Hubby and I had a long talk tonight and made some decisions. Some aren't appropriate for the blog, but we also talked about money and what to do about the expensive fencing situation. We could do 100-300 feet of fencing at a time, per month, and finally get it done by Sept or October. But then if we spend all of our money doing that, we wouldn't be able to plant a windbreak plus all of the fruit and nut trees and bushes that we want.
The windbreak is important. The neighbors all tell us that there is NO time period of any season that doesn't have wind. It blows year-round, and not just little puffy breezes. Real stiff winds and major gale-like-forces. If we don't get the windbreak up, then our corn and fruit bushes, etc. don't have a chance of living, let alone producing. So within the next week or so, I'm ordering 100 privet hedge plants, 10 holly-bush plants, and 2 or more weeping willow trees. A few others too but I haven't completely decided.
Thanks to the advice of Anon and Linda earlier today. You helped a lot.
Might do the back fence next month ... so we will know where to rototill, and I can go on and plant the grape vines along it.
Then... we need to reinforce the fence around our "backyard" (to hold the goat pen, chicken coop, part of the veggie garden and our "relaxing area" with the picnic table etc.) The fence is 4 foot tall with welded-wire fencing. The two corn patches, the sunflower/cuke/watermelon patch and the amaranth patch will be outside of this section, and we'll just hope and pray that the rabbits leave it alone!
When we want the goats to help us "mow the lawn" (yes, I know they are browsers and not grazers), then we'll hook them up and hope they help out by eating the cactus and burrs, and leave lots of poop behind! Perhaps we should revisit the "goat tractor" idea.
The chickens ... if we have the time and energy and supplies, we'll make a chicken tractor and let them out of the coop into the tractor. That will help us with the bugs and greens and leaving fertilizer behind too!
The upstairs bedroom that the Kid just vacated is also going to be the home of more of our veggies and herbs and fruits than what we originally planned. I spent part of this morning arranging things, checking on my baby seelings, installing two "grow-lights" and figuring out we need a few more of them. I think it will work pretty well!
And we're going to work hard to save money and make extra money selling seedlings, etc. so we can get the fence put up by Autumn this year. Gotta get cracking on writing my various book projects too. (Note: compiling a book of "my very first garden" stories ... be sure to read the info at the top of this web-page and e-mail your story as soon as possible. It will be sold on Amazon.com and other places.)
Thanks for all of the input. Really appreciate it.
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For today, I did 3 loads of laundry, a load of dishes, made a crockpot full of beans/lentils/quinoa, met with another fencing person, gathered as much of the tax info as possible (missing 2 items) and made an appointment for tax prep for Sunday. Also got the Kid caught up on schoolwork. Yippee! Yep... busy day.
Showing posts with label Fence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fence. Show all posts
Fencing is EXPENSIVE!
I'm still getting estimates for our fence but boy howdy... I don't know what we're going to do. The estimates range from $4,200 to $11,000 ... just for 1200 linear feet. It's not like we want chain link or cedar post-and-slats or privacy so geez, what on earth are we gonna do? I was hoping it would come in around $2,000. Still expect several more fencing estimates to come in... today and tomorrow
Went online to homedepot.com to price supplies as if we could do it ourselves. Still comes to close to $1,800 for just supplies, not even getting help with the labor.
Perhaps we should plant our windbreak and save up to have the fence installed next year. Or just do the back part so we will know where our property line is when we plow up to plant corn.
I can't think.
Too much wind.... and Hubby and I are arguing. About what? What we always argue about.... the Kid.
Anyway, I'd love your input ... wanted the fence to keep out foxes and such and so we can allow our goats, chickens and dogs to run free when we're out there with them. But it's more important to get the windbreak planted. Right? Or perhaps someone might have a cheap solution to our fencing problem. Hint hint.
Went online to homedepot.com to price supplies as if we could do it ourselves. Still comes to close to $1,800 for just supplies, not even getting help with the labor.
Perhaps we should plant our windbreak and save up to have the fence installed next year. Or just do the back part so we will know where our property line is when we plow up to plant corn.
