The progress on the homestead is as follows: I contacted International Ag Labs, my soil testing, fertility recommending lab of choice. Jon there had just returned from time in Africa, helping to “grow their soil.” A few years ago, he had written a pamphlet on what the people of the Congo could do to help their soil (using indigenous things like bat guano and eggshells). One man found one of the pamphlets and put it into practice, and has been tripling his yields. Good for him!
I went to the homestead and dug up about 10 spots, trying to get a cross section of soil 6” deep. It was HOT with Jonadab on my back, and for a long time, I only could find Jadon’s little red shovel, which is not terribly efficient. I mean, I’m shorter than some, but a shovel that only comes up to my waist is just not an effective digging tool. I did finally get some samples, and was surprised to note that many of the places I had dug were not 100% red Virginia clay. Several were more rocky; several had organic matter. It surprised me: maybe the soil is not as bad as I feared.
I drove in to the Post Office and mailed my sample. That felt good. I had taken soil last October, but never got up the guts to mail it in (you have to fill out a questionnaire, and I had no idea—at that time—how to answer the questions. I know a lot more now. But I sort of wish I had mailed in the sample last October—it would have been revealing, I think).
I also looked at electric fencing, which we need before we can get goats or pigs or chickens. Even after calling the fencing supply company, it’s too complex for me—I’ll figure it out another day.
The biggest triumph, though, was finally placing my first apple orchard order! I ordered 250 trees, in 30 varieties, ranging from 4 trees of a type up to 25. I have spent many hours researching apple trees. Did you know that there are hundreds of varieties? And just because a variety is delicious in Maine does not mean it will be delicious here. Thankfully, the Albemarle Pippin, “one of the world’s truly great apples,” is named for my home county. Yes! (That was the variety that I ordered 25 trees.) I have read many descriptions and weighed the advantages and disadvantages of many types.
Besides regional flavor issues, one must also take into account rootstock (how large do you want the tree to grow? Do you want it to be resistant to x and y? Do you want to support the tree for its lifespan on wires?); time of bloom, for cross-pollination (if you plant an early bloom with a late, you will get no apples, because you need two earlies and two lates for the trees to set fruit); time of harvest, for ease and extent of harvesting (if all apples come ripe the same week, you’re pretty much screwed—better to spread the harvest over a period from August to November); flavor (tart, sweet, rich); use (canning, eating, cider, cooking); color (mix it up!).
So to finally feel like I have a reasonably good list for a beginner who has only ever eaten about 10 varieties in a 30-year life is a big accomplishment.
Jadon had a big accomplishment, too. He lost two teeth in the last 24 hours. (He became really serious about losing his second when I offered him the chance to watch a movie if it came out. The grown-up tooth is already in behind the second one, so I wanted it out!) When Phil brings back my camera, we’ll take a picture. He is practicing lisping.
I wanted to mention gravel dust. Think of a photo of the dirtiest child you have ever seen (we have one in the family album of Justin, while camping: he fell on dirt and is looking very merry!). That is my life, every day. Times three (usually Jadon stays a bit clean). Crazy.
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