Tomato Grafting Fail

...ven managed to attract tomato hornworms for the first time ever. Two early mistakes led to subsequent problems. First, I should have purchased or made a seed starting mix rather than the potting soil I used. I ended up with weak seedlings. Secondly, I did not manage the post-graft period well. Having a greenhouse within which to create a “healing chamber” for the grafted plants would have made the process much easier. Since I have no space or desi...

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Food Preservation Disasters

...o break a few eggs to make an omelet and, in the interest of learning from mistakes, I thought I’d review two lessons learned. Not Using Tested Recipes I vow to use tested recipes from trusted sources. Both for food safety reasons and culinary reasons, it’s a good idea to use trusted sources for home preservation projects. Some of the recipes I tried were from unfamiliar books and dubious websites. Some sources I’ve come to trust: The National Cen...

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I Made a Mallet

...was just a mallet I didn’t feel attached to the outcome. In fact, the more mistakes I made in the presence of the instructor, the more I think I learned. I’m kind of glad I broke tenon just so I could learn how it could be fixed and the mistake hidden. I also learned that much of woodwork is paradoxically about metal work: the use and maintenance of metal tools. I’ve done a lot of carpentry over the years such as building sheds, chicken coops, lay...

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Composting: Nothing is Wasted

...how nourishment can come out of loss, how new experience rises out of past mistakes. We see also the great cycle of life. Everything changes, but nothing is lost. What can compost not accept? What can it not forgive? Simply put, keeping a compost pile is good is as good for your soul as it is for your soil. Waste Not If you can’t keep a compost pile, agitate to make your city adopt more comprehensive “green waste” policies. Many cities have dispos...

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