I consider myself relatively intelligent and a decently handy person. My dad made it a point to familiarize me with the basic functioning of my childhood home and involved me in basic tasks like changing filters and completing repairs. I figured that between my experience and the internet, I would be able to limit my dumb mistakes as a new homeowner.
It turns out that nobody is immune, and this week I was humbled in several ways.
First, I’ve been drying my hair in the bedroom because the outlet in my bathroom had died – I hadn’t gotten around to replacing it yet. Then, I noticed that the downstairs bathroom outlet was also nonfunctional – a strange coincidence, but I never use it so maybe it’s always been that way? The third broken outlet really had me concerned – the basement outlet that powered the dehumidifier and water softener had gone kaput. The breaker panel provided no insight as the outlets all seemed to be on different circuits. This went on for probably three weeks before a final inspection of the breaker panel in which I realized there was an unlabeled funky-looking breaker that had an extra setting in between “on” and “off” – a GFCI. I flipped it off, then back on. Wouldn’t you know it – all my broken outlets now magically work again. 🤦♀️
To add insult to injury, I also finally looked into how often I’m supposed to do something with the water softener. I figured it was probably an every-three-month thing like the water filter; now that I’ve been here over four months, I realized I was probably dropping the ball. The answer is that you’re supposed to add salt every 3-4 weeks. Did I mention that I have been here for over four months?
The only thing I’m left to wonder now is: what other basic mistakes am I making that I haven’t realized yet?
Growing Food
It’s been two months since I planted the beginning of my orchard – two apple trees and two pear trees to go with the two mulberry trees planted earlier in the summer. As the late autumn temperatures begin to settle in, it’s time to take off their water bags. In addition to slowly releasing water for the trees, the bags also served as protection from critters like rabbits who may be tempted to chew on the bark – which is inevitably fatal for the tree.
In the absence of the water bags, I wrapped the trunks with vinyl spiral tree guards. I also mulched with old hay to reduce water loss, but I was careful to leave a gap at the base of the tree to reduce the possibility of rot. The only maintenance left to do between now and spring will an occasional deep watering session on mild days.
I also planted garlic in a raised garden bed. I planted Spanish Roja from Territorial Seeds and replanted the variety we grew last season, although we can’t figure out the variety name. I prioritize hard neck garlic because I enjoy the scapes – the edible flower stalks that emerge before harvest. I planted over 60 cloves with room to spare and mulched heavily with old hay.
Aesthetic Utility
I have enjoyed an array of potted mums on my porch this autumn. In the interest of getting my money’s worth, I decided to plant them in one of the overgrown landscaping beds behind my house. I’ve heard mixed reviews on whether planted mums will actually come back in subsequent years – and I’ve heard that if they do, they’re unlikely to flower as prolifically as they did from the nursery. However, I figured I have nothing to lose! If they do come back, I’ll enjoy them daily as they’re right outside my living room window.
I also made another big purchase: a kitchen table! I’ve spent months looking for something specific: wood rectangle, four legs. The most basic table you can imagine has been nearly impossible to find. The options have been overly fancy, or have sported a varnish that made it look like fake wood.
I wound up getting lucky at Preston Trading Post, a local wood stove outfit that happens to also have a furniture showroom. They work with Amish woodworkers in Ohio and were able to customize a table to suit my exact needs. The table with two leaves, four chairs, and a bench will take about 10 weeks to be completed – but the price was a thousand dollars under my budget, so I can be patient.
Moving Forward
I am over-the-moon excited for my new wood stove to be installed next week. The mini splits have been working just fine for heat, but I am ready to finally enjoy a fire in my very. own wood stove. The dream is really coming together.
Stay warm,
KC