.
.
A quick scan of cover crops, while I contemplate local involvement, has lead to the opening of a huge can of worms. I suspect the whole notion of actually putting in a cover crop, if I get to that point, will come down to a fairly quick easy solution. Of course, first I have to gain allowance from my neighbors, though it is a reasonable method of finally getting over to meet them. And then I would have to figure out how to get the area plowed, which means I will need to do some work in the area, which itself might end up being a whole other can of worms, since if I want to use the full length I will need to do some stump removal. Of course, for now, I could use 2/3rds of the length, assuming allowance or land checking makes that even possible.
Further, to do any of this, I am going to need to speak with at least one and as many as three of my neighbors. I am about to take a shower and go for a walk, to begin speaking with my neighbors. At least regarding three different issues. I have been seeing children in with the horses. In another sort of world I probably wouldn't mind, so long as there were no specific issues. But in this world, lawsuits make having unattended children a financial hazard at the very least. But too, the horses and llama should be heading back to their own land now. I had told a man he could take the crop there. With five large grazers beside taking up space and eating alfalfa to the nub, that can't go forward. And, the man who to my knowledge so far may be able to bring in manure and do the plowing is the man who I have given access to the alfalfa. So... visits begin. But a shower first.
Tomorrow is back to mowing, making some phone calls concerning business and Church, and probably little else. Thursday is busy taking Sam in for her next to last visit with the vet for the year and maybe housework. Friday may be a day to do shopping and shooting. I am hoping Saturday or Sunday to try my hand at climbing. If nothing else, I would like to work out a climbing solution regarding the ropes. I probably won't go higher than ten feet off the ground. But I might try to set the thing up, test it, take it down. Rest a bit. Then do it all over a time or two.
Throughout this week I am also going to be working on getting my schedule back to a daytime schedule. What I just did is a first though. I opened the curtains on my windows. I haven't done that for... decades. I don't know why I did it now or why I used to not do it, only that it is now both tolerable and... for some reason... wanted. Of course, when I need light in here to see, I will close them. Something, indeed, is different.
On to a shower, maybe a shave, and out into the world. I have... things to do. Good day.
Was the lot surveyed at the time you bought it? That would be somewhat unusual for a largeish semi-rural lot to not be surveyed at sale time. See if you can find any monumentation where you might expect the corner to be--most likely a 1/2" rebar if recent, sometimes an open 1" pipe if older, and if newer, there should be a brass tag attached with the surveyor's registration number, perhaps buried a bit below surface.
ReplyDeleteThen again if your neighbor has been there for a while, he probably has a pretty good idea where the monuments can be found.
Regarding cover crops, I don't know much about your climate, but a combination of cowpeas and buckwheat is almost foolproof as a summer cover. But you'll have to get it in rather soon. Otherwise you might look at what can serve as a winter cover crop for your climate. I think there is at least one vetch that would overwinter where you are, and you can plant that with rye or wheat. Unless you get more rain than I am thinking you do, you may need to irrigate to get things started this late.
The neighbors did show me the monuments. They were installed when their house was built. I am not sure why they weren't shown when was buying the place though. In any case, now I know.
ReplyDeleteBuckwheat somehow had been the top contender in my simple review, so that might be right. I will be talking to more people as days go by. I will see what others consider as a good choice. Of course, my soil may be different from others even a quarter mile away. Did you test your soil? Is there a practical way? Or is soil a thing only practiced hands can really check?
If everything goes right, and I think I can get the plowing done, I would guess everything would be going in a week or so. As for irrigation, the best I could probably do on short notice is to use a sprinkler. Irrigation water may be available locally though. I think the lot next to my house used to receive it. I will check with city hall about that. I am not sure it would be much cheaper, for a 6 x 30 or 40 foot area, though.
Cans of worms, to be sure. That is what I have opened. But I'm liking me some worms. :)
You can buy simple soil test kits for determining levels of macronutrients. For a more complete analysis you can usually get it done by a local agricultural extension office, or by mail to some labs. Groworganic.com has a comprehensive soil testing service.
ReplyDeleteBut if you've already got grass and weeds growing where you want a garden, there should not be any major problems with the soil. Any cover crop you can get to grow, but particularly legumes, will help the soil, as will liberal applications of manure and other soil amendments.
Not to mention grass clippings. If you're struggling to keep ahead of grass in your yard, it means you have a ready source of an excellent soil-building amendment. My favorite method is to simply mulch between the plants and between the beds with fresh grass clippings (keeping the clippings away from the base of the plants, maybe 6 inches). The clippings will rot in place and contribute their organic matter directly into the beds, protecting the soil and conserving soil moisture in the mean time, and when you turn over the beds for a new season, rake the decomposed clippings from the paths onto the beds and turn it all under. I had my best garden ever back in Minnesota with this method.
I have some wonder if the previous owners were letting their goats feast on the grass, thus fertilizing. Which, starts making me consider goats a bit more. Just a couple of she-goats, for milk, to start things. My other neighbors, the ones I will be talking about the horses and llamas, have quite a few goats from what I hear. I am also told that two goats didn't even bother the alfalfa production. So if I wanted to keep them just in there, that wouldn't be an issue either. Oh, and the neighbors I spoke to tonight indicated that, should I decide to spook out, their children might be interested in taking over care for a bit. That does help. They aren't into chickens, it seems the husband worked a chicken farm just a bit much in his youth to have any care for the beasts. But he might know a thing or two. And several other neighbors do raise chickens, so. It's a small world, I am in the right place.
ReplyDeleteBut back to it, then I might consider getting manure plowed in, plant a cover crop just to see what happens, and just call it good while considering a winter cover crop too. I should be able to get seeds for a regular garden lined up for next spring. Part of the reason I feared heirloom seed was because I was never sure when I would be functional. Given recent events, I might just start out with those, harvesting both vegetables and seeds. It certainly fits better with my plan of prepping and eating better.
Lots of dope, right there. Thanks. I suspect it will make more sense as I get into things though too. Right now it just looks like a huge can of worms, if one I might be more ready to handle. Amazing changes are taking place.