So far, it’s been an incredibly raining start to Spring, with widespread flooding in our area, bad enough for the Governor to declare a State of Emergency for Tennessee. We are very lucky to sit high up on a hill, safe from most of the water. Our bottom pasture and pond are a different story. They are overfilling and water logged, but should recover for the summer haying.
This year, I have decided to focus on more permeant infrastructure and plantings for the farm, with what I hope to be long-term returns on investment. My first project was to convert several of my raised beds from rotting wood to concrete blocks. My second, is to complete our top orchard and fill in my open spots in the raspberry patch. So far, I planted a dozen new raspberry plants of three varieties in the front berry patch, which is in an unused space along the fence line.
The top orchard as I call it, is behind the house and fenced dog yard, along our driveway. We have another orchard positioned down near the bottom pasture, before the wood line, that is strictly apple trees in about a dozen varieties. This orchard has taken a hit from several trees being accidentally bush hogged by our old hay guy and the deer eating off them in the winters. This orchard will be my third project.
Up in the top orchard, I already have three pear trees, two peaches, two apricots, eight bush cherries, seven hazelnuts and an almond tree. So far this spring, we have added two nectarine trees, two plum trees, one pear, and six apple trees. Due to the rain, we still have three more of the apple trees to get in the ground. Once this is done, my top orchard will be complete, with just enough room to add three new rows of blueberry bushes to the existing three rows, and then I will be completely out of space!
The goal of these additions is, that once they start producing, they will provide an abundance of fruits and nuts throughout the growing season with enough to feed us, can and make preserves, sell at markets, and give the leftovers to the pigs and chickens. I hope everyone is dreaming of warmer, dryer days and making their own plans to plant something this year!
This year, I have decided to focus on more permeant infrastructure and plantings for the farm, with what I hope to be long-term returns on investment. My first project was to convert several of my raised beds from rotting wood to concrete blocks. My second, is to complete our top orchard and fill in my open spots in the raspberry patch. So far, I planted a dozen new raspberry plants of three varieties in the front berry patch, which is in an unused space along the fence line.
The top orchard as I call it, is behind the house and fenced dog yard, along our driveway. We have another orchard positioned down near the bottom pasture, before the wood line, that is strictly apple trees in about a dozen varieties. This orchard has taken a hit from several trees being accidentally bush hogged by our old hay guy and the deer eating off them in the winters. This orchard will be my third project.
Up in the top orchard, I already have three pear trees, two peaches, two apricots, eight bush cherries, seven hazelnuts and an almond tree. So far this spring, we have added two nectarine trees, two plum trees, one pear, and six apple trees. Due to the rain, we still have three more of the apple trees to get in the ground. Once this is done, my top orchard will be complete, with just enough room to add three new rows of blueberry bushes to the existing three rows, and then I will be completely out of space!
The goal of these additions is, that once they start producing, they will provide an abundance of fruits and nuts throughout the growing season with enough to feed us, can and make preserves, sell at markets, and give the leftovers to the pigs and chickens. I hope everyone is dreaming of warmer, dryer days and making their own plans to plant something this year!
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