I spent most of winter driving, hauling cars from auction to dealer, dealer to dealer, dealer to person, person to person, whatever came along to be moved. But found it hard on me, so hard I could hardly put up with the strain. So I've returned home determined to make something work that is more agreeable to mind and health. Having studied soils and fertility for nutrition, flavor, and productivity, and having grown up in the garden practically, It's what I need to do. And being it allows me to work in the natural state a lot, in spite of the minor discomforts and difficulties, it's what I want to do. So I'm working with the track hoe to pull trees from my growing site, processing the wood into firewood with chainsaw and fluid drive fiber cleaver. Burning dry wood into charcoal for biochar, and generally planning on starting something. The deer are a problem, making fence necessary. My 4x4 truck quit working, fuel injector problem I guess, instead of trying to fix it I'm fixing a nissan pathfinder, we got 2 of them last year that need parts combined to make one work. truck will wait till later. Can't do much without a 4x4 to get supplies moved around. That's how I get my vehicles, buy old ones for cheap that don't run and fix em. Guess I'll start salad veggies, and try some fruits, I've got a bunch of goji berry's started, a few strawberries to get started with, I like blueberries, and many others. With the biochar and a heavy dose of minerals, I can get good results I'm sure. I will play with various things and try boosting flavor and sweetness. Calcium and phosphate builds sugar, using a small amount of ocean water adds minerals and flavor. Need to build a few shelters, for drying wood, storing supplies, and for hanging out in when the sky decides we're too dry. So getting the sawmill going will be a little job to attend to. It's a portable band mill so I can tow it anywhere, back where I can do my lumber making in comfort (nude) except for the rough wood handling that might require some protection.
It is a drastic difference here than out west. This winter I've been back and forth numerous times. Been to Seattle WA and Pheonix AZ, To Miami and Tampa. several routes through between. Seen it all from high desert to low desert, plains to mountains to the sea. From the Appalachians of NC to Chicago and on to the Rockies in 4 days time once. Seen it all and got weary of seeing and not doing, seeing all the farms passing by and not able to get out and work the dirt. Here we have trees and water, which can be an advantage or disadvantage, depending on how they come and go. It can take a lot of work and expense to get rid of trees to make growing space, but most people ignore the role wood can play in adding carbon to the soil for good production. What can't be sold is usually burned up, but not into char. I learn the advantage of the char and make use of it that way. It's just time consuming to do it. We get a good bit of water from the sky, often too much, occasionally not enough. But it keeps the water table up and the springs running to supply water when the rain is lacking. My farm is rough mountainside, not row crop compatible. So 4 ft wide beds seem to be the best way for many crops, and permaculture, fruit trees and bushes.
