Fall Plans, Trees and Chickens

I promise I’m not as bitter or cynical as my last blog sounded. Truth be told, as nervous as I am for some major changes to occur, I’m happy they’re occurring. I really do believe as Sarah said in the comment she left that this is going to get us back to what matters – a simpler lifestyle, surrounded and supported/ing friends and family.

I think what helps me through this uncertain future is knowing we’re preparing for it. Now that summer is winding down and we’re merely in the mid-90′s range, we’ve been able to take a renewed interest in our yard plans. We still have much to do – finish the fence, add more mulch, tear out a bad tree, plant new fruit trees - just for starters this fall.

We’ve finished our measurements and the bones of our “blueprint” for planning and found we have 645 square feet in our front yard, not including a small planter by our front door. The back yard consists of 1,406 sq ft, which includes the tortoise habitat and the patio which will still consists of edibles. Of the five trees we currently have, only two are fit to stay. They are both well established, and planted correctly and provide great coverage for the house during the summer.

The other three trees are fruit trees but were either planted poorly (too close to the wall and falling down) or were allowed to sprout on their own (right in the middle of the current planter). These guys were so badly maintained, we haven’t been able to get real fruit from them, despite any efforts.

In the place of those 3 “fruit” trees we’re removing, we’ll be planting 6-8 new fruit trees using the high density planting method described here and pictured here. I’m very, very excited about this method, despite the skepticism. Has anyone else tried it? So far we’ve settled on a Meyer Lemon, apple (variety yet unknown), pomegranate, peach and apricot tree. Can’t decide on the others yet.

It’s also decided that once the fence is done and the big yard projects finished, we will be getting city chickens! We’re all very excited about this decision. It may only be 2-3 that we are able to squeeze onto our tiny lot and we’ll have to secure the tortoise habitat from being invaded. But won’t fresh eggs be worth it? Maybe I’ll even get a little chicken leash and take them for walks.  If that didn’t seal our Crazy status with the neighbors, what will?

Well, I had best get back to researching companion plants and tree varieties. Have a good weekend ya’ll!