Archive for the farm Category
The Thomas Farm Project
January 31st, 2010
Just a heads-up: I am participating in an agricultural living “experiment” with two friends of ours and we just launched a new site dedicated to the year-long venture: thomasfarmproject.com. We plan to post blog entries (more frequently than I do here) and photos as we explore “sustainable” “intensive” “gardening.” (Please overlook the site’s default styling—we’re working on it.)
Check it out!
—m
Fences
August 9th, 2009
In response to a growing number of attacks by local wildlife (i.e., rabbits), Whitney and I constructed fences around the most important vegetable patches in the garden. (In particular, the bunnies were devouring innocent green beans we planted two weeks ago.)
While we went into the project rather blindly, with some help from various unreliable sources on the web, I think it turned out quite nicely. We used chicken wire with one-inch openings and secured it to 36-inch stakes. For the patch on the ground, we used fencing 36 inches wide, and buried it about 6 inches into the ground, folding it outward a few inches to prevent the rabbits from burrowing. Because we didn’t have to worry about burrowing under the beds, we were able to use shorter fencing (24 inches wide) and stapled it the base of the beds, using a few stakes to add stability.
So far there’s no evidence that any hungry mammals (other than us) have been able to get into the fenced-off areas. We hope it stays that way—if only we had done this a week ago!
I’ve uploaded a set of photos of this experiment for your viewing pleasure.
m
A Little Harvest
July 31st, 2009
Over this past weekend, we took the opportunity to visit nearby Chiles Peach Orchard (we were especially lured by advertised locally-made ice cream). We had a fantastic time. Contrary to our expectations, it only took us a few minutes to find enough fruit to last us the rest of the week. (Hence, our bug spray, water bottles, and long sleeves and pants weren’t really necessary.) I have a feeling that we’ll be heading back as picking season continues. Whitney plans to make peach pie the next time around. (I’ve posted a couple peach picking photos in the gallery).
If the peaches weren’t local enough, yesterday I was able to pick a few things from our own garden. Sadly, I think this is the first time I’ve ever picked something from the garden for my own consumption. I’ve been hoping for some time to re-orient my relationship with food and the land on which it’s grown, so this was quite a treat (if only a meager one).
We’ve had some critter problems and the yield won’t be amazing this year, but I’ll try to note future “harvests” as they occur.
m
To the Farm
July 5th, 2009
As Whitney and I tie up a few loose ends in Blacksburg, we are preparing for our move to a farm in central Virginia owned by the family of friends of ours. In the coming months I’ll be writing more about this move and the developing plans for our time there. Needless to say our adventure will mark a rather dramatic change in our surroundings and day-to-day activities, and will provide (potentially) countless learning opportunities.
Earlier in June we had a chance to get away and visit the farm, start (late) planting in the garden, and learn a thing or two about the workings of the property. I’ve created a small photo collection* from our visit. Enjoy.
m
*I’m hoping to make photo collections a sizable portion of this blog’s entries; bear with me as I work out the kinks in the photo management system. (Thanks to AJ for pointing me in the direction of Gallery.)
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I’m a generalist with pockets of expertliness. (Read More)
