Weekend Happenings Part 1 (1/17/15)

Things are really starting to come together at The Compound.  We have quite a few projects in the works, and all are progressing at a great pace.  The solar panels are up and running, and actually producing more power than we can store at this time!  We went without generator power all weekend, which not only saves us the cost of gas, but you could hear yourself think!  The guys used all their power tools, and on occasion it would pop a circuit when too many tools were being used.  Over time we’ll all know what the system can and cannot handle at one time.  But the work does get done and the smiles on their faces, is priceless.

These still need to be installed in framing.

 

We used solar to build the new nesting boxes for the turkeys.  They can start laying as early as February and I wanted them in place so they got used to them being in their living space and the hens could start “playing house”.  I put a golf ball in each one to help give them the idea.  Whether this actually works or not, who knows..

  

Three are 18”wide, 18” deep, 18”high at the front and 30” high at the back and the fourth box which is considered communal is 30”wide. It has a big slope so they don’t decide to take up residence on top and create something else for me to clean up.  They are bottomless.  I can lift them up to rake out the old straw bedding and replace with new.  This will be there set up until after they are done sitting on eggs.  We have plans to build them their own coop, but as with everything, we have to do 10 other things first.

The cost for the boxes, other than some nails and screws, very little.  The wood came from the free pallets we keep getting, and we did pick up some wood stain so they’ll last longer.  It cost us $20 for the stain, and we only used about 1/3 of the container so about $7.00.  My kind of repurpose project.

We’re really enjoying the turkeys.  They are great fun to watch and getting easier and easier to round up.  They actually enjoy going home, and I think they really like stealing chicken feed and scratch from the chicken feeders on the way.

It Is Alive!

Our solar panels are up and running.  Fully charged batteries are all set up and we have lights, and as I write this a saw is operating off of the system.  Soon to be hooked up refrigeration in our outdoor kitchen!  This is a game changer for us.  Looking long term, or short term depending on what you read these days, the ability to keep food cold, make ice for drinks for the occasional spranged ankle or fever is nothing short of a miracle.  Besides being able to charge batteries for flashlights, run lighting in our campers at night, all without an ounce of gasoline!

It has been a long time coming.  A few bumps in the road, but like most things God puts in our paths, we are challenged to pay attention and the reward at the end is outstanding. 
We have a few minor adjustments to make, and then we're running electrical to where it will be needed most.

It was a $6K investment;  $3500.00 for the battery set, $1500 for the solar panels (we got them for half of their going price) and another $1K for the charging station.

It's a bit misty out today, but as soon as they finish welding the frame for the solar panels, I'll share.

I can not express just how happy we all are!

Gardening on My Mind

Well the pigs have done their job.  They have completely removed any bit of weed or grass from anywhere in the garden, and it's not growing back.  Wonderful little tillers, and fertilizers.

Now the true test will be, will the weeds come back and if so how quickly?   Considering the property is completely surrounded by weeds, it'll be interesting to see how well they did and/or how long it is before the weeds to take over.  I pray they don't.  Weeds are a big pain in any garden, but out at The Compound, totally impossible to get any control over by hand.

So we'll start on seedlings this weekend, along with the initial tilling of an area in the garden.  We're also interested in seeing how well the garden does, considering all the fertilizer that has been added along the way.

That's at least what's on my agenda.  The Moose has other plans, stay tuned....