 |
| Cedar posts cut and post holes dug for compost bins. |
Sarah and I have talked at length about all the things we want to do at our new place. I will be moving there ahead of Sarah and Ben (+ two cats) in preparation for us all to live there permanently this summer. We have set a series of goals for 2014 to start making our homestead productive and a bit more comfortable while keeping our 5-year goals in mind. Our goals for 2014 are listed chronologically:
Driveway gravel – The driveway is grass and dirt right now. We definitely need a dump truck load of gravel.
Build compost bins – This structure has three 6′ x 6′ bins with a roof over the central bin, which will contain clean biomass for keeping newly added material covered. It will be made using our own cedar and reclaimed pallet wood. Although we will have to bring in compost initially the goal is to produce as much compost as possible for our gardens.
Build raised garden beds – We plan on three 4′ x 8′ beds close to the cabin, but we may put another three beds down by the creek. We are beginning gardeners, so we need to start small. Our property is pretty much all forest with two small clearings at the moment. The beds will be framed with cedar as well. We are using a kill mulch of cardboard and leaves with compost, topsoil and mulch trucked in on top.
Convert screened porch to a 4 season room – There is a 16′ x 11′ screened in porch that will be converted into a living area before Sarah and Ben move in. This conversion will include installing an on-demand propane hot water heater, a shower, kitchen sink, and cabinets. Two additional circuit breakers will be installed and wired into the room.
Gray water system installed – Mulch basins will be dug and lines run from the kitchen sink and shower.
Build Chicken coop – We want to have our own supply of fresh eggs, so we will build a chicken coop and start with four hens.
Build cat houses – We will try to transition our (mostly) indoor house cats to live outside more. We don’t know how well this will work, but we know they will need shelter and since we don’t yet have barns or utility sheds we will build cat houses on the cabin deck.
Wood burning stove – Since we have a heavily wooded property it makes good sense that we heat the cabin with our own wood. This won’t get done until summer or fall of 2014.
Grow Mushrooms – We are going to try growing Shiitake and/or Oyster mushrooms in logs. We have no experience, but it looks really interesting and rewarding. We have been researching possible crops that we could produce for ourselves and sell locally. Growing our own mushrooms on a small scale looks relatively easy and rewarding.
Plant fruit trees – Since fruit trees take a while to get established and bear fruit we will go ahead and plant several around the cabin. We haven’t decided on how many and what variety. Apples and blueberries are a must though, for Sarah’s sake.