Friday, July 6, 2012

PLANNING STAGES FOR PART OF FARM

In these lazy days of our hot Summer, I've been looking at photos, walking around on the property, and planning for the future.  

This is one of the areas I've cleared and mowed (and kept mowed) so that it sort of turns into just flat, weed/bush free lawn space.  Since this is in the front and to the side of the house, I want to use this for some more "farm like" plans.  So, I've used some of my recent time off to look at pictures and plans online and in books, and have decided this would be the perfect spot to have a small barn, to use as a workshop, a smaller garden shed for the mower and outdoor tools, and then, in the future of course, space for a chicken coop.

I figure all of this could even be fenced in by one of my favorite fences.  Regular readers know I keep finding more and more fence styles that I like so which one I would decide on is another story, ha.


I also measured, taking into account future growth size, the space from where the front of the barn/fence line would be, to the edge of the driveway and I could fit about 4 trees there.  Fruit trees of course, so that it helps lead toward the self sufficiency we long for.  Upon doing inventory of those fruit trees that we already have, I realized we don't have any lemon or lime tree, and only one orange.  So why not make those four trees be four varieties of citrus?


I'd like to go ahead and get the fruit trees when I see them on sale.  Does anyone have firsthand experience of putting lemon/lime/orange and maybe grapefruit side by side like that?  Not touching of course, they'll have space for future growth and air circulation, but I wondered if there were any issues with cross pollination?  I'd like to keep a lime a lime, a lemon and lemon, etc, and not end up with with some sort of lemorange?  LOL!


We're also currently researching small sheds that will hold the big green zen machine and other garden related tools.  This weekend, weather permitting of course, I hope to measure off the future space.

22 comments:

  1. I don't know, the word "lemorange" sort of has a ring to it, don't you think? heehee

    Sorry, I don't have any experience with citrus as we are too far north to grow them [darnIT!] but I wish you luck.

    I think your plans look wonderful. Are you going to have a garden? What will you plant there if you do?

    Sorry, so many questions. I am very excited for you and think of you often b/c right now we are looking to move out of our 3 story townhome to a similar home/piece of land like yours. Unfortunately [for us] it continues to be a seller's market here - the housing market never depressed. Ah well, I know the right home will come sooner or later, right? :D

    Have a wonderful weekend and try to stay cool.

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    1. First of all, I just realized I never replied to these wonderful comments from everyone so here we go!!

      Lemorange is kind of cool huh? OK, I hearby trademark the name if I come up with it, LOL! Yes, going to have a garden, there were big plans for it but the delays in remodeling and other things made me get too late of a start for spring. The garden area is around the other side from this angle, almost directly across.

      Thanks for the kind words and yes, you will get the right home sooner, I know it!

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  2. Not sure about the cross polinating but I do know that citrus trees have to be grafted to bear properly. Perhaps that is already done on the ones you buy, but you might ask. You could also call the county extension office for more info. They probably even have booklets to send you.

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    1. Great idea about the county extension office. Yes, the trees I've seen so far how are all grafted and I didn't think about that but I'm glad to know that. Thank you for the tips! I'm going to check out the extension office tomorrow.

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  3. No prob with crossing the citrus trees. They don't. They are grafted when purchased. You MUST plan to cover them during any freezing weather. I have made pvc cages and I just put them over the tree (expanding the cage when the tree grows) and cover the cage with blankets etc. Easy on, easy off for an old lady. I also have the name and contact with a man fro Katy who has prop near me, (he owns an excavating company and can dig you a little pond at a REASONABLE price). Little shed would be great. One side could be dirt floor and the other side could be enclosed for your work space (just a suggestion). Plant a peach and persimmon too. Need watering but you can put a timer on a water hose and take care of that (also an old lady suggestion). Great plans, I hope they pan out well for you. From the old lady.

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    1. Hey hey! I am glad to know for sure about that. I wasn't sure but I knew y'all would have some great information. Thanks for the info. I might just hit you up for the information when the time comes. We actually HAVE a pond site at the front of the property. That will have to be a much bigger pond later on, ha.

      I was thinking that having the citrus close to each other would be great for covering them during freezes. Good info! Thank you!! (as always).

      And side note, you're only as old as you feel! :-)

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  4. Your citrus won't cross-pollinate. I have 80 year old oranges, grapefruit and lemons on my property...I have younger citrus, too: lemons, limes, tangerines, grapefruit, oranges. If you live in CA you have citrus! The blooms make delicious honey...you will HAVE to get bees!

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    1. Ahh, all that citrus, how awesome. And I bet 80 year old trees are AMAZINGLY beautiful. Of course, everything grows in California, right? Ha. Great to know I don't have to worry about cross poll, that was the only think holding me back from deciding. Now I guess it's time for tree shopping. Even if I have to keep them in pots until I can get them in the ground.

      Oh, and bees are DEFINITELY on my short list.

