Almost there...

doulanobles · #1 05/03/07, 08:30 PM

Just had to share this with those whom I know would understand my excitement and anxiousness. My family (hubby, 2kids, and 2 parents) are so close to the homestead I've been dreaming of...So close! We're currently waiting to sell our house on 3/4 acre inthe Puget sound and by 20 acres on the east side of the state. Yeehaw and Hurray!!! Now, we're all sharing a 1200 sq. ft apt while we wait for it to sell and for the best property deal to come up. I'm overwhelmed with the thought of all the stuff to do once we get there. I know I'll do garden, orchard and chickens right off the bat. Larger animals to follow later (next spring?).

While land here is less expensive than on the west side, it's still not cheap. Plus we either need to find a house with a mother inlaw set up or build one. Me, I don't care near as much about the house as I do the land. You can always upgrade a house...not so much with land.

I'd love to hear from anyone having jumped off this cliff with kids and older parents and limited financial means...what do you call it...Financially challenged?

Also, I'd love help in prioritizing tasks once we get there...Ideas?

Thanks for listening!

Callieslamb · #2 05/04/07, 05:55 AM

Well, I can't say I moved as far, much and as differently than you are! But I do want to congratulate you and your family. It has to be a wonderful feeling. We left a city lot on County Club Lane for 1 1/2 acres in the country. So, I can't have the set up you will have. I like your attitude about the house! You are right -houses can be changed, only that might take quite a chunk of change.

I think we are going to need some more information - are their barns, water available-in wells or ponds, fences, etc. Is there already a garden spot or are we looking at open fields, forest, or what?

What you do first will depend on when you actually get to move. It might be too late in the season for planting fruit trees. In some places you can plant in the fall though. You will have to check in your area - which is something you can do right now while you are waiting for the sale. You will also have to wait a bit for small fruits - raspberries, blueberries. I almost prefer growing those over the fruit trees -they are much easier to deal with.

You say you are on a limited budget...that will also decide what you do when. My priority would be the garden spot. Get it dug and planted. You can start collecting seeds for that now. Hopefully, others with more animal experience will help you there. I would like sheep, but I need a strong fence and a shelter first.

Chickens are great. I would be looking around NOW for breeds you want and chicks that are available. They might be harder to get in the summer than in the spring. So check around for those. You might find some hens for sale that are already laying. . Hens will need some kind of coop and run until you decide if you are going to just let them run the farm or not. If you are building them, get them designed before hand. I started chicks last year. They took about 5 months before they started laying. Now we are overwhelmed with eggs. Locate animal sale barns, etc in the area you will be moving to. Start watching the prices of the animals you are thinking of buying - sheep, goats, beef. Then you will know what you are facing price-wise in your area.

I hope others from your area will answer so you can get info from those with experience pertinent to you. Sometimes people will just say something without realizing that it is different for their area and growing season, soil, etc.

Good luck! You are going to have a great time!

doulanobles · #3 05/04/07, 09:33 AM

No idea what we'll end up with on theland, yet. I'm hoping we don't have to clear forest to plant. The soil in the open areas around here is pretty good. We hope to find something with at least a shop/barn on it and either a house alredy there or the ability to build one. I know we'll have a well or dig one and hopefully have a pond as well. It's pretty dry here in the Spokane area so I'm not sure what we'll end up with.

I'm not sure if I can plant fruit trees in the fall here, but you're right. I love the small fruits and they're way easier. I grew jostaberries a few years ago that we're great.

Good idea about collecting seeds now. I really want to do my part to preserve the heritage varieties in both plant and animal.

I feel so encouraged just being among all you likeminded people!

Callieslamb · #4 05/04/07, 03:15 PM

Hey, I am really glad you are going to get to do this. If you have to clear land to plant - that is way expensive AND the soil isn't good after it is done. I haven't ever been to Spokane. Is it green there. Other parts of Washington are. And I think you can grow great fruits - but not sure about Spokane again.

Spend you time getting to know that area and the agricultural base. Call the extension service there or go online and look at their publications. That will give you good ideas of what grows well and what doesnt'. I always start with what grows well and later put in 'iffy' things. I put in a cherry tree this year. I might only get cherries 1/3 of the time, but I will enjoy them then.

How quickly do you expect your current property to sell?

I wouldn't actually buy seeds until you are ready to plant. You don't want to get seeds packed for 2007 if you don't have a garden until 2008. Seeds do store for a number of years but you might as well start with fresh ones. I buy mine online from Heirloom seeds and Victory Seeds. I also do some from Territorial Garden seeds. I think Victory is the least expensive of the three. All have great variety and I haven't had an issue with any of their products.

So you don't have a property picked out yet? Are you looking around now or waiting for your current property to sell? I kind of envy you - looking around is such fun! Planning is a lot more fun than actually doing too!

Have any of you ever worked with Animals before? If not, do slowly. Try one and see how the chores strike you and then add more. It is easy to overwhelm yourself by doing too much at once

Keep us posted in what happens! It will be fun doing right along with you!

doulanobles · #5 05/07/07, 01:53 PM

I hope our current house will sell SOON! It's in Puyallup, Wa, near Tacoma and for some reason the area is in realestate slump. It's been on the market 90+ days.
We're shopping for land now but of course, the house needs to sell first.

I've bought seed from Territorial before and been very happy with it. I'll for ure wait til spring to order new seed. We hope to be settled by fall.

We've never raised large animals but have raised chickens and ducks. We'll probably just start with that and add a cow/calf pair next spring. We also want horses but we'll have to see if the budget can support that kind of pet!

I suppose the firt thing we'll do is talk to area growers and lay out/plan the garden and orchard and start preparing the soil.

All of this willl be a good educationa; experience for my kids! I'll keep you all posted on the journey!