Took us two years to find a small property that is fairly level with a gentle SE facing slope and has good soil for the Ozarks. Most people would have come in with a bulldozer and taken every tree down on the flat ground but we couldn't afford that and I didn't want to start out with fully cleared land. I'm trying to keep enough trees for spots that will get afternoon summer shade.
New job is going good so I'll finally have enough money soon to build that high tunnel I've been talking about for a few years. Might build a lean-to greenhouse on the South wall here too. Will be able to buy more heat mats and grow lights. Daughter's old room will be converted to a grow room soon.
Seems to be a good place to work. They even paid people when they had to take 14 day quarantine for COVID, until people took advantage of it and seemed to get COVID every couple of months. I got 8 hours holiday pay on my last check even though I'm not technically eligible until after 90 days. They're closed down for today, Sunday and Monday which was supposed to be my three 12s so I'm betting they'll also pay me 8 hours holiday for New Year's to make up for the loss.
Weird shifts/hours. Three 12s in a row one week, two 12s, two days off and two more 12s the next week and I get 8 hours OT on those weeks. The smaller two checks are enough to cover bills and gas cost. I haven't had spare money in 22 years. Had three un-cashed paychecks in my wallet when I met the ex-wife.
With my hours, high tunnel will have to be automated with temp sensors and motorized venting and maybe soil moisture sensors with automated drip watering. I love tech and mechanical stuff to so I don't mind. I'll be buying a lot of compost to kick things off this year and then try to make as much of my own as I can to maintain. I see a small tractor with loader for turning compost in the future:) At 1120 miles every four weeks commute, I need a 30 mpg car first.
Baker Creek catalog came weeks ago and Harris Seeds a few days ago but I haven't looked at them yet. Still got a ton of seeds left over from last year.
Goats are still free ranging and looking really good because of it. Will be swapping the high tensile wire for the field fencing made for goats. Need to clear more trees so they have more to eat here. A few trees every week or two and we'll also have well seasoned firewood for next year as well.
Looking forward to giving away excess organically grown heirloom tomatoes and peppers at work this year.
“Had three un-cashed paychecks in my wallet when I met the ex-wife. “ Humm. What are you trying to say here?? : 0