Getting Started With "Life Buckets" SIP Systems

Really the main reason I wanted to start this blog is to teach people how to make SIP planters (Self Irrigation Planters).  Many people have to buy all their organic produce and of course the expense can be quite high for some items.  Here, organic tomatoes are very expensive even though I live only 20 miles from the valley which has a wonderful tomato growing climate.  Cucumbers in the amounts that I plan to ferment aren’t cheap either and then there is the satisfaction of growing your own food.  My goal for the planters were to be completely movable, last forever, cheap to make, grow outlandish crops and be doable for someone with a few simple tools.  For three years I have studied different configurations on the internet and am thankful for people like the young men who came up with “Global Buckets” and Larry Hall for his pioneering work on the “Rain Gutter Grow System”.  I kept tabs on all these systems and the work of others and gleaned from them while I pondered, thought, and debated in my mind the pros and cons of each.  What I have come up with works for me but of course gardening is always a work in progress that improves so a little change is expected. 

I call my system “Life Buckets” because they are designed to last a lifetime due the skirts that I have added to keep the UV rays from breaking down the plastic.  This cuts costs and keeps them out of the landfill and of course saves on the work of putting the buckets together.  These skirts are simple to make and could even be made without sewing by the use of fabric glue.  My rough calculation is that each bucket costs around $5 to $6 to make.  The buckets were purchased new because I had no source of used ones, also, the material used for the inside screen and the skirts were sourced from thrift shops for very little money.  The inside colander was purchased at a dollar store for $1 and the PVC pipe was purchased at a hardware store.  Growing medium was mixed by myself with purchased bags of peralite, peat moss, compost, and steer manure.  I also added organic fertilizer, and rock phosphate in the tomato buckets.  Most likely I will spray and water with some compost tea later and dress with more organic fertilizer formulated for veggies later in the year depending on the individual needs of the plants.  So far my planting choices are tomato, peppers, cucumbers, and summer squash.  Others will be added soon though.  My thoughts on plant choice consists of what costs me more to buy and has the best chance of success.  This too will change some in the future but I am excited to see what the year will bring me.  Ok let’s get started.  This will be in multiple posts because of the nature of a blog format but I hope that everyone can glean from my instructions and experiences to make growing our own food the next revolution of getting healthy as a personal value and quest.

Self Watering Garden Containers Tutorial

I am getting my garden in for the growing season of 2013.  This is one of the reasons that I have started this blog.  I need to have a place so that people can come and view the process of making self watering containers for growing food.  These containers are a must here because the ground here in Paradise is full of rocks, is very hard, the hot air temp sucks the moisture out of anything in a pot unless you water it daily, the deer are the worst for eating everything in site and since I rent all my efforts needed to be movable in case of a move.  These problems were big stoppers for my will to garden successfully so to address these many hurdles I decided that my own self watering containers were the best options, well actually the only option for me.  They had to be portable, cheap to make, productive, attractive and easy to construct. The following documentary and tutorial is meant to instruct, inspire and spread gardening throughout the world.  I used recycled junk whenever possible.  I scrounged from the thrift store and did my best to keep cost down while making the best garden systems possible.  I hope you enjoy this tutorial and discover the joys of growing your own organic food. I will start this out with my first pic of the first efforts of my journey.  I have planted pickling cucumbers  peppers and herbs on the two from corners.  A skirt of recycled drape material will dress this up, and keep away the UV damage and also I will be building a trellis out of cattle panels and will also put on a tutorial.  There will be much more to follow so check back once in awhile.  I will post as I perfect and correct.  Thanks.

What did Jesus Eat?

  Jesus ate "einkorn" wheat. When he said he was the "Bread of Life" he was not referring to the unhealthy, hybridized grain today known as wheat. His wheat had 2 chromosomes, and was healthy in moderate amounts in contrast to today's wheat that has 6 chromosomes, is full of gluten and anti-nutrients that are toxic to our bodies. This knowledge has been the ONLY thing that has brought me some healing and I thank God for leading me to it.

My Journey, Reasons and Motivation

This is a record of my journey into the paleo eating lifestyle on a short budget.  Many authors insist that people use grass fed meats and organic ingredients and though I agree these are best our country is in middle of a tragic health crisis of obesity and chronic disease.  We have been taken hostage by big pharmacy, big ag and big food producers.  They have bought our politicians and stolen our right to a healthy life. It is time to fight back.  Cook real food meals, educate ourselves.  Trade for food, grow a garden, teach our children not to be a victim of corporate greed and social pressures.  Then, when health is gained we will be stronger to make more money to buy better food and live better, healthier lives.   I personally am a Christian who does not ascribe to the whole evolutionary belief system but I do believe in the ability of living organisms to change their DNA over time in response to environment. I follow the Perfect Health Diet by Paul Jament PH. D. and Shou-Ching Jaminet, PH. D.  I suffer from inflammation, chronic pain, chronic fatigue and high blood pressure.  I have improved over time, not totally "there" yet but am continuing my journey to health.  I have learned on the journey that I am allergic to nuts and am amazed at  how eating so many good fats has not made me gain weight.  This blog is just me thoughts, research, journey and testimony.  You are welcome to read, disagree or ignore.