The best laid plans in our eyes are not always the way things need to be.

I believe that each piece of property has its own personality and purpose. That there is a way to work with the land with not having to beat it into submission to meet what we think is right. Somewhat along the lines of permaculture.

This is the learning curve of the farm. From the name to the function of the property, it is all subject to change and adaptation, until things fall into place.

We just need to be willing to seek it out and be willing to change when and where needed.

The property is almost perfectly south facing. So the gardens are first in the making.

Remember that 20 foot square section in the field filled with weeds and scrub trees? Well, that was the old manure pile from the horse farm. After we cleaned it up and ripped out all the weeds and scrub trees we found some really good soil there.  Something that is rare on our property as it’s literally mostly sand. I like to say if we had waterfront property, we’d have a beach, but seeming we are not waterfront, we have a cat box.

Because of the condition of our soil, we need to really compost like nobodies business. So we collect, gather, and obtain manure and leaves as much as we can. We have just learned about the potential of using shredded wood from tree companies to help with weed control and composting.  The great thing is that it’s free!

Our compost pile, working on three years!

We mapped out what we originally called the back 40, which has now turned into the back 90, because of it’s size. What started as a regular garden has transitioned into a raised bed garden.

From this in 2013…

To this in 2014 and 2015…

And now this in 2016.

Back in the day, when I was younger, and I like to think not as wise as I am now, I used to try and make due with the tools I had, rather than go buy the tools I need to do the job.

Taking charge of a small farm doesn’t lend well to trying to make due, so the right tools are necessary.

Meet Fergie…

She is our first major addition to working the farm. A 1949 Ferguson tractor that came with some needed accessories! She’s also the same age as our home! It was meant to be obviously!  🙂

The learning curve can be quite fun!