Self Sufficient Questions And Answers Vol 2

Welcome to the Second Volume of Self Sufficient Questions and Answers.

Don’t forget to leave your question for next Wednesdays installment in the comments box, or you can also ask your question via Twitter.

theblackhen asked via Twitter:

I have an aquaponics system & I want to add solar. How would u keep the battery & inverter dry since it’s outside?

Blackhen, if you wish to add a Solar system that includes a Battery and an Inverter then they will need to be housed. The Inverter especially is a very sensitive piece of equipment.

The best advice I can give is to build yourself a very small box that they will fit inside. It can be something very simple with a hinged lid to keep the rain off. Just make sure that it is well ventilated. Both Batteries and Inverters need a good air supply.

Alternatively you could buy yourself a Box designed for use in Gardens. You can get Boxes designed to be used to store tools that would do the job quite well. I would go for a Self build out of block or brick as it will be nice and permanent. Grow some plants to make it blend more in the background and it should look fine.

I hope this answers your question.

PatsyD asked via Twitter:

Is there a way to make a solar powered generator easily?

PatsyD, a Solar Powered Generator? I don’t think there is an easy way to do this at all. Frankly, you have me beat on this one! Maybe you could give me a bit more information about what you have in mind. Do you mean a Solar powered version of a Petrol or Diesel powered Generator?

Over to Mrs. Dirty Boots for the rest. I don’t seem to be doing so well this week! I’m off to forget my shame by doing some Double Digging!!!!!

Mrs. Dirty Boots here feeling under pressure!  I hope these answers are okay…

Texnyqueen asked via Twitter:

Can you use powder detergent on lawn & flower beds to combat fire ants?

Texnyqueen.  I believe you could, but powder detergent doesn’t break down that quickly, may harm foliage and will be harder to apply widely.  Plus it will sit on the soil waiting for pets and children to investigate!  I would opt for a liquid or soft soap mixed with water which will be easier to apply.

Mix the liquid soap with boiling or warm water depending on whether you have prize plants to worry about.   If possible opt for the boiling soapy water to get rid of the actual nest at least, even if it means a bare patch of lawn for a little while.

preservationist asked via Twitter:

Last year’s garden had loads of mites. What are organic solutions to pests? Thanks

Preservationist.  There are lots of organic products you can buy or you can make your own.  Oil fruit tree spray is good against spider mite (which I assume is what your mites are?).  If you use these sprays in the winter they should reduce the number of pests who survive through the season.  Then there will be fewer insects to breed and re-infest your garden when the weather warms up.

For lots of insect pests just a squirt with soapy water can often do the trick.

Almostgotit asked:

We have a great abundance of wood ash from our woodstove and would like to find more ways to use it. Some goes in our compost pile, and quite a bit on our lawn, but have never really researched other uses for it. It’s fairly acidic, I think… Any ideas?

Almostgotit – you must be psychic!   Wood ash is great on the compost heap and for putting around soft fruit and fruit trees (or anything else that likes potash including root crops and broad beans).  Wood ash is alkali and apparantly it gives up its nutrients better if first put through the acidity of a compost heap.

We have recently begun to make our own lye, for soap making, from wood ash.  I have a post nearly finished which will be posted in the next few days.  How did you know?

Springtime asked:

How many potatoes can you plant in different size bags? Everything I’ve read refers to a generic compost bag, but they come in different sizes! I have 25 lt, 56lt and 75lt ones.

I was planning on put 1 potato in the 25lt, 2 in the 56lt and three in the 75lt. Do you think this sounds about right?!

Springtime.  The issue is more about the diameter of the bags, rather than capacity.  I would guesstimate one potato in the smaller bag and two in either of the others.   Imagine how big the floor area is of the bag compared to the inside of a car tyre.    Generally you wouldn’t plant more than two potatoes in a tyre so unless the bags are much fatter I’d stick to two as the maximum.

Hope that helps!

Don’t forget to leave your Questions for next weeks Q and A.

For a more self sufficient future