Red State Green

Subject: Seed Swap 2008!

[seed swap stuff here]

Lovin yr site even if I’m not a republican thanks for helping unite and find common values. Rock on.

You’re welcome!

Subject: wood burning stove

Love your blog!

I want a woodburning stove in case power fails as mentioned in the oil drum. (Pandemic flu people at newfluwikie reached the same conclusion about the elctrical grid a year or so ago)

Do you know how I would find a good one? I thought it would be a good blog subject/link for your blog.

I am focusing on replacing prescription items with plant items right now in my brand new blog (cheapgreeneasyliving at google) and improving health. I would like to be less dependent on doctors.

Well, I wouldn’t stop your medicine without your doctor’s permission.

I don’t know much about wood stoves, but I’d like to get one too. Thanks for the tip.

Subject: sooooo happy

i am sooooo happy to have found you. sometimes i feel like i am all alone in the world. i am a conservative and a mom and a i never understand how we conservatives let the issue of conservation get away from us. anyway, i will check back often to get a little moral support. thanks

Glad to be of help!

Subject: Like your website, but…

a Green Republican? That just doesn’t make sense. That’s like a Jewish KKK member, or a pro-life liberal, or an Intelligent Design Scientist

Oh, hush.

LOL

Subject: Organic Gardening

Hello,

My name is Phil Barden and I’m a Biology student at Arizona State University. I read your article about most americans being unable to feed themselves, it was very interesting. I too have thought about how much service industries(retail, etc) have allowed us to loose touch with our basic living needs. I often pose the question to friends “What would you do if you woke up and the power was out, if it all just collapsed?”

After reading your post, I decided that I should probably learn how to really, truly, feed myself. I currently live in an apartment, and am considering starting my own small garden on my patio, mostly so I can get the hang of growing my own vegetables and such. I was wondering if you had any tips on starting up garden in the desert.

I noticed that are saguaro cactuses on your banner, did you live in the Phoenix, AZ area? If so, did you ever attempt gardening?

My sister lives in Arizona. I never have. I happen to like the desert, though.

I grew up in southern California, so I’m a bit aware of water issues, nothing like what you all have to deal with.

As far as growing in the desert: look for drought-tolerant plants. If a plant isn’t marked as such, ask how much water it takes to grow. Also, make sure it’s heat-tolerant and appropriate for your USDA zone. Take a look at http://www.growit.com/Zones/ for an example of a zone map. The temperatures are minimum winter temperatures.

Some plants (like tomatoes and peppers) you might have to shade in midsummer to keep from burning. But there are a lot of plants native to Arizona that would love being taken care of. Check around and see what you find.

Subject: thanks for the great info!

Your blog is supurb, great information you’re serving up here, although some links to how-tos (starting a garden, etc) or some book reccomendations would be great. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Alex and I’m a 20 year old in college for the cognitive sciences, a unix/linux administrator, survivalist, and rabid libertarian/border anarchist. It is a pleasure to see writing like yours advocating not only self sufficiency but spreading the knowledge to those who will listen. I plan to keep reading your blog indefinitely. I can relate to several of the experiences detailed here (particulalrly the “too much junk” post) and smiled to see that, indeed, I was not alone in the ordeal.I’m considering starting a blog that would be part survivalist, part philosophy and part tech gadgetry (building your own phone system etc) but am unsure if I have the time to devote to a well kept blog at the moment. I look forward to reading more of your work and I would love to hear back from you if you have the time.

Sincerely,
Phoenix

I have started a ‘Further reading’ page that you might want to check out. Let me know the link to your blog and I’ll take a look.

Subject: Yes I can feed myself and want to help others

I loved your post.I, with some colleagues are starting a web site called ForageFree.net (launch pending) It will be devoted to sharing knowledge about edible plants that grow everywhere including places like Brooklyn (where I live).It might be nice to link up to your site - I haven’t read your other posts yet - but I think I’m going to like those too.peace,
jens

Let us know when the site is live!