tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12857743838455160112024-03-18T20:50:10.915-07:00Vela CreationsVela Creations is an in-depth resource for off grid living. The site documents our research and experiences, hoping that they might help others interested in pursuing this lifestyle. This blog is designed to document our day to day experiences as we build our new, sustainable homestead.
If you are interested in seeing more photos and videos, we have a flickr account at the following url:
http://flickr.com/photos/35090117@N05/collections/VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.comBlogger2720125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-30435852017118350042018-05-03T08:27:00.001-07:002018-05-03T08:27:33.334-07:00Nursery expansion<img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/nursery1-420x215.jpg?x63882" align="right" />
<p><img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/nursery1-420x215.jpg?x63882" class="attachment-blog size-blog wp-post-image" alt="" /></p>
<p>Now that it's getting warmer, we have been working on an enclosed space to move the trees to.</p>
<p><img class="normal alignright wp-image-8729 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/nursery-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" />It's close to both the greenhouse and the chicken coop. It has a seven foot deer fence around it, and we will be putting a fence around the base of its perimeter, so that the chickens can patrol the outside for bugs.</p>
<p>We cleared out any dead limbs from the trees overhead, opening up a little more light and avoiding possible high wind bombs. It also has weed barrier over the ground.</p>
<p>Once we move all the big trees and shrubs into the outside nursery, we'll be planting a bunch more inside the greenhouse.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com/blog/nursery-expansion/">Nursery expansion</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com">VelaCreations</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://velacreations.com/blog/nursery-expansion/">Nursery expansion</a>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-82920448767286570692018-05-01T08:03:00.001-07:002018-05-01T08:03:11.702-07:00Beehives<img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/bees-420x215.jpg?x63882" align="right" />
<p><img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/bees-420x215.jpg?x63882" class="attachment-blog size-blog wp-post-image" alt="" /></p>
<p>We now have 6 new beehives.</p>
<p><img class="normal alignleft wp-image-8728 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/bees1-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p>We've opened them up a couple of times, and they all seem to be doing well. There's plenty of brood, eggs, and bees in all of them, although we did have to give one weaker hive a couple of extra brood frames from the strongest hive. None of them have started to fill out the supers yet.</p>
<p>We'll continue to monitor them while they're getting established, but it all looks good.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com/blog/beehives/">Beehives</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com">VelaCreations</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://velacreations.com/blog/beehives/">Beehives</a>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-83091848390736736622018-04-25T07:42:00.001-07:002018-04-25T07:42:16.425-07:00Trellis<img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/trellis-420x215.jpg?x63882" align="right" />
<p><img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/trellis-420x215.jpg?x63882" class="attachment-blog size-blog wp-post-image" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8682 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/trellis1-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8683 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/trellis2-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p>We've been keeping on top of the garden work - weeding, replanting things that didn't come up, etc. - and it's really paying off. Many of the plants are growing like crazy. We're currently only eating greens and radish, but we're about to start on the carrots and beets too. Plus, all the peppers, cucumbers, squash, potatoes, corn, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, beans, etc. are taking off.</p>
<p>We added a trellis to the tomatoes, as they were all falling down, and we'll probably have to do one for the cucumbers and beans soon.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com/blog/trellis/">Trellis</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com">VelaCreations</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://velacreations.com/blog/trellis/">Trellis</a>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-16260223970656316202018-04-23T07:37:00.001-07:002018-04-23T07:37:08.304-07:00Shade cloth<img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/shadecloth-420x215.jpg?x63882" align="right" />
<p><img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/shadecloth-420x215.jpg?x63882" class="attachment-blog size-blog wp-post-image" alt="" /></p>
<p>Now that the night-time temperatures are such that we no longer need to close up the greenhouse, we have added a shade cloth. The plastic sides are now kept open, and the shade cloth goes down to the ground. It's keeping things nice and cool in there.</p>
<p>This week, we'll be moving most of the trees outside, so we can start a whole new batch.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com/blog/shade-cloth/">Shade cloth</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com">VelaCreations</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://velacreations.com/blog/shade-cloth/">Shade cloth</a>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-48106681458388617562018-04-21T08:45:00.001-07:002018-04-21T08:45:46.374-07:00Bee Supers<img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/super3-420x215.jpg?x63882" align="right" />
<p><img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/super3-420x215.jpg?x63882" class="attachment-blog size-blog wp-post-image" alt="" /></p>
<p>We're getting six new bee hives this weekend. Seeing as there are so many wild flowers around at the moment, we figured we should get prepared for them, by building each hive a super.</p>
<p>While my dad was here, he assembled the six supers (honey boxes). We then painted them, to make them more durable in the weather. They are now filled with their plastic frames.</p>
<p>We have a pallet all set up in the place where we'll put the six hives. So, just waiting on the bees...</p>
<p><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8688 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/super1-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8687 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/super-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com/blog/bee-supers/">Bee Supers</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com">VelaCreations</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://velacreations.com/blog/bee-supers/">Bee Supers</a>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-64255462271071352472018-04-20T08:46:00.001-07:002018-04-20T08:46:33.196-07:00Visit<img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/visit-420x215.jpg?x63882" align="right" />
<p><img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/visit-420x215.jpg?x63882" class="attachment-blog size-blog wp-post-image" alt="" /></p>
<p>My dad came for two weeks, and my sister came for four days during that time. It was lovely seeing them both.</p>
<p>Before they came, they asked what kind of clothes they'd need. I'd informed them that we were pretty much into just shorts weather. Of course, that meant it was time for a random little cold front to blow in, dropping the temperatures from the 80s to 40!!! Oh well, as people in these parts keep telling us, "If you don't like the weather in East Texas, wait 10 minutes and it'll change".</p>
<p><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8678 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/visit1-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8680 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/visit3-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8679 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/visit2-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p>I think the highlight for my sister was definitely the animals; she has a particular soft spot for all little critters. One of Vickie's cows had a HUGE calf. He was born so big that he came out like a one month old, and ended up having to be bottle-fed. I think Sharon wondered if she'd be able to fit him in her carry-on!</p>
<p>If I had to guess what my dad liked most, it would probably be the night trips we took on the 4x4. He'd shine the spotlight to catch the glow of eyes in the darkness. We'd then race over to see what it was. We saw possum, deer, armadillo, skunk (our puppy, Candy, got sprayed for the first time!), and owls. There were several species we didn't get to see, but maybe next time.</p>
<p>The boys loved having them both here. It was the best birthday present for Leo, who turned 10 on April 11th. Now, however, all our guests are gone and we have to get back to work! We miss them.</p>
<p>For family who want to see more pics, you can <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/velacreations/albums/72157695856942265" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">go to flickr</a>.</p>
<p class="p1"></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com/blog/visit-2/">Visit</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com">VelaCreations</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://velacreations.com/blog/visit-2/">Visit</a>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-630371183885356922018-04-20T07:52:00.001-07:002018-04-20T07:52:31.079-07:00Family 2018<img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/804/41580532931_e7839cd413.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/velacreations/sets/72157695856942265">Family 2018</a> -</div>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-53031756840383983782018-04-11T13:20:00.001-07:002018-04-11T13:20:49.004-07:00Microgreens<img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/microgreens-420x215.jpg?x63882" align="right" />
<p><img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/microgreens-420x215.jpg?x63882" class="attachment-blog size-blog wp-post-image" alt="" /></p>
<p>Micro-greens is an intensive form of growing greens. You plant a bunch of seeds in a tray with some soil, and then eat them shortly after they've sprouted. They are extremely nutrient dens, and much tastier than regular greens.</p>
<p>We've now done two batches and are on our third. The first two times we planted sunflowers, radish, and peas. We are now trying out some kale and arugula as well.</p>
<p>The greens from the photo were left a little too long (we were just too busy!), and the flavor wasn't as good, but still a great success.</p>
<p><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8632 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/microgreens2-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8631 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/microgreens1-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com/blog/microgreens/">Microgreens</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com">VelaCreations</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://velacreations.com/blog/microgreens/">Microgreens</a>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-88431675623019119972018-04-09T13:10:00.001-07:002018-04-09T13:10:28.132-07:00Garden irrigation<img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/irrigation-420x215.jpg?x63882" align="right" />
<p><img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/irrigation-420x215.jpg?x63882" class="attachment-blog size-blog wp-post-image" alt="" /></p>
<p><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8627 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/irrigation1-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8628 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/irrigation2-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8629 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/irrigation3-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p>When we only had a couple of rows planted, watering by hand with a hose wasn't such a big deal. However, now that two thirds of the 5000 square foot area is planted, it had become a chore.</p>
<p>So, we installed an irrigation system. The garden is now split into four zones. The first one, which consists of three rows at the top and three at the bottom, is made up of drip lines. These are for the plants that prefer not to be watered from above (like squash, cucumber, tomatoes). The other three zones, with six rows each, have sprinklers.</p>
<p>Everything is set on a timer, so that they come on, one after the other, in the early morning.</p>
<p>We have also started putting mycelium and mulch in the paths, so that as the "wasted" space gets water, it will produce mushrooms.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com/blog/garden-irrigation/">Garden irrigation</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com">VelaCreations</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://velacreations.com/blog/garden-irrigation/">Garden irrigation</a>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-30794244555458055962018-04-07T09:59:00.001-07:002018-04-07T09:59:07.690-07:00Easter<img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/easter-420x215.jpg?x63882" align="right" />
<p><img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/easter-420x215.jpg?x63882" class="attachment-blog size-blog wp-post-image" alt="" /></p>
<p>It was a really fun Easter. We had Abe's mom and my dad here, which was reason enough for the boys to be ecstatic.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8622 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/easter1-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8623 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/easter2-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p>However, they also had a great Easter egg hunt (it took them a long time to find all the eggs and they were only hidden in the area right around the house), AND they got a fantastic new toy from my dad... a trampoline!</p>
<p>They bounced most of the day and ended up absolutely exhausted. Still, they really love it. In fact, it is the first thing they have done every day after school, once they've finished their homework and fed the animals. They bounce and bounce, and are now starting to do some basic somersaults. Can't wait to see what they can do in a year!</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com/blog/easter-2/">Easter</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com">VelaCreations</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://velacreations.com/blog/easter-2/">Easter</a>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-14502889169185086292018-04-05T13:59:00.001-07:002018-04-05T13:59:09.661-07:00Cabin’s First Visitor<img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/cabin-420x215.jpg?x63882" align="right" />
<p><img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/cabin-420x215.jpg?x63882" class="attachment-blog size-blog wp-post-image" alt="" /></p>
<p>It's been crazy busy here for the past couple of weeks, so I haven't had much time to blog. But now that things have calmed down and we can relax a little, I'm back!</p>
<p>One of the main reasons we've had so much to do is that, aside from spring gardening and other normal homesteading chores, we have been trying to get the cabin ready for its first guest, my dad. Even putting in long hours, we didn't get it anywhere near finished, but at least it works as a basic bedroom.</p>
<p>Drywall</p>
<p>We had thought we'd be able to hang all the drywall in time, but it just didn't work out that way. Still, we got all the ceilings up and the bedroom walls. Once my dad leaves, we'll finish the living room and bathroom, and then we'll have to tape and mud it all, followed by painting and trim :(</p>
<p>Electric</p>
<p>We dug a trench from the electric pole to the cabin, for the mains wire and its conduit. We then wired up the breaker box inside the cabin, as well as all the lights and fans, and the plugs in the bedroom. The bedroom may not be finished out completely, but at least there's lights and plugs.</p>
<p>Plumbing</p>
<p>We have the bathroom plumbing in the walls done. It is ready for a shower, toilet, sink, and hot water heater. The grey water vent is finished, but the drain just goes through the floor for now, not out to the garden bed it will eventually water. We'll finish it all out once the drywall is done in that room.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com/blog/cabins-first-visitor/">Cabin’s First Visitor</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com">VelaCreations</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://velacreations.com/blog/cabins-first-visitor/">Cabin’s First Visitor</a>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-83567574781909361372018-03-15T07:05:00.001-07:002018-03-15T07:05:24.904-07:00Cabin insulation<img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/insulation-1-420x215.jpg?x63882" align="right" />
<p><img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/insulation-1-420x215.jpg?x63882" class="attachment-blog size-blog wp-post-image" alt="" /></p>
<p>We have been putting insulation up in the cabin, and it is almost completely done now.</p>
<p>We have to do the plumbing in the bathroom, and then we'll start on sheetrock.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com/blog/cabin-insulation/">Cabin insulation</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com">VelaCreations</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://velacreations.com/blog/cabin-insulation/">Cabin insulation</a>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-25733889294516672742018-03-13T07:01:00.001-07:002018-03-13T07:01:45.422-07:00TAMUK rabbits<img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/tamuk-420x215.jpg?x63882" align="right" />
<p><img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/tamuk-420x215.jpg?x63882" class="attachment-blog size-blog wp-post-image" alt="" /></p>
<p><img class="normal alignright wp-image-8555 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/tamuk1-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" />Last week, we went and got three new rabbits. All our other rabbits here are Californian, and we haven't been overly impressed with them. They don't thrive on grass and weeds nearly as well as our previous rabbits (of New Zealand stock), and they don't breed as well during the heat.</p>
<p>So, we decided to try out a breed developed at Texas A&M. The rabbit is a mixture of different breeds, developed especially to be heat tolerant, among other things. They come out all different colors and are supposedly very hardy. The mix has now been recognized as a distinct breed, called TAMUK (Texas A&M University Kingsville). We'll see how they do.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com/blog/tamuk-rabbits/">TAMUK rabbits</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com">VelaCreations</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://velacreations.com/blog/tamuk-rabbits/">TAMUK rabbits</a>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-81280283190731135422018-03-12T22:07:00.001-07:002018-03-12T22:07:33.042-07:00Jean Giraudoux"The flower is the poetry of reproduction. It is an example of the eternal seductiveness of life." - Jean Giraudoux
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-89445751419726599962018-03-08T05:42:00.001-08:002018-03-08T05:42:32.181-08:00Calf<img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/calf-420x215.jpg?x63882" align="right" />
<p><img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/calf-420x215.jpg?x63882" class="attachment-blog size-blog wp-post-image" alt="" /></p>
<p>Last week, one of the cows we manage gave birth to a beautiful calf. It's the first one born since we've been here, but it looks like there'll be a lot more coming soon.</p>
<p>Things are now really greening up around here, which will help the lactating mamas. We're still giving them hay and minerals, but they eat less and less of both as the grass grows.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com/blog/calf/">Calf</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com">VelaCreations</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://velacreations.com/blog/calf/">Calf</a>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-72217695823855345152018-03-06T05:32:00.001-08:002018-03-06T05:32:09.480-08:00Chickens<img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/chickens-420x215.jpg?x63882" align="right" />
<p><img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/chickens-420x215.jpg?x63882" class="attachment-blog size-blog wp-post-image" alt="" /></p>
<p>For my birthday, Abe surprised me with five beautiful hens, which is fantastic, as a homestead just doesn't seem right without chickens. It's not only the eggs that we were missing (in fact, our neighbor gave us all the eggs we could use), it's the scraps. We give some scraps to the dogs, some to the rabbits, and the rest to the Black Soldier Flies, but there have been so many times when I've hated giving the BSF something that was made for chickens. And, of course, we now have something other than fish that will eat the BSF grubs!</p>
<p><img class="normal alignleft wp-image-8530 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/chickens1-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" />There was already a chicken pen here, from the previous owner, so we didn't have to do much to get ready. The chickens are young (about 10 months old), very healthy, tame, and lay a rainbow of eggs. We get between 3 and 4 eggs a day now, and each of them is a different color. We won't be getting a rooster for the time being, as we don't really need one yet.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com/blog/chickens/">Chickens</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com">VelaCreations</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://velacreations.com/blog/chickens/">Chickens</a>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-80376152242189260652018-02-28T05:53:00.001-08:002018-02-28T05:53:38.537-08:00Natural fertilizer<img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/fertilizer-420x215.jpg?x63882" align="right" />
<p><img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/fertilizer-420x215.jpg?x63882" class="attachment-blog size-blog wp-post-image" alt="" /></p>
<p>So, as we harvest some of the winter crops, we have to prep the garden beds for the Spring garden. For now, this entails mowing down any weeds and plants, and sprinkling liberally with rabbit manure, which we have in abundance.</p>
<p><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8490 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/fertilizer1-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8491 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/fertilizer2-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p>Rabbit droppings are one of the new animal manures that you can apply directly to the garden. It isn't "hot", so it won't harm anything, and it's very effective as a plant food. Plus, it is already in pellet form and is quick and clean to gather. It's one of the many reasons we love our rabbits.</p>
<p>It's raining at the moment, so we'll let the bed get good and wet. Then, we'll put a tarp over it, in order to kill any new weeds coming up. After a few days, we'll be able to loosen the soil and plant the new crop.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com/blog/natural-fertilizer/">Natural fertilizer</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com">VelaCreations</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://velacreations.com/blog/natural-fertilizer/">Natural fertilizer</a>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-33952211564704158392018-02-26T05:45:00.001-08:002018-02-26T05:45:10.585-08:00Turnips<img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/turnips-420x215.jpg?x63882" align="right" />
<p><img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/turnips-420x215.jpg?x63882" class="attachment-blog size-blog wp-post-image" alt="" /></p>
<p>The turnips are starting to be ready, so the other day, we harvested some of them. We filled two crates, and only collected about a third of what's out there.</p>
<p>The wonderful thing about fresh turnips is that they are kind of sweet. As they sit, they turn a little more bitter, but for now they are wonderful. And of course, there's always turnip greens too.</p>
<p>Judging by the size of our harvests, it looks like we'll be eating a lot of turnips in the coming weeks!!</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com/blog/turnips/">Turnips</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com">VelaCreations</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://velacreations.com/blog/turnips/">Turnips</a>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-43157913324321910842018-02-24T06:38:00.001-08:002018-02-24T06:38:26.500-08:00Cabin windows<img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/window-420x215.jpg?x63882" align="right" />
<p><img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/window-420x215.jpg?x63882" class="attachment-blog size-blog wp-post-image" alt="" /></p>
<p><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8477 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/window1-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8478 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/window2-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p>The cabin already had four windows as part of the original shell, however we wanted to add a couple of extra, especially as our neighbor gave us a bunch of old windows (thanks, Michael!).</p>
<p>We installed one large window on the east wall of the living room. This adds a lot of extra light and will help with air flow. We also needed a small one in the bathroom that we're making.</p>
<p>We had to cut out the studs and wall that were in the way and then reframe the space to accommodate a window. We now have the windows installed, although we still lack the outside trim.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com/blog/cabin-windows/">Cabin windows</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com">VelaCreations</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://velacreations.com/blog/cabin-windows/">Cabin windows</a>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-58867974556833965992018-02-22T06:18:00.001-08:002018-02-22T06:18:15.392-08:00Garden Giants<img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/gardengiants-420x215.jpg?x63882" align="right" />
<p><img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/gardengiants-420x215.jpg?x63882" class="attachment-blog size-blog wp-post-image" alt="" /></p>
<p>Back in the Fall, we inoculated a bunch of wood chips (both in a garden path and in a large pit) with the mycelium of a mushroom called Garden Giant. This is an extremely hardy and aggressive mushroom. It does not need sterilized substrate, unlike many other fungi, nor does it need any other special treatment or coddling. It produces an extremely large mushroom, that does well outside, especially in gardens.</p>
<p><img class="normal alignright wp-image-8492 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/gardengiants1-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" />We plan to use the substrate from the large pit to inoculate all of the garden paths. Each season, we'll let at least one mushroom from each path open up completely, so that it will "reseed" the path with its spore.</p>
<p>At the moment, the pit is <em>filled</em> with "little" mushrooms poking up through the substrate. We have already eaten several, and they are delicious! You cook them a little more than you would other mushrooms, browning them all over. The flavor is very similar to fried potatoes, but with none of the carbs and an awful lot more protein! I have to say that I have really missed eating home-grown mushrooms, and am delighted to have them back in our diet.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com/blog/garden-giants/">Garden Giants</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com">VelaCreations</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://velacreations.com/blog/garden-giants/">Garden Giants</a>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-9980152320253127122018-02-20T07:43:00.001-08:002018-02-20T07:43:22.531-08:00Cabin wiring<img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/electrical-420x215.jpg?x63882" align="right" />
<p><img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/electrical-420x215.jpg?x63882" class="attachment-blog size-blog wp-post-image" alt="" /></p>
<p><img class="normal alignleft wp-image-8474 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/electrical1-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" />Last week, we did a bunch of the cabin's electrical system. We installed all the plug, light, switch, and breaker boxes. We then ran wires to everything, going either through the studs or up in the rafters, depending on the location of the box.</p>
<p>We'll wire up the actual plugs and switches once the insulation and walls are finished.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com/blog/cabin-wiring/">Cabin wiring</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com">VelaCreations</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://velacreations.com/blog/cabin-wiring/">Cabin wiring</a>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-70491607827932275002018-02-17T22:03:00.001-08:002018-02-17T22:03:15.563-08:00Winston Churchill"Solitary trees, if they grow at all, grow strong." - Winston Churchill
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-41940808922260693632018-02-12T10:25:00.001-08:002018-02-12T10:25:13.897-08:00Starting seeds<img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/seeds-420x215.jpg?x63882" align="right" />
<p><img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/seeds-420x215.jpg?x63882" class="attachment-blog size-blog wp-post-image" alt="" /></p>
<p>It's cold out today, so we figured we'd work inside on a couple of seed related projects.</p>
<p><img class="normal alignleft wp-image-8448 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/seeds1-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" />The main job was prepping seeds of various nitrogen fixing trees, namely Black Locust, Mimosa, Palo Verde, Bird of Paradise, and Esperanza. These are needed throughout an orchard to help feed the other trees and plants, and they also provide food for animals. The problem with most nitrogen fixers is that their seeds need to pass through the digestive tract of an animal in order to germinate. You can replicate this effect using acid (similar to the acid found in the stomach), but we prefer to nick the outer seed casing by sanding or grinding it. So, we got out our Dremmel tool (useful for so many jobs!), and used it to grind into the harder seeds. We then put them into a tub of hot water and will soak them overnight before planting them in cone-tainers.</p>
<p><img class="normal alignright wp-image-8449 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/seeds2-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" />The second task was planting some annuals in flats, which will later be transplanted into the garden once the risk of a freeze is past. These include things like tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, eggplants, cucamelons, tomatillos. This is a much easier and faster job, but it did require that we braved the outside for long enough to fill the flats with soil!</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com/blog/starting-seeds-2/">Starting seeds</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com">VelaCreations</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://velacreations.com/blog/starting-seeds-2/">Starting seeds</a>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-83829203947270224172018-02-09T12:22:00.001-08:002018-02-09T12:22:23.478-08:00Nursery<img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/greenhouse-420x215.jpg?x63882" align="right" />
<p><img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/greenhouse-420x215.jpg?x63882" class="attachment-blog size-blog wp-post-image" alt="" /></p>
<p>We are going to need so many trees and shrubs for the acres that will become our orchards that it would end up costing an absolute fortune. So, we figured out a way to take the financial burden off our plans: have a nursery. We can buy plants in bulk, and then sell half of them to fund the ones we want for ourselves. Anything we don't sell can always be kept and sold next year as a bigger tree, or planted into our own orchard. Win, win.</p>
<p><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8432 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/greenhouse1-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8433 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/greenhouse2-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8434 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/greenhouse3-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8435 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/greenhouse4-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8436 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/greenhouse5-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p>We bought a kit for a tunnel greenhouse, which is 50' x 14'. Once it was assembled, we laid a weed barrier down on the ground and then started to fill the space with plants. We bought everything as either a plug or bare-root, and then had to transplant it all into pots and bags. Next step will be to set up an automatic watering system, but for the time being, Abe is kind of enjoying walking up and down the paths with a hose, watering his babies by hand.</p>
<p>All of our selections so far are adapted to our area, and produce some kind of food, whether for us or our animals. Here's the current list:</p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><strong>100 x Chinese Chestnuts</strong></li>
<li><strong>240 x Pineapple Guava</strong></li>
<li><strong>50 x Loquat</strong></li>
<li><strong>50 x Stone Pines</strong></li>
<li><strong>10 x White Mulberries (the other 90 were planted directly into the ground)</strong></li>
<li><strong>80 x Apples (Anna, Mollies, Granny Smith, Ein Shemer)</strong></li>
<li><strong>80 x Plums (Methley, Santa Rosa, Damson, Scarlett Beauty)</strong></li>
<li><strong>60 x Peaches (Lafeliciana, Loring, Redskin, Suwanee)</strong></li>
<li><strong>144 x Fig (Texas Everbearing, Celeste)</strong></li>
<li><strong>144 x Blackberry (Arapaho, Natchez)</strong></li>
<li><strong>144 x Grape (Alachua, Dixie)</strong></li>
<li><strong>144 x Blueberry (Palmetto, Farthing)</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>There's a few other odds and ends in there too (like roses and gojis), which brings us up to a grand total of 1300 plants that we have bagged and potted in the past two weeks.</p>
<p>We have plans for a whole bunch of other stuff, but they're going to have to wait for a month, as we are running out of space in the greenhouse! Once it warms up a little, we'll be able to move a bunch of these outside, and then we can start round two!</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com/blog/nursery-2/">Nursery</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com">VelaCreations</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://velacreations.com/blog/nursery-2/">Nursery</a>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285774383845516011.post-87677929123045122432018-02-02T11:08:00.001-08:002018-02-02T11:08:07.662-08:00The Cabin<img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/newhouse4-420x215.jpg?x63882" align="right" />
<p><img src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/newhouse4-420x215.jpg?x63882" class="attachment-blog size-blog wp-post-image" alt="" /></p>
<p>On our place, in between the house and the workshop, is a cabin.</p>
<p><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8409 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/cabin-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p><img class="normal alignnone wp-image-8410 size-half" src="http://velacreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/cabin1-450x337.jpg?x63882" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p>
<p>It's 32' x 14', with a small porch to the north. It's a framed building, with painted siding on the outside and unfinished on the inside. One of our tasks is to turn this shell into a guesthouse, with a bedroom, living room, and bathroom.</p>
<p>This week, we framed up the bathroom, which is 8' x 6'. We haven't put the door in yet, although it's ready to hang (in its frame) once we have the bathroom interior done.</p>
<p>Because it's planting season, we won't have much time to work on the cabin over the next couple of months, but we hope to spend a day or two on it each week.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com/blog/the-cabin/">The Cabin</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velacreations.com">VelaCreations</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://velacreations.com/blog/the-cabin/">The Cabin</a>
VelaCreationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222349579954939281noreply@blogger.com0