Just got home from a 3 day visit to my off-grid property. Winter has arrived in the mountains that is for sure. Cold, but still not much snow…which is a good thing, as I can still drive in. I have been up there during previous winters and encountered close to 4 ft of snow!
This time up I was planning on running my mini and clearing and burning some brush and trees. So pulled it out and realized it was time to change oil in it. So after wearing a bit of it as I seem prone to do, got the oil changed, and ran it for about 8 hours. It always amazes me at how much I can accomplish by just moving a few levers.
This machine has been such a blessing, as it would be nearly impossible to get this stuff done by hand….especially at 73 years old.
My Deer Herd
Now that there is a locked gate one mile out from my gate there is literally no one that comes in unless they have the lock combination. In the past when anyone could drive in, I have found the carcasses of several poached deer right on my property.
Needless to say the deer were cautious and would rarely be seen in daylight.
With the added gate that is no longer the case, the deer are much more relaxed and at ease, and will literally bed right out in the open next to the road. Here they are after they got up…surprised there was a vehicle there.
Yep, that is my little herd of does that frequent my property. Right now they are busy eating a whole pickup load of pumpkins and sqaush I put out for them. You can see they are in good shape. The occasional extra food I put out helps I’m sure. Another thing you can notice is this years fawns that survived. With all the cougars and bears around that has not been the case. I have seen the same deer on my cameras that had 3 fawns, the next time I see them she had 2, the next time, 1, then none…all because of predation I would think.
Wildlife Pond
I have dug 3 ponds on this seasonal creek. One does not hold water longer than a few days, one holds water for a few months, and the other holds water for all summer generally. Going to get over there with the excavator and dig the pond that holds water much bigger. The one that does not hold water I am going to fill in with all the rocks dug from 2 of the ponds. This will create a huge wet rock pile which will be perfect habitat for frogs, salamanders, snakes, ect.
The pond that holds water for a few months I will add the most clay like soil I can find and run over it repeatedly with the mini, in hopes of sealing it. There is about 150 feet between the ponds and I am going to build a dam and try to turn that area into a wetlands. Would love to hold back enough water in the spring run off to grow cattails and other wetland plants.
More Bird Houses for the Endangered Western Bluebirds
I will be building 30-40 more birdhouses just like this one. It is incredibly satisfying to see all the birds (I have perhaps 100 birdhouses up) that take advantage of my birdhouses.
These are not your normal backyard birds either, like English Sparrows, or Starlings, no, they are birds that live in these mountains, or travel here to nest every spring. Chickadees, Finches, small woodpeckers, Bluebirds, and others.
I have seen several families of Bluebirds come for water when all the chicks are flying. Usually 6-8 in each family! My birdhouses are a boon to these cavity nesters, without the birdhouses I am sure finding suitable cavities to nest in can be problematic.
I am also growing things that feed seed eating birds all winter (Bluebirds are insect eaters). I literally buy a big bag of bird seed and just plant it. The millet, safflower, sorghum, and sunflowers grow well there. The millet, and sorghum produce heavily I realized this year, so I will plant heavily this next summer. I also grew some of the big sunflowers there last year and they produced well, so more of them as well.
I am still at the stage where I am planting lots of things, and then determining what grows well enough, and provides enough value to me, wildlife, or both to continue to propagate.
Even though the season is a bit short, I am finding most things grow pretty well there. Once I am living there I will plant a vegetable garden, curious about tomatoes and some of those kind of plants.
My Permaculture Beginnings
Sometimes I feel like things are taking so long…but then all I have to do is look at this image of how it all began.
It is coming along, and it is happening because of you my customers. I spend ever penny this website makes me on this…my life long dream!
If any of you would like to actually donate to this cause, please do! Just contact me. I can assure you that not only will I spend every penny on plants for this project, but I will show receipts to prove it. You will help me to accomplish something amazing (I plan on thousands of trees!), but you will also reduce your own carbon footprint in the process.
One might say how….you are removing alot of trees, and yes that is true….
In the long run however I will be replacing them all with deciduous trees that will not readily burn when the next fire burns through….and it is not a matter of ‘if’ a fire will burn through again, but ‘when’ the next fire burns through.
Tell me Your Thoughts
I could Google this, but what fun is that?
All over up there I am finding these holes.
I assume it is some kind of insect, but I have to say it is one tough insect!
I say that because it is getting well below freezing every nite there, and these holes are freshly made…like that day.
I would also assume it is some kind of bee or something, but again not sure.
You would think during my day up there I would observe what ever is doing this….and I am quite aware of all wildlife most all the time.
But, I have not seen any of the excavations actually happening.
So, without using Google….come on don’t cheat!
So tell me…what creature is making these holes all over the place up there? Tell me in a comment.
The first one to get it right will win an extra 20 pack of free seeds with their next order. I will be reading all comments, and will, let you know you won. to receive your prize just remind me in a note with your order of your win.
Conclusion
So my property is coming along albeit somewhat slowly.
Things could happen so much faster if I just had the funds. Make a contribution and I will spend it on potted trees I will plant this spring and hot fence the animals off of. Just imagine your satisfaction when you see the trees you bought thriving in my foodforest! It would be fantastic!