! some pics from paul

volcano road improvements ...

I described it many times, and andres made this handy sketch


(the steepness is exaggerated to make the point a bit clearer)

The problem is that with the steep spots, a 2WD rig spins its wheels and cannot get up the road.  The mission has been to eliminate the steep spots - which I think we did quite well!

With the excavator, we were able to build a tall hugelkultur on the other side of all the well stuff.  

we haven't planted potatoes here for more than five years.  And last year, stephen pulled out a potato that was nearly the size of a basketball!

This ocean of potatoes will be about three times bigger when we harvest.

paul wheaton wrote:here is a fresh pic of this apple tree

What is the texture?
What is the flavor?
Subacid, tart?

Chance Lunceford wrote:

paul wheaton wrote:here is a fresh pic of this apple tree

What is the texture?
What is the flavor?
Subacid, tart?

Sweet and crisp

Will you propagate the apple tree?

Chance Lunceford wrote:Will you propagate the apple tree?

About 200 times per year.  

This morning, I picked an apple from the tree, ate all but the core, and pitched the core as far as I could while yelling the magic words "I'm planting an apple tree!"

paul wheaton wrote:

Chance Lunceford wrote:Will you propagate the apple tree?

About 200 times per year.  

This morning, I picked an apple from the tree, ate all but the core, and pitched the core as far as I could while yelling the magic words "I'm planting an apple tree!"

Heh.

I too engage in a good amount of pit, core and seed chuckin'.

Do you still get the same rebellious thrill, the one that I've been experiencing for the last 20 years or so, each time you plant a tree seed intentionally (or semi intentionally) in a place others would not?

i took a bit of video of a small part of the garden

The switchback now has a 55 foot diameter - up from 45 feet.  The two blocks of wood in this pic mark the old switchback.