Moving to smallholding soon

[ina]

And we don't have midges everywhere - haven't had any yet this summer where I now live, near the coast.

That's cause they are all in my back garden

Yep - living on the coast does have its advantages!

[rcoe]

Well, I thought I would post here because I feel pretty much like a newcomer - it's been that long since I was here last. Hard to believe it's coming up on 2 years since I posted for the first time and we were moving in. Have to say, my estimate of achieving 10% of my ambitions was a little over-optimistic! We've had some great veg from the plot, and the fields are being kept down by a neighbour's 3 rams, but otherwise our time has been monopolised by the baby that came along shortly after my first post and who is now a stroppy 2 year old, and work which has been getting busier and busier.
We've been blown around really badly in the last couple of weeks which has really set back the veg patch for this year. I think it's going to be a pretty lean year.

Anyway, anybody got any tips to kick start our ambitions again? Time, time, time - that's what I need. Giving up my job would work well....

[MuddyWitch]

Welcome home

MW

[red]

welcome back :) and congrats on the baby now toddler!

growing veg is the most time consuming I think - although i have a lot of chicks at the mo and they are time wasters.. just cos I watch them.....how are you fixed for raising some weaners? once you have a run and accommodation sorted out, i think raising weaners is really easy - although a commitment, but can be fitted around work ok.

[Green Aura]

Hi rcoe, welcome back and congratulations on the (not so) newcomer

We live in wind central up here and one way I've found of counteracting it (a bit) has been to double the height of the raised bed (the structure not the soil). Obviously, with some of the winds we've been having this last couple of weeks the veg still get a bit of a battering but nothing has been flattened and it all seems to be growing quite nicely.

As for time, all I can say is enjoy your little one while he/she is tiny - the rest of it will still be there when the youngster's off out doing their own thing. Plus living with something for a while helps you decide what you really want/need/can afford/ need to plan for etc etc.

[indy]

Hiya Richard - welcome!

I envy you your smallholding - everybody's dream, isn't it! Yes, definitely go for a polytunnel. I'm seeing more and more how much veg need protection here - not just from the weather, also from pests like birds and rabbits...

Damn rabbits if my next door neighbour who has just moved in from london (who thinks rabbits are cute and harmless and foxes need feeding chicken every night) keeps feeding them I shall be out of commission. I had always resisted polytunnels before but this year has just been RIDICULOUS for bunnies