A time to plant....

I thought today I would put a picture first, instead of last. I like to include pictures, when possible, because I also love to read blogs with pictures. They really are worth 1000 words!

The two picture are of my first completed raised garden bed, hopefully one of many to be built this year. I know it looks like it was a lot of work, but I actually built the bed on a pile of dirt that was already present, comprised of topsoil I scraped off almost two years ago now, and has been turned into fantastic soil, full of roots, and very crumbly. On top of that, I added three wheelbarrows full of llama manure, which is about 1/2 straw. Into here, I will be placing peas, spinach, and brocolli, which I will attempt to grow through the spring. In the frozen north, planting before May is very unpredictable, but I think my choice of plants will give me success.
As stated in my last blog post, I want (need) to make some money this year, and the earlier I start, the better!

In other VERY exciting news, my son will probably make his earthly appearance at some point in the next couple of weeks, and my second full time job is getting stuff ready for that. We just need a bassinet, and to clean up the bedroom a bit more, some paint touch ups, and I'm READY!!!!!
That, and I'm ready to take a few weeks off. Seriously, I haven't actually taken vacation in two years, and that vacation was the first one in 9 years of marriage. Of course, we're not going anywhere, but I'm sure I can find lots of (garden) stuff to do. My plan is to tow the little tyke around with me in a carrier, get him used to the dirt and sun-shine. My kids are gonna be tough! My daughter has already shot a rifle three times, and she's just six.

As far as planting the big orchard....well, we'll see if I can spare that money. I really need to destroy some debt, and refill my propane tank, so we'll see. For sure I'll be putting up the wind turbine again (it's been windy every day here), and a fence would be terrific! I might have to make do with a couple rolls of snow fence tacked to some fence posts, and add some real boards when money allows. I don't care at this point, I know that things are going to be fine. We made it almost two years out here now, and we're all quite hardened to the scrimping. Raising a bit of our own food will help a bit, and raising our own energy will help a lot, probably to the tune of $300/month. Propane costs a lot, even with the 25% rebate.

Lastly, our good friends, who looked after our house for a bit this winter, and lived out here in a big trailer for a few months, have decided to put the farm thing on hold for a year, save some money, and get a real plan together. I will confess, it is a good idea. No reason to rush anything, but I know from experience, that they need to start formulating a plan RIGHT NOW! Time flies when you're having fun...

I wanted to end by giving some random bits of wisdom for anyone who wants to try what we're doing.

1. -30 C/F means water freezes solid till spring. Bury your water tanks, and insulate your sewer pipes.
2. When that contractor said "I think it should cost around $xx.xx", add 50% to that, and double the timeline.
3. Loving your neighbor is not a suggestion. It is a commandment for a GOOD reason!
4. No matter what, if the wife isn't happy, neither are you!
5. Children don't need toys, they need your time. Every good memory with family only makes for a stronger, more resilient teenager/adult.
6. Don't be smug because you are more independent and enlightened than the average city joe. God gives, and he can take it away too. Remember Job.
7. Six packets of the same seed is really too many.
8. A garden market/orchard/ranch will NOT turn a profit until the fourth year, IF you plan properly.
9. Don't till your garden. Throw down as much mulch as you can, and plant on top of that. Prairie soil is like cement to dig and till.
10. Plant trees around your house the first year.
11. Spend at least 3-5 hours each week learning. Read, listen, ask, and dig into information. It will save you in the end.
12. Conventional wisdom can often be thrown away if you look at how the real world works!
13. Change your tires when they need it. Waiting for that bald tire to explode on the highway can leave you stranded.
14. Recycle everything that can be used again. Avoid plastic.
15. Savor every moment. Don't be rushing around trying to "get stuff done", just enjoy the process of getting there!
16. Your pension will be worthless by the time you get it. Save real wealth, and hand it down to your children and grandchildren.
17. All wealth comes from the ground, and the sun. Paper is not wealth.
18. Never tell me "I don't think that will work!" unless you want to watch me kill myself proving you wrong.
19. 1% of ideas are totally impossible. 95% of ideas don't work the first way you try them. 75% of people give up after the first try.
20. It's not how much money you make, it's what's left over after the bills are paid that counts.

Most of these I learned through the wonderful process of getting it WRONG the first/second/third time. Hopefully someone learns something from reading this blog post.