I can't think.
Too much wind.... and Hubby and I are arguing. About what? What we always argue about.... the Kid.
Anyway, I'd love your input ... wanted the fence to keep out foxes and such and so we can allow our goats, chickens and dogs to run free when we're out there with them. But it's more important to get the windbreak planted. Right? Or perhaps someone might have a cheap solution to our fencing problem. Hint hint.
Fencing and Chicken Coops
Spent yeste
rday looking online for prefab chicken coops or even kits to put together ourselves. Wow! Expensive! Found some great websites that gave links but either they were in the UK or just too expensive, even without calculating in shipping. Then I talked with the neighbor in the back and she said she'd looked too, and they just ended up building one. Still expensive to gather the supplies.
We can build a big "box" but I don't know how to cut a hole in for nesting boxes, or some other design items I want.
Craigslist was next. Found several that interested me, and still kinda expensive. One was 4x4 with a 3x4 "run" (we will increase it's size as needed... 3 pix to the right). After Hubby got home from work and attached the traile
r to his car, we drove off to take a look. Nice people ... stopped with the chickens because they didn't lock them up one night and a fox got them all. Will try again sometime but meanwhile, we got their chicken coop. The roof slides down to access the nesting boxes but I'm gonna have Hubby cut holes so I can get the eggs without sliding the roof. And we'll increase the size of the run.
Still need a second one because I want to keep our two breeds of chickens separate. We have a little time tho. They haven't even been born yet!
Now comes fencing. We still can't find the buried rebar posts that mark our boundary lines so I found a copy of the plat map that we got in January. Hubby's gonna print it out at work, along with a copy of the google map. I'm gonna super-impose the plat map onto the google and hopefully this will give us an idea. Yep, we're going to guess, erring on our side and hoping the map we got during closing is correct.
Called Home Depot installation department and they're going to come out and give an estimate. Wish they would have called me back today to set up the appointment. But we need a load of top soil first in our "dog run". Gonna have to call it something else. We've decided to keep the chickens and goats in a third of it, and in the other third, have our veggie garden and a relaxing area... with a swing (kinda like a porch swing), bar-b-que, picnic table, and a little grass to tickle our toes. Keeping the basic veggies in this already-fenced-in area will reduce how much we will be spending on fencing.
What kind of fence for the perimeter? Strong enough to withstand our severe gale-like winds, tall enough to help deter (notice I didn't say stop) deer from coming in, posts every 5 feet, and with heavy chicken wire to keep our critters in and others out. Two gates.
I called Home Depot because they do free consultations, including the measuring of the property. Ah ha! We'll know exactly how much we need! Anyway, the fence company will call me within 1-2 days to set up an appointment. No matter what they quote me, I'll get another 2 quotes elsewhere and choose the best one. I'd like to get Hubby to install our fence and gates, but with so much going on (still haven't done our taxes or built the goat pen or unpacked the kitchen or finished the Kid's room or ... argh!), I'm concerned that we won't get the fence up before the chickens and goats come home.
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I think we have enough to do this year so I think we'll wait until next year before growing pasture for our critters. We'll have two separate "3-sisters" cornfields, an amaranth area, herb garden and large veggie garden in addition to getting all of our perennials in place (berries, rhubarb, asparagus, nut and fruit trees, etc.). Hope Hubby's ok with this. We have so much soil-amending to do that I'm hoping a year of goat and chicken poop will help us for next year.
= = = =
Yeah, we're rearranging our plans for this little 2 acre plot. Better to change our minds now instead of after we've planted or built. Hopefully we've have time for the Kid and I to go out and measure so I can come back in and start planning with accurate square footage.
Oh, and really need to get those seeds started!!
rday looking online for prefab chicken coops or even kits to put together ourselves. Wow! Expensive! Found some great websites that gave links but either they were in the UK or just too expensive, even without calculating in shipping. Then I talked with the neighbor in the back and she said she'd looked too, and they just ended up building one. Still expensive to gather the supplies.We can build a big "box" but I don't know how to cut a hole in for nesting boxes, or some other design items I want.
