Tag Archives: Backyard Farm

Meet VIP Member of Pest Management Team

Well, I wish the praying mantis could focus on less beneficial herbivorous insects than honey bees. Just the same, this insect carnivore,  is welcome in my garden.  This one was rather brazen and had no objection to a photo session while eating it’s … Continue reading

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In a Pot of Pure Trouble | Chicken Shamed

So who was in the vegetable garden beating me to my own harvest? That darned Leaf! Continue reading

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We Have a Vacancy: Building a Bug Hotel for Solitary Bees

This gallery contains 16 photos.

Originally posted on Mind Your Dirt:
Now here’s a project that doesn’t take too much time and is simply perfect for the whole family. The materials used for this are all items you can hunt for in parks or woods…

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Surprise Visit From Pest Management Team Member

California Herps Page for Yellow-backed Spiny Lizard – Sceloporus uniformis   I was quite surprised to find a friendly visitor in my dining room this afternoon.  A rather calm lizard was basking on the tile floor.  My cat walked by … Continue reading

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Local Gardener Skips Soil: Hydroponics Garden

Turning the desert into an ‘oasis of healthy eating   The Victorville Daily Press released an  interesting article about a local gardener who uses hydroponics to grow his vegetables.  Good read. By Rene Ray De La Cruz Staff Writer Posted … Continue reading

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Burrowing Barrier Effective: Chicken 1 Mouse 0

Shortly after applying the last batch of cement, observations of mice droppings went from common to briefly incidental. My best hunter, Apricot, suddenly put on weight. Her egg production went from intermittent to slightly over one egg per day. Continue reading

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Planning For New Gate

I purchased a “fixer upper” that needs lots of work.  Now that I am retired, I have the time to take a basic woodworking class.  I intend to build a gate for my final project.  Ambitious for a beginner, I … Continue reading

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Studying the National Electric Code with Frick and Frack

My new pullets needed to learn to not be afraid of humans.  I really needed to spend time with them for socialization training.  I also have a backlog of homework and studying from a series of medical issues in my … Continue reading

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Free Water in the Desert

So, I’m not the only crazy person out there who sees free irrigation water in “flooding problems” I found a great series of links to videos on stormwater and rainwater harvesting. If you want to grow more than rocks in … Continue reading

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Hen House with Adobe?  How I intend to make life better for my chickens.The Art of Superabode

Superadobe or earth bag building was developed by Nader Khalili, an Iranian American architect, writer, and humanitarian. He developed the superadobe system in 1984, in response to a NASA call for … Source: The Art of Superabode   Cal-Earth has … Continue reading

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More Awesome Links for Key Hole Gardens

Keyhole gardens are basically raised beds with an access path and built in compost column. After I published Keyhole Gardens are a Proven Strategy for Working With Caliche in Arid Regions, I got a ping back from  Mr. Jon Moore … Continue reading

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Mojave Fruits and Nuts

I have had both good success and expensive failures growing fruit and nut trees in my garden.  My Tillman Apricot is by far my best producer.  Other trees failed to survive the first year.  We can have warm winters and … Continue reading

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Keyhole Gardens are a Proven Strategy for Working With Caliche in Arid Regions

I learned some wonderful strategies for working with caliche layers under poor soils from the local gardening community.  Keyhole gardens are one of the approaches.  I have seen several interpretations of the keyhole garden posted on Facebook.  Then  some Julie … Continue reading

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Make Shift Chicken Bed

I needed a quick and affordable way to house my chickens at night.  I got wire cages from a pet store, put them up on tables under the eaves of my home, wrapped them with bubble wrap insulation, and clamped … Continue reading

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Chicken Home

By request, I am posting images of my chicken’s home.  It is still a work in progress.  The aviary, made with materials that happened to be on hand, provides protection to my chickens, but it isn’t exactly pretty.  I took … Continue reading

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Meet Frick and Frack

Their assigned duties will include (with time) egg laying, nutrient processing, compost processing, pest control, chicken therapy and general entertainment. Continue reading

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Article Published on Need to Expand Use of Pulses.

“Pulses:
• provide plant-based proteins and amino acids,
ensuring food security.
• fight obesity due to their high fiber content.
• prevent and help manage chronic diseases such
as diabetes, coronary conditions, and cancer.
• are an important source of plant-based protein
for livestock.
• fix nitrogen, increasing soil fertility.
• are sustainable, using less water than many
other protein crops.” Continue reading

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Houzz Article Provides Good Overview of What to Consider When Planning a Backyard Farm

Article features what to consider when planning: Vegetable Garden Backyard flock of Chickens Backyard farm animals Compost Pile Backyard bee keeping Backyard clothes drying Backyard Orchard  

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Growing in the Zone

When I am selecting plants that I am not familiar with, knowing which zone my garden is in, can be really handy. Continue reading

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Introduction to Integrated Pest Management

Master Gardener, Steve Turlo, presented information on Integrated Pest Management On June 22, 2013 from 1 – 3 pm at the Newton T. Bass Apple Valley Branch Library located at 14901 Dale Evans Parkway, Apple Valley, CA 92307. Introduction to … Continue reading

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