Any tips for Self Sufficiency / DIY ethic?

[AgentLesbos]

I am moving into my own place next moth after a number of years in shared accomodation. I good DIY ethic style I would like the place to be as self sufficient / environmentality friendly / ethical etc. I have seen details of where to get a small windturbine that can attach to the roof to partially power the house, I also plan to do some digging and grow some veg etc . . . anyone got any tips / suggestions ?

[maelstrom]

You should go and visit the new South Yorkshire Energy Centre thats just opened at Heely City Farm. They are running courses and they should be able to point you towards books about environmentally friendly living and give advise. The website is www(dot)syec(dot)co(dot)uk, sorry I cant post the URL due to lack of posts on the forum.

 

I'd also suggest perhaps signing up with Ecotricity (thats who I get my supply off) for your electricity needs, in conjunction with a wind turbine or solar panels. I'll have a look for more info for you, keep me updated on your progress, good luck.

[ecp02aks]

I believe that due to the pay back time of micro energy generation, i.e. solar panels, wind turbines, etc. it is advisible to be as energy efficient as possible before you invest, i.e. get cavity wall and loft insulation, energy efficient appliances and light bulbs first.

[maelstrom]

At the South Yorkshire Energy Centre they sell various types of cavity wall and loft insulation I think.

[AgentLesbos]

Cheers - just had a look at http://www.syec.co.uk

 

The house already has cavity wall insulation and double glazing. I will be using energy saving lighbulbs (unless they're skipped then I'll use whatever's going).

 

Got loads of info on the energy saving / creating side. Think the area where I could do with improving my knowledge / skills would be the gardening. I've never had a garden before but plan to make use of this one even if its just a few spuds. I don't know whether it would be feasible to be completely self sufficient foodwise but would like to grow at least some of my own veg. If any gardeners out there got any tips - they would be greatfully appreciated.

[mojo1]

Your soil type is a big factor in what you can grow. Get a ph testing kit, you can get them from garden centers, and find out what kind of soil you have. root crops like carrotts ant turnips do very well in raised beds. also get a water butt and a composting bin, if you want really good soil then i recomend starting a wormery

[artisan]

IMO potatoes are a great first crop, in a new garden.

The reason for this is that you have to dig the soil really deep (double digging it is called) that is two spades depths.

Start doing this now. If you leave it till winter the ground will be cold, and youll just be digging the cold into the warmer soil underneath.

Get a good vegatable growing book, there used to be a good one by the late Geoff. Hamilton that gave you all the info.

The potatoes also help to break up the soil as they are growing.

All the foliage from them you can compost down and dig back in.

New potatoes from your own ground are marvellous.

A veg garden doesnt have to be colourless either, beans have good flowers on them,beetroot colourful leaves, even the potatoes have flowers. They are gold and yellow (this is the reason the Spanish brought them back from Suth America, in honour of the Pope. Gold and Yellow are the papal colours)

Have fun