The Farmette Vision
To convert a run-down property into a model for sustainable living in the city, affordably and beautifully
June 13th, 2023
I didn’t expect to be back in the garden after my hip replacement 7 weeks ago, so I consider myself very fortunate.
I’m behind on the planting but catching up gradually. Here is my idea for a better urban garden method.
Large cardboard sheets are ideal for weed control. I’ve used smaller boxes before. It is amazing the fauna you encounter when lifting up these “shelters”. 3 snakes, 6 mice, tons of spiders! all happily ensconsed until I only temporarily evicted them. To a Mouse is one of my favorite poems. Please read it. It makes you wonder what is going through their heads?
My dream is to eventually find a way to provide truly affordable housing and more optimal living. Some happy medium between 2023 and Walden.
April 18th, 2023
People in Baltimore like southsides so here is the new south side of 5813.
It is slow going (that’s not bad necessarily). One step at a time. As Verizon says, “make progress every day”.
The 1856 house is now painted. It was once engulfed in vines. And that old shed is gone too - the roof had collapsed and it was DOA. No preservation there.
I’ll be out of commission for a while but anyone who would like to drink a southside at 5813, connect with me on the contact page and let me know. We’ll have a party this summer (gotta get a spot a pot! no place to hide anymore)
July 18th 2021 - lots of weeding, flowers popping all over, still planting seeds and working to clear the rear garden. Today marks the 4th year of the farmette.
Growing delicata and butternut squash for the first time and hope it turns out well. Here is the first flower!
Also trying to grow corn, but sunflowers self seeded and I didn’t have the heart to pull them out. Voilà, the first sunflower of 2021.
The project officially started 4 years ago, July 18th, 2017. The house was covered by shrubs and vines, just as the lot in the rear was.
the house was covered in vines. Inside was no better.
The Lot was mostly shaded by trumpet vines that had grown up a dozen large walnut trees and created a canopy of vines.
