Slowly now

Slowly but surely, it's moving forward.  First leveled, then a little road pack to define and rebuild the driveway, then a trench for the foundation.
I've decided on a contractor to build the barn, but we're running into some issues with my design.  Seems I have too many doors and walls for the space and the type of foundation that will be used (large concrete blocks), so my dream barn may not be what I dreamt of.  We'll see what happens.  I'm just happy things are happening, honestly.

The gardens are doing well.  We've had a good, rainy spring, and it's started to warm up enough that plants are beginning to thrive.  My tomatoes and peas certainly have responded well, and my strawberries are crazy this year.  Amazing for being in the same pot as last year.  I've harvested all the radish and don't plan to plant more until later in the summer.  The only thing that's really having issues are my pepper plants.  I don't think I'll see any actual peppers this year, but I have a hard time giving up on them.

 Finally, the Queen Jack-in-the-Pulpit is still happy in her pot, and the clematis is growing nicely.  So far the only plants I seem to be missing (read: passed away over the winter thanks to insensitive handling on my part - Savage Gardener, indeed) are the Queen Anne's Lace and one or two hostas.  My little primrose lilac shrubs are struggling, but I think they'll make it.  The Pagoda Dogwood isn't doing well, but I won't give up hope.  It's been through a lot, and lost a good amount of its roots in the digging up process.

 

And that's that.

The Barn Site, An Update in Dirt Movement

It's really coming together, and I'm ridiculously excited.  I have a few contractors working on building quotes now, and the town's code enforcement agent was out yesterday to do a site walk.  It all looks good to him, so we should have a permit soon and be able to get started.  My mules will be home soon!  It's been weird not having them right in the backyard where I can look in on them any time.  It will definitely make this winter easier on me and hopefully them.  I'm super excited about how great the site work is looking.  It always amazes me how the right equipment run by a competent operator can bend the land to its will.  In this case, making a level area out of a lumpy, granite infested chunk of pasture.

I had planned to put a small fruit tree orchard to the right of the driveway as you come in, but that may be where a power pole has to be planted, instead.  The other day I worked on mowing and cutting the brush and weeds back on the other side of the driveway, and now I'm thinking I may just use that side for raised beds.  Eventually I plan to replace the old run-in shed with a greenhouse, so having the gardens near that makes sense.  Plus that area gets full morning sun, which is nice.

The well is hidden behind the jungle of bittersweet, weeds, excess perennials, and small trees on the bank.  I plan to clean that out and create terrace gardens here, once the water has been piped to the barn and the addition.

I definitely have my work cut out for me, and I can't wait to get going.

The Universe Must Have Been Listening

Well now.

 

 

I love a good beginning.

Mid June

Here it is mid-June and I am still waiting to break ground.  The whole construction thing is an exercise in either patience or frustration, I'm not sure which at this point.  It seems that every available contractor within a 30 mile range is out straight busy, which is great for them.  Not so great for me.  It will happen, I need to remain positive.

At least the gardens are doing well with all the rain we've been having this spring.  It's still unusually chilly for this time of year, so veggies aren't exactly exploding with growth.  Slow and steady is more like it.

My cucumbers are poking through, and I've planted bush beans in some flower boxes that my mom had on hand.

I found something new at a local greenhouse - a peanut plant!  I didn't know these could be grown here in our cooler climate with short summers, but apparently people have great luck growing them in containers.  So of course I'm going to try.

My perennials are doing well in pots and spare beds around the property.  I lost a few over the winter, but I wasn't surprised given the indelicate way I tend to transplant.  I was happy to discover the clematis I thought was a casualty was merely hiding under the Bachelor Button plant.

And while I was thrilled to find 3 small pitchers in my pot of Jack-in-the-Pulpit plants, I was a little sad that I seemingly missed my "queen" plant when I dug them up.

 Oh, happy day!  She has arrived, fashionably late.

Bonus - a moth that resembles a bird turd.

You're welcome.