Homestead Goals 2016

We always, always, always set more goals than we possibly have the time and the energy to get to.

And, we always, always always feel that we are failing when we don’t get to all of them. We feel that we let the season slip by without really getting anything done.

Until…the season ends and we look back at all we have done on the homestead, when we see the forest instead of just the trees, we always, always, always feel pride in all that we accomplished.

I’m sure that this year, even though I will try not to, I will feel discouraged when I don’t get everything on my list done or even started. But I’m confident that when we look back in the Fall…I will once again feel proud of our progress.

This years goals:

• Get the carrots in the ground earlier so that we actually have more than a few to harvest.
• Make sure to plan for pests like slugs, cabbage worms, Japanese Beetles and squash bugs so that they don’t get away from me and take over.
• Really take the time to fertilize with natural and organic materials. I’ve already started by scattering calcium-rich powdered egg shells.
• Pull and/or transplant volunteer tomatoes, borage, dill and squash so that the kitchen garden doesn’t turn into a jungle of tomatoes, dill, borage and squash…even though the boys loved it.
• Rework the vineyard so that, when we get kiwi, we will have a strong enough system to support the weight. I’m thinking cattle panels or something similar. The kiwi at full production will be too heavy for the gauge of wire we are currently using.
• Get brussel sprouts grow. I’m not sure why I’m having such a problem getting them to even sprout.
• Keep those dreaded deer away from my fedge, my vineyard and my trees in the swale. By any means possible.
• Learn more about pruning trees.
• Grow a medicinal herb garden.

But first, I have to get my schedule going, order materials and start my seeds.

Ready, set…go!

Let the fun begin
Order the seeds and supplies
Time to get started