Establishing Order after Winter Changed Things
Farmers and gardeners spend a good deal of their time (and sleep) planning the changes. Trying to establish some kind of order on a sustainably managed property with so many moving parts is a tough task.
And sustaining those changes is difficult. We need to make peace with the fact that things will change all the time. Especially when there is weather involved. Winter came and is now on its way out – time for the clean up.
All winter we plan our gardens. All summer we prepare for winter. All week we are planning which stock moves in which direction. All day we rush about trying to make those plans happen. Then changing the plans. You have to be able to change your mind. To change a plan.
I changed my mind. About where Nelson is going to spend her summer.
As soon as it gets warmer Nelson is going to be moving from her day-porch to the chicken hospital. We have not had a sick chicken in years and this lovely hutch has been empty. It is in good order. It sits under the willow tree beside the barn and with some pruning can get lovely morning sun and tons of afternoon shade.
I have added the yards to the list of areas that need a lot of work. Winter changed some things on the concrete pad. Trees have come down and fences are compromised. We need to get this fixed before the calves arrive.
More fencing! My favourite – Not.
Lots happening in the glasshouse. Plans are afoot for the new garden. Remind me to show you where it is going.
I know that trying to establish order in an organic world which is determined to choose its own direction is like banging ones head against a tree. We need to work with the land – not against it.
We also need to plan for enjoying it all.
And yet! Fences need fixing.
Have a lovely day
Celi
PS Sawson our Chef in Disguise posted a lovely poem about coffee. It is rather beautiful. Pop over if you have a chance and tell Sawson I sent you!
31 Comments on “Establishing Order after Winter Changed Things”
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Don’t you just love those chickens! Such a colourful bunch!
I was just thinking what a beautiful bunch they were! They add their own color to the current dull landscape!
Yes – and the landscape IS very dull at the moment!
Raining and spitting snow today. Sigh
Yuk. That sounds deeply awful. We have cold and wind (22 this morning) but a bit of sun too and I think the temps are rising!
I am SOOOOOOOOOO ready! 🙂
I was just reading about Gascony farmers (in the olden days), putting duck eggs under the chickens to hatch, because the ducks were too lazy to do the job themselves. However, I do remember a couple of your girls getting broody and trying to hatch unfertilised eggs themselves!
Last summer the ducks were hatching chicken eggs! They sit everywhere on any eggs they see and sit for weeks. Their own eggs are not fertile sadly – they just end up rotting.
ROFL!
I would imagine fence repair is worth the price to pay someone to do it for you?
I just patch them up! It would be great to have real fences built though, by a proper fencer but there is no-one around here who will do it. I have searched before.
What a lovely summer home for Nelson. I’m sure she’ll be very happy, especially with that lovely morning sun. She is a very lucky bunny. Fencing does sound like a grim job, what a pity there is no one around to take the job on. Greenery looking good.
They’re beautiful
Our lives are so layered. There’s always something to think about, plan, adapt, do… I love thinking about gardens!
Yes! You and I both! I am going to go out and begin some early spring greens this weekend. I am sick of waiting!!
We are experiencing rain, sleet, rain—-sigh
I visited and left a note with Chef in Disguise. 🙂
Isn’t her food great!? Thank you for popping over to Jordan.
I have always said if I won the lottery I would hire someone to take down all my old patched up fences and erect sturdy shiny new ones. Unfortunately I’ll never win if I don’t start buying tickets.
Tis a very Darwinian World,
Adapt or ?
Perish the Thought…
Adapt I think.
Precisely, Thrive to Survive to Thrive.
The Mobius Strip of Life.
I live in an apartment that comes with a small outdoor space. I filled it with pots and am seriously considering building permanent raised garden beds. Working with plants and animals is truly humbling. It teaches you patience and hope.. you need both while you wait for the bulbs you planted in November to bloomin March. So I can only imagine all the planning you have to do and all the lessons you learn along the way.
I have really missed your posts and all the magic you share with us Cecilia.
P.S. thank you so much for sending visitors my way to enjoy some coffee.
I really appreciate it
I loved that post!!
And really wish I could taste your coffee.
Raised beds are the best way to grow veges and herbs I think. You might need to water a little bit more but I think I get richer soil in a raised bed.
Take care!
What amazing energy you must have, Cecilia, and I admire your facility for keeping all those animals alive, thriving, and generally happy with each other.
I have lived in many places but have come home to coastal Georgia to roost. I’ve always had pets–cats, and now chickens–and gardens whenever possible, and I have an unfulfilled dream of being a farmer. It’s nice to enjoy the farm life vicariously through your site, since I seem to have outlived my personal strength and ambition for doing it myself.
I used to quite enjoy fencing, mainly because I didn’t have to do too much of it, but there was something satisfying about laying out the supplies, getting the holes dug with an augur, setting the posts straight… The funnest part for me, though, was straining the wires with gripples; something so lovely about a straight, taut wire. Yes… that’s probably just me, then! Usually, I give north Queensland’s mostrous insect population free rein and compensate by planting plenty, but today I raged and gnashed my teeth when I saw that some small b-word had been feasting on my orchid blooms. With everything else on offer, why did you have to destroy the beauty?
Oh no!! That is miserable! Your orchids!
I know. When there’s so much else to choose from. Grrr.
I’m sure you have heard the phrase, “busier than a one armed paper hanger.” There is always more to do than hours in the day and somehow, with one arm, you seem to get it all done. It’s how I feel most days. 🙂 Just cleaning my house is more energy than I want to expend some days. It’s snowing again here and so chilly. I love the cold winter though. Good luck with your plan. I make them and God laughs every single day! It’s a good thing we are adaptable to change.
When we join together in our plans we can do amazing stuff!! But – oh that cold- I am tired of it.
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