We are all hoping for a better new year. Even if you do not believe in a better political climate, you can hope for a better economic climate and a better health climate. Getting to see our friends and visit with our kids and grandkids again will be wonderful.
We've gotten several little dustings of snow up here on the mountain in the past month. And it's been cold enough to frost our collards several times. But occasionally, even when it's cold, the sun does come out and makes you feel better. On those rare events we will try to get out and do something in preparation for the coming growing season.
For example, we've begun building our mountain of wood chips. We make the wood chips from downed limbs and dead trees mostly found along the side of our drive. This also helps keep that area clear for the Bush Hog. We use these woodchips extensively in the garden. They are good for retaining moisture and blocking weeds. We've also begun expanding our garden to be about three times larger than last year's. Check this page for a description of our hugelkultur method.
Also, we have pruned back the muscadine vines and transplanted a row of wild blueberry bushes.
Additionally we have started several trays of seeds indoors and we have already transferred some of them to their permanent location in our original garden. It is still quite early so for the cold sensitive plants I quickly constructed a small row cover from some old tarp material. On sunny days we have to pull this tarp back to keep the plants from getting too warm but it does protect them on those frosty nights and from the torrential downpours.
So far we have started turnips, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, several varieties of lettuce, mizuna, tatsoi, arugula, several varieties of kale, and beets.
I completed a little project I started at the end of last year to rebuild my Bush Hog. This involved replacing the lower oil seal in the gearbox and the blades. As you can see from this picture the old blades were pretty used up. Right now TRAKKER is in the shop getting work done on his clutch and brake shoes. Also I replaced the battery in the wood chipper and put new tires on its wheels.
That's it for now. Get vaccinated and stay safe.
