Homemade Fertilizer

Make Your Own Fertilizer

By Erin Huffstetler, About.com Guide

I have used all of these techniques in order to avoid buying products for the garden except the fish water.  I can honestly say that they all work very well, leaving your garden and you a healthier place.  (Papa Toney)

Homemade Fertilizer Recipes

Epsom Salt Fertilizer

Use in Place of: Houseplant food, Vegetable fertilizer, Rose plant food

What You Need:

• 1 Tablespoon Epsom Salt
• 1 gallon water
• A watering can

What You Do:

1. Combine the Epsom salt and water.
2. Use the solution to water your plants.
3. Repeat once a month.

Why This Works:

Epsom salt is made up of magnesium and sulfate – both vital plant nutrients. Some magnesium-loving plants to try it on: houseplants, roses, peppers, tomatoes and potatoes.

Coffee Ground Fertilizer

Use in Place of: Rose plant food

What You Need:

• Used coffee grounds
• A cookie Sheet
• Newspaper

What You Do:

1. Line a cookie sheet with newspaper.
2. Then, spread your used coffee grounds out on the sheet, and allow them to dry completely.
3. Sprinkle the grounds around the base of your acid-loving plants. Azaleas, roses, rhododendrons and blueberries are just some of the plants that will benefit from this treatment.

Note: Be careful not to over do it with the grounds. Even acid-loving plants can get too much acid.

Why This Works:

Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, magnesium, and potassium – all important plant nutrients. They are also acidic, and help to maintain the acidity of the soil.

Egg Shell Fertilizer

Use in Place of:  Lime

What You Need:

• Egg Shells
• A blender

What You Do:

1. Save your eggs shells, and allow them to air dry.
2. Then, place the dried shells in the blender, and pulse until they are powdery-fine.
3. Sprinkle in your garden.

Why This Works:

Eggs shells are made up almost entirely of calcium carbonate – the main ingredient in agricultural lime.

Vinegar Fertilizer

Use in Place of:  Houseplant fertilizer, Rose plant food

What You Need:

• 1 Tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 gallon water
• A watering can

What You Do:

1. Combine the white vinegar and water.
2. Use the solution to water your plants.
3. Repeat every three months.

Why This Works:

The acetic acid in vinegar works to increase the acidity of the soil – just the thing for acid-loving plants.

Fish Tank Water Fertilizer

Use in Place of:  Any fertilizer

What You Need:

• Used fish tank water

What You Do:

1. Save the dirty water from your fish tank.
2. Then, use it to water your plants.

Why This Works:

Used fish tank water is full of nitrogen and other nutrients that plants need to thrive.

Fireplace Ash Fertilizer

Use in Place of:  Garden fertilizer, Lime

What You Need:

• Fireplace ash

What You Do:

1. Sprinkle your fireplace ash over your garden beds, and work into the soil.

Note: Fireplace ash should not be used if your soil is alkaline, or be used around acid-loving plants.

Why This Works:

Fireplace ash is rich in potassium and calcium carbonate.

See More About:

• fertilizer
• uses for vinegar
• epsom salt

Learn how to make your own fertilizer, and keep your garden green without spending a lot of green. Here are several great homemade fertilizer recipes to try:

“Little Things that make a Big Difference”

Some of the recipes, ideas and practical solutions I post on my blog are not created by me (Papa Toney.)  I always make an effort to give credit to the source of an idea when I know it. Papa Toney thanks all those who came before him that had the wisdom and creativity to stretch a budget without compromising taste, the environment or his/her humanity.    E Pluribus Unum

DOING WHATS BEST

     We made a huge decision on the 15th of June to place the home we built together 7 years ago up for sale.  This was one of the hardest decisions made in years.  All of the questions that come with selling and buying a home fall in line with one giant fear; how will this effect our son.  The sign is up in the yard and the house is being shown often.

     For the last 13 years we have made daily and lifetime plans firstly based on the precious gift granted to us on a very sunny April day in 2000.   I am continually surprised at how many parents live life without considering the impact of their decisions on the kids.  I will not preach, those of you who know me and us know my mantra:  CHILDREN ARE GIFTS NOT A GIVEN.

