We were forced into the dreaded military move. Dreaded for our family because we left our land, right near family and friends. A perfect example of being uprooted. Our food freedom we built over years was placed into storage. Weeks before our dairy cow gave birth allowing a new level of food freedom! Completely transplanted!
This is starting from scratch! And….no animals, but I have a fish and worms! The fish was allowed in the lease, unsure about the worms. From 10 acres in North Carolina, to a small rental property in California.
Pond exchanged for a broken hot tub. How are we making the most of our time on this coast? Time to learn something and work small scale!
A bit of thrift shopping resulted in a corner set up for raised beds. This was perfect because 60 dollars later we have a functioning 4’x4’ raised bed. With 3 boys now ages 6, 4, and 2 there is a 2’x2’ area for each of them to learn in.
Do I know anything about gardening in the low desert? Not experienced but I have been listening to the Urban Farm Podcast for years gleaning some gardening insight. I love knowledge and have read many books on all things homesteading so this challenge is on.
Step one was telling the kids we are doing an experiment. Join us on this small series adventure, failures and all will be discussed. I am certain there are seeds planted which will fail to germinate. My seed box has not been the best keep over the last 3 deployments.
We had composting worms nearly a decade ago but long since stopped using them as the chickens and pigs ate all the scrapes. Well the pigs are in the freezer and the chickens are a couple houses down at my in laws still in North Carolina….so I got worms!
And there is more. I had my eye on the back to the roots fish tank with aquaponics on top. Same thrift store….8 dollars later and we have a fish. The tank was 8 dollars…fish took a few more! The wheat grass already growing!
We are in a yard smaller than we have ever owned, an area we are not familar with, and still attempting to find some food independence during this season! It is January here and I planted seeds outside. Not something I did in Virginia or North Carolina.
I also will be picking out a small tree that bears some food. A gift from my mother in law, but it seems there is a citrus disease here that would prevent us from moving the tree back home. So I am researching advocados. We will see what comes of this idea!
Join us on weekly updates as we progress and seek to harvest as much food, provide lessons and outside experience for our children, and pursue food freedom!