My Plan

First I want my garden to be very specific...medicinal herbs have always been an interest and this year I would like to broaden my knowledge...I want to try Ruth Stout's methods and the trinity of corn-squash-beans...I want to improve on the existing rhubarb patch (love the stuff)...get some serious berry plants in and a couple of dwarf fruit trees...maybe apple and pear...haven't decided.

Parts of the yard are overgrown and need attention...lots of shady areas where hosta and begonias would thrive...am considering bees, but more like next year when I feel I have a bit of control of the situation...Also chickens...my neighbor has a mini flock of 5 or 6 who come over to visit ...they bring the family cat too...I think he's their protector. This is a perfect house for window boxes...I think that's a project for my son...also lots of container tomatoes and peppers along the sunny front walk.

Inside the house I have a pellet stove and though I like it I want to replace it with a wood stove...this is a small house and it wouldn't take a very big stove to do the job...have the landlords permission and am saving as we speak!!

Have a whole room at the back of the house for my pantry...stays nice and cool..at present it holds my freezer, galvinized cans full of pasta, oatmeal, beans etc...and shelves full of preps line the walls...will get better organized there...add more shelves...get a few more galvanized cans.

Last but definitely not least...I have to get in shape...have neglected my health and need to get back on the stick...This is always the hardest part for me...but I am very motivated in these uncertain times...want to be fit so I can be a help and not a burden..

So there are the bones of my plan...would appreciate any helpful suggestions along the way...

Marcy

My Great Experiment

There is a wonderful story by Vita Sackville-West about an elderly woman who after 30+ years of longing aquires her dream cottage and garden...if you are interested it is titled 'All Passion Spent'...I share much of her desire to make my home a sanctuary and refuge. This blog will be about that process. I recently rented a sweet little house on about 1/2 acre..I have a wonderful landlord who is open to just about anything I want to do here...and the rent is a dream come true.

I am no stranger to the self sufficient lifestyle. At various time I have lived off grid,gardened and done intensive food preservation...but it's been a while. My last intensive push for sustainability was for Y2K...and we all know how that turned out. I did keep up with some preps...canning, a little gardening etc. But these times call for much more.

My plan is to make this little piece of ground as productive as I am able...taking into account my physical limitations and finances. I will have some help along the way ..mostly from my children...but I will be pretty much on my own in the decision making and workload. I have a big garden space..a wonderful room for my pantry..established fruit trees..herbs..rhubarb etc...all the basics...So here goes!!