Not quite finished yet.... We started this project like any other, a discussion first, and then in our typical fashion, BAM! Within a couple of weeks we are digging, leveling, adding concrete blocks, and building. The size gradually went from an 8x10 to quickly a 12x16. Which is by no means large for a CSA, however it is a good start and awesome to be standing inside of it.
We hired a gentleman by the name of Alfredo who we found on Craigslist and he is doing a good job and moves fast. I have been giving him a hand and I was with him outside all day yesterday. We will finish it up tomorrow (Monday) and we look forward to it's completion in time for starting our seeds.
A little out of order I know, but in preparation for Alfredo to be here yesterday, I had to finish up the foundation on Friday. I needed help so I had Mr Ken Kosch give me a hand with the final digging by hand (I was able to use a front end loader to start with.) I had the distinct pleasure of laying the block at night, in the rain, by myself with the light of only my Black Diamond Spot Headlamp. It was actually kind of fun, almost in a weird, masochistic way. Lay 45 concrete blocks and I promise you won't need the gym that day.
NOW, ONTO THE PICTURES!
The foundation on Saturday AM prior to any walls.
Gotta have coffee
The North wall is up!
All the walls are up, but not all are covered.
We are fortunate because we DO have good help these days!
(Even if he doesn't know the measurement)
Just life on the "farm" it really is a farm but just seems weird to say that for myself.
Here is the Merriam-Webster online definition: "a tract of land devoted to agricultural purposes" When we lived on a farm when I was a kid it was huge and it wasn't ours. They had cows, chickens, horses, and pasture. We have chickens and food. We do have the grand idea of adding goats, cows, and horses someday. For right now, we will just show pictures of some of the students helping with the compost pile and chickens, because that is what we have.
Also a quick note on the garden calculator that we are using from http://www.landshareco.org/ They are awesome people to work with and the calculator has been fun to use. Fun you say? YES! That is because it gives Emily and myself a chance to connect in conversation and work. Thanks to all the folks there!
A student during class petting our chickens (with me in a tie.)
Oliver helping to establish a movable fence boundaries.
Oliver helping add zip ties to a fence for the chickens.
Enjoying a little "fresh" air and hard work.
Today we had the unpleasent buisness of having to put a chicken (Dutchess) down that has not been doing well for the last 3 weeks. We tried everything we could to save the chicken but it just did not work. Emily helped out, and needless to say, it has been kind of a downer for the rest of the day. Emily said a prayer of thanksgiving for the chicken and the benefits it had given not only to us but also the previous owners. Our son, Oliver, will miss Dutchess, as he was fond of petting "Dutch," giving her treats, and checking on her. So, we will explain tomorrow how she has gone back to the earth to give life to rest of the plants and animals here. While we know that this is part of the business, it does not make it any easier. I have never and will never be able to view animals as a product, rather than a gift.
On to tomorrow, a new day.....
The text looks a little off in the brochure because of the pdf conversion it created online. If you want a version directly e-mailed to you, send us an e-mail at
stizzysgarden@hotmail.com
With the weather being in the 40's for the last month, I have not even really thought much about skiing but about this garden. So today we began our new compost piles using straw bales for the walls to make the entire project more eco-friendly. This double sided "bin" requires 20 bales of straw. We finished building just over one half today with help from two students at St Michael's Academy.
The chickens are enjoying access to being outside as we slowly expand their space as well. We have a completely sheltered run from the barn to the garden because the fencing is short enough for them to escape. Once inside the garden fence, which stands 7 feet tall, we will be keeping an eye out to make sure we don't lose any to the local red-tailed hawks.
Emily would be posting but is lost in the seed catalog from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. I will say that catalog is amazing and worth a long perusal. I mean, with over 1300 heirloom seed varieties --from 70 countries, it is simply astounding.
The below pictures are a sample of today's activities.
Isabel enjoying some rays (right Rae, Rae?)
Our chickens saying hello and a BIG THANK YOU to Mr John Netzel and all those who have helped to get the chickens going this year!
The work... (out)
Oliver can't stopping talking about compost and that was BEFORE today!
RAE RAE says YEA YEA the work is done for the DAY DAY.
First post on the garden. We have ordered a large variety of seeds from Tomato Bob's for the garden. The chickens are almost ready to go out and run through it prior to us prepping the soil in an attempt to add a little more fertilizer and clean up the debris from last year's left overs. More to follow including pictures!
Posts
