Mostly odd lately.  We are still finishing up our shiitake logs and Ron has yet to decide if and what kind of other mushrooms he wants us to try growing.  Then we get to working on that project.

While he ponders, we are getting ready for our lavender planting.  Ron ordered just over 200 plugs in January for delivery this month.   No actually planting until after May 15, which is the average date of last possible frost in our area.  But we have a lot to do in order to be ready for it.  Twelve foot wide landscape cloth was ordered in one massive roll.   We have to cut it down into four 60 foot long lengths.  That will be great fun.  Have to pick a calm day and a nice big parking lot for that task.

And we have to mow down the winter wheat that has been growing great guns in our field.  We have been planting cover crops over the past few seasons in order to improve the quality of our soil.   So we now have to get our brush hog of out the storage unit and out to the farm.  Once the mowing is done we can lay down the cloth and wait until planting day.

It does look nice though, doesn’t it?  Seems a bit of a shame to cut it all down.  You can’t see them from this angle, but our pink pussy willows are finally showing signs of life.  Lot of green leaves on all of them.  We were getting a bit worried that they did not handle the transplanting well.  And our elderberries and pawpaws are doing nicely too.

Another bit of good news is that we finally have signs of life from our ginseng too.

We took the protective screens off and brushed away the leaves.  Less than two days later and the squirrels had already been digging in the boxes.  Ron was not pleased.  Anyone have a good recipe for squirrel stew?

We found a good deal on this small greenhouse a couple of years ago.  Set in up the our backyard and used it one year and then it sat in our garage for the next two.  Now Ron thinks he can use it out on THF.  The critters out there do seem to like what we are trying to grow.    As we are planning to try and sell some of these plants, it would be nice have them survive and get big enough to sell.  The zippered front is broken so we have to come up with a back up plan and we had to tape the whole thing together along the bottom.   It should provide some protection.

One ongoing project is collecting all the garbage the previous owner left behind.  We pulled at least 60 cement blocks out of the weeds.  Ron plans to use them to hold down the landscape cloth before, during and after our planting events.   On Wednesday we had an hour to space and decided to tackle the hill below our tiny house.  We pulled rusty cans and broken bottles out by the dozen.  There was an old rusted out TV, metal strapping, barbed wire, pipes, and a couple of large metal pieces that we could not identify.  The junk we constantly unearth is a gift that just keeps on giving.   One we could easily do without.   This project is just not a fun one.  Not like drilling holes in logs, picking rocks, hauling water, or planting stuff.  Am thinking not too many people would sign up for a trash picking party.  Not sure what we could offer as lunch in order to get folks to come out.  Hot dogs and burgers might not cut it.

But we are looking for volunteers to come help us plant our lavender.  We have hit a speed bump with the plan.  The company we ordered from months ago just informed us that they are downsizing our order.  By one third.  Needless to say, Ron is not pleased with them.  He is looking for to another source to make up the difference.  Whatever the result, we are expecting to get planting on May 20th.  Check out our FB page, Tiny House Farm Augusta NY for full details.

Nature simply has no respect for a person’s plans. Just a week ago it was all systems go for 2017. Then last Tuesday a winter storm named Stella hit, bringing us about 3 feet of snow. Ron, being a government worker was lucky as he got to stay home. He decided, while the Stella was still raging that a trip out to THF was needed. Unfortunately that plan didn’t work. Someone driving a pickup jackknifed and blocked the road. All he could do was turn around and head home.
It snowed a bit more on Wednesday and when Ron got home we packed up and headed out to the farm. Ron was anxious to see how our work tent had fared. After all, it was not really designed for winter use.

We tried 3 different ways of getting through the snow with no luck. Finally even Ron had to admit defeat and we headed for home.

Now the plan was to try again on Saturday.  I borrowed a pair of snowshoes from my friend Josi and Ron, a pair from his friend Jim.  I haven’t used them before, so it will be interesting to see how I do on them. Layers needed again even though it was not as cold as it had been last Saturday. This time I made sure camera battery was charged. I have not yet figured out how to take pictures on my iPhone and then use them on the blog.
We could not see the tent from the road, which worried Ron. Snowshoes on and we headed down our path. The level of snow had settled and a slight crust had formed. This was hard work, especially as neither of us were spring chickens.
The closer we got to our work area, the more certain Ron was that the tent had gone down.

Sadly, he was right. Our wonderful tent had taken the brunt of the storm.

It wasn’t as bad as it could have been. The weight of snow had broken all the support poles but left the canopy intact. So no damage to any of our equipment. Shovels, rakes, tables, racks, etc. were all safe and sound.
Now we just had to figure out how to get the snow off the roof. All we needed to make the job easy was maybe 6 more people and a conveyor belt to whisk the snow away.

We started at the back shoveling the snow that we could reach off the roof. A few minutes in and we were already tired. Snow is so damn heavy. But then the hard work started. Ron used a flat rack inside the tent to break up and knock down the snow. I used first a shop broom to drag the snow off the roof. We had tried to toss the snow out of the way, but that was too much work. So it just started to pile up outside the tent. That made it easier for me to reach further out onto the tent roof, but also harder to stand without sliding off my growing hill.

The perfect tool turned out to be a 4 tined cultivator.  Who know you could not only use it to dig potatoes and pick rocks, but also pull snow and ice chunks off a tent roof.

It took us a good 4 hours to get 90 percent of the snow off.  You see the hill I built up, which we get to deal with tomorrow.  Cannot leave it there as it will only create a huge mud field as it melts.  We also need to see what the final damage is.   All we know for sure is that we have to replace the tent with a stronger one and our shiitake inoculation event is going to be postponed.  Stella has also messed with Peter and Christine’s plans to have our 400 bolts ready before April 1st.  We are now shooting for April 15th.  As long as the weather does not slam us again, those extra two weeks should be just enough time for us to everything ready.   As long as we both live through the night.   The things that man gets me into.

All further updates will be posted on Tiny House Farm Augusta New York

I would have said rocky start, but we have not actually done anything with our rocks this year, yet.  Ron has some seriously big plans for 2017.  Not only continuing his expansion of his mushroom forest, but for our 3 acre field as well.  Lavender is among the new additions.  Starts have already been ordered and we will be planting them this spring.  Along with calendula, an herb with a lovely yellow flower that is highly prized for its medicinal qualities.  That is actually going to be my baby. Along with a few other herbs.

Part of his expansion plans include other varieties of mushrooms.  He has heard the phrase “what else you got” from several sources.  When we chopped up the fallen tree last fall, he decided to put it to good use it for oyster mushrooms. This was a new process for us.  Unfortunately I forgot my camera that day and while Jo used her Ipad to take some photos, they were accidentally deleted.  Partly my fault as I did not get them from her immediately. Lesson learned.

We cut each 4 foot sections into smaller slices, then we restacked them after spreading a generous amount of the spawn in between the slices.  The fun part was getting the stacks back together and steady enough not to fall over.  You will notice our attempt at a support system on the one stack.  I am looking forward to seeing how our efforts work out.  Though, again not planning to eat them.

On January 4, 2017 Ron posted an ad on our Tiny House Farm Augusta NY FB page.  This year we need to find another source for our mushroom bolts.  His post was very specific.  Giving sizes needed, acceptable types of trees, that they needed to be straight  and even more importantly, distance restrictions.  In order for us to comply with the Certified Naturally Grown regulations our source has to be within 50 miles of the farm.   He also stressed that he needed the logs delivered.  This to reduce the stress on us.

Most of you will not be surprised to hear that he got all sorts of replies – from people in Albany and Rochester, those who had trees but no way to get them cut down, or who had massively big trees to get rid of.

He did connect with a couple who are about 4 miles from THF and have lots of ironwood trees to get rid of. This will be a change for us as while these trees do make great mushroom bolts, but they, as the name indicates, are a much harder wood.  We shall see how our grinder does with them.    Ron also had a back up source who agreed to provide 200 sugar maple logs.  Emails were sent back and forth.  And any of you who have dealt with Ron, know full well that he was very specific and wordy about what he was looking for.   Turns out the guy could not read.  When Ron contacted him last week to finalize things he was shocked to find out that Ron was expecting sugar maples only and delivery.  Gotta love people.  According to Cornell’s studies and based on firewood prices, 150 bolts would be worth $180 dollars.  We are offering just about double that and you don’t have to chop and split it.  All very confusing that people want to sell us their logs but on their terms, not ours.  But Ron is extremely persistent and will find someone.

Which brings me to the point of this post.  On April 1  we will be holding our 3rd annual mushroom inoculation event.  Looking for any and all volunteers to come and help us.  Having repeat attendees is a good thing as they will know just what to do, but we are hoping to see some new faces this year.  Ron is all about spreading his knowledge around.  And free labor.

We will get started at 9 am.  Of course Ron and I will be out at THF hours before that.   Our fabulous tent will again keep the work stations and workers nice and dry and a burn barrel will be at the ready in case it is colder than expected.  Breakfast, lunch, coffee and tea along with snacks will be provided.  Along with lots of good conversation, exercise and fun.

There will be no rain/snow date.  If a blizzard hits, we might have to postpone.  But knowing Ron, he will expect me to be out there with him no matter what.  There may yet be a divorce in his future.

Another one of Ron’s whimsy additions to THF. More to come.

Tiny House Farm Augusta New York has been in operation for over a year now.  Though we are not yet a going concern.  That will come next year.  But none of the progress we have made would have been possible without our fabulous trailer.

This was the second trailer we bought. The first one, I have to admit was cute and fun to maneuver around the living room . We had high hopes for and it managed to get through hauling our first delivery of mushroom bolts in 2015 but,  it was a struggle.  Could only hold 5 bolts at a time and we ended up hauling it manually instead of using the  4 wheeler.

It was a massive hassle to back up with it attached.  We needed it to haul serious loads and this cute baby was just not up to the task.  So that one went back to the company and Ron found another one.  Lots of research involved but let me tell you, this is the best ATV trailer you could buy.  And so worth the money.  Because it was not cheap.  Caused me a shudder or two.  But no more.  He bought from Country MFG, a Tandem Trailer model 7550ATV.  It came in a big box but with great assembly instructions.  We put it together in no time and with no yelling involved.

We have used it to haul our fire wood from our driveway to our backyard stacks.  And what a difference it made . It was still a lot of wood to shift but it was so much easier on all of us and we got it done in less than half the usual time.

And getting the mushroom bolts across the stream and into their assigned location – almost a breeze the next time. This baby can carry up to 2500 pounds and we have come close to exceeded that limit. With our rocks, so many rocks.

The side and back rails come off which has come in handy when we need to move large items like the cribs we built for our red wine cap mushrooms.  That was one of our most nerve wracking adventures.

We have hauled all sorts of supplies in our trailer from the road to our assorted work sites.

A ladder, tent, shovels, coolers, tarps, buckets, mulch, hammers and saws, 2 x 4 wood beams, chairs, a grill, compost, pallets and lots more have all made the trip to the work site on our trailer.

We could not get our pawpaws, elderberries and garlic watered without the trailer.  It handles a full water tank with ease.  No matter how any times we go back and forth to get more.   If we can lift it onto the trailer bed and fit inside or strap it down, there has been nothing we have not been able to move with ease.

Only one time have we had any trouble.  Unless you count the number of trees Ron has dinged and dented by driving too close to them.  He cannot drive very fast due to the number of trees, rocks, gullies and assorted other hindrances.  But he smacks at least one tree on every trip by swinging too wide on his turns.  Or just not paying attention.

Our first flat tire put us out of commission for a day and a half.  Now that we have spares at home, this should not be a problem again.  And the patch is still holding.

We have learned during our adventure, sometimes the hard way, that having the right tool for the job makes all the difference. And that buying a quality product will save you money and aggravation in the long run.  And sometimes, you just luck out.  And  you find the right tool that works great and makes you happy every time.

Especially when you can use your trailer to give your Mom, who is 95 years old a tour of your farm.  Something that would not be possible to do otherwise.

Kudos to you, Country MFG for terrific product.  One that totally lives up to its billing.

On Friday Ron went home after work, picked up Jo and headed out to THF so they could start soaking more mushroom logs. Definitely not a one person job. It involves the 4 wheeler, trailer, water tank, water pump, 2 huge tanks, cider blocks, a hose and of course the logs. Soaking is most important if you plan to actually have shiitakes.
I was going pop out there after work to help with the watering of our pawpaws and elderberries. Again not a one person job. We will need again the 4 wheeler, trailer, hose, water tank and pump, but for this we also need our trusty cat litter bins and gallon pitchers.

We had done this many times now and pretty much have it down pat. But this time, things did not go as I had expected.
The first tank load of water is just enough to get all of my elderberries done. A second run is needed in order to get the pawpaws and garlic watered too.
As Ron and Jo had also picked up mushrooms to share with his cousin Mary, they needed to get set up to clean them off. So I went with Ron to fill the water tank up again. I have done this before and it went fine so I knew the routine and had no worries.
I blame Ron, of course. If he had stopped the 4 wheeler where it belonged, all would have gone well. He had some lame excuse about it getting too muddy where he usually stopped. Sure.
So there we are, Ron manning the water pump and me struggling to get the hose into the tank and getting set to hold it down with all my strength. Of course the hose is full of water and quite heavy on its own. So much harder than it should be to shove it into the tank and I couldn’t pull it up high enough. Ron asked me if I had it and I was sure I did so he let the water pump rip. I managed to hold on for about 30 seconds before the hose blew out of the ank and water went flying everywhere. I was immediately soaked. Ron’s quick reaction got the pump shut off but he couldn’t hold in his laughter. Neither could I.
Caught my breath and struggled through the mud so I could pick up the hose again. Again pump was started. This time I managed to hold on for about a minute before I lost my grip again. And then it happened again. Finally Ron caught on and set the pump to run at half speed. But he nearly got me again as he wasn’t paying attention to the water level in the tank and just got the pump shut off before the tank overflowed.
Jo was watching my ordeal from across the stream and I am sure she was laughing too. She was certainly paying enough attention to yell for me to put the lid on the tank. Such a waste it would be if most of the water bounced out on our way back to the field.

