The garden season has all but wrapped up here and because it was a *small scale* year for us (with the pending move), I'm feeling quite let down! I'm more than eager to get settled in our "new" place and get the land into production but know that any serious food producing will probably come in the second season there.
I know first hand how careless, inexperienced mistakes early on can lead to trickle down mistakes and that "type one" errors can never be easily or cheaply fixed. The only way to avoid this is to take it slow by watching and waiting... We will need to observe the path of the sun and see how water behaves in the landscape before we do any serious work.
We'll also have a heavy predator load (bears, deer, raccoons and likely rats), so all of those negative site influences will need to be factored in (not to mention, the negative influences I'm not even aware of yet).
It's temping to go gangbusters when we arrive (especially with the desire for fresh home-grown food fuelling me), but I know I'll need to temper that and take it slow... We have a big undertaking at hand - develop a property that will meet our needs for (hopefully) several decades, so we need to plan appropriately and come up with a solid plan first.
The first order of business will be to find local producers (not hard, I'm told as there are quite a few organic farmers in the area) and get connected to the local farmer's market (I'm told it's excellent!). The second order of business will be to connect with other permies in the area. There is NO GREATER asset than an experienced local! I would even consider hiring a reputable local permaculture designer to come and meet with us for a few hours just to get some objective insight. Personal biases are so difficult to work around and I know that I've already developed some... Being emotionally attached seems to somehow put blinders on and I'd like to see the property from fresh eyes (eyes that aren't "invested" in the place).
There's a lot to do before we even get there and I'm feeling a bit antsy in this half way place (living in one place but having your mind and heart in another). It's part of the transition and we have to get through it. I'm choosing to spend the energy on reading and research - there's a LOT of differences (climate and soil for starters) and it will be like starting over in every sense of the word....
I'm excited, nervous and truthfully, a little bit scared!
I know that restless, excited, in between places feeling all too well! It is exciting isn't it?
ReplyDeleteVery wise to sit and observe your new property well, The place we have been looking at buying we are in the same boat, so many ideas for everywhere in the garden!! But it will take time to plan, watch, and develop strong plans. I have learnt ALOT from the mistakes we made in this garden, and also from the things we got right.
I learn't that for me my new veggie/herb patch needs to be in plain view, prime position near the front of the house, not down the back like it was placed here. It needs to be MUCH bigger, and that a combination of ground level beds and raised level beds work best for us also. There is a small shade house on our new property which has the potential to be easily converted into a green house for raising seedlings.
Im enjoying reading about all your plans Sherri. :)
xxxxx
Oh yes - an annual garden close to the house is vital. Ours is also currently too far away - big mistake (made before I took my permaculture design course).
DeleteOur new house has a sunroom which is perfectly suited to seed starting so I'm well pleased about that. If the gardens are nice and close, that will make things so much easier to maintain.
I think your plan of watching, waiting and looking for some outside help of a local person is so wise. Even with my new adventure, my ideas have already changed after living in the bungalow since this July. I'm so glad I didn't act on my first impulses to make changes in the house. Take your time to settle in.....the winter will be a good time for thinking and planning....
ReplyDeleteIsn't that so true! You just never know how you will live in a place until you actually do it. The power of protracted observation is key...
DeleteIn the spirit of permaculture, let a full 12 month cycle elapse before doing anything. This allows you to observe and understand before investing time and effort (which maybe misguided if done too early)
ReplyDeleteYou are 100% correct. A full 12 month cycle is the right amount of time to wait. Hard to do, but totally necessary.
DeleteYou are a wise woman.
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