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  5. 1st Man - i don't know diddely-sqwat about the fruit trees cross-pollinating but the above commenters seem to know so listen to them. however, if you manage to produce a lemorange - i am going to want a yearly batch of them since i am such a good friend - bahahahahahah! you layout plans are lovely! now get yer butt out there and start measuring!!!

    your friend,
    kymber

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    1. Do you know that it has rained EVERY SINGLE DAY since this original post? No measuring yet! Ugh.

      Sweet friend, if I get some lemoranges, you'll be first on the list for a lifetime supply, ha. Heck if I get some great fruit from any of our trees at some point, I'm going to put you on the list for a fruit basket!

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  6. MMMM...just think of all the lovely marmalades you can make with your citrus and all the yummy eggs for your chickens! Yay you!

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    1. I LOVE marmalades. That's reason enough huh? Ha. If it will ever stop raining, I'm going to check out some citrus trees. I think i might actually have room for four trees. So that makes lemon, orange, lime, and grapefruit. I think that's a perfect foursome!

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  7. They won't cross with each other, but will likely need bees for good pollination (and honey!) Also, you should check on if they are self-fertile or if you will need to have more than one of each type for pollination. I know you need more than one for sweet cherries and apples but some trees will pollinate themselves just fine.

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    1. Oh yes, I almost forget about the self pollination. I will put that on the wish list. As for bees, I took a class last Fall, intro to beekeeping, and I loved it. I was hooked. Since I knew we didn't have a garden as a possibility for the Spring, I put the bees on the side burner for now. But my plans are for bees early next year (I've heard feb is a good time to introduce a hive, they don't stray as much since it's still winter). Luckily there are some bees nearby, within a mile or so, and so i think I'm getting some of them at the farm too. I'm sure with citrus in full bloom, I'll have all the bees around the area, ha.

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  8. My friends J & J have an orange tree that bears beautiful oranges but they are inedible. It's so sad. Another friend, J (hmmmm I have a lot of friends that begin with J), who has a lemon tree and apparently through dumn luck his was done right and his lemons are huge and produce lots of lovely lemon juice to cook chicken with, I know cause I've done it :-). So look at what the others say about the grafting thing; apparently it's the only way to do it.

    Bees are a great idea too. The honey grown in your local area helps, when eaten, to stave off allergies (another reason to "home grow"). There is a new thing about bees in our area; apparently there are bee stealers in the big city. I went to a restaurant there (Zelko Bistro) and they were telling us about bee thieves and how restaurants who keep their own bees were having them stolen! He said the owner of his restaurant was having to raise her bees in Top Secret mode so nobody could heist 'em. The honey he let us taste was delish.

    I can't wait to see what you come up with next.

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    1. Really? Hmm, 2nd Man tells me there is a variety of Mexican Orange that "looks" like an orange but is bitter like a lemon or lime. Maybe it's that? Thanks for the info on the grafting, I'm going to check that out.

      Bees are awesome. You'll still come visit even though there might be a bee hive over by the fence, right?

      Side note, Bistro Zelko? That's right down the road and we haven't been yet, ha.

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  9. Looks like you've got a great plan in action. You're going to have a gorgeous garden on your farm one day. I love reading how this will unfold. Wishing you success.

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    1. Aww, thank you, that's why I do this, it's just a journey, maybe it doesn't happen as fast as we hope, but as long as I can type on this computer, I'll keep the saga of the journey going here for all to see!

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  10. Dear 1st Man,

    Found you through Annie's garden, I think. Love sharing in your dreams for your sweet farm...it is my dream as well to move to a little lace of my own in the country...full circle as I lived on a dairy farm in Virginia as a child. Since this is not the time for me, I have decided to start my farm at my house in the city where I live. I am fortunate to live in an historic neighborhood and my house is an old Victorian, very farmhouse-like with a large backyard.

    So far, I have a nice sized garden and finally built a nice coop and run and got chickens this Spring. I'm loving it! I love seeing your plans and thought processes as you build your and 2nd Man's dream :)

    Anyways, since I designed a coop recently, and as I'm sure you know, there is a lot that goes in to keeping your hens happy and laying and there are tons of online resources for everything chicken.

    One thing I noticed in your plans is that the coop appears to be out in the meadow. I've learned that heat and cold hardiness are important issues to consider when siting your coop and choosing the breeds you will keep. Placing the coop near a deciduous tree or two will provide shade in summer and max sun in winter...a suggestion from another old lady...

    Huzzah for your farm!

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    1. Wow, I don't know what to say, you are so sweet to say these things. Thank you. Awesome info about the chickens. There is actually a very large tree just "off camera" and when the plans actually unfold, the chickens would probably end up closer to the tree. But when with your info, I will DEFINITELY make sure of that. Thank you again. Please come back!! We appreciate it! And welcome!!!

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  11. I am myself kinda outdoor person. I love the idea of building farm on that empty land. I am looking forward to receiving updates from you on how the farm is going so best of luck.

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    1. Well hello there and welcome! Yes, it's a process, while we want to have it done yesterday, haha, we know there is no rush, we'll get it, it's just slow at times. :-) Thanks for stopping by, come back soon!!

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