Carson & Mabel

     Challenges abound with a move this time in our life.  We have to consider our son, the size of a new home and lastly how far from our parents will we end up.  Our son is 12 years old, has attended school with the same group of kids since kindergarten.  Carson has a great little world compared to so many kids his teachers our neighbors and his class mates are all aware and respectful that Carson has two dads.  The fears of taking Carson and even ourselves out of such a safe and comfortable place weighs heavy on our heart and is pretty scary.  What about the new place?  How much land is to little or much? How many square feet can we comfortably live within?  How old is too old and lastly how much of a fixer upper is to much of a fixer upper?  Our parents are aging and the past few years have proven that this is not the time to be real far away.  Will moving more than half an hour or so as we are now from them now prove to be a real burden on us later when we may be called on to fill in and care for there special needs and care?  All of this said I can still honestly say that we area excited about our future and the possibilities it promises to bring.  I will try to blog about our adventures as much as possible.

     One want to say how wonderful my loving family has been to me since Humpty Dumpty had his great fall on the 4th of July.  To keep you in the loop it went something like this: (Are you sure this ladder is stable?)  My macho and unappreciative response was: (YES as I shook the ladder.)  The next thing said was: (Oh Know! Ron call 911 now.  Oh my gosh it hurts, call 911, I think its broken.)  Well to make a long story short; I started up the bi-fold ladder and it collapsed under me and as I cam down with it I fell backwards and broke my ankle in 2 places and also broke a bone in my foot.  Have many torn muscles and ligaments.  I was taken to the emergency room by ambulance.  After visiting with several specialist I was very happy to here that if I truly promised to not place my foot on the floor for 3 months I could avoid surgery.  I took the oath and have a cast from my knee to my toes and I have not broken any of the doctors rules.  My poor guys have been run ragged caring for me.  I have managed to go for several days without any pain medication and when I do hurt I have been using over the counter medications. Visit the doctor again this coming Tuesday and I am looking forward to getting a new cast and hopefully getting to scratch all my itches before the new cast is places.

     I am looking forward to getting the use of my foot back and getting back to canning, and gardening.  Life is tough sometime but its always interesting.

E pluribus unum

NOT Old Fashioned Pinto Beans

 NOT Old Fashioned Pinto Beans

Many of us in the south grew up in house holds that often had a big pot of Pinto Beans on the stove.  One day they were served as a side dish and then another with rice and cheese.  Once in a while they were mashed and refried for burritos or have link sausage added to them to be a one bowl meal.

Today I decided to try to take the pot of beans to the next level and make them special.  I started by soaking the beans for 24 hours.  (FYI if you rinse your beans with fresh water several times during the soaking period you will eliminate most of the gas before it can visit you.)

I filled my stock pot 3/4 full of fresh water then added the beans.  I brought them to a medium boil and cooked them with my favorite seasonings until they were broken up and had created a nice thick gravy.  At this point the beans are way over cooked to enjoy although they taste great. 

I then added the rest of my soaking pinto beans to the stock pot of soupy beans along with a few more spices.  One hour later the beans are ready and tasted great.

Making them extra special was now the task at hand.  Pull out the big bowls. cook up some rice and brown some good peppery link sausage and drain.  Nows all thats left is the assembly.  Making food look good makes all the difference in the world when it comes to freshening up a traditional tried and true food staple.  Enjoy.

The wedges of bread are from the loaf of easy crusty bread I posted about earlier in the day. 

Rainy Days & Mondays

Rainy Days & Mondays

Today found me feeling quite blue at sunrise.  I had coffee before the sun, attempted to lay down again and sleep more without success.  My mind spinning with many tough decisions needing to be made was keeping me unsettled.

About the time I reached the indigo stage of my blue place, that little light of mine, "my son Carson" came down the stairs Mabeline, tail wagging burst past him giving me a quick greeting before she darted for the back door.  In less time than it took me to type the previous sentence I had completely forgotten about my blue mood. Thank the God of many names.

I had promised to make Cinnamon Roll Waffles for Carson.  I discovered the idea on http://pinterest.com a few days earlier.  Unlike the posting I chose not to buy the more pricey "Grands Cinnamon Roles, Carson's favorite" http://www.pillsbury.com/videos/television-commercials/cinnamon-rolls-imebut instead, I chose the store brand for a first try.

Amazingly the store brand worked out great, while not as large as the Grands Waffles would have been the color, texture and flavor were great.    We simply had to open up the can of Cinnamon Rolls and place them on our waffle iron and close.  Once the light changed indicating they were cooked we opened it up "WOW" they looked great.

The best thing about this new way to cook Cinnamon Rolls is that most 12 year old kids can make them on his or her own without having to heat up the house with the oven.

You should try it yourself with your kids.  It may even help you get rid of the blues.  

