spent the weekend at the new homestead!!!

[whocares]

Ok we got the keys to the new place last week. I have not had much time to spend there since I was working 7 days a week...I got laid off Friday and spent some of my time looking over the place.

The Orchard if I can call it that has 31 trees planted in a good sized area. I think I have several apple trees in bloom, I have something fuzzy like peaches...they are the tiniest peaches I have ever seen.

Lots of trees in different stages of bloom or just getting buds...so I don't know what they are.

The asperagus in a raised bed produced some good sized stalks, but it seems alot went to seed and I think it's season is over for now...I weeded the bed, but don't know what else to do? Do I leave it to seed? Do I cut it?

Planted Tomato plants in a raised bed and some spinach in some containers...

I out down some onion bulbs in the edges of the beds...

I still have 3 good sized raised beds to weed and fill yet this summer....I'm thinking simple like lettuce in one, Onions and bell peppers...

My 14 year old son is liking the garden Idea, not the weeding part....so I am trying to keep him interested.

The grape area that was set up, I decided to try growing cukes and pole beans...it might work.

I will try and post pictures of the new place soon...

[WeaverRose]

Ah, the excitement of a new place! Congrats! For one of the beds you might try planting a salsa garden, another could be a 3 Sisters (corn, bean and squash/pumpkins). In one section of ours, for the salsa, I planted onions, peppers, several varieties of tomato, and cilantro. Should be yummy later this summer.
What about setting out strawberries? or blueberries? And pole beans will enjoy the arbor, there's a variety of beans called Scarlet Runner beans that are very pretty.
Would love to see your photos

[whocares]

I think I have blackberries on the property as well, I see dead canes with burrs on them in the compost area...

Is it a good time for strawberries? Thanks

[whocares]

Oh yes and I forgot to mention, I think we had a smoker underground, it looks like a tornado shelter too, But anyway it has a curved ceiling and had a pot bellie stove in it, Chimney is thru the floor to the laundry house...so it's all concrete under the ground. looked like they stored some canned good there at one time...anyway found snakes in there...I ran like hell!!!

We found canning jars wrapped in paper in the partial basement...about 18 assorted jars...

[Callieslamb]

Leave the asparagus. Those plants will make food for the roots and send up the new shoots next year. Cut them off late in the fall after they had died back. Fertilize the bed with a 12-12-12 or 10-10-10- fertilizer. compost would be better if there is a pile of that lying around somewhere. Keep the bed weeded.

Lettuce grows best in cooler weather - it might be getting a tad late for you, I am not sure. How about peppers? or melons? in those other beds.

Strawberries are always a great idea. You won't get fruit this year - so you are planting for next year and on.

[Gercarson]

This place sounds like heaven to me - how many acres do you have? With all the fruit tree and garden all set up I'll bet you have a nice chicken house, barn and pond on the place too. Is there a house? Do you have Rhubarb and horseradish? What about perennial flowers - the place sounds established and wonderful - congratulations!

[geo in mi]

It is just about time(but not quite by SW Mich. standards) to plant butternut and acorn squash for storing in your underground cellar this winter. That should take up a spot or two. Pumpkins and Hubbards, too. If the asparagus is ten inches tall or taller, just leave it. You'll get more next year. Keep out the weeds and grasses and then mulch a bit in the Fall.

I would be very careful--once the snakes are gone-- about lighting the stove without checking out the chimney. Maybe a CO detector purchase is in order?? I would think about throwing out the old assorted canning jars--especially mayo jars and chipped ones, and you don't know what they held--just my way of thinking....new ones are cheap enough when you need them for food.

I would try to locate the septic system, too, and walk the entire property to check for hidden sTakes, rocks, boards, etc, etc, before jumping on the lawnmower. Also, can you locate the survey irons? This is the time to find out your exact property boundaries, before you get into any disputes with a neighbor. Also, if you got title insurance, now is the time to request a copy of your property abstract. It's very interesting reading, and it is good to have with you to know exactly if you have easements, mineral or water rights, or the absence or them--I don't think the title ins company will have any further use for it.

Now is also the time to get to know your electrical system--track and label the circuits, and make a listing of projects you feel should get done before Winter. Darn, decisions, decisions, decisions......

And, be ready to meet and chat with your new neighbors.

[ronbre]

Hey..I care..sounds like a great homestad..put some manure on that asparagus and do not pull the tops until spring..let them die down naturally..yes keep the weeds out and put on a good mulch after you manure it.
Your small peaches are likely apricots if they aren't peaches..you should get some organic oil spray for your orchard and look to see if it needs any pruning..get a good book on fruit trees.

I strongly suggest that you don't plant just ONE type of plant per raised bed..you will be open to all kinds of insect infestations if you Mono crop those beds..companion plant..you can read up on things that go together online..or in books..or you can just use your noggin.

a lot of it is ..if you have an underground root plant in there..near it put an above ground crop..say like beans or a cole crop..and then put another root crop on the next row and another above ground crop ..etc..and then if you can ..on the n side run up a trellis with your climbers..

read up on "french intensive gardening" or check out some permaculture sites.
one forum would be www.permies.com

[CJ]

Wow, it sounds like an ideal homestead, congrats on the new place and don't forget, amidst all the work, to ENJOY!