The Gothic Homesteader

So, with the hot Phoenix Metro summer, I lost all 3 of my outside herbs, even the heat loving one.  So I returned to the plant store determined to find some plants that will survive.  The gardener advised sweet potato vines and setcreasea, especially the purple varieties.   They had alot of types to chose from, which made my decisions harder... So sure enough, happy as a lark that the uber Gothic purple plants should survive my hot, sunny, second story balcony/walkway, I returned home to plant 2 Purple Sweet Potato Vines ( Ace of Spades, I believe though not listed ), and a Purple Queen Setcreasea... 4 days later, and they are still thriving. ~ Morria

Apartment Homesteading is never easy, compound that by summers that average 105 F, a walkway where you can have 12 inch pots at largest, and not knowing your new growing area, and it is a challenge for any Gothic Homesteader.  But it appears, my herbs are going to do well.  Except maybe my Lavender, but Lavender and I have had issues off and on since I started growing herbs back in 1997. Herbs are a wonderful plant to grow in Gothic looking pots ( mine are purple and black from Walmart and Lowes ), as they tend to be very hearty plants.  Rosemary, Lemon Balm, Sage, Cilantro, Thyme, Oregano, Chives, Mint, and sometimes Lavender I have found good for on balconies, porches, or pots along walkways. ~ Morria

Since starting Gothic Homesteading on Facebook back in 2013, more than once I have been asked just what is a Gothic Homesteader?  Just about as often, I get asked, What makes someone Goth?   And what is a homesteader?  All great questions. I have over the years actually heard many explanations to what it means to be a Goth and to be a Homesteader.   The simplest way I can explain it is thusly:  A Goth is one who who sees beauty in the midst of a dark and dying world. A Homesteader is one who follows the homesteading way of life: a. raising what one can - fruits, veges, herbs, animals, etc., b. make what one can - clothing, food, all sorts of crafts, very diy ( which Goths are great at typically ), c. providing what they can for oneself and ones friends and family. A Gothic Homesteader is one who see beauty in the midst of a dark and dying world, and thusly lives the homesteading lifestyle. As both Gothic and Homesteading cultures are very DI...

So I am beginning to Gothic Apartment Homestead again in earnest, in part to go along with my natural health course I am doing, and in part to start putting down roots, so to speak, in my area of future work... Problem?  I live in a second story apartment with a small open balcony that is also the walkway to stairs for my 3 neighboring apartments.  Maybe 12 inch pots? So, this Desert Gypsy Goth is turning over a new leaf, literally.  We were able to make it from Farmington, NM with 3 plants: my husbands Cactus, my Clover, and our Mexican Heather plants.  I have scouted out a metal shelving system at walmart that should go well in our bedroom where the plants can get sunlight, and I am also hunting for an additional plant light.  I found some awesome AZ made recycled wine bottle planters ( refreshglass.com ) which also fits in both the bedroom and living room windows, just perfect for herbs. Now the hard part, what to GROW? ~ Morria

I have been researching for the past two months "Gothic Plants" especially veggies, herbs, and fruits for the gardens and homesteads out there.  Much to my surprise 2 months in, I have thus far discover over 90 plants, and the numbers are still growing.  Sadly, due to work, my time to researching has been greatly cut, but I am continuing to work on info.  I wonder if anyone has done any books on this yet?  I will have to look into this more closely. One thing that has caught my eye is Shady Plant growing.  Where we are at now, we do have a large garden we share with family ( corn, beans, and potatoes ) and pots on the deck, but I am eyeing under the deck for more growing space.  According to my research, beans, broccoli, salad greens, beets, radishes, leafy greens, cauliflower, beans, are good for shade gardens.  In fact, I know beans are, as they grew well in the shade at our rented acre lot last year in New Mexico. ...