The Homestead Begins!

Let's trek outdoors!

Have you ever seen such happy faces? This is what gardening does - specifically growing your own food! Prior to learning how to plant food, I used to do a lot of perennial gardening at the old house in NJ - my big project was a dry creek on the sunny side of the yard, an area which had poor drainage.  The stony project eventually became decorated with every unique perennial I could find.  But one thing I've longed to do in recent history is plant my own food.

Now, why not just do it in NJ? We really didn't have the means to, and the soil where we lived was poor quality - garbage was buried around the property, thus rendering the soil useless.  Out here, the soil is much better and so rich! The darker the dirt, the better for your plants!    

The main inspiration behind this homesteading venture is the expensive produce prices.  We also aren't into the modern distractions like TV and videogames - though I do miss a good session of classic Super Mario Bros games! Going back to the "old ways" seems the preferred option these days and one that brings a sense of fulfillment.  People I know/am friends with have even delved into backyard gardening.  Nothing beats seeing your first crops come to life!

Out back at this lovely farmhouse used to be a kitchen garden - the flattened piece of land provided the perfect blank canvas for us to revive it, in a sense.  So, we got to work!

Planting!    

Sister sowing onion seeds! 

Tilling is hard work but once it's done, you feel nothing but satisfaction! Here, we had started the pattern for growing onions, peas, and carrots.

We didn't stop at vegetables - we want our own fruit too! Fun fact about this bed: we had bought some strawberry plants before finding a bunch of wild strawberries growing everywhere in the fields.  So we grabbed what we could and planted them.  The best way to get good strawberries is by cross-pollinating with different varieties.  Mulching the bed with straw will produce better growth!

Also installed old bed frames on either end of the patch! The goal with this is to put some netting around the area and install things for the strawberries to climb.   

My sister and I tagteamed on the blueberry patch!

Moments before adding soil acidifier.  Blueberries love, and thrive best in, acidic soil!

Planning before planting!

I was finally able to finish laying straw down in the blueberry patch! Can't wait for these things to pop with fresh fruit!

We're not done yet!

There is still more to go and more land to expand this garden into! Lately, we've been receiving a near over-abundance of rain, making it difficult to get out and finish what we need to.  But there are still inside projects that need to be completed.  The guest room is being upgraded little by little, my room is almost done, and the dining room ceiling is in the process of being fixed up.  Every day, there's something different that needs doing!

I have to say though, the house has come a long way in the 9 months we've been here - popping with fresh colors and our own whimsical, country-like decor! It's a lot of work but fulfilling work!

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Support the Farm

If you love what I'm posting and want to help support the growing farm, you can give me a shoutout by "donating" a coffee! You have the freedom to decide the amount and how often you want to contribute.  All proceeds will go towards future farm equipment, animal care (like the cats and kittens!), fixing up the small house out front as it's slowly falling apart, and finishing up renovations on the farmhouse.  

Click the button below to get started!  

  

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See you in the next post!

~Gigi