Suzanne Neumann

This is  the thread I can relate to, I could not wait to retire so I could get my place up and running. Only problem is I injured my knee again, got covid and it left me with no energy and severe problems with my eyes, ears and brain. Now I feel accomplished if I get the garden watered and the chickens and rabbits fed before noon. the chicken coop was all but destroyed by a heavy snow fall and I am still trying to put it back together. I told my kids that for my birthday this year I wanted it fixed and they came and just about got it all fixed. I just need a few more adjustment and it might even hold the chickens in. luckily, I  have been working on getting a homestead up and running for  several years. if I had waited to start when I actually retired I would not have anything done. I already put up the green house and build the rabbit cages and shelter before I actually reached retirement, had my garden square all set up and ready to go. I keep hoping I will get better and be able to do more, but I am finding I need a lot more rest breaks and struggle to get more than the basics done each day. It  took me almost 2 weeks to get the plants from the green house into the garden squares and I still have 2 squares  to go out of 13. so thanks for making me feel like I am not alone. I am not giving up and will just do what I can each day. Its better than the alternative of just giving up and watching live go by.

Back when I got my land and bought a manufactured home and build a garage I was pretty poor. A friend asked me is I wanted some Styrofoam, I said sure I can use it to insulate my new garage. there were two  thicknesses one was about 2 inches  and the other was about 1/2 inch. They were in 4" X 8" sheets. I cut up the thicker ones and put them in between the tresses and  the wall studs. then once I had the space filled I put the 1/2 sheets over the top on that. I figured I would  use it awhile and then later get new insulation, 20 years later it is still there and still works, even cut up pieces and put them in the garage door. there are places that the cold/heat still can come in but it has really done a good job and it was free. I had not thought about covering it with something as several people suggested. I have had very little issues with it, did get some mice that came in by the back door and made a nest but that was a one time thing and now I make sure that back door is always shut. I don't buy anything Styrofoam if I can help it and know it is a real issue in the oceans, but I felt like this was a good use of it and so far its holding up and doing a good job of keeping things from freezing in the winter.

I am just starting to convert my orchard to a food forest and this plant is on the top of my list, Iam thankful for the information on all the different types which should help me pick the right one for my area 6 growing.