May 2008

This week brought the purchase of an old John Deere tractor. Working with a scythe and other "old-fashioned" farming implements has certainly given me a new respect for previous generations that farmed without petroleum-powered engines. I'm glad to have the help.

Finally found time to install the wax frames in a new hive body for the bees, so they've gained a second-story. They'd managed to completely fill the first hive body added in April.

Both the electric and phone companies were out last week, installing underground lines. It will be nice to have power as I'm currently working off a generator.

The septic system is now in the ground. A 1500-gallon tank sits near the site of the future cottage, while the drain field is west of the main house site. Don't get me started on what a waste of money and space this is. See photos.

Deer fencing is up around the 120' x 120' garden and hoop house, and the seedlings are in the ground. While a portion of the drip tape is in place, it's not yet connected to the well, making watering an important issue. I'll have a pump and well house installed soon. In the meantime, I'm manually watering the seedlings using rainwater collected in rain barrels and water hauled from the pond.

I planted the seedlings on a Saturday. By Sunday morning I discovered something REALLY love Suyo Long Cucumbers. I'm researching companion planting and natural bug deterrents. No sign of deer or rabbit intrusion yet.

It's time to hire an electrician. I'm finding it incredibly difficult to identify contractors and get consistent quotes for jobs. In some cases I've been fortunate to get referrals.

Flooring is going down in the temporary house. All three bedrooms are primed and painted. Decks are up on the front and rear entrances.

I experienced my first bee swarm. A cloud of bees filled the air, surrounding me as I worked in the garden. As I slowly moved away from thousands of hovering bees, they flew off in unison. I've been too busy to suit up and go down to the hives to see how many remain.

Located the nest of Killdeer eggs in the un-planted section of the garden. The mother has spent the last few weeks scolding me as I've worked in the field. Fortunately for the eggs, my tiller expired before I could finish that row. Apparently the bird is common in farmyards and likes to lay her eggs in gravel.

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.