Family Affair

So I guess it is week three. J is back from his trip to Mexico and Mom came for a visit.  I started my official vacation on Friday.  It started pretty mellow then I was off to get the girls from camp.  Before I knew it the day was over and I still have so many boxes to unpack it is crazy.   But my goal for my week off was to work outside.  Daniel came down to the farm and we all got to work.  Mom brought 80 plus tomato plants.  We had to clear out part of the sugar beet field.  

Daniel recommended just cutting off the tops of the weeds and leaving the roots to rot - which is in line with the permaculture technique - so we first tried the weed eater but it was a bit of a mess.  I ended up just using clippers and the had half the field cleared in a jiffy.  Daniel and I planted 50 some tomatoes along with some marigolds.  I am hoping the marigolds will help keep the white flies at bay...

Our next project was to create a hugelkultur raised bed (http://www.richsoil.com/hugelkultur/). All hands on deck!  Mom was pruning the Lilac bushes while Daniel and I cleared the bed.   You don't need to dig a hole but I needed some top soil and I didn't want the raised bed super tall.

The first step was to dig out a hole - Dan did a great job with a pick ax. 

Mom pruning the Lilacs 

                                             Sam and Iz doing other chores.

The next step is to add BIG pieces of wood.  We found these big logs on our farm.

Then you add brush or twigs - In went the lilac trimmings.  The next layer was the compost we had been collecting since moving in (kitchen waste, grass clippings etc) and even a squirrel who met it's maker (thanks to Roxy for bringing us this gift - she didn't kill it)

All the while the bed needed water.  Thank you Iz!

On top of the compost we added a layer of aged Horse manure.  

More Water

After all those layers it was time to start covering it with top soil.

After all that, we finally got to plant!  

Tomatoes and herbs on the top and West side, greens will go on the East.

More water and TA DA! the bed is done!

I included the link to Hugelkultur up top.  The basic idea is that the wood logs and scraps will absorb and hold water while it decomposes.  The manure and compost will add all the goodies needed to help with decomposition.  The quality of the soil is increased while needing less water once established, both of which will help produce higher and better quality yields.  

I can't explain how excited I was to finish this project.  Eventually this bed will be extended to fill up the rest of this area for my kitchen garden.  I have been doing a lot of reading and my goal is to follow Permaculture techniques as I work through our land.  I want it to be beautiful and sustainable as well as give us the food we need.  This was the first step!

First Week

So no pictures yet - I can't believe how the time is flying.  I worked from home a couple days this week and was able to get a  few things done.  Little by little we are moving boxes into the house and unpacking.

Iz needs some serious organization - she has a lot of stuff.  That will have to wait until I am on vacation.

S finished her bedroom finally (after a minor bed breakdown) she is using the spare bed frame until we can find the screws to put her bed together.  She painted the room and organized her clothes.  That will be all she unpacks since she is moving out in August.

J was gone most of the week but the house looked pretty much the same as it did when he left. He  went a bit crazy last night working until the sun set and then planning what to do next until late into the night.  I know how he feels the wheels just won't stop.

Tonight Uncle J is coming for a visit so we will be able to relax a bit, but tomorrow hopefully we can move more things in and spend some time in the yard.  

I have some winter squash seedlings that need to get into the ground.  I also need some flowers to soothe my soul!

I will have to start making a list of projects and getting them prioritized.  I thought the kitchen would be the first but it isn't so bad...

The master bath will probably have to be the first.  It needs to be cleaned - but eventually we need a new shower and floor.  There is water damage and rust in too many places.

We have the main room floors scheduled to be redone on July 1st - yahoo!  So between now and then I will paint and work on the trim.

After the floors are done - we can put that room together and start hanging some personal items on the walls.  It will feel even more like home.  The room has a good vibe to it already - it will only get better.

Our Farm

My mind is swimming.  We closed on the house Friday afternoon and when we did our walk through it was overwhelming how much work we have ahead of us.

J was super tired since he just flew in from a quick vacation on the east coast with his daddy and I know he was apprehensive as well.  We were determined to sleep in our new house that first night so we packed up what we needed and arrived around 8 pm Friday night.

We slept on mattresses on the ground - unpacked the the couple boxes we had, had a glass of wine and called it a night.

Saturday morning we hit it.  After a wonderful cup of coffee -we tore up the carpet in the front room.  It was OK Berber - but we found wonderful hard wood floors underneath.  I spent most of the day preparing this room since all the big furniture will go here.

We will have to refinish the floors but they are fine for now.  Iz has her bed set up and the washer and dryer are installed.  S cleaned both her and Iz's rooms and they look fantastic!

The plan today is to bring the rest of the stuff from where we have been staying - pick up paint for Sam's room and something for dinner tonight then hit it again.

I had my coffee on the front steps which face East - watching the animals run around in the field across the dirt road - the sun warm on my face.  I have so many yard plans swimming in my head.  Tonight I will try to take a few pictures of where we are with the house and the gardens I will be attacking first.