Basic Principles

Just a post to remind as to a few core beliefs:
The Celestial Nature of Self-Reliance
small excerpts:

“It is something to supply clothing to the [poorly] clad, to furnish ample food to those whose table is thinly spread, to give activity to those who are fighting desperately the despair that comes from enforced idleness, but after all is said and done, the greatest blessings that will accrue from the Church [welfare program] are spiritual. Outwardly, every act seems to be directed toward the physical: remaking of dresses and suits of clothes, canning fruits and vegetables, storing foodstuffs, choosing fertile fields for settlement—all seem strictly temporal, but permeating all these acts, inspiring and sanctifying them, is the element of spirituality.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1936, p. 103.)

"....One of the three areas emphasized in the mission of the Church is to perfect the Saints, and this is the purpose of the welfare program. This is not a doomsday program, but a program for our lives here and now, because now is the time for us to perfect our lives. May we continue to hold fast to these truths."

Principles for Perfecting Our Lives Through Self-Reliance and Service to Others
After reading President Romney’s article, families may wish to discuss the following principles in an upcoming family council.

BARRIERS to Self-Reliance Are—	GATEWAYS to Self-Reliance Are—
• Idleness	• Industry and work
• Spending freely	• Thrift, saving, budgeting
• Breaking the commandments	• Obeying the Word of Wisdom, keeping the commandments, paying an honest tithe
• Indifference to home storage	• One year’s supply of food, clothing, and (where possible) fuel
• No home food production	• Producing food at home
• Debt and interest payments	• Avoiding debt (when possible) and developing financial stability
• Apathy about job skills	• Improving job skills
• Negative attitudes	• Attaining physical, emotional, and social health

BARRIERS to Service to Others Are—	GATEWAYS to Service to Others Are—
• Thinking only of self and your immediate family	• Thinking of others
• Being afraid to share	• Sharing what you have as you can
• Keeping possessions to yourself	• Giving a generous fast offering
• “Over-helping” people who could help themselves, causing dependence	• Helping people to help themselves (building self-reliance in others)
• Keeping to yourself and your own family	• Giving of your time, talents, and means to family, church, community
• Feeling you have no time to serve, no talents to share	• Participation in individual and group service projects

Simple Rocket Stove How-To

Here is a video showing how to Quickly Assemble a Rocket Stove out of 21 bricks. I imagine now the the straightforward concepts have been presented, any size or location can be tried out. (I'd like to test it out on a larger scale for large pots.) This is so quick it could be put together for a sudden need or just to use as a contained firepit.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=16+brick+rocket+stove&aq=f

Remember, the type of brick is somewhat important, most obviously = it needs to be able to 1) handle high heat and flame and 2) be able to insulate to some level.
I found these at Home Depot that I am going to try out! They are called Fire Bricks. The employee said this is what customers use when they are building a fire pit type application....
I'm hoping that this also would imply that heating them won't smoke anything too toxic into my food and airways.

However, perhaps someone has some experience with a different brick and could suggest a different one? yes?

The Group Buy for Fertilizer is happening

The company Sweet Corn Organics has fantastic fertilizers that they are now offering at a discounted rate if bought in bulk (= cheaper). See previous post here. - new update coming soon, I had a 40 minute conversation with the creator and have been doing more research.
I have done the research (planning to do a little more) to list theirs along with comparable products from my other bulk source.
It looks like we will focus the list down to (for this year) The Veggie, Mator and Berry, (and maybe the Lawn). Based on our results and experiences with them I would like to follow that with another order to either replenish or broaden to an additional product(s) for more specific needs.

Critical information:

• All of these fertilizers are 80% more efficiently used by the plant if dissolved in water and sprayed on the leaves/plant - preferrably on the underside of the leaves. (also, if needed at the same time, they can all be mixed together to be sprayed on)
  
• Organic gardening, when done "right", is much more nutritious and stronger against pest/disease/rot/ailments than any food the typical American has bought in the last few decades. See High Brix posts for more information and this site. The taste can tell you it's better!
• Please follow links to the products you are considering to read the description. For most of them, I only included tiny excerpts out of the paragraph descriptions. Each product name is a link.

ALSO- We are ordering the Seaweed Kelp ASCO from Azure Standard. It may not be the same, but will do the same job and is cheaper.

Lawn Fertilizer & Care (see description for accurate 'name')

MegaLawn - estimated prices: 2 lb. Price: $16.98 -- 10 lb Price: $54.98 -- 15 lb Price: $74.98

"MegaLawn is an organic soil amendment that will restore soil that has been wiped out by chemical use. Only two applications are required, provided chemicals are not used again. MegaLawn will restore the soil so that the plant has the ability to take in nutrients again. Then we recommend using MegaFish and MegaSea as a long-term lawn care alternative to chemical fertilizing.

This organic program focuses on the health of the soil, and it will pay for itself in reduced water consumption and maintenance costs. Lawns will be greener than ever, require less water to survive and thrive, and because this organic solution promotes slow, healthy growth, your lawn will require less mowing as well.

Instructions: Two applications are required to restore existing soil — one in the spring and one in the fall. Apply 1 pound per 100 square feet of soil and water in. Two weeks after first application, and thereafter, apply MegaFish and MegaSea every 3-4 weeks.

