ Category
Solar Still
Posted: August 25, 2011 in backyard, solar, waterTags: 2012, apocalypse, end times, prepper, research, sonora desert, water
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As mentioned in a previous post, we learned how to track humans as part of the Complete Survivor Class from Ancient Pathways. During the weekend we also discussed tracking animals. Most books center of what the impression of the animal looks like. This is not so useful because the print will quickly deteriorate so there [...]
What I learned about feral cats and a defense of phoenix
Posted: May 13, 2011 in animals, animals, arizona, backyard, desert, escape from phoenix, PhoenixTags: escape from Phoenix
Up North, where there is winter, only the strong surivie. In Michigan, a cat can have about one litter a year. Here in Phoenix they can have three. So Phoenix has a feral cat problem, much larger than cities outside of the sunbelt. Lets assume that a feral cat living on wits alone is like living [...]
3 out of 4 cats caught and quiet. The last one is too smart, or at least after seeing his mom and two siblings caught he decided to beat it. Trap still set in case he changes his mind. From my kitchen window, I watched how each one was caught. With each successful capture they [...]
Well it looks like I am staying home Friday night to trap feral cats. Appointment Sat. to neuter then release on Sunday. After they are captured I have to put a sheet over them to calm them. I am tempted to re-read “The most dangerous game” while I wait. Thanks Kate Benjamin for helping me figure out [...]
How to make cordage out of agave
Posted: April 22, 2011 in backyard, building, compound, desert, prepped, prepper, survivalTags: 2012, agave, apocalypse, arizona desert, basic survival, construction, cordage, end of the world as we know it, rope
Thank you Tommy Cannon for showing me how!
Compost tea and solar panel
Posted: April 19, 2011 in backyard, garden, garden, Phoenix, waterTags: apocalyptic gardening, compost tea, garden, solar
I got the idea of making compost tea from the Grow House as well as the book Gardening When it Counts. It is also my first experiment with solar energy. The solar panel pictured above hooks up to a tiny little air pump. This system is supposed to be used in backyard ponds. I bought it [...]
Weekend update: Gardening for hard times
Posted: April 17, 2011 in backyard, garden, garden, medicinal, tomatilloTags: post-apocalypse gardening
I am trying an experiment, based on what I think I read in Gardening When It Counts: Growing Food in Hard Times by Steve Solomon. I filled bottles with compost tea and put the bottle upside down “above” the plants. The tomatillo seems to be doing the best. The rest of the plants still look a [...]
I want to keep the three black cats who have claimed my backyard for Spain. I think they help with insects, plus they keep the plants company. Altered Tails has a Trap-Neuter-Return program for Feral cats, which means I trap the cat, schedule an appointment, remove the cats special purpose, and finally release the cat back [...]
Book review for “Gardening when it counts”
Posted: April 8, 2011 in arizona, backyard, books, fallout library, food, garden, gardenI been reading Gardening When It Counts: Growing Food in Hard Times by Steve Solomon and frankly it just overwhelms me. After reading the watering section I am not sure if he is telling me to water more or water less. I suppose one needs a little bit of a mathematical mind to follow his recommendations, maybe [...]
