Twelve months ago I was finalizing my research and collecting pieces to build a steady food supply for my family. On my driveway.
The goal for this year was a semi-autonomous, aquaponic greenhouse-based system that would feed my family regularly. 10 Months in, that has happened in all ways but one - the fish.
It started in my garage in a baking rack, away from the sun and soil we normally "need" to garden or grow food at home. Growing microgreens all winter, starting tomato seeds over Thanksgiving, and adding in a couple of tree saplings and a few other plants to start.
In the spring the greenhouse arrived, was assembled and set up to begin growing plants inside. It tooks a few weeks to get settled, and there was a lot of experimentation involved in beating the heat. Plus, learning to retreat when needed. (It still gets too hot in there in the summer for microgreens, but more experimenting is underway to see how we will change that!)
After automating watering, lighting, air circulation, and ventilation, things got a little weirder.
Adding an Alexa for voice interface was a lot more helpful than I had planned. With some inexpensive components she quickly replace the Android tablet I initially used. It's so much better, and not just when my hands are covered in dirt and I don't want to grab a device.
I moved away from the time to water to when water is needed in some ways - my lawn still waters on a timer, but we're watering based on the weather in the greenhouse and will add the layer of soil moisture to that watering control. Yes, there is AI for that, but no - I'm not using it at home yet.
But still no fish. This means I am using things like CalMag and epsom salt in the irrigation systems. Its Organic, but that is a low bar...
So - where are the fish?
This is the new blog where we eat tasty things and enhance the systems we have, including adding the fish.
Including the part where we eat yummy stuff we grew at home. Because it tastes better and is better than going to the grocery store, and your doctor will thank you. Mine did.
With the new blog comes a new section for recipes - see the side bar, and a new layout.
The how-to's, and old articles are still online in the Blog Archive.
Grow what you eat will now also feature recipes from the backyard. When the grocery store is optional, what's on the menu?
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