Craigslist was next. Found several that interested me, and still kinda expensive. One was 4x4 with a 3x4 "run" (we will increase it's size as needed... 3 pix to the right). After Hubby got home from work and attached the traile
r to his car, we drove off to take a look. Nice people ... stopped with the chickens because they didn't lock them up one night and a fox got them all. Will try again sometime but meanwhile, we got their chicken coop. The roof slides down to access the nesting boxes but I'm gonna have Hubby cut holes so I can get the eggs without sliding the roof. And we'll increase the size of the run.Still need a second one because I want to keep our two breeds of chickens separate. We have a little time tho. They haven't even been born yet!
Now comes fencing. We still can't find the buried rebar posts that mark our boundary lines so I found a copy of the plat map that we got in January. Hubby's gonna print it out at work, along with a copy of the google map. I'm gonna super-impose the plat map onto the google and hopefully this will give us an idea. Yep, we're going to guess, erring on our side and hoping the map we got during closing is correct.Called Home Depot installation department and they're going to come out and give an estimate. Wish they would have called me back today to set up the appointment. But we need a load of top soil first in our "dog run". Gonna have to call it something else. We've decided to keep the chickens and goats in a third of it, and in the other third, have our veggie garden and a relaxing area... with a swing (kinda like a porch swing), bar-b-que, picnic table, and a little grass to tickle our toes. Keeping the basic veggies in this already-fenced-in area will reduce how much we will be spending on fencing.
What kind of fence for the perimeter? Strong enough to withstand our severe gale-like winds, tall enough to help deter (notice I didn't say stop) deer from coming in, posts every 5 feet, and with heavy chicken wire to keep our critters in and others out. Two gates.
I called Home Depot because they do free consultations, including the measuring of the property. Ah ha! We'll know exactly how much we need! Anyway, the fence company will call me within 1-2 days to set up an appointment. No matter what they quote me, I'll get another 2 quotes elsewhere and choose the best one. I'd like to get Hubby to install our fence and gates, but with so much going on (still haven't done our taxes or built the goat pen or unpacked the kitchen or finished the Kid's room or ... argh!), I'm concerned that we won't get the fence up before the chickens and goats come home.
= = = =
I think we have enough to do this year so I think we'll wait until next year before growing pasture for our critters. We'll have two separate "3-sisters" cornfields, an amaranth area, herb garden and large veggie garden in addition to getting all of our perennials in place (berries, rhubarb, asparagus, nut and fruit trees, etc.). Hope Hubby's ok with this. We have so much soil-amending to do that I'm hoping a year of goat and chicken poop will help us for next year.
= = = =
Yeah, we're rearranging our plans for this little 2 acre plot. Better to change our minds now instead of after we've planted or built. Hopefully we've have time for the Kid and I to go out and measure so I can come back in and start planning with accurate square footage.
Oh, and really need to get those seeds started!!
That Sheep Has a Blue Butt!
There we were, driving along a country road, taking in the sights and trying to acclimated to long drive to town. Enjoying the sites... horses, cattle, goats, alpacas, donkeys and ... sheep! Yes, here I'm driving along and a sheep with a blue butt catches my eye. And yes, I'm the one who said, out loud, "that sheep has a blue butt"! Just popped out of my mouth. Of course, I realize that the sheep's owner marked that ewe with a special dye so that when a ram mounts her, he gets the blue on him. That way, the owner knows when and if they mate. Makes sense, but was just an odd sight.
Yes, I'm a greenhorn. I'll learn.
Talkin' about wildlife...
We have a lot of cotton-tail rabbits around here. Almost hit one on our road as we slowly drove down the street. See one or two a day, hopping around our property. Cute but ... I'm concerned about the future of our garden. Does anyone know what plants will help deter rabbits?
And the foxes and coyotes ... they won't eat our garden, but will attempt to get to our goaties and chickens. We're giving it some hard thought to keep the quail and rabbits in the garage, so we'll need to keep their population down. However, the chickens and goats need to be outside. When we build our barn, we'll need to make sure it has chicken wire against the ground to prevent a predator from digging in and devouring our friends.
