| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| carmeniris |
Posted - Dec 28 2007 : 06:02:52 AM
I'm Farmgirl 95. I live in Little Falls, probably the friendliest small city in Minnesota. I live in town but since it's a large lot I consider it a microfarm. To make myself legit, I sell at the Farmer's Market two blocks from my house. I moved here exactly two year ago and am still pulling grass by hand since I use organic methods. I have planted 30 raspberry bushes, strawberries, blueberries, gooseberries, currants, rhubarb, more than a dozen fruit trees. I have a vegetable plot that I will be expanding where I grow a dozen types of tomatoes, peppers, asparagus, kohlrabi, herbs. I tried few potatoes, garlic and sweet potatoes. This year I also plan to expand my flower beds. I was very lucky to buy this 90 year old house sight unseen. It looks small from the outside but it has a finished basement that walks out to the fenced backyard and a detached garage in addition the the attached one. The detached one looks like a cottage inside and out so I converted it into a art studio. Unfortunately, it cost too much to heat (we had an extremely cold month) so I had to bring the paints back for fear they freeze. It has a great fireplace but the insurance company won't let me use wood in it. Any ideas? I would like solar but unless I win the lottery (right) I can't afford it. I wanted three chicken but the city won't allow it unless I keep then inside the house (sure). My kids are grown and I have a little grandson, who lives in Utah with my son. I am into art, crafts and sewing. I just started my apron. I sold my previous home for a good price and received a small inheritance so I decided to try to make a go at it without working for someone else. I joined the art and writers groups. I love it. I was one of the lucky few to receive Mary Jane's magazine in a round robin years ago. I have three of her books. She inspired me to go for it. |
| 14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| carmeniris |
Posted - Dec 30 2007 : 06:15:12 AM
I want to thank everyone for their encouragement. I am really happy I finally joined. It's interesting, I didn't think I was making much headway with my microfarm until I started listing some of the things I grow. I'm too hard on myself. I haven't tried growing rhubarb from seed since I am so impatient so I started with roots. Same with the asparagus. Strawberries are so easy to grow and the runners keep me busy finding more room. I have been experimenting with different types of beds since this whole backyard was lawn (ugh). I, too, have too much shade since the properties here were fenced with oaks during the early 1900's. Since I can't afford to have some removed I learned to work with them. My vegetables are in the area farthest from the trees. In the other area I plant the fruit trees and berries, as well as low light plants. By the way some of my vegetables are under my wire cloth lines (I don't need many since I live alone). Last year I had peas and tomatoes under them so I just tied them to the lines. They did just great and were absolutely low maintenance. I also want to let you know that I am growing tropical fruit bushes indoor that I take outside when it is warm. If anyone is interested I can let you know how I set up an inexpensive growing area indoors. |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Dec 28 2007 : 10:05:19 PM
Welcome Carmen! Glad that you've joined the sisterhood!
Hugs,
Kay
My Etsy Shop http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
Farmgirl Flair Etsy Team http://farmgirlsonetsy.blogspot.com
PROUD FARMGIRL SISTER #100
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| Carol Sue |
Posted - Dec 28 2007 : 9:39:32 PM
Carmen,
So glad you are here and sharing, looking forward to learning more.
Have fun!
Carol Sue
listening to the quiet moments
Farmgirl #39
www.Quitemoments.blogspot.com |
| Maryjane Lee |
Posted - Dec 28 2007 : 2:42:51 PM
Welcome Carmen! Loved reading your posting here and I am looking forward to getting to know you! I could learn some gardening tips from you! Glad you found your sweet farm and enjoy painting! You will have to share some of your art with us!
Hugs, Maryjane Lee
Farmgirl Sister #44
The Beehive Cottage~est. 1971
Sisters on the Fly #595
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| Annie S |
Posted - Dec 28 2007 : 2:37:35 PM
Welcome Carmen from a former Minnesotan. DH and I used to live in suburbs of Minneapolis before we retired out here to the southern Black Hills. My son and his wife live in Minneapolis, so we get back there every so often. Your place sounds just beautiful and exciting. A little piece of heaven for you. Looking forward to getting to know you here.
Annie |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Dec 28 2007 : 12:28:33 PM
Welcome Carmen! I have been to Little Falls a few times..years ago. My first husband's family was from there and we would go visit them occasionally when we lived way further north ...sort of off between Grand Rapids and Bemidji. I loved Minnesota.
Your place sounds just wonderful..and it will sure be fun to get to know you here!!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Dec 28 2007 : 10:45:07 AM
welcome Carmen. your place sounds very nice. I'm working on creating my yard into a microfarm also. I already have the 2 ducks and 2 chickens, a cottage garden area,2 raised beds..and will probably add more.... and fenced courtyard garden area for growing vining beans and other veggies, and I'm fixing to tear out a deck by my back door and use the soil underneath as a herb/veggie bed(don't worry the deck was not treated/so no leached stuff in the soil)
When we bought our home there was only 1 tree in the back yard..ha.
It looks totally different now of course and is still a work in progress.
It's so nice when you own your own place..you can plant and grow what you like.
Anyhow..welcome to the farm!
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
| lilyblossom |
Posted - Dec 28 2007 : 07:36:56 AM
Hi Carmen,
Welcome to the farm! Your life sounds very busy with gardening and a charming home.
Donna...transplanted southerner, farmgirl sister #86 |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Dec 28 2007 : 07:34:43 AM
Welcome Carmen!! It sounds like you are doing what you want to do and that is great. Glad you decided to join the forum. Post some pics if you can. MB
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Dec 28 2007 : 07:31:24 AM
You will just love it here Carmen! So glad you joined up. Your home sounds wonderful up there in MN. By the way, can you tell me if it is difficult to grow rhubarb from seed? I live on a very shady 1 acre lot, but in my only full sun area, I plan to grow some vegetables this year. I love rhubarb & want to give it a go!
Again, welcome to the group!
Dawn in IL |
| nubidane |
Posted - Dec 28 2007 : 07:28:44 AM
Welcome Carmen! Your place sounds very farmy! Post some pics if you get a chance. I would love to see your garden & art studio. You will love it here. THe gals are great & there is always something neat going on. |
| Lainey |
Posted - Dec 28 2007 : 06:25:00 AM
Welcome Carmen, nice to meet you here! Your home and garden sounds great, it seems you have turned your 'city lot' into a farm. That's so cool! We are thinking about growing strawberries this year, it will be our first time although there are a few of the smaller wild ones that grow in our yard. We tried garlic last year too and hope to do better with it this year. My husband and I are kind of learning as we go. Congrats on making of go of working for yourself. My husband and I hope to be able to do that in the future. I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.
Farmgirl Sister #25
http://countrygirldreams.blogspot.com/ |
| Corinnelouise |
Posted - Dec 28 2007 : 06:11:21 AM
Welcome Carmen, you will like this place it is fun and friendly and I cannot wait to get to know more of you.
Corinne |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Dec 28 2007 : 06:10:09 AM
Welcome Farmgirl 95! Glad you introduced yourself, and I look forward to reading more about you and your little slice of heaven!
Farmgirl Sister # 31
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
