Showing posts with label Learning to homestead. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Learning to homestead. Show all posts

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Free Pond Building Classes

When I bought my land I knew there was no pond on it. There is a seasonal creek that runs through the forest that skirts around the side of the property, but no year-round pond. Recently at a Meet Up group I run (Oklahoma Tiny House Meet Up) one of our members revealed she is employed by a pond company and they offer classes on pond building. The entire group was excited at the opportunity to pick the mind of someone who knew the ins and outs of creating and maintaining a water feature. This weekend is the first class our Meet Up group will be participating in and you are invited too.

Pond Pro
7901 N. Kickapoo Street
Shawnee, OK 74804
Class begins at 10 am

Have I piqued your interest? Here is some further information directly from their website about classes and the order in which they will be presenting:

We'll cover pond and waterfall design, choosing the correct pump and filter for your desired water feature, proper techniques to make your pond and stream look natural, and we'll teach you how to care for it once it’s up and running. Topics include: site selection, design, materials, pumps, filters, fish, plants, and much more. Attendees will have the opportunity to puchase items after the class session so they can take their new found knowledge home to improve on their out-door living area.

Classes are approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours in duration and held on Saturdays from March to October. Please see the schedule below for more information. We will be happy to have you join us.

Schedule of Upcoming 2015 Classes
All our classes are on Saturdays. See start time below, all classes are free and open to the public. Classes may be held in our indoor training facility.

done = Completed Class
 
 Date Time Class Title
 March 7 10:00 am Spring Start Up
 March 28 10:00 am Pond Filtration
 April 11 10:00 am Pond Build
 April 25 10:00 am Pondless Build
 May 16 10:00 am Plants/Fish/Algae
 June 6 10:00 am Pond Build
 June 27 10:00 am Pondless Build
 July 11 10:00 am Controlling Algae
 July 25 10:00 am Other Water Features
 August 15 10:00 am Waterfalls and Streams
 September 12 10:00 am Pond Build
 September 26 10:00 am Pondless Build
 October 10 10:00 am Pond Build
 October 24 10:00 am Winterizing Your Pond

Pond Pro also offers a free monthly newsletter you can sign up for here. 

I am excited at the opportunity to participate in FREE classes that help me learn a homesteading skill. Being able to have water on your property only increases its value and usability, not to mention how attractive and serene a pond can be. I hope to see you there!

Friday, January 10, 2014

Frontier House - A Historical Exercise in Homesteading

I love history. Home sick with a sinus infection and looking to entertain myself, I came across this series where folks were plucked from the 21st Century and transported back in time. I believe it was on PBS in the 90's. The families were selected from a pool of applicants to recreate the American experience of homesteading in the west for 5 months. I was as riveted to this program each week. Later there was a similar program produced named 1900's House.  I would love to be selected to participate in a project like this. I find the inability of some to think wisely and to adapt very frustrating in this program, but I have to remind myself that this was a television program and was edited to show a struggle, just as early Americans would have had to endure. However, you may find the woman who cries over silly things (I can't wear make up, wah wah) as annoying as I do. Here is the entire series for you to enjoy.

Episode 1 The American Dream


Episode 2 Promised Land


Episode 3 Until Death Do Us Part


Episode 4 Survival


Episode 5 A Family Affair


Episode 6 The Reconing

What do you think? Could you have lasted in the wild frontier or would you be one of the many who couldn't last 5 years to keep their claim?