Of Rhubarb and Shallots

During our weeks absence we returned and found that both our rhubarb crowns had developed leaf buds and all our shallots, except two, had sprouted.  All five of our asparagus crowns had shoots so next year we may enjoy a fresh, white asparagus dinner.

Our first rhubarb Leaf - Look carefully

Asparagus Shoots

During our trip down south we managed to acquire five raspberry canes and five blackberry canes.  We also brought back a replacement asparagus crown to replace the one that we thought would not take.  However, it did so we now have six asparagus crowns.  As the place where we planned to plant the berries was not ready we put the berry canes into large pots filled with potting mix as a temporary measure.

Shallots 

Shade house before Jenny started

After Jenny cleaned up the shade house

We planted the sixth asparagus crown and Jenny started to clean up the shade house while Roger pruned the trees that put the garden into shade.  After the shade house was cleaned up we prepared a garden bed and planted some carrot seeds.  The next day we planted peas, spinach and rocket in the prepared garden bed.  There are still at least three more garden beds, where we plan to put strawberries.

Soon our tractor will be delivered so gardening will start in earnest after we rip and till the garden beds.  We have placed ten large bags of horse manure on the garden, ready for tilling in.   We have a large stock of mulch ready for our garden, and hopefully, fresh compost.

Photos by Roger and Jenny

Chipping and Paddling

We arrived back at Honeydale to find our kayaks had arrived so we took a drive into Ferndale to pick then up after a reconnaissance at Captain Logan’s  landing on Lake Wivenhoe.   While we were in Ferndale we brought some material to get a temporary irrigation system working using water from an existing tank that was filled from the roof of the old shed.

House pad after cleaning and mowing

We returned to Honeydale and using a mixture of new parts from Ferndale and salvaged pipes we managed to get an operational basic irrigation system for our garden.  Roger then fired up the mulcher and processed all the green timber from last weeks pruning.  Our first compost pile was steaming so it seemed that our method to prepare compost is working, only another six weeks to confirm the results.

View to north from house pad

During our walks we have found several bush turkey nests and finally we spotted a walking, talking bush turkey.  It was late in the day it was scratching around one of the dead woodpiles.  It was too far away to get a photo; hopefully next time we will get a photo.

On Saturday we awoke to a cool clear morning so we loaded to kayaks onto the Hilux and went to Logan’s Landing.  We must have looked competent as a guy with a very elaborate kayak and fishing rig asked us if we could launch there.  We replied this was our first time at Logan’s Landing as well.

 

We all launched and despite having to punch into a 300 mm swell we made good progress as we initially followed the shoreline.  Summing up our courage we headed off to the far shore line, our only fright was when a formation of pelicans was lining up to land and we were in there flight path, feet were down and they were preparing to splash down when they appeared to see us and the feet were pulled in and wings started to flap.  Collision avoided.

Our kayaks

We returned to Honeydale and had morning tea then started work in the garden.  Roger then moved onto clearing some dead timber from the north-eastern quadrant.  Dead timber is hard on the chainsaw so after four dead trees were felled and sectioned the saw was definitely struggling with a dull chain.

Late in the afternoon a small wallaby was spotted grazing on the grass near the shed.   However, its regular companions were not spotted.

Photos by Roger and Jenny

Progress

Soon after taking over the block we optimistically planted some garlic and asparagus.  We were happy to see four of the five asparagus crowns have taken and most of the garlic bulbs have shoots.

 

Pleased with this progress, we have added to the garden. Planting some rhubarb and a couple of different varieties of shallots. 

A Wet Weekend

The weekend started with a lot of promise, including Ferndale Bakery’s Apple and Berry Slice.  Despite the early morning drizzle several of the local wallabies stopped by and this time we were able to take some photos and one was in focus!

After our now traditional winter breakfast of porridge we got started cleaning up the northwest quadrant.  The weeds that were cut down with the brush cutter were collected and Jenny started piling the larger sticks into heaps.  While Roger got the chainsaw out and started cutting out the larger weeds, stunted trees and deadfalls.

After a few hours we had collected a fair size pile of cuttings.  The dead sticks were put in to the teddy tractor and dumped into a wash-a-way.  The dead wood and leaves slows the water flow causing the sand to drop out but the water continues to flow.  However, we still had a large quantity of fresh cuttings to dispose of.  Out came the wood chipper and over the course of a couple of hours the cuttings were turned into chips that can be used for organic mulch or allowed to compost.  Both the mulch and the compost will be used on our garden.

Around noon, the temperature dropped and the sky darkened. With rain starting to fall we quickly parked up the Teddy tractor and wood chippper.  All too soon a little light rain turned into a steady downpour, which continued well into the night. The rain not only filled our tanks, it gave us a perfect excuse to rest and relax.

The clean up starts

Having taken possession and secured the shed, it was time we started cleaning the block.  Jenny had a quick lesson on how to drive the newly christened rideon mower, the "Teddy Tractor" and set off for the road to bring in the wheelie bin. Having delivered the bin, she headed off to the northwestern quadrant and started to pickup litter and other small objects, putting them in the trailer. After a few hours she had almost filled the wheelie bin.

Roger prepped the brush cutter and started cutting down clumps of lantana, a particularly invasive weed. So it is important to get it under control. A few hours later, significant progress had been made in tidying up the northwestern quadrant and home site.

Around midday, Jenny had a problem with Teddy Tractor as it would not start. After a some checks and phone calls it was discovered that the battery was flat. A few hours on the charger and the Teddy Tractor was fired up in anger and the home pad was given a good mowing.

That was how we spent the weekend at HoneyDale.

Our Plans and the Never Ending Shopping List

When our offer for HoneyDale was accepted, we started purchasing equipment to manage and maintain the property.  This meant purchasing a new utility truck, power tools, chainsaws, line trimmers, brush cutters, ride on mower, mulcher, tractor and implements and the long list goes on.  This equipment is required to clean the land up, fix the fences and repair the existing infrastructure.

Whilst our tractor and implements, does not arrive until August, we have turned the soil in the existing garden and planted asparagus and garlic.  The tractor will be used to till about 100m² of vegetable garden, plant an orchard and maintain the fences and fire breaks.  Our plan is to have enough vegetable to be self-sufficient within twelve months – though this does depend on the availability of water.

Our immediate goal is to remove litter, weeds, and exotic plants around the home site, establish our orchard and vegetable garden.

 

Moving into HoneyDale

The land transfer transaction was completed on the last day of the 2015/16 financial year so Roger drove to HoneyDale and took possession of the property. 

On the whole the property, was tidy.  It had been neglected and the some of the previous owners’ endeavours were incomplete or had been abandoned. On closer inspection we did have some good finds, such as an intact slow combustion stove in working condition. It just needs a little restoration. However, we also found that they took the bore pump.

After unloading the utility into the existing shed, Rog fitted our lock and chain to the entrance gate and returned to Brisbane.  The next day we both returned in our respective vehicles and started work on securing the shed as well as picking up furniture to make for comfortable camping.  That night, we celebrated taking possession with a roast lamