posted 7 hours ago
Not really...
The gardens have been planted for late summer and fall harvest. That's how I do it here in West Virginia.
July is coming fast and the garden gets some attention with weeding and fertilizer but most of my attention is drawn to "Things that need to be done"... other than plant and harvest.
I find my attention being drawn to things like the overgrown trees on a hillside that need to be cut... I could be a full time sawyer if it paid a nickel. One benefit of living in the Appalachian Rain Forest is the endless supply of firewood...
The old Low Tunnels that I used to use for propagation of nursery stock are looking like storage sheds and I am having visions of a large High Tunnel for growing food under cover during the colder months of the year. I have all the stuff needed I just need to do it!
I have nut trees and fruit trees that were "socked" into the earth with good intentions but now I find they are suffering and have cultural issues that can be addressed by moving to a different location in the garden/food forest. It's all work, fun and invigorating but it's all work. Thank God I have a little tractor...
Speaking of Tractors... Machines need worked on. Tractors, Spreaders, Loaders, Snow blowers, Mowers, Trailers, Saws and Brush Cutters the list goes on ad-infinitum. So, I prioritize... Daily driver car is #1. July is my go to time to put the primary transportation unit together well enough to last another 30k miles... #2 The Farm Truck. Frame and steering, brakes and fuel, lights and tires and maybe even a 20ft. paint job. ( a 20ft. paint job is one that looks great from 20 ft. away) hahahaha...
There is no way in Heckyville that I am buying a new truck and I often think that the old scythe and axes I have tucked away would be easier in the long run because they are always at the ready.
New Fence and Old Fence... I like to use the Deer Buster Fence hanging like a curtain with 3ft. wire stretched across the bottom... the deer are respectful and the 'hogs are minimal... I have been using 10ft sticks of Poly electrical conduit over T-posts for years and I am ready to upgrade to Locust posts and hinged gates.
Summer is when I tighten up the house and outbuildings too... replacing a few boards, roofing, paint, driveways, walkways.
People often post about building communities and villages... it's because it takes an enormous amount of labor to create the often "lofty and idealistic" Homestead that many of us see on social media. I find that being methodical, persistent, thrifty and clever are my best practices... "CAN BE DONE" but there is nothing Easy about it. Good Luck finding people that are willing to put in the time and effort needed. Squatters seem to team around sites that Homesteading Community use to network and communicate on.
Keep in mind... unless you are a dedicated full time Social Media Guru or sitting on Grandpa's money... Most of us need to keep a full time job in order to keep the taxes paid and a roof over our heads. Kudo's to You if you can find another way. Market Gardening is an entirely different endeavor than simply "Homesteading" and though many appear to be successful at it I find that anything in the Agri-Forestry industry requires amazing marketing and sales skills in order to pay the bills.
Hope your' summer is filled with fun and adventure, success and lots of happy smiles... Mine is... it just comes from living just a little bit differently than most of the other people that I know.
Peace...
"abida abida abida"... "That's all Folks!" hahahaha!
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