2 lb. Will amend 200 square feet. (using the less efficient dry method)"

Follow with fertilizers such as Seaweed, Fish Emulsion (in these orders) to provide maintenance nitrogen feedings via liquid foliar spraying or dry spread.

The Lawns are one of our countries biggest "vacuums" for water, fertilizer, and overall abuse. If all lawns switched to organic, they would require less care, be healthier (prettier, softer, stronger, use less product)
Of our nation's residential water usage, landscape use is estimated to be 50-70% most of which is used on lawns.
And in our nation, up to 60% of the total (toxic) synthetic fertilizers used is on Lawns. (of which 35%+ runs away to water sources)

Great site for more reading on lawn care:
http://www.envirofriendlylawncare.com/Information.html

specific Plant Focus Fertilizer

MegaVeggie - for Vegetable Plants - 15 lbs. Price: $79.98
"MegaVeggie is a great amendment for your entire vegetable garden soil, and is the perfect ongoing amendment for vegetable plants, as it provides the soil surrounding your plants with 24 different organic elements necessary for overall plant health. (For tomatoes, amend soil with MegaVeggie and then use MegaMator as the side dressing. For peppers, use MegePepe). This organic soil amendment will make up for a lot of deficiencies in your soil that lead to poor production, regardless of your pH. It is designed to bring your pH to neutral, which is the ideal environment for vegetable gardening, and it will pay for itself by producing a more flavorful and more abundant crop. You will experience more veggies per plant and superior flavor."

MegaBerry - (acid-loving plants) 10 lb. Price: $54.98
berries - blueberry, raspberry, blackberry and strawberry plants --(grapes)

MegaMator 15 lbs. Price: $79.98
tomato plants -- It will pay for itself by producing bigger, juicier, and absolutely incredible-tasting tomatoes -- and many more of them!

Seaweed Fertilizer

There are some extrememly fast growing seaweeds (some types of seaweed growing up to 1 foot per day) And of course this in our garden would supply some serious fuel to our growing plants. I do not know which seaweeds are which. (I hope to still research this!)
But: The sweet corn organics uses the 'fastest in the world'. (see tomato fertilizer description- It is possible that it may also contain some of this as one of its ingredients)

MegaSea - Seaweed Powder
10.7 oz.
Price: $19.98
MegaSea seaweed powder contains all the beneficial trace elements necessary for overall plant health. This product is the perfect soil amendment for addressing soil deficiencies. It will also help create an environment in the soil that will help plants survive frost and drought conditions, as well as prevent insect and disease problems. It is also a must for fruit tree production in frost-proned areas. By amending the soil, it actually helps raise sugar levels in the buds that will help the tree essentially produce its own antifreeze and allow for fruit even in late-frost situations. Combined with MegaFish liquid fish and either MegaMator/MegaPepe/MegaVeggie, it makes a great 100% organic program for amending soil for a more bountiful harvest. 10.7 oz. Makes 70 gallons of liquid product.

This is sourced from the part of the world where the fastest is grown - I do not know if it is the same or how it compares. however the rest of the benefits are present.
Kelp Gran ASCO Ani/Fert (Blue Label)
from Thorvin
Price: $56.05
Size: 50 lbs.
INGREDIENTS: Certified Organic Dried Marine Algae Sea Vegetation, Species Ascophylum Nodosum, a product if Iceland.

Great Fish Fertilizer Options

These are N-P-K nutrient-rich fertilizers that are sprayed on - can be used on any plant including as nitrogen for lawn and lawn soil feedings.

MegaFish - Hydrolyzed Liquid Fish
- 32 oz. - 1 Quart
Price: $19.98 (price estimated - to be determined by bulk amount)
100% whole fish,
by cold processed

Fish Liquid Fertilizer 2-4-0.2
from Eco-Nutrients
Price: $10.90
Size: 1 gallon
20% are whole fish 80% partial from seafood industry,
by enzymatic, low heat process

Mineral supplements -type fertilizer --

This is not a high priority category, but Learn about High Brix and 'Nutrient Dense' to see why it is something you should plan on doing at least sooner than later.

MegaBone 2 lbs. Price: $16.98
MegaBone is a special organic mix of bone meal, trace minerals and iron that supplies long-acting phosphorus and other nutrients when transplanting to stimulate sturdy root systems and promote healthy growth. It can be used when transplanting most everything, from vegetables, flowers and more, but because it is slow-acting it is especially ideal for transplanting trees, roses and other plants that have a longer life span.
For transplanting vegetable starts, we prefer MegaStart instead.

Mineral Conditioner --from Redmond's -- Price: $10.95 Size: 50 lbs.

Sea Minerals -- Sea-90
I have a bag if you want me to measure out a small portion.
see previous posts....

Wendy DeWitt

Provident living Seminar featuring "Nationally Acclaimed" Food Storage Specialist, Wendy DeWitt.

It will be held Thursday April 14, 2011 from 7-9 pm at the Queen Creek North Stake Center. Address is 22035 East Ocotillo Road, Queen Creek Arizona.

All are welcome!