Lotus Garden Newsletter for Homesteaders. 3rd February 2021

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A new month already? I'm rather missing @simplymike's garden journal challenge, but wish her wellness and hope she's back soon. I'm sure we can still share our gardens and use that tag she's nurtured to keep it warm, though.

Things happening in the community.

**The January @naturalmedicine challenges are over and now we enter the month of love with [the February challenge.](https://hive.blog/health/@lotusshares/february-challenge-win-hive)**

**If you've got your cuppa and need some entertainment material, pop over to @pennsif's to see what's made the latest [sustainability curation digest.](https://hive.blog/palnet/@pennsif/pennsif-s-sustainability-curation-digest-for-msp-week-ending-31-january-2021)**

***

Some highlights of the week

With more and more people looking at finding new ways to recycle, upcycle and reuse what would normally be thrown away, I was impressed to see some great ideas for making plant pots out of rubbish with surprisingly professional looking finishes to them. First up was @sarimanok's empty [cooking oil containers.](https://hive.blog/hive-129017/@sarimanok/recycling-empty-cooking-oil-containers-into-beautiful-pots) I actually thought they were clay pots! [

](https://hive.blog/hive-129017/@sarimanok/recycling-empty-cooking-oil-containers-into-beautiful-pots)

Next was @jmcmeekin's old [food tin pebble containers.](https://hive.blog/gardening/@jmcmeekin/recycling-upcycling-tins-and-rocks-to-make-cute-plant-pots) While I'm not personally fond of the bright colours, they can be any colour you want, really. [

](https://hive.blog/gardening/@jmcmeekin/recycling-upcycling-tins-and-rocks-to-make-cute-plant-pots)

It's not just people who can get bored. @knownassam has been having to find ways to entertain the cattle in order to keep them from destroying the fencing this winter. [You might be surprised at what things have helped.](https://hive.blog/hive-114308/@knownassam/who-knew-what-joy-a-box-could-bring) *Okay, the picture gives you some clues...* [

](https://hive.blog/hive-114308/@knownassam/who-knew-what-joy-a-box-could-bring)

@deepu7 works in quality control and [discusses the testing of safe chemical levels in the products we wear and eat.](https://hive.blog/hive-190212/@deepu7/organic-farming-and-quality-control-of-products) What they've learnt is the reason why they look to organic methods when it comes to growing their own food. [

](https://hive.blog/hive-190212/@deepu7/organic-farming-and-quality-control-of-products)

*** **Each week one of our featured authors will be selected to be a 5% beneficiary of The Lotus Garden newsletter. This week @sarimanok will receive this award.** *** Thank you for stopping by. This week's newsletter was brought to you by @minismallholding.

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Originally posted here: https://hive.blog/hive-120078/@naturalmedicine/lotus-garden-newsletter-for-homesteaders-3rd-february-2021