Down on the farm
Dec. 3rd, 2008 | 07:24 pm
I'm writing from a new place now--our own 40 acres of freedom. About 70 miles due west of Minneapolis, and 3 miles west of Hutchinson, MN. It seems like a fine community so far, and gosh darn it, the people are so nice and helpful in that very Minnesotan kind of way. After a month and a half, we are finally feeling that we are somewhat moved in, unpacked, and getting some things accomplished. Three of our main accomplishments:
1. Getting garlic into ground and mulching it
2. Configuring and putting up our first hoophouse: 100 feet by 30 feet with the help of some amazing friends and family. (I need a photo of it now with the plastic up. Coming soon.)
3. Upgrading Adam's shop and barn for a workshop and packing area.
We've been up to many other projects all at the same time, rushing against snow, wind, cold, and freezing ground. On the last front, the ground is already frozen. 3 inches down at least. Of course, it is already December but we have never paid so much attention to when, how much, and how fast the soil freezes in the early stages of winter. The soil at our new farm is significantly heavier than our old soil, and just our brief experience this fall showed us that it can be delicious chocolatey cake-like, and on the otherhand it can be easily overworked and become compacted and cement-like. It is a fine line that we will inevitably have to learn how to handle. After 11 years of combined farm experience between us, we've got the learning curve of a new farm to scale... In moments of frustration, we have an entertaining cadre of pets and farm animals that came with the place. Who needs a television when you have a Chocolate Lab, 2 playful farm kitties, and a bunch of chickens and a rooster? Fun just like in the olden times. I'll let the pictures do most of the rest of the talking.
