Food Production Systems for a Backyard or Small Farm

[errantember]

So far I'm really enjoying Food Production Systems for a Backyard or Small Farm. I've gotten through four chapters, the Overview, Water, Garden, and Rabbits. I got this video after it was aired at a Transition Austin event recently. It's only $25, with a massive amount of included literature, and the best part is that the family that created lives in Bastrop. The hardest part of learning to garden (besides being expected to have Patience -- whatEVER!) is finding information about one's own local area. The authors show their implementation of How to Grow More Vegetables and Fruits (and Fruits, Nuts, Berries, Grains, and Other Crops) Than You Ever Thought Possible on Less Land Than You Can Imagine that is localized to this climate, which is worth it's weight in gold.

One buck and five does can produce 90 rabbits per year. They fuck like...well...

Anyway. As a life-long rabbit pet owner, I'm not looking forward to the next chapter, Home Butchering. I know I'm capable of becoming someone who kills rabbits for food, but I'm not really sure I want to be that person. Watching the video won't magically transform me into an axe-wielding bunny psychopath, but I have the feeling I won't quite be the same afterward.

Our potatoes, planted long after they were rotted and had lost about 2/3 of their mass, are finally popping up in our bed up front, which is very exciting! We'll start mounding up the soil around the fastest ones soon.

Comments

[emmainfiniti.livejournal.com]

When we raised our own chickens, goats, ducks, etc. and hunted rabbits for food (they were abundant and got into the garden), I never got used to killing things. Once dead, however, I found that the butchering was quite easy. This guy even makes it fun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVHO1JY4Vc8

[terriblelynne.livejournal.com]

I make a badass rabbit stew, and an even badder ass rabbit fricassee. So, butcher them critters and have me over to cook. ;-)

[worldmegan.livejournal.com]

oOooh.

[austingoddess.livejournal.com]

axe-wielding bunny psychopath...was very hard not to snerk loud enough to wake CS from his nap.

I am so. looking forward to having the time and money to landscape the backyard. Not going to be in a place to grow this year except some container gardening, but next year? On it.

[errantember.livejournal.com]

Not in a place because of time constraints, or something else?

[austingoddess.livejournal.com]

Time and money. Consulting with dirtwitch next month about layout, and by the time I get everything laid out and built, it'll be fall. at least. This is the entire backyard I'm talking about landscaping. No grass at all, but walkways, beds, trellises, a back patio and maybe a gazebo. :)

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

It's useful to know how to do things, even if you choose not to do them at this time.

Your garden sounds promising!