Here in Connecticut, we are on the cusp of the full spring bloom – much needed after such a dreary winter. As spring approaches its peak and a winter of planning comes to fruition, I feel like real progress is being made towards my ultimate goals for this homestead property.
Aesthetic Utility
Back in January, I purchased a chicken coop from a local builder. As part of the negotiation process, I agreed to flexible delivery in exchange for a waived fee, which meant that I would wait until they were delivering another structure to someone in my area. It didn’t make a difference to me; the chicks aren’t coming until June, and even then they will spend some time in the brooder before they move into their permanent home.
The day came sooner than expected; my chicken coop is here! It’s beautiful. I considered several locations on the property, but landed on this spot between my house and the big barn because it is easy to access, easy to see out the window, and near a water spigot. The only downside is that it is on a slight slant.
The crooked coop irritated me for several days; I second-guessed everything from the location to having a coop in the first place. What turned out to be a 4 inch difference was enough to impact the entire picture. I dragged a dusty floor jack out of the barn (left from the previous owner) and with a little bit of fiddling to figure out how to use it, I was able to jack up the coop and slip paver blocks underneath. Instant relief.
Now I just have to figure out how to build a run that will accommodate the slant.
In a sense, this was the week of dealing with minor things that have been subconsciously (and sometimes consciously) annoying me. Inspired by an upcoming visit from family, I was able to complete two minor tasks that have been hanging over my head: I finished hauling manure mountain out of the horse’s paddock, and I re-caulked the rooms where I had scraped the popcorn ceiling last summer. While wildly unrelated, both tasks solved irritating cosmetic eyesores and are sure to need repeating in 12 months’ time.
Food Production
The spring seedlings are coming along nicely: peas are coming up, tomatoes and peppers have germinated in the greenhouse, and the leafy greens are coming along nicely in the cold frames. I do have a nagging slug infestation in the old cold frame, so I’ve been keeping a shallow dish filled with beer that tends to keep a handle on the problem. Notably, the slugs are not plaguing the new cold frame; I’m not sure if it’s because it has fewer gaps, because it’s built with cedar (naturally pest-resistant), or if it’s just new and has yet to be discovered.
I also did some site work in the orchard. I received my fruit tree order, and I intend to have my family help plant them on their upcoming visit. I do, however, want them to enjoy themselves and come back someday, so I did the brutal work of battling the bittersweet and wild rose to expand the orchard area ahead of time. Let’s just hope that the spots I’ve picked out are not concealing gigantic subterranean boulders.
Moving Forward
In addition to planting the new fruit trees, I have been seeking some quotes on garden fencing. Whether I hire it out or decide to do it myself, I will get to work on that in the next couple of weeks. Winter felt very stagnant, so seeing real progress on larger projects is very rewarding.
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Talk soon,
KC