Heard rumors of a mountain lion in the area, and was confirmed last night. Were talking with the neighbors in the back (the ones with the chickens, turkeys, goats, etc.) about property lines so we can put up a fence. He said the house across the street from him had a cougar in his yard just the night before. Wow. Didn't realize they come this far onto the plains. I think I'll be requesting the Kid to be home before dusk from now on. As a teen, I don't need to worry about him being outside before dawn!
Listening to the songbirds is nice. Quite a few sparrows visit the tree outside our bedroom window. Kinda hard to hear over the strangling cockadoodledoo of the roosters in the back! Poor things. Sounds like they are screeching over laryngitis. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice sound and doesn't bother us that roosters crow ALL day (where on earth did that morning business start?!?!).
Speaking of intruders... we've given those boys (who cut across our property) a lot of thought. We're hoping that our 6-foot fence with chicken wire will deter them. Hopefully they won't be able to get a toe-hold in the tight squares of the chicken wire. Plus we'll post "no trespassing" signs at the front and back.
Any suggestions to "wildlife-proof'' our property?
Can any one recommend a fairly inexpensive but large, sturdy (high winds, heavy snow loads) greenhouse?
= = = =
We had the architect from the HOA out yesterday afternoon to help us find our property line. Only 2 of our markers showed up. Unsure what to do. Plus he informed us that we need a 10' easement around the perimeter of the property for utility trucks to access utility poles. Although most people don't do that.
Our backyard neighbor whispered to me that most people in the area just put up fences and barns etc where they feel like it and ignore the HOA. Yep, I regret giving the HOA a heads' up.
Yes, I'm a greenhorn. I'll learn.
Talkin' about wildlife...
We have a lot of cotton-tail rabbits around here. Almost hit one on our road as we slowly drove down the street. See one or two a day, hopping around our property. Cute but ... I'm concerned about the future of our garden. Does anyone know what plants will help deter rabbits?
And the foxes and coyotes ... they won't eat our garden, but will attempt to get to our goaties and chickens. We're giving it some hard thought to keep the quail and rabbits in the garage, so we'll need to keep their population down. However, the chickens and goats need to be outside. When we build our barn, we'll need to make sure it has chicken wire against the ground to prevent a predator from digging in and devouring our friends.
Heard rumors of a mountain lion in the area, and was confirmed last night. Were talking with the neighbors in the back (the ones with the chickens, turkeys, goats, etc.) about property lines so we can put up a fence. He said the house across the street from him had a cougar in his yard just the night before. Wow. Didn't realize they come this far onto the plains. I think I'll be requesting the Kid to be home before dusk from now on. As a teen, I don't need to worry about him being outside before dawn!
Listening to the songbirds is nice. Quite a few sparrows visit the tree outside our bedroom window. Kinda hard to hear over the strangling cockadoodledoo of the roosters in the back! Poor things. Sounds like they are screeching over laryngitis. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice sound and doesn't bother us that roosters crow ALL day (where on earth did that morning business start?!?!).
Speaking of intruders... we've given those boys (who cut across our property) a lot of thought. We're hoping that our 6-foot fence with chicken wire will deter them. Hopefully they won't be able to get a toe-hold in the tight squares of the chicken wire. Plus we'll post "no trespassing" signs at the front and back.
Any suggestions to "wildlife-proof'' our property?
Can any one recommend a fairly inexpensive but large, sturdy (high winds, heavy snow loads) greenhouse?
= = = =
We had the architect from the HOA out yesterday afternoon to help us find our property line. Only 2 of our markers showed up. Unsure what to do. Plus he informed us that we need a 10' easement around the perimeter of the property for utility trucks to access utility poles. Although most people don't do that.
Our backyard neighbor whispered to me that most people in the area just put up fences and barns etc where they feel like it and ignore the HOA. Yep, I regret giving the HOA a heads' up.
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