Carson suggested that we not bother making a special icing.  We simply used the stuff that came in the can.  He gave them Two Thumbs Up.

Easiest Crusty Bread Ever

Easiest Crusty Bread Ever

The pot I use is called a Lodge Dutch Oven.  You can use a dutch oven or another brand of enamel covered cast iron.  This is THE EASIEST bread you will ever make.  Really.

In a large mixing bowl add 3 cups white unbleached flour. I only had all purpose bleached so I used it.  The original recipe by "Le Creuset" indicated there pot and unbleached flour.

To the flour add 1 3/4 teaspoon salt (I use kosher I like it) and 1/2 teaspoon yeast.

Whisk the flour, salt and yeast together.

Add 1 1/2 cups water. 

Mix in the water.  I used my silicone "spoonula's" by Pampered Chef.  I use it all the time.

That's it!  The dough will look like a shaggy mess.  That's ok. 

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it set for 12 - 18 hours on the counter top.  DO NOT REFRIGERATE.  This is not optional.  It takes that much time to proof the dough.  The reason why you need a large bowl, is because the dough will start to rise.

After 12 hours the dough will look like this.  It's pretty sticky, but that's ok it's supposed to be.

Here is my Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven.  It's so awesome.  Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.  I put my pot in the oven with the lid off but sitting beside it when I turned it on so that it would be hot and ready when the oven was. 

Dump the dough out onto a HEAVILY floured surface. I love my Silestone counter tops for working with pastries since they dissipate heat and stay cool and are always easy to clean. http://www.silestoneusa.com.

This dough has stuff in it we did not have a photo of the plain version.  This dough has also been doubled so it's twice the size of a single batch.  After you dump the dough on to a floured surface shape it into a round ball. You will also want to add or incorporate your extra ingredients

After the dough is shaped, place it back in the bowl and cover it with the plastic wrap that was over the bowl.  I sprinkled the bottom and sides of the bowl with fresh flower in order to prevent it from sticking to the bowl as it rises and being difficult to get from the bowl to the Lodge Pot.  I doubled the recipe.  You can do that.

Remove the pot from the oven and carefully pick up the ball of dough and drop it into the pot.  You may want to flour your hands, because the dough may stick a little.  Remember the pan is now 450 degrees hot!  Be careful.  Put the lid on the pot and return it to the oven for 30 minutes.

I baked two loaves only I baked one after the other.  

Close the oven door and bake for 30 minutes.  Wait until you see the next picture.  This will blow you away!

Gorgeous!  When you put the dough into the pan, it looked like a shaggy mess and when you take of the lid, you will be amazed.  Remove the lid from the pot and continue to bake for another 15 minutes.  My loaf was baked perfectly in only a half hour.  "I do have a convection oven," this may be the reason it was ready in on 30 min.

This is the finished product.  Remove from the oven and carefully remove bread from the pot.  Remember the pot is HOT.  I use a couple of hot pads and carefully pull out the bread.

Place the bread on a cooling rack until completely cooled.  That's it!  I did it!  How easy was that? The loaf on the left is made using the basic instructions.  The loaf on the left I added a handful of (last years Cherry Tomatoes I had dehydrated and stored away) "I soaked the tomatoes and garlic together over night" I added a 1/2 cup of Parmesan Cheese when I incorporated the tomatoes and garlic.

The house smelled like a NYC bakery and the bread after cooled was as good if not better than any high end high end bakery.

 Pot Roast In a Jar

I ran across a great deal on Beef today at my local Kroger "$2.89 a lb."  Normally I grab this cut of meat when on sale so I can make "home ground beef."  I have been kicking around the idea of creating some canned meals in jars.  I think hearty and health convenience meals for rainy and lazy days are smart.  The meat sale gave me the perfect excuse to act on an idea.

Tools and Preparation

Beef trimmings = Great beef stock

I started by trimming extra fat from the beef "set the trimmings aside to make beef stock or soup stock."  

• I cut the meat into 2x2 cubes, some smaller some larger and seasoned it with garlic, Kosher salt, black pepper and just a little olive oil.  
• I cut up a few carrots, some onions and potatoes.  

I browned the beef with my new cast iron dutch oven I picked up for a steal and free shipping from a great web site:  http://1saleaday.com I saved a bundle.  

Once the meet was nicely browned although not completely cooked I placed it in a bowl to rest.

