Start Your Own Aquaponics Garden for under $75

Those inventive folks at Back to the Roots, who brought you the home mushroom kits that are so easy to use have announced they are taking orders for a complete home aquaponics garden kit.
A new offer by BTTR, this garden will allow you to grow herbs, all the time filtering the fish waste products cleaning the water and returning the clean water to the tank. If you have ever wanted to try your hand at Aquaponics, but were afraid to try, this is for you. Their initial price is $60 for the first kit and includes:
 -The tank & garden top
 -Air pump to bring your nutrients up and oxygenate the water
-5 pots with pebbles (from which the plants will grow)
 -Organic seeds (mixture of various herbs)
 -Fish food and water conditioners to get started right away

 Read the FAQ on the BTTR Aquaponic garden:

"1) How many fish can I keep? The industry standard is 1" of fish for 1 gallon of water. This is a 3 gallon tank, so you can have 1 larger 3" fish, or a few smaller 1" fish. If you'd like to host other types of fish, the system will allow it, but you should transfer them out to a larger tank when they grow in size. 

2) What kind of fish can I put in my tank? Many types will work well, but we highly recommend some ornamental fish like bettas, cloud fish, danios, etc. These are some of the easiest fish to keep, but depending on your expertise, you can keep others! 

3) How big is the unit? It's roughly 10" wide, by 11" high, by 6" deep - smaller than your average toaster oven! The tank itself holds 3 gallons of water. When empty, it's super-light, just a few pounds! 

4) What is it made out of? We are finalizing the exact materials, but are exploring various combinations of recycled plastics, acrylic, and glass. 

5) Can I grow flowers in my system? Absolutely!! 

6) How many different types of plants can I grow? There are 5 "pots" to plant in, and you pick and choose what combo of plants to grow in them as you please! Five of the same, or one of each. You can get creative! 

7) Does it need sunlight - I thought fish don't like sun? We recommend putting the tank right next to your window, with the back up against a wall. That way there's no direct light coming into your tank, but at the same time, enough ambient sunlight to help the plants grow. If you'd like to place the kit right against a window, we suggest just placing a backer against the back clear panel to prevent direct sunlight from hitting the tank (which can cause algae growth!) We're working on finding the best tint for the back right now. 

8) Can I grow year-round? Yes! If it's too cold though for the fish you choose or you don't have proper light in the winter, we suggest investing in some inexpensive water-heaters and grow-lights to guarantee consistent growth! We'll have our favorite suggestions on our site, and links to buy them, when we are reading to ship in late February." 

Goodbye Old Paint... Hello New Sweetness

Hello Einstein!

Well I finally bought a new ride.. say hello to Einstein, my new Scion IQ. It was sad to say good bye to Ichiro, my old Suzuki... it had served me well for 16 years- I hope his new owner will appreciate it as much as I did. NOTE: I still haven't realized my dream of owning and driving an electric car, but until the car companies make it easier to buy them (Without involving the useless GEEK squad) I am guessing that there is no market for me in them.

Good bye Ichiro!

Countdown

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

This blog is now Carbon Nuetral

My Blog has gone "Carbon Neutral." I found this cool thing via Jonah the raise a green dog's blog. As Jonah says

"through an initiative, originally started in Germany by the “Make it
Green” program, that has the goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. All I had
to do was blog about the program and in exchange they will plant a tree for this
blog and thereby neutralize my blog’s carbon footprint for the next 50 years!
Everyone can make a small contribution to the environment. Why not try
it! The trees are planted in Plumas National Forest in Northern California by “The
Arbor Day Foundation” their partner in the US for the “My blog is carbon
neutral” initiative. The “Arbor Day Foundation” is a non-profit conservation and
education organization with the goal helping reforest 5,500 acres of Plumas
National Forest with 792,000 trees".

Imagine Romeo... 792,000 trees in one spot! Doggy Nirvana!

Proud to be a L.L. Beanstalk

Not me, but a look-a-like
L.L. Beanstalks- What I call people who wear a bit too much flannel and blue jeans. With suspenders. Big logging type suspenders. Not exactly Urban wear. I can do flannel shirts and blue jeans, but not the suspenders. And footwear... L.L. Bean makes the best shoes and boots! Plus I have some sweats I bought at a thrift shop that are L.L. Beans, that I have had for over 3 years!

I have to admit, I am not much for buying clothes... my job requires me to buy work clothes, which I do begrudgingly at Work N More. They are the only place I can go that has my inseam coupled with my waste. The last time I bought jeans I had to have them hemmed 2 inches, but apparently the seamstress/seamster at the dry clean shop couldn't figure out what 2 " was. I got home and sure enough, the pants kept dragging underneath my shoes. But enough of that. I recently bought a pair of winter shoes/boots from L.L. Bean, and the best surprise was the packaging- They came in a plain cardboard box, with paper tape, with instruction on the box "To reuse the box, simply cut the tape" of course I shuddered when I opened it thinking everything will be in a plastic bag, packed in Styrofoam peanuts. But My surprise was No. Just some simple paper, for cushioning and in the shoes was some cardboard forms. In fact about the only thing I can complain about is throwing in a catalog into the box- We could do with one less catalog in this house. But at least I can recycle that! So yes I would have to say for now and forever I definitely am now a L.L. Beanstalk!

Happy New Year

Now it is the timenot only for a new year but a new decade. So As the Space Needle explodes in wonderous fireworks (the tradition in Seattle except for the New Millenium on 2000, thanks Mayor Schell) Let me say

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

New Things

Although my mom would say different- I like to try new things!
TOP TEN NEW THINGS I HAVE TRIED IN THE KITCHEN:
10-Making jam
9- Canning Pickles
8-Tried Tomato Chutney! I must admit to having unfounded fear of anything with the word Chutney! Don't know why except that I got some chutney once that was awful!
7- Soup- leek soup, Pumpkin Soup, tonight I made Corn Chowder- I have not had homemade corn chowder since my Aunt Tillie made it when I was a little kid
6- Chile's Naner Sandwiches
5- Dandelion Fritters- and yes I like them
4- Made Flavored popcorn
3- Made fruit infused vodka even though I don't drink (made for gifts)
2- bread pudding
1- Crunchy’s Grilled Pumpkin slices with Rosemary and Sea Salt
Plus I try new things all the time Mom!