Winter Solstice 2013 {Seasonal Snaps}

On the first day of winter 2013, central Ohio was subject to flood watches. Our property developed two temporary ponds and two whole acres of mud as several inches of rain melted four inches of snow. One of the ponded areas is where we plowed about a quarter acre of lawn for planting next year. The plan is to till it and fill in low spots with additional soil when the land dries but does not freeze. We may be waiting until spring for that chore.

But the sun shone and heated the air to nearly 60 degrees during the afternoon. The sky was BLUE and the air felt like April. I was happily barefoot most of the day with windows open to air out the house. Thanks to the thawed earth, I was able to pull five pounds of sweet, anise-y parsnips to serve for Christmas Eve dinner. What a precious reprieve from the typical winter ick!

Alas, because of the long very cold spell in early December, the hoop house is nearly empty. A few plantings of greens are hanging on but not growing much. There are peas in the center I hoped to harvest; even though they aren't producing food, I'm leaving them as a green mulch.

I started the Seasonal Snaps project one year ago for Winter Solstice 2012. Our homestead isn't nearly grown to where I envision it but you can see some of the major changes. Our small orchard is planted, we have a hoop house for growing, the mudroom is built and insulated, and we're working on a bigger better vegetable plot.

Rain, snow, and sunshine all contribute to the food forest we tend. We are again thankful for the turning of the seasons that hearkens us to look back at where we've come and set our intentions for the future.

Seasonal Snaps {Autumn Equinox 2013}

  This big oak may look like nothing much has changed since the Winter Solstice, Spring Equinox, and Summer Solstice snaps, but it did have an exciting moment. During a thunderstorm in July, lightning arched off the ground and struck her trunk, sizzling a family of squirrels and leaving a scar across the bark.

Joseph of Swainway Urban Farm grew six rows of vegetables in the tree's shadow which unfortunately were flooded during the same storm. Their growth remained stunted through the summer and yielded primarily produce for our two families.

Sorghum is the last remnant of a failed squash and grain garden in the front. Squash bugs and weeds decimated the squash plant; we're making do with an alternate harvest of corn.  

Plantings close to the house include Lil's flower garden, the apothecary with plants like the Toothache plant, and several fig trees. The blueberries that flank the walk suffered from lack of water in the spring but hopefully will make it through to next year.

The orchard trees are looking a little bigger than before. Comfrey and brambles are filling out in between the rows. Alex and Lil are sizing up the existing apple tree in this picture.  

Finally, the view where most of the action is - you can see tall sunflowers and rows of vegetables (albeit gone-by plants) that were just barely planted in the summer.  

Inside the hoop house, we're hanging on to a couple tomato plants that are still yielding ripe fruit for fresh eating. Ever-bearing strawberries are remarkably still producing fruit, a couple a day. The rest is planted with fall root and leafy green vegetables.

We will write a wrap-up of the season's successes and failures in the garden and the hoop house soon.

How is your garden looking this first day of fall?

Seasonal Snaps: Summer Solstice 2013

Welcome summer! Things are green around here. In the front yard, we have a squash and grains patch and the Swainway Urban Farm annex, six long rows of organic tomatoes, peppers, beets, and celery root.

Out back, the baby orchard is coming along. We're collecting no fruit from these trees, but are eating mulberries from a wild tree and looking forward to harvest from an existing apple and pear tree.

We've taken down trees, built a new coop, and started many gardens near the house. The natural playground balance beam, steps, and swinging rope lie between the orchard and near gardens.

Chicks are growing too. Lil and I allowed this Buff Brahma to explore the hoop house recently. We've eaten peas, greens, strawberries, radishes and beets from the hoop house this spring; the beds now contain tomatoes and peppers.

We couldn't be more pleased with the progress from winter solstice 2012 to spring equinox 2013 to now. We're not stopping yet - we have plans for a big harvest, mud room, and maybe even a renovated indoor kitchen before the next season change.

What's happening in your neck of the woods?

Seasonal Snaps: Spring Equinox 2013

The homestead has changed in many ways since I posted Winter Solstice 2013 Seasonal Snaps, though I felt wind on my cheeks and spied snow in the air on both photography days. Mostly we have been building and hauling; we're eager to finally see edibles growing at the next turn of the seasons. Not much action in the front yet, pictured in fleeting sunlight.

Careful eyes will spot the new mailbox at the road, a result of a drunk driver smashing our old one to smithereens.

In the backyard, Jacob Sauer Tree Care recently removed a dying honey locust to give more light and eliminate the thorn hazards. We agreed to haul the brush and cut all wood to save costs, a chore that has taken many days. You may be able to spot a catalpa and oak tree Alex cut down further back in the yard.

You can also see the hoop house in this picture, off to the left. We built a 10x20 foot season-extending structure  over several work days with the help of many friends. One of three beds inside is already planted with greens and roots.

Here's the hoop house from the back of the yard. You can also see the dirt pile we're hosting for City Folk's Farm Shop*. That big empty area in the foreground? It's where the family who owned the house before us traditionally kept their garden. We'll use the well-drained spot for an orchard with alley plantings in between rows.

I have to admit I'm a little disappointed in how similar the two seasons appear for all the aches my body feels from working outside. Surely June 21, the summer solstice, will yield a totally different view.

*Alex, Lil, and I want to wish Shawn and Gerry at City Folk's a VERY HAPPY FIRST ANNIVERSARY! We love having this shop in our vicinity for homsteading supplies and education. They are hosting a homestead tool swap, chicken feed giveaway, silent auction, and more fun activities during their birthday week - go visit!