How it’s made

Growing shiitakes

Growing shiitakes

Here’s a neat post about growing shiitake mushrooms. Looks like you don’t have to do much other than keep the log moist after initial setup: Some of the most expensive and delicious gourmet mushrooms on the market are shiitakes, which also are credited in Asia with healthful properties such as lowering cholesterol and improving immunity […]

Fermentation 411

Fermentation 411

Yeast under a microscope, via Wikipedia Chelsea Green has 2 great posts with Sandor Katz, author of “The Revolution Will Not Be Microwaved: Inside America’s Underground Food Movements” and “Wild Fermentation: The Flavor, Nutrition, and Craft of Live-Culture Foods,” on the wonderful world of fermentation. First, here’s license to experiment (if you needed it): More […]

DIY snowmaking

DIY snowmaking

Brad made a snowcovered slope with his own DIY snowmaking rig. In his set notes, he shares some resources and other links. How is your Snow Geekery coming along? What have you made to take advantage of the cold weather? Add your ideas to the comments, and contribute your photos and video to the MAKE […]

Rainwater catchment basics

Rainwater catchment basics

Here’s a useful primer on whole-house rainwater catchment systems: In many areas of the country, a water-conserving household can provide for all its water needs from what it can catch off its roof. If the graywater and potentially the blackwater/humanure is also recycled for landscaping, each home can become an independent and sustainable part of […]