First, we finally did get a cold frame built and begin the process of staggering the growing of greens so that we'd have them through all but the coldest months. Last year worked out well, but this year, due to the fact that we lost a couple vital months of fall, recovering from a radical surgery of mine, not so good. We bought spinach last night, for the first time in over a year. Oh, well, so it goes. We had to make a note to plan better next summer/fall, as the stuff we bought last night was $8.00 a pound. Just plain usury.
Second, we not only built the cold frame from used railroad ties and scavanged wooden windows, we also had two hoop houses going last year, all through the winter. One was difficult to access, though, and did not do so well, being on the northwest side of the property, so this year, we placed only one, in the main garden, and are still harvesting kale, collards, carrots, and re-seeding spinach, which we should have first thing in spring (the minute things warm up.)
Last year, I also got matching grant to put up two hives of honey bees, and we began construction on our root cellar. We got only as far as the foundation, before it was time for my surgery, and then we promptly lost two months, so shelved it for finishing in the spring, when we will add a little side hut, for some chickens.
Because of my stomach issues, and the fact that the dog we got last year has allergies, we've been eating a lot of eggs. Our town doesn't have a chicken ordinance, so we'll be incorporating some girls into our homesteading. It will mean more fencing, too, so we've got our work cut out for us, as soon as good weather hits.
I also started a small rustic furniture gig, last spring, incorporating used goods into elegant table tops and other similar ventures. I will try and bang out some trellises this spring for sale, as the place where I had my stuff, closed it's doors, and I don't know where to search out another venue, for now.
We also planted two more peach trees, which actually produced fruit. The blueberry plants I put in showed a mild production, but will most likely need to be moved into better sun, for next year. I think I have a spot for them, as the neighbor to the north, was kind enough to cut some trees and open up some area by the boundary. There are two new cherry trees over there, and two apricots, only one of which I think made it. The tall-bush cranberries grew big enough (finally) to fight off the darn catapillar invasion and the elderberries had an enormous crop. No sign of berries on the shadbushes yet, nor on either of the apples, pears, or plum; but the little cherry tree had a handful of fruit, witch was scrumptious. I am still trying honey-berries, but no matter where I move them in the yard, they don't seem to do well. I may move them to live with the blueberries. I met someone last summer, over in Montpelier, that had a couple bushes and they said they were 5 or 6 years old, before they started producing. I had two (out of the original 6 that I planted) that made it two years, but then one got some kind of fungus, (which I think has to do with too much shade), so we'll just have to keep trying and pray for the best.
I also built an arbor out of rebar, where I planted kiwi, akebia, prinsepia, goumi, sea-berry, and forsythia out there, but I think the male kiwi died, so I'll have to remember to order another one. Will plant 4 more up on the arbor I placed up in the back nine. I'm pretty sure the wild ginger died, even though I moved it out of harms way. That also got some fungus (once again, due to shade, i think), and it's such a tough little plant to nurture into maturity, that I probably won't try again. I will, however, build some trellises for the rock pathway/brush pile on the south border up back, and train the natural grapes to run up it, as they are incredibly prolific, and the birds love em'. My approach to landscaping is, if you can't beat it, embrace it. I'm pretty tired of pulling yards of vines every spring.
I also took a class in wild edibles and am planning on setting aside a small room in the renovated second floor entrance to sell various pickles from this endeavor. So many things are edible and can be preserved and the price is just right. As I said (or maybe I didn't), I've pretty much stayed away from farmer's markets and the co-op, for a couple years now, as I have a hard time appreciating the price gouging that goes on.
Vermont is such a weird place with the local-vore groovy factor going on, that it keeps prices inflated beyond the reach of average citizens. I draw the line at paying $8.00 a pound for spinach, even though I know production costs in winter are enormous if you have a greenhouse that you have to heat, and if you have employees you have to pay, but still........I know what it costs me to produce and $8.00 a pound just seems incredibly excessive, even when I haven 't done the math.
In some ways, the S.510 bill will force this to change, so it isn't all bad. People, by necessity, will be forced to compete for local dollars, thereby lowering prices. We are fortunate in Addison County to have well over 25 to 30 beekeepers, all in competition with each other. This ensures that we have the lowest prices in New England, for fresh, raw, honey. Truthfully, it doesn't pay for me to have hives, and bees, since honey prices are so very low, but it's my chance to do something altruistic, so I keep at it, as any increase in hives can only be a good thing.
Well, those are my meanderings for this mild wintery day. I keep reminding myself to spend less time on Facebook, and more time here, so maybe that'll happen soon. Signing out with Christmas wishes for all. Happy new year, and keep the faith.
