Up on the Roof

Work commences installing metal roofing over the ell of the farmhouse, replacing the remnants of the old asphalt shingles.

Snow, sheet metal, and a fear of heights - perhaps not the best time of year to be installing a new roof...

Veggies and Animals Need Water

Hearing that the hand-dug well sometimes dries up in summer, we decided it was imperative to have a deeper well drilled. Here is the new well and the trench going out to the greenhouse where a second hydrant will be situated. Note the high water table, barely 2 feet down!

The Greenhouse Arrives!

The greenhouse arrived in pieces.

Daniel exhibits a rare moment of reading directions before (or maybe slightly after) beginning to assemble.

The greenhouse is situated between the two garden plots and next to the windrow, and faces south so that it gets full benefit of the winter sun. It will in turn warm and protect seeds and seedlings, chicks and chickens, and extend the growing season. We must complete it in time for the expected arrival of 100 laying chicks on January 12!

Striking a Warm Chord

We have ventured into the woods to gather firewood in order to feed the two wood stoves. One of us is loathe to eliminate "junk" wood from this collection, and this one is not the one who counts on the steady heat from the stove to keep him warm throughout the night.... it is good to see the wood shack in the ell start to fill with cords of assorted and sometimes questionable wood.

The Growing Windrow

It is exciting to be collecting material that will eventually form rich compost to improve the soil. A quick check of the immediate neighborhood turned up leaves in the front yard, several farms with mounds of manure, and a veritable leaf mountain at the community recycling center. These have made their way to a central part of our field where a windrow is being formed, and we hope it will continue to grow.
 

Already parts of the windrow are heating up, as evidenced by steam rising, and the rising temperature as shown on the inserted 18-inch compost thermometer--up to 160 degrees! (These thermometers are sturdy, precise, and should be a part of every gardener's and cook's toolchest since they are easily moved from the compost to the turkey, the brownies, and back to the compost pile. )

Spreading Manure

After spreading lime on the new garden plots, we started to spread composted manure on certain sections. These will be tilled under in the spring.

After a full day of spreading manure, at bed at night you still imagine you are spreading manure. And if you forget to clean your boots before going to the library, you find you are still spreading manure....