good things to do

[RainDog]

since we're being basted in bad news - let's talk about some good things to do - things that can help other people and ourselves NO MATTER what happens. So, if you have a paycheck this week... (gallows humor, sorry) and even if not in some cases - here are some things to do. Please share yours.

mine are from a gardening lover's pov

1. buy and plant fruit trees in your yard, whether you own it or not. Fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs - so you could also plant blueberries or raspberries. Well-managed landscaping improves the value of a home. If you rent, ask your landlord to deduct the cost from your rent. Depending on the fruit and what you buy, planted trees take about three years to fruit. They won't feed you next year, but they're an investment in a better future. Why plant useless landscaping when you can have beautiful and useful plants. Some people like to use ever-bearing strawberries as border plants in flower gardens, too. Flower gardens can also be multipurpose with herbs. instead of hybrid roses, plant shrub roses. they produce edible rose hips that are high in vit. c. Perennials are cheaper, over time, than annuals.

Willow trees contain natural rooting hormones-- I make a "tea" out of the spring leaves and water seedlings with it. they are also the basis for aspirin. They grow quickly and stems can also be a source of fencing, (this is a traditional source of fencing in great brit.) or a no-cost way to create trellis for climbing veggies like cukes. Twisted willows are the bare stems for sale in flower markets.

2. fall is the best time to get your garden ready. this is when people should be prepping their soil. You don't have to dig to make a garden. recycle your old newspapers (after removing the slick color adverts) by placing them on the ground where you want a garden. Water the newspaper to make it heavy. it will kill whatever's growing underneath and will decompose over time.

Most all of us have horse stables within 10 miles and most of these stables are happy to let people load up as much manure as they can carry off. Horse manure is a great, free fertilizer. It needs to "cure" before planting edibles in it, so now is the time to buy horse manure to put on any garden. Put it on top of your newspaper and cover it with black plastic mulch. Put some concrete blocks or something on the corners of the mulch to hold it down.

Separate your edible/safe biodegradable trash from everything else. If you pay for trash pick up by the can, you will pay less. Put veggie and fruit peels, etc. under that black plastic. Coffee grinds and the filters. Egg shells.

Rake your leaves and put them under the black plastic. Rake your grass clippings and put them under the black plastic. (this assumes, of course, that you are not spraying stupid toxic crap on your lawn.. if so stop.

When the weather warms up, cut a square out of the black plastic and stick a tomato seeding in. And peppers. And whatever else you'd like. Since you have such great soil to grow your veggies, you'll have nice crops that you can share with others. Where I live, you can donate garden produce to food banks. You will not only help feed yourself, you can be a humanitarian and help to others who are in need.

3. Make fireplace logs out of recycled newspaper. Roll the paper tightly, tie with string, wet the paper so that it adheres to itself (this makes for less soot and loose embers). Hang them up to dry. In the winter, start your fire with wood logs, then add the paper ones. The wood will have created a hotter fire to burn the paper logs cleaner. If you want a winter fire, or if you plan to use wood stoves to keep warm in the winter, this will be a cheap way to help do so.

4. Trade plant divisions with neighbors/friends. Plan to do so again in the spring. If you lose your job, you can sell plant divisions and fruits and veggies to others. Whether the recession hits you badly or not, these are all things that are good to do no matter what.

[Mojorabbit]

1. I am ordering pear trees and a pecan

today. I have been slowly planting an edible landscape for the past few years.

[RainDog]

2. me too

I have a plum tree and a peach tree that both bore fruit for the first time this year. Also have two paw paws (they have to cross-fertilize.) Had two Asian pears but the deer loved them too much. And blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. I also have "patio blueberries - miniatures that people can grow on a patio.

Long ago planted St. John's Wort, Rue, shrub roses, lemon and lime balm, sage and more in a border.

I've wanted to do a hazelnut hedge for a while but never got around to it b/c those were things I had to order rather than buy locally. Still would like to start that, so maybe this will inspire me.