Work Zone Ahead

In my last blog post, I was gearing up for the big garden plan. I was hoping we would have made lots of progress by now. Alas, Life happens. Between the new baby, Matt wrapping up his Charlotte jobs, important weddings of some of our best friends, bad weather, and packing...we just haven't been up to the farm. We did FINALLY make a trip up there last weekend. We move in at the end of next week and we are SO excited.

Last weekend was magic for us. As we drove onto the farm, I was shocked at how different it looked as Spring has made a major appearance. Everything is so lush and rich. The rain has been so good to the land. Our family picked up tons of junk and trash that had been left by the previous owners too. What a difference that made! My Mom hired a neighbor to turn over three large garden plots by the greenhouse.

I believe after spending some time mulling it over, I have a plan for these three areas.

Mom defined this area as the asparagus garden. I plan to fill half of the area with corn. Did I mention that Mom bought 100 one year old asparagus crowns?

Matt and I about broke our backs getting 1/3 of them in the ground.

Madison county has some major rocky soil. Check out the size of some of those stones. It's going to take a lot of work de-stoning the gardens. But, the soil is SOOO rich! It's worth the work.

For this large section I want to plant a Store and Can garden. This will be food we put up for year round enjoyment. And, this smaller bed right beside the green house I want to use for seasonal produce. I feel really behind on planting but, I know the greenhouse will help us catch up.

The previous owner had a lot of herbs already planted. It will take us a while to identify all that is there. When I was pregnant, my midwives recommended I find some comfrey tea to use for swelling (use your imagination why). It was actually hard to come by and a friend ended up giving me some. Well guess what is growing on the farm in full force? Lots of comfrey!
* Note* Do not drink comfrey tea. Use it as a topical cure only!

We also have strawberries and blueberries that Mom planted and some that were already residents on the farm. I also found lots of blackberry and raspberry bushes scattered around.  It should be a great cobbler season.

There is so much to look forward to and a TON of work to be done. I can't express how overwhelming it is to stand in this dirt and know that it is yours to work. We have time, we have...forever. Matt, Jasper and I enjoyed a sunset together. We watched the sun say goodnight over the trees to the West. It was a sweet feeling to be with each other looking over the fields, together. 

A dream come true.