While I have a big orchard (about 50 trees) I haven’t had a large garden in the last few years. After this last trip to the grocery store however, I really realized how much I’m getting fucked on subpar produce and products that I can grow and make much better for myself.

I plan on doing a larger garden next year, adding about a dozen chickens (got two nice coops and a good area for a chicken run) and maybe three or four goats if I’m feeling ambitious.

I know it’ll make traveling much more impractical and add about an hour more of chores each day, but I’m sick of making the trip to the store and losing so much on something that I’ve done much better before.

I feel like the goats and the chickens will be the real game changers. I’ll need to up my preserving and fermentation game, which isn’t bad, I just need to do more of it.

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Chicken are great!

Here are a few basic rules you probably already are aware of.

Protect from predators at night with a robust three little piglets-like set up.

Not compatible with growing your own food. The bastards can fly 😂

Sickness prevention : change their water every single day, possibly with a drop of apple vinegar from time to time👌

Store eggs as they are without washing them, fridge is of no use.

Enjoy, Erik 💜

Do it. You can't beat home grown.

If you have 50 trees in an orchard, it may be possible to trade with other local gardeners.

I have 25 trees, but a big deer problem.

I'm considering going carnivore, so maybe I'll try that this hunting season.

I had a deer problem, until last summer I came home from vacation and there was a dead deer strung up on the inside fence. A cougar had been waiting for it to go into the orchard before ambushing it, letting the fence give it the upper hand.

There’s also a huge black bear that seems to use the orchard down the way as his own personal spot, which would also keep them away.

chickens are the fucking best.

Love the kids just walking out back to grab eggs 🥚

I have a similar plan but was thinking of getting an immigrant to help with the chores.

😝😝😝

Your still ahead of the vast majority of us

Let’s go Erik. Homestead/Permaculture lifestyle is just the natural progression 🫡👑

I've been daydreaming about a woofing or work-away type site using bitcoin and nostr.

May make it happen one day 🤙

Grow what you buy/use & what grows well where you live. Fighting against nature is silly.

I got rid of my chooks because the dog kept breaking in to get the scraps & then they'd get out & make a huge mess. My only regret was not getting rid of them sooner. I don't love eggs or chicken.

I need to clear 3/4 of an acre from rocks & scrub before I can get some goats. Feeling like I want to fatten some pigs first though. I feel like eventually trusted Bitcoiners will immerge to farm sit so that you can travel.

I grew up with this type of gardening approach, and I recommend blanching/freezing and/or canning for vegetable preservation, so you can store the bounty of your garden for the winter. Tomatoes & green beans can up great; corn, broccoli, asparagus, etc. blanch and freeze up great in freezer bags.

Let me know if you need any help building on the farm 👊👌

Yes to all of this. Just starting out on some of the same ideas & challenges.

My 1 year old garden is tiny but Im having ton of fun. 2 chickens. Wish I had more space and and sun.

You should take my permaculture class

I saw that and it’s looks awesome, but I’m out on the west coast so it’s a bit far out for me.

Self preservation 🖖🤘

It takes a lot of time to grow your own food but it is satisfying AF. I’d like some chickens too but hilariously the UK now makes you get a license for that!