2012 Accomplishments so far

Sometimes it seems we are fighting a loosing battle, so it is good to look back and see what was accomplished. Here are the accomplishments we have made in 2012:

• Barn clean up. Although there is still to do, the barn is a lot cleaner, particularly thanks to rodent trapping.
• Front Yard cleaning. This was started in late 2011, and is still ongoing. Compared to Summer 2011, the yard is a lot cleaner now.
• First full honey harvest. We harvested one full honey super, which yielded 2 gallons, or about 25 pounds.
• Poultry flock contained. The hens used to escape and roam throughout the property. They are now contained in the corral.
• First garden. The hens used to destroy our garden. Now that they are contained, we grew beets, carrots, salad in the cold frame, kale, cabbage, tomatoes, peppers.
• Installation of a greywater system. Nasturtium, sunflowers and bamboo is growing from the water.
• Kitchen electrical is fixed. We had a rusty outlet which eventually melted, opening the whole kitchen outlet circuit. This is fixed, thanks to Jack and Andy.
• Hot tub is cleaned and running. It had been sitting for 2 years, and was dirty. A few parts still need replacement.
• Flower beds along the driveway. We planted a few flowers along the driveway. They have a semi-automatic watering system that appears to work well.
• Some perennials planted (blueberries, apples, cherries).
• Pasture sheds sided. The 4 pasture sheds are now sided, although some work still needs to be done on them.
• Brush mower fixed. This tool helps cutting grass too tall for the riding mower (along the street).
• Hay collected for the winter. Cutting the tall grass along the street with a sickle makes great hay for the goats.

Next is to set goals from now to the end of the year:

• Finish the pasture sheds. Siding needs more screws before the windy season comes in.
• Plant cover crop in the garden. Field peas will provide poultry feed.
• Plant a winter garden.
• Remove the junk along the corral.
• Finish the hot tub solar heater. Purchase hot tub replacement jet pump, light, heat exchanger.
• Clean the driveway of all the grass.
• Add forced ventilation to the compost heap. This will speed up composting, and improve the quality of the compost (less weed seeds).
• Clean up the garage, sheet-rock the South wall, install shelves, setup a mini-greenhouse in the window for 2013 Spring planting.
• Stain deck, at least the floor, railing can wait.
• Replace the electric water heater. Corrosion has damaged the lower heating element, and soon or later, the heater will leak. Better replace it soon.
• Breed Dolly, our LaMancha goat, to have a continuous supply of milk. Jubilee, our Nubian, will go dry in January. Dolly needs to be trained, she is too wild at this time.

There are more things to do, but this will keep me busy until the end of the year. By then I can assess the progress for the whole 2012 year, and set realistic goals for 2013.