One might be forgiven for thinking I had fallen into the stream in order to end up so wet. I slopped my way out to the field so we could finish the watering job. Then I packed up and headed home for a warm shower and change of clothes.
Obviously Jo will be Ron’s water tank filling co-worker from now on. She has the needed knack for it. I am going to stay far away from the hose and the water tank from now on.

You know the saying – “when life hands you lemons, make lemonade”, well Ron has a special knack for that.
Yesterday was supposed to be a normal enough day. The plan was to get out to THF by 530 am and get the pawpaws and elderberries watered. We had been using two plastic coffee cans to measure out the water for each plant. Being Ron, he really wanted to formalize our routine. Make sure that each plant got the amount of water. Also, being Ron it had to be a cheap fix. I managed to find gallon size pitchers that meant his requirements. And on clearance to boot.
So we were all up by 5 am and on our way. Loaded the water tank and and pump onto the trailer and headed across the stream. Then we hit a few snags. The water pump did not want to kick over and then the hose I had shoved into the water tank was not filling up. I had shoved so much of it into the tank that it folded over on itself. Once I yanked a good length of it back out, the tank was suddenly full of water.
Back across the stream we went and started watering our future orchard. I really do need to look into karate lessons for my elderberries. The deer have been eating their leaves and making me very nervous in the process.
With the tank empty Ron and Jo headed back for a refill. I heard the pump start and then stop, the 4 wheeler start up and then Jo give a yell. The engine cut off and I heard them talking and then Jo yelled for me. Heart racing I ran to the stream to see what was going on. Huge relief. It was a flat tire on the trailer. And do I mean flat. Down to the ground flat. Ron was already emptying out the water tank and asked me to bring over some pliers so he could get the tire off. While a flat tire might seem a small inconvenience, it actually shut us down. No way to finish watering the plants and certainly no way to haul the water needed to soak our mushroom logs. This had to get fixed.

We loaded it into the car and headed off to a gas station. $1.50 later and we were still holding a very flat tire. The tube was not filling at all. Now we headed home with Ron planning to try one of the local tires places. A quick check and he found one that opened at 730. While he went to Oneida, Jo and I tackled the remainder of our just delivered wood pile. And we quite simply, kicked butt. By the time Ron got home 90 minutes later we had hauled the last of the logs from our driveway into our backyard and stacked them in our racks. He was most impressed.
But the saga of the tire continued. The guys at the tire place had been great, using a bead bazooka with huge power to refill the thing. They found the problem. A good sized cut in the time. Probably from one of our many, many rocks. They had no tires that size so Ron headed to a store that sold lawn mowers to see what they had. Then he came home to search the internet. A phone call later and he was grabbing his keys and wallet on the way out the door. Jo and I were heading to Syracuse to have some fun.
Of course things did not go smoothly again. Turned out the store did not have the tire after all. So Ron headed Don Hull & Sons in Verona, an engine repair shop. They did not have the tire but Rosa, the lady who Ron talked to, went above and beyond customer service. She pulled out her parts book and made phone calls trying to find someone who did have it. Jo and I were happily walking around the Regional Farmers Market in Syracuse when Ron called. We were headed to Kimbers which luckily was not even 10 minutes away. We walked in and told the man we were looking for a turf tire. “Did you call earlier?”, he asked. I told him that someone else had. He brought a tire out but it did not look right. Luckily the other man knew there another style and sent him back for it. That was the right one and I called Ron to tell him. He was still at Don Hull & Sons and had news of his own. Rosa, who obviously was determined to find a solution for Ron, told him if he had the flat tire with him they could repair it. They could install a tube that would get him back up and running. She is the kind of person Ron really likes. One who thinks on her feet, and cares about getting the job done. Well, he did have the tire and so once it was fixed, he was going to head back to THF with brother Don and get the trailer back up and running. Rosa will be getting a huge bag o’shiitakes as a thank you next week.

I do wish I had been on hand to watch the process of getting the tire back on. More photos for one thing. Don, Jesse and Ron got it done and then finished up the watering. By that time it was bloody hot, even in the shade and Ron decided it was lunch time. No desire for fast food so they headed to Clinton to find a proper restaurant. They landed at “fancy” place that they were seriously underdressed for. He assured me the food was excellent but what he was most excited about was the conversation he had with the chef. Ron had asked the waitress to check and see if the chef would be interested in shiitake mushrooms and he came right out of the kitchen. 15 minutes later and Ron had pretty much his whole life’s story and a commitment to take some shiitakes on Thursday. Again, this year we are not selling. That begins in 2017. Just working to get people hooked this year.

These replacements don’t look like much, but they will certainly save our butts when the next flat happens. In fact Ron won’t be surprised if we find it flat again when we get out there today. As you know “sh#t happens”.

UPDATE

One week out and the repair is still holding. Gotta love when good people help you and it works.