I took the meat trimmings mentioned previously browned the meat a little.  I added three or four chunks of the carrots, potatoes and onions and a couple bay-leaf.  I filled the pot of goodies with water, after bringing it to a boil I turned the heat down to simmer and placed the lid on it.  Nothing else to do other than stir now and then and let it cook and cook and cook.

Time to assemble: 

"Pot Roast Meal In a Quart Jar"

1. Place a layer of meat on the bottom of the jar.  Its ok to squish it in so there is plenty.
2. Place a layer of onions above the beef.
3. Place a layer of carrots on top of the onions.
4. Fill the rest of the jar with potatoes. (Leave 1 inch head space.)

Lastly fill the jar with some of the beef stock you have been boiling up a storm on the stove. (Leave 1 inch head space.) 

 

 

 

 Clean your jar rims with a cloth dipped in a little vinegar in order to rid it of oil, remove the air bubbles while your lids are simmering. Lastly place your rings on the jars and place in your pressure canner.  Follow your pressure canner instructions and be sure to pressure can your Quart jars for 90 min @ 10 lbs of pressure.  Pressures changes based on your elevation.  "check your elevation in order to know how to adjust the pressure for your area."

After the jars had cooled completely I decided we would have one for dinner. I popped the top and poured the liquid from the jar into a small pan and poured the meat and vegetables into a Pyrex dish on the stove. I added a cup of water with a tablespoon of cornstarch and a little beef bullion to the liquid from the jar mixing well and bringing to a boil and letting it thicken and then I added it to the Pyrex dish and let the entire thing simmer for a few minutes.  My entire family liked it and ask that I make more for the future. 

In conclusion this meal in a jar was very low fat, low sodium and had nothing in it I could not pronounce or say three times quickly.  Amazingly once the jars sat for a full 24 hours there was only a tiny bit of fat on some of the top edge of the fluids but not all the way around.

• I had room in the canner for a couple more jars so I filled jars with potatoes and topped them off with the homemade beef broth I had left over.  Now we have extra potatoes that taste like they were cooked with the roast and can extend the meal for an extra kid or visitor at meal time.  "the canning time is the same"

“Little Things that make a Big Difference”

Some recipes have been used by although, not all created by: Papa Toney himself.  Papa Toney thanks all those who came before him that had the wisdom to create ways to stretch their budget without compromising taste.    E pluribus unum

Put DOO DOO on the TO DO List.

In Case Water Service is out after a Storm

 Just a thought about: 

DOO! DOO!

Some of the information I get to share

with you however, is NOT for the Faint-of-Heart!

Sooooo, Here We Go . . .

First we'll start with the picture:

Here they are all put together!

Super Cute Huh?!?

(You can add the flowers for that little special touch!)

 

Here are the Toilet Label and Instructions for Use.

 
Make your own Labels like the example below.


Make a copy of the instruction page for each of the
Emergency Toilets you put together.
Store it inside for a quick reference.

 

You Will Need:

5-6 Gallon Bucket (At least 2)

Luggable Lu Toilet Cover

(Snap-on type toilet seat with lid.)

12 Plastic Liners

(Garbage Bags)

4 Pairs of Rubber Gloves

2 Rolls of Toilet Paper

Disinfectant:

Liquid Chlorine bleach, Nilogel Clean-Up Gel,

Pinesol, Powdered Laundry Soap,

Powdered Chlorinated Lime

(Hydrated Lime)

Available at the building supply stores. It can be used dry.

Be sure to get chlorinated lime and not quick lime which is

highly alkaline and corrosive.

1 Bottle of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide

Box of Baking Soda

1/2 Gallon of White Vinegar

1 Large Bottle of Hand Sanitizer

1 Roll Paper Towels

1 Pkg. Baby Wipes

1 2-Liter Bottle of Water

6-10 Gallon Container with tight fitting lid

A Supply of Old Newspapers for Wrapping Garbage

2-3 Spray Bottles

Feminine Hygiene Items

Now for the Good Stuff:

Are you wondering what this is?

It's a Portable Jane!

It works as a "Seperation Device."

To seperate what you might ask . . . ?

Well, you don't want to mix #1 with #2 when you are using

the toilets. Yep, you have to keep the two seperate!

(Notice the color-coded numbers?)

Mixing the two with no water could be toxic.

 

You can get a portable john/Jane on-line or at local stores like: Wall-Mart or Academy.

Portable John with the Jane Adapter Link

(That's one reason I decided a "Hers" Toilet might

be a good idea! The boys don't really need a seperate

seperation device . . . they're already equipted!)

 

*Please Make Sure YOU Read the Entire Instruction Sheet at the end of this POST.

It has soooo much important information on it!

This little project would be high on my "To Do List."

It's definately something I don't want to be without!

Happy Flushing!

 

*Sanitation*
 

 During emergencies, sanitation becomes a real problem and can be the
cause of disease.  In an emergency, hygiene is even more important!  Wash your
hands frequently!  Substitutes for cleansing without water included: Purel,
rubbing alcohol, lotions containing alcohol, shaving lotion, face creams and
lotions, towelettes, (baby wipes), a wet wash cloth.
 Toilet with a bag:  Remove the water from your toilet bowl and line it with
2 sturdy trash bags.  When ½ full remove the 1st bag, tie it securely for disposal
and store in a covered trash can until disposal service is resumed.
Sanitation Kit:  (Store in 5-6 gallon bucket)
1 5-6 Gallon Bucket with tight fitting lid Snap-on type toilet seat with lid
12 Plastic Liners (garbage bags)
4 Pairs of Rubber Gloves
2 Rolls of Toilet Paper
Disinfectant:
Liquid Chlorine Bleach, Nilogel Clean-up Gel, PInesol, Powdered Laundry Soap,
Powdered Chlorinated Lime (Available at building supply store.  It can be used
dry. Be sure to get chlorinated lime and not quick lime which is highly alkaline and
corrosive.)
1 Bottle of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
1 Box of Baking Soda
½ Gallon of White Vinegar
1 Large Bottle of Hand Sanitizer
1 Roll Paper Towels
1 Pkg. Baby Wipes
1 2-liter Bottle of Water
6-10 Gallon Container with tight fitting lid
A Supply of Old Newspapers for wrapping garbage
2-3 Spray Bottles
Feminine Hygiene Items
Directions for Emergency Toilet:
1. Put 2 garbage bags as a liner in the 6-gallon bucket, and snap on the toilet
seat.
2. Sprinkle one tablespoon of Nilogel (or other disinfectant) in the bucket. 
The Nilogel will absorb liquid).  The liquid becomes a gel and will deodorize
the toilet contents.  The gel is also biodegradable.  If using other
disinfectant sprinkle some disinfectant on top after each usage.
3. The toilet is ready to use.  Use toilet paper as usual.
4. Use baby wipes or hand sanitizer on hands after each use and dry hands
with paper towels.
5. Replace the tight fitting lid after each use of the toilet.  The key to disease
control is to KEEP IT TIGHTLY COVERED.
6. When the bag is 1/3 to ½ full, carefully remove the first bag, tie it together
and place it in the large container.  Use rubber gloves.
7. Replace liner so the bucket remains double bagged.
Disinfectant:  When using bleach use ¼ cup bleach to 1 quart water.  Other
commercial disinfectants include HTH, or calcium hypochlorite, which is available
at swimming pool supply stores; also portable toilet chemicals are available
through recreational vehicle supply stores.
Never deposit waste or garbage on open ground.  “In times of emergency, the
military procedure, is to bury human waste in trenches 24”-30” deep, and cover
with a thin layer of lime.”
Garbage should be drained and wrapped in several thicknesses of old newspaper
to absorb extra moisture, it can be stored longer before developing unpleasant 
odors.  A tight fitting lid is important to keep out flies.  Other rubbish, trash that
will not decompose may need to be burned, (with permission from local
authorities).
ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES FOR DISINFECTING AND ODOR CONTROL:
Baking Soda:  will help to control odor; it stops mold, fungus or mildew, and is a
natural Whitener.  Baking soda relieves heartburn, indigestion and it neutralizes
acids in a sour stomach associated with diarrhea.  Use 1 teaspoon of baking soda
mixed with 1 cup of water and drink it down.  Baking soda plus a little salt will
help clean your teeth.
3% Hydrogen Peroxide: (Put in a small spray bottle, no water added)  Hydrogen
Peroxide is an antiseptic, and a cleaning agent for minor cuts and abrasions.  It
can be used as an oral rinse and gargle.  To disinfect toilet seat just spray it on and
wipe it off.
White Distilled Vinegar:  Put in a small spray bottle, no water added.  Studies
show that vinegar kills 99% of bacteria, 82% of mold, and 80% of germs (viruses). 
To disinfect toilet seat just spray it on and wipe off.
Combining Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide:  Spraying solutions of vinegar and
hydrogen peroxide, one after the other, in any order, kills virtually all Salmonella,
Shigella or E. Coli Bacteria on heavily contaminated surfaces.