April 2008

Six pounds of bees arrived April 5th. Fortunately, Brushy Mountain provided an introductory lesson that made it easier to transfer the bees from their temporary home into the hives I'd prepared. Otherwise, prying the lid off a box of buzzing bees would have been a scary challenge. They seem to be adapting well. I find it difficult to leave them alone, wanting to peek into the hive to see what they're up to.

Permits have come in from Orange County for septic, well and the first temporary housing. I'm in the process of interviewing contractors to put in septic, driveway and possibly a second pond in the front pasture. What's the best way to build a gravel driveway? How much should it cost? What's the best septic system? Who should I hire to install these features? These are some of the questions I've pondering this month.

I asked a dowser to help me find a spot to drill my well. Using a dogwood branch, he slowly walked back and forth with the divining rod held horizontally at chin height. After a few passes, the branch tugged toward the ground, announcing the presence of water.

A few days later, the well driller confirmed the dowser's talent when he struck water at just 165 feet at 20 gallons of water per minute -- in an area where the average well depth runs 230-400 feet. I should have all the water I need for house, cottage, barn and gardens.

I've hauled more loads of compost from the horse stables to spread over the fields. In the meantime, seedlings are growing inside for planting after the last frost. I'll make it to the 13th Annual Piedmont Farm Tour next weekend, but need to make time to get the first seedlings into the ground.

Spring growth is filling in and the pond in the back pasture is beautiful. I recently discovered the remains of a partially-eaten large-mouth bass on the bank of the pond, so I'm assuming there are more where that one came from.