2. Process
Initially I thought I would use Google
Earth to create my basemap.
As the property is heavily wooded,
many of the details were obscured
which limited my ability to use it as a
resource.
While I wasn’t able to use it to create
my entire basemap, I was able to
measure the overall boundaries and
get a better idea of the surrounding
areas.
I was also able to locate some
common lands that we share with
neighbors that I have never had the
chance to visit.
3. Process
I used an assessor’s map from
the purchase of the house to
begin mapping the property.
I used a protractor and an
engineer rule to transfer the
property map to the 16x20
paper.
I also used a sketch I had done
last week for comparison. It
was not to scale, but included
many of the components that I
needed to include on the map.
4. Process
It was fairly simple to create
the outline of my map. I had
all the measurements that I
needed.
I used the 1:20 scale, but still
needed to use 2 sheets of the
16x20 paper.
After I made the initial
outline of the property, I
ventured out with my new
100 ft. tape measure and did
some exploring.
5. Process
I was surprised at how long it too
me to walk the property and take
measurements. It took several
hours broken up over several days.
I enlisted the help of my children
and we had a good time walking
the property and exploring things.
I knew that our house is situated at
the back of our property but I was
surprised to learn how close it is to
the property line. Currently there
is a shed that the previous owner’s
erected sitting on our neighbor’s
property, as well as our play set
and our trampoline.
6. What I learned
Walking the property lines was
valuable. Our property line is actually
right in front of the bottom of that slide
- behind the chicken. (Oops!)
The “squatter” shed is pictured as well.
There are acres of woods between us
and the neighbor that owns the
property so it isn't currently a problem.
Something to keep in mind if one of us
decides to sell in the future.
I have been really focusing on the
pastures and the open lands in my
grandiose plans. I realized as I was
walking the property that there were
quite a few places that I hadn’t
considered with potential.
7. What I learned
The bottom right picture is of the “secret garden.” I
would like to restore it to it’s former glory at a
minimum. There are concord grape vines over the
arbor and inside there are a mix of berry bushes and
plants and a small ornamental pond. It was
extremely overgrown when we moved here and it has
been rather low on my priority list but I am
rethinking that.
There are 3 beds in the front yard that contain a
variety of herbs, flowers, berry bushes and poison
ivy. They are also really overgrown. My husband
and I have been in conflict over what to do about
them. He is a clean slate kind of a guy and wants to
rip everything out and start new. (Insert my gasp of
horror here) As overwhelming as it is, because of
labor and because of my limited knowledge of the
plants, I want to work on it little by little and make it
useful and beautiful. (Numerous “name that plant”
posts to follow on the “Your Homestead News and
Ideas” discussion board.
8. Challenges
Downloading and using Google Earth was challenging. It didn’t work the way I
was hoping and expecting it to. I did find it useful in some ways but I couldn’t
rely on it to create my map. While I grumbled a bit about having to try and
measure 6 acres with 6 children, a dog, and a bunch of chickens following me, I
learned some things about this property that I wouldn’t have known otherwise.
I had some problems getting into the deeper wooded areas. I was able to walk
the trails into the wooded parts but didn’t fight my way into the brush.
The overall size of my property proved to be challenging for this activity. We
have easements for our driveway and things that are not on our actual property
but that I needed to keep in mind. I could not find the marker post at the top of
the driveway to note where the property line was there. I got an approximate
idea from the maps I used and I remember my neighbor pointing it out to
me…several times.
9. Sectors
Wind: We are at the top of a hill and we have tremendous wind here. I am assuming that is
where the name “Windy Oaks” came from. Thus far the wind has been a negative. Blowing
garbage, down branches and trees, and bringing cold air in through the windows. (That is a
whole other issue!) I would like to try and turn our windy location into a positive and utilize
the wind energy but I am still thinking it through. It would be hard to get my husband on
board and the initial costs seem high. I know windmills and turbines can also be dangerous to
some birds and wildlife.
Sun: Our larger pastures and our front yard get full sun all day. We have talked about having
solar panels installed but as I was walking the grounds, I realized that I have plenty of room
and sunlight for a greenhouse set up.
Water: There is a pond on my property but it is in a shared location at the bottom of the hill
we live on and it isn’t really useful to anyone except the beavers, ducks, turtles, frogs, and
mosquitoes that live there. I may spend some time down there trying to think of ways it can be
a resource but at the moment it is not on my radar. We are not far from a pretty major river.
Several years ago the river flooded and our yard was impacted. We did not live here but I have
seen pictures. This is something to be mindful of as we go through the design process.
10. Sectors
Fire: I wouldn’t say that fire is a major
concern here but we are in a wooded area
and every now and again when I drive
through town the Big Smokey the Bear sign
tells me that Fire Danger is High so it is
something to take note of.
Cold/Snow: We had an incredible amount
of snow this winter. Keeping clear paths to
the animals and making sure they had clean
and unfrozen water was sometimes
challenging. Our outdoor water freezes in
the winter and it is not usable. We are still
trying to find a better solution because filling
multiple buckets of water in my kitchen and
trekking them out to the animals through 4
feet of snow is not very efficient (or
enjoyable).
11. Thoughts
I am excited and inspired by what I have read and observed. I have
already identified some things I would like to implement or change. The
concept of chickens depositing their manure directly into the soil and
spreading it out in the Needs-and-Yields section appealed to me.
(Admittedly it was the avoiding shoveling out the chicken coop that
appealed to me). My chickens are currently free ranging my property but
I would love to get them to branch out from my backyard and porch to the
pastures. I have been brainstorming ways to keep the chickens safe,
continue to allow them to forage, and minimize my efforts in the process.
My idea of what farming is supposed to look like has changed as well.
“The edge is where the action is” really spoke to me. I have been looking
at my large sunny pastures and concentrating my plans regarding
livestock and gardens to those locations. I am starting to look at the
wooded areas in a new way and I am excited about the idea of integrating
them into my plan.
12. Thoughts
I printed the site evaluation questionnaire and checklist and
filled it out as I walked the property. It helped me to focus my
ideas and understand what I am working with and how to
prioritize my goals. I learned some interesting things too!
Apparently my town is built over a long extinct volcano.
I am overwhelmed by how much there is to do. Looking at the
patterns on our homestead helped me to see that while I was
trying to start small and not overwhelm myself, I was really
making things more challenging by adding elements
incrementally and looking at them individually. I have started to
look at the big picture of what I really want to achieve and work
backwards while recognizing which things work together and are
necessary for unity.
