Improved connections

Even Husband does not want to live without a decent Internet connection. Our Verizon cell service is pretty good up here, but their data connection was very spotty. Some days I could blog, and some days I couldn't (omg). Rather than trying a new carrier, we decided to buy a Mifi router ($50) and a Wilson power booster ($500). The Mifi device allows us to have a wi-fi connection for up to five devices - phones, IPad, laptop.

The power booster involved installation of an antenna. Most people just mount these on the eve of their house. Husband is not "most people."

 

Pond is full

 

Whutz happnin at Hardrock?

We're a few weeks, or months, behind you flatlanders, but in spite of the fact that we had a light freeze a couple days ago (eeeeek), we are starting to see a bit of progress.

Fava beans:

Peas:

Might plant some beans today...built them a trellis in the upper hugelkultur bed:

Steam was rising off the potato bed this morning. It might mean that they're rotting instead of sprouting but there are a couple of plants peeking up.

 

The trellis is finished

Ta-Da!

Our baby kiwis came with with two shoots, rather than one main trunk, so Mark made a "V" wire system enabling the shoots to climb up both sides of the trellis.

Then once they reach the top, there are four galvanized cables running the length of the trellis ready to support them while they grow and, in their fifth year, bear delicious fruit. By the way, the fruit of hardy kiwi is different than what we see in the grocery store; smooth, not fuzzy, and smaller. Reportedly tastier than the fuzzy kiwi, but not grown commercially because of a short shelf-life.

 

When's the mojito party?

Well, not until later this summer, but I'm working on it. Today I planted mint in two beds, peppermint in a sheet-compost bed (cardboard, very rotten hay, dirt, compost) by the barn and spearmint (in a hugelkultur bed prepared last fall) next to the parking lot.

 

 

Memorial Day Weekend, Sunday

This may not look like an entire day's work for four people, but you'd be surprised at the engineering complexities and exacting workmanship required.

 

Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday

Some work...mowing, weed-eating, pea trellis modification. And bamboo planting - we got them all planted, but the site we selected for the $300 bamboo forest is "outside." Supposedly, bamboo is deer-resistant - any thoughts on that? Should Mark expand the electric fence? Should Ruby be put on 24-hour security duty?

 

Some play...

 

Some relaxing...