We are in Nevada county as well! I have been trying to locate other Permies here for years. As retired people we travel a lot, but it would be fun to meet for coffee sometime in town.
I use a double bin compost tumbler with large doors. I like having one active bin and one finishing bin. I have had it for over 10 years and it still works great. I also have a cold pile that isn't turned and deep mulch woodchips that compost in place. I guess we are a little of this and a little of that over here.
Simon, we started like you 13 years ago hailing from the Bay Area. Our land is only 3 acres in the sierras. Using only manual labor and weekends we have it going pretty well now. I am eager to hear more about your adventures, questions etc. I am a little envious that you get to move up full time. Family obligations will keep us divided between our two places so no animals for us. Best wishes
Before this year I had never attempted potatoes. Then I saw a video about growing them in a cardboard box and decided to give it a try. Two potatoes gave me two pounds in about 90 days! I was hooked. I immediately started another box, so I got two harvests my first summer. It was such a success I planted a whole bed in sweet potatoes next. I have only pulled up one root so far with two lovely tubers. The whole bed was planted with slips I made from one grocery store organic sweet potato. I am hooked. Next year I plan to be ready early and will put in a whole section of potatoes in my orchard garden. I highly recommend this high calorie crop. The return on effort invested is extremely high. It fits my style of "lazy" gardening very well.
I used sweet potato, carrot, onion, dried basil and parsley, my own fresh garlic, barley, lentils, salt and pepper. This is my first badge bit, so I am nervous to get it right.
I am very interested in joining you on the path to skill development in 2022. I just finished my PDC and have two acres in the California foothills. Lovely country, but I feel I have done very little to progress my property in the 11 years we have owned it. Skill development seems like a great place to start.
