Priorities?

dustyroad · #1 01/26/14, 09:29 AM

I'm looking for some coaching here if anyone is so inclined. I have a few acres in a cold climate and I know how to deal with that but I can see things are starting to change and I know I have to prepare.

I heat with wood and have lots, propane is backup. Large garden space and fabulous cold room. Planning for fish in the lake this spring. It's 18 ft deep.
Lots of wildlife for food if I need it and planning on chickens in spring. Good coup here already.

I'm halfway decided to build a greenhouse that I think would give me fresh greens except in the worst part of winter. Already have some really nice apple trees and there is lots of wild berries and such close by.

Probably put in some kind of alternate power just to carry water pump and freezer stuff during outages.

I'm working for now but I know that will change and I want to be prepared.
Independent in food and power is the eventual goal. I'm pretty isolated here so security is not a big issue.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice.

JoePa · #2 01/26/14, 10:39 AM

A green house would definitely be a plus - I watch the TV show called - Alaska the last frontier - the one young couple has quite a large green house - from the looks of things they get a lot of food from it - for power outages you can get a propane generator - you may be able to get enough meat from wild animals but if not raising a couple goats and maybe steers would take care of your meat supply - chickens are definitely a must - I often wonder what kind of work is available up there - good luck

Callieslamb · #3 01/26/14, 10:42 AM

If not a greenhouse, then cold frames or tunnels to extend your harvesting season.

dustyroad · #4 01/26/14, 10:47 AM

I'm alone at the moment so the amount I can accomplish in a given day is limited but I am gaining ground. I've only been here a 1 1/2 yrs.

rags57078 · #5 01/26/14, 10:54 AM

What do you have for south facing windows ? even glass sliding doors , you can grow alot of greens in pots without adding another place to heat

ct01r · #6 01/26/14, 11:02 AM

How are you planning on preserving/keeping food? You mentioned a freezer; I'd also recommend canning food. It'll last longer (no freezer burn), and won't be affected as much if the power goes out. I would think it gets cold up there, you'd just have to make sure the jars don't freeze as they'd break. Curt

dustyroad · #7 01/26/14, 11:06 AM

I have a 5ft living room window almost floor to ceiling but with this awful cold we've been getting its a net loss so the curtains are closed more than I would like. This is definitely where my seeds will be started come spring.

CountryCabin · #8 01/26/14, 11:11 AM

A grnhse is a good idea for extending grow time on both ends of the growing season. When its supposed to be spring but winter still hangs on or just about winter, even tho its suppose to be fall.

Unless you are prepared to heat it, forget any other time. This is taking into consideration your location.

MHO....
Chickens would be best when doing everything alone and in your area.
A whole lot less work then the bigger animals that would have more demand on your time and work load. And that's after you have cleared a foot or so of snow to get to the barns etc..

Good luck.

jwal10 · #9 01/26/14, 11:23 AM

I would think a leanto greenhouse right off the living room, if possible would be best. You can heat it a little if need be. Use a lot of heat absorbing materials so it radiates heat in good sunny weather....James

dustyroad · #10 01/26/14, 11:27 AM

I inherited several dozen sealers with the house and have picked up a pressure canner that will do about 10 or 12 quart jars at a time. The cold room stays cold but not freezing. Potatoes last til spring. I'll be getting one of those outdoor burners as that much canning will overheat the house something awful.
Mostly I plan to can greens like spinach as well as beans and ??? Don't need that much if it's just me.

Here's the garden space and the lake.

crwilson · #11 01/26/14, 12:31 PM

wow looks like you got a nice setup. soil looks really good too. I have never been a fan of starting seeds in windows. maybe keep them there a day or two max. they always get leggy, I would build even just a small greenhouse with construction plastic before I would use a window ever again.

ronbre · #12 01/26/14, 12:38 PM

I believe in planting every available fruit, nut, vegetables and other plants that are edible that you cn grow on your property, perennial first..trees first of those and bushes like berries, and vines..on my blog you can see my Michigan list (not updated for 2014 yet)

dustyroad · #13 01/26/14, 12:44 PM

I'd love to do that Brenda but who's going to eat it? I love growing it but I could never eat all I can grow.

jwal10 · #14 01/26/14, 12:53 PM

A window with a good grow light, set right above the seedling works well if the humidity and temperature can be regulated. Wood stoves tend to dry the air out though. I do like a greenhouse for a designated growing space, a lot more versatile and easier for year around use....James

Vosey · #15 01/26/14, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dustyroad

Mostly I plan to can greens like spinach as well as beans and ??? Don't need that much if it's just me.

If you want to be totally self-sufficient you'll need variety in your veggies to get all the nutrients you need. Vitamin C being one of the harder ones in cold climates. Colored bell peppers, tomatoes come to mind and they will need a greenhouse/row covers or something to extend the growing season to grow a good crop many years. Carrots for the beta carotene that makes Vitamin A. etc. Color variation is a good bet. Can or dehydrate everything you can in a good season, as it may not grow so well the next. Grow black beans, kidney beans and all, harvest them in the fall and you can them in the winter indoors and help heat the kitchen!

Beautiful pictures!

And you can heat a greenhouse with a wood stove.

dustyroad · #16 01/26/14, 01:05 PM

Sorry, I must need more coffee. It goes without saying that I will be doing lots of tomatoes and making salsas and chilli and stuff to can.

Ladyhen · #17 01/26/14, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dustyroad

I'd love to do that Brenda but who's going to eat it? I love growing it but I could never eat all I can grow.

You could barter with it. Or feed it to livestock. Or leave it to attract wildlife.

7thswan · #18 01/26/14, 02:03 PM

Get some animals that you can feed the extra produce to. You sure have a lot of options on that beautiful place you have there.

dustyroad · #19 01/26/14, 02:12 PM

Yes I do. Sometimes too many, and with no woman to tell me what to do I just spend my days bouncing off of all the solid objects. (that's humour! so please no hate mail)

7thswan · #20 01/26/14, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dustyroad

Yes I do. Sometimes too many, and with no woman to tell me what to do I just spend my days bouncing off of all the solid objects. (that's humour! so please no hate mail)

Better watch it, show anymore pictures like that , mention needing a Woman to help you, you might bite off more than you can chew around here!