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OffGridWannaBe

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Hi

Newbie here. It seems like I have been moving too much lately. 5 houses in 7 years. We have now bought so hopefully to stay. Lots of work to be done in the garden. I have an acre. All on a slope. Top lawn is terraced so will stay as lawn. It's a very small patch. A third of it very rocky and full of gum trees. Soil is not great but I know I can make it great again. Unfortunately access is a pain so it's all by hand and wheelbarrow.

So far I have dug 2 small terraces for vegetables. Starting small. Plans for chicken coop and run and planting majority of the land with edible plants and trees or green manure.

Any and all suggestions to improving the soil in an incredibly small budget are most welcome. I have access to horse manure when I can collect it so that will be collected as often as possible to compost.

I plan to eventually be as self reliant from a vegetable point of view as possible. Chickens too soon. But I'm in a suburban area so that's the most I can do for now.
 

Britesea

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Welcome!
My land here was almost pure cinders (volcanic) when we moved here; it looked like sand. I threw up some raised beds so I could concentrate on just where my garden plants were going to be, and used well-rotted horse manure as much as possible.

I have chickens also-- and I was amazed to see how much the roosters add to the general health and well-being of the hens. I always thought they just had one job, lol. But I've watched how they make sure all their girls get a shot at any goodies I give them, and they brake up "girl fights" too. They wait until all the girls have had their fill of whatever while they keep an eye out for predators before they finally grab something to eat.
 

sumi

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Welcome! :) @Beekissed and @baymule comes to mind for soil improvement tips. @CrealCritter is a great gardener as well. Apologies to everyone I left out now :oops: I "farmed" small scale on terraces as well, years ago. It's a bit difficult, but it's doable. What chickens are you thinking of getting? Meat birds, layers, dual purpose?
 

CrealCritter

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Welcome!


I have chickens also-- and I was amazed to see how much the roosters add to the general health and well-being of the hens. I always thought they just had one job, lol.

True... Unless it's my wife's rhoad island red / buff orpengton crossed rooster. That boy is rough on the girls. I tried to put him in the pot but my wife got mad "he's so pretty". So do I make my wife mad or do I leave him be? Well momma didn't raise no fool... He's still roaming around today. Poor girls, back of their necks are bald.
 

CrealCritter

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Hi

Newbie here. It seems like I have been moving too much lately. 5 houses in 7 years. We have now bought so hopefully to stay. Lots of work to be done in the garden. I have an acre. All on a slope. Top lawn is terraced so will stay as lawn. It's a very small patch. A third of it very rocky and full of gum trees. Soil is not great but I know I can make it great again. Unfortunately access is a pain so it's all by hand and wheelbarrow.

So far I have dug 2 small terraces for vegetables. Starting small. Plans for chicken coop and run and planting majority of the land with edible plants and trees or green manure.

Any and all suggestions to improving the soil in an incredibly small budget are most welcome. I have access to horse manure when I can collect it so that will be collected as often as possible to compost.

I plan to eventually be as self reliant from a vegetable point of view as possible. Chickens too soon. But I'm in a suburban area so that's the most I can do for now.

Welcome - your gonna learn so much here that your head might explode! Seriously everyone on here is eager to share their knowlege and experience. And it ain't like Google either, you get real advise that works and not someone's opinion that may or may not work. The members here are outstanding!
 

NH Homesteader

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Where did you think she was from? Now I'm curious, lol!

Welcome from NH. I am a terrible gardener so no advice from me, but glad to have you here!
 
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