Zen & The Art Of Lawn Maintenance

A basic guide on how to mow your lawn like a zen rock garden & why you would even want to. Quickly look out your window at your lawn. Is it boring? Why not transform what grass you have into an extension of the life within and without of your lawn? And while you are add it, why not add in some food or medicinal herbs? After taking time to make your lawn more than just some grass growing out there, you will feel a sense of accomplishment and peace.

The art of mowing your lawn like a zen garden is something I noticed while a young kid, mowing lawns around the neighborhood for small change. It was quite simple to just mow back & forth, in straight lines, but I noticed that the older gentlemen where rolling around in circles on their riding lawn-mowers. And then I saw the grass. It looked, well, like it was supposed to! A wonderful thought came to me... what if I added this around and around technique, even though I had a put mower, and could I not, because I had a push mower, add even more maneuverability, and thus more definition to this technique. And so I committed myself, and to this day, I cannot mow a single lawn without mowing in tune with not only the outer objects, but the objects within the lawn's boundaries themselves.

Just what to do?
So, as you start at , lets say where the corner of the lawn meets the walkway to your front door, start mowing the outer edge, moving around, tracing the outline of your yard. If you are using a gas or electric mower with an out chute, make sure you are pointing the scraps and cuttings chute away from the yard, not into it. If you encounter any trees, shrubs, or planting boxes, or lets say, your mailbox, add that to the tracing you are creating. Now, slowly spiral your way inward, one outline at a time. As you encounter new objects, treat them with the same respect as your mailbox, and add them into the entire groove of it all. Eventually, you will get to the point where there is no lawn left. At this point, either turn off the mower and wheel it out, or pick up the reel mower and carry it out of the yard. Now get a sweet tea, lemonade, beer, or whatever, sit back, and notice how great your yard looks!

So, next time you want to add some fun to the chore of mowing, try focusing on all the things within and without of your yard. Add more texture and life into your life!

Goats - A prepper's asset

One of the things I've noticed in the prepping lists and documents I have perused, is little mention of livestock. When it is mentioned, it seems in passing, and not a lot of information on the topic is put forth, nor practical opinions. As an opinionated stocker-up of goodies 'just in case', I would like to put for my own practical opinion on the livestock I would definitely think about adding to one's personal 'prep list'.

As far as livestock is concerned, goats are not necessarily the easiest. Alot of hands-on time will be spent with these animals, whether they are being raised strictly for meat; for their milk; or for a conglomeration of both. But, I daresay, these critters have a way of creeping into your hearts and can quickly become family members that earn their keep!

Goats are known as the 'farmer's weed whacker', this is due to not only the fact that goats can and will sample everything, but also, because of their anatomy, they prefer to reach at eye level or above for their food, preferring to browse on the tips of woody shrubs, trees, and leafy plants. Think of them as miniature giraffes, they don't like to 'graze' as sheep or cows do. Goats are browsers, not grazers. This will help keep your land clear of not only those pesky branches that always snag the bottom hem of your shirt, but also the encroaching brambles.

The basic requirements, though simple, need to be thought out and planned for efficiency and effectiveness. First, they need shelter. Obviously this is not only a task to build correctly, but also, an ongoing project to keep clean. Once the 'goat hut' is built and function-able, it is important to set up a routine schedule for yourself of not only cleaning, but also maintenance and inspection. Buildup of yuckiness underfoot can and will cause sickness, and just like you, goats will not enjoy cold drafts and leaky roofs.

Second, they need space. With fencing. This is something that will definitely keep your hands busy in a SHTF situation. And here, once again, maintaining and repairing your goat's fencing and/or pen is an integral part of the upkeep of having goats. Keeping about 6 to 10 goats per acre is just about right. The amount of goats will vary with the quantity and quality of browsing material available.

Thirdly, they do need an alternative food source. Yes, they can survive on their foraging, but for the best meat and milk outcome, you will want to add some nutritional supplementation to their diet. Supplementation with corn and oats is much recommended. Lots of fiber in their diet prevents digestive disturbances.

Raising goats, while hard work and sweat, can be very rewarding. And in a teotwawki situation, you will be grateful to have a sustainable, yet productive herd.

Update / first post

Late in getting this out there:
Immediately started clearing crazy blackberries and dragging loose brush and downed trees.
Bought a husky saw to dice up said trees. weed-eating and generally started getting the land in shape.
I have drawn up the plans for the labyrinth garden and will break ground in a tilling party planned soon. Gonna use Jack's tiller (neighbor located over the hill to the east) and we will make it a fun affair with kids and all behind the tiller turning and mixing. This will happen of course after we do the same thing on Jack's garden!
The chicken yard is almost entirely done now, sans the gate. Hopefully we will get the coop done soon. simple plans have been drawn, and Jack has offered his labor, as well as the rest of of his left over materials from the remodeling we did to his coop a couple of weeks ago. Good reclaimed building supplies!
Started drawing plans for the rain-water-hot tub collection system, and have a bead on a 55 gallon food grade drum for free from one of Amanda's friends!
Gotta bring pebbles out, hopefully from Irish Bend as soon as the weather gets better.
Mostly just a good 'ol mile long list to contend with!