A New Adventure - Beekeeping!

 

 

 

 

 

Potting Benches

I've been dreaming about potting benches lately, as we prepare for springtime. Our current situation has all of our pots and tools in the garage. While we have the storage space, it's quite a dark and uninspired workspace.

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I'm wondering if my husband might be game for building one? We've got a lot of projects currently - prepping the garden, starting seeds, building the run for the chicken coop. So I'm sure it will be some time. I've been saving some of these images for a while, it won't hurt to wait a bit longer. I'm still debating, open shelving, cubbies, pegs, pegboard? So many options. Wouldn't any of these make a beautiful little workspace?

Our 3-Bin Compost System

Our three-bin composter....what a beauty.

Are you interesting in composting? We were as we started a very large garden this year. Compost not only helps to keep organic waste out of our landfills, but it also serves as a rich fertilizer for gardens, providing better drainage, nutrients and moisture retention in garden beds.

Side view of the bin, all walls are mesh wire except for the front.

Since we have the space, we decided to go with a three-bin compost system. I cannot attest to the building process because it was all accomplished by my handsome husband. I believe he used a plan similar to this. It was slightly more expensive than I wanted, but we're hoping this will serves us for many, many, many years. We used cedar wood to extend its longevity. Certainly pine would be much more cost effective, and I have even seen wooden pallets used. It is very important to note though, especially if using reclaimed wood, make sure the wood is NOT TREATED.

Slats slide in and out of a groove.

To use a system like this, start building your compost pile in the left bin. When this bin becomes full, turn the pile by transfering it to the middle bin. This will aerate the pile and hasten decomposition. Start a new pile in the left bin. When that becomes full, turn the middle pile into the right bin for finishing, and the left pile moves down the road into the middle bin, making the left bin available for a brand new pile. Finished compost will eventually be removed from the right bin.

To turn, I'd remove all or most of these front slats. TIP: Test ahead of time. You may have to be sure to keep the slats in order! Homemade wood cuts may not be as precise, and therefore may sit differently in the slats.

My husband added this feature to help keep the lid propped open while I'm dumping things. Just a piece of wood attached to the bin by rope, I place it under the hinged lid to keep it from closing. The lid is somewhat heavy.

Especially with snow. I will have to clear snow off this in order to use it throughout the winter. The lid is fiberglass and lets sunlight through to aid in decompostion and retain heat. Many people build these bins without a lid and they work wonderfully. We were somewhat worried about wildlife causing havoc.

My handy pitchfork.

A pitchfork or similar garden tool will be very useful for turning your pile.

This is my compost bucket I keep up at the house, right inside my garage door.

I keep a compost pail up at the house until I'm ready to carry it down to my bin. It is a galvanized steel bucket with a tight fitting lid, I believe it holds about 5 gallons. Since I am all about keeping this easy, I also keep an extra large plastic container in my kitchen to store scraps. I like having a smaller size available right where I work, I'll peel potatoes or carrots right into the container. It is a double-sized old Folgers coffee container. It has a lid (highly recommend to deter fruit flies) and I keep it under the counter in a closed cabinet. I fill it every day or so. Then I dump it in my 5 gallon bucket. Once a week or week and a half, I bring my bucket down to the composter.

Here is a nice easy to read chart that will help sort out what to add to your pile. While you could simply dump things into your pile willy nilly, it aids decomposition to add them in a certain manner.

I am quite sure that we have added too much dry yard waste (we had so many leaves this fall!). I really should have been watering things down a bit, just to dampen. Thin layers of green (wet matter) alternated with brown (dried matter) is the way to go, and I believe our ratio got thrown off. It's all a learning experience.

O Christmas Tree

Thanksgiving weekend was wonderful, two feasts, lots of time with family, some shopping, some football, some naps and downtime. And of course, bringing out the Christmas decorations.

We visited a new tree farm this year, joining our neighbors in their fun tradition. The children were thrilled visiting the animals - llamas, peacocks, hound dogs, donkeys, and most exciting...Bucky the reindeer.

The view was beautiful, the sun was warm, the cider was hot.

We took a nice tractor ride around the farm.

And had many discussions on the merits of each type of tree. With some cookies and hugs from Santa, we ventured back home for a cozy dinner with our friends.

Outside now it is snowing soft, fluttering flakes and we lit the fireplace last night for the first time this season. I am feeling thankful for my beautiful family.

The Farm

We had a lovely time at the farm some weeks ago, the weather was still temperate and there was so much to see.

Feeding goats, petting bunnies and chasing kittens. We didn't even get around to the pigs, chicks, horses or miniature cow (a funny little animal indeed).

Quiet contemplations on a long hay ride.

A band playing and warm apple cider, fresh organic produce, hot soup, and local honey.

A flock of cranes in flight.

Did I mention the kittens? My little guy cannot get enough.

Running through rolling fields.

And the most beautiful golden colors of fall.

I guess I think of Thanksgiving as the end of autumn, so as we approach this weekend we'll be saying goodbye to that season and welcoming winter. Time is going fast, think I'll try and slow down and savor as much as I can heading into the busy holidays.

Seeing Orange

So striking on sunny days against the bluest skies

Or underneath catching the light though the leaves

From a distance admiring the sheer immensity(for perspective, notice the bench swing to the right of the trunk).

Or jumping right in.

Lovely Grey

A Mix of Color

Before autumn hits it's full stride, I'm enjoying a mix of summer colors with fall.

End of Summer

Over Labor Day weekend, on cue, summer ended. We could feel and smell autumn in the air. We squeezed in one last swim, walked on a beach, rode an old wooden carousel and danced to a band.

But we also made chili, cuddled indoors, and watched some college football.

Goodbye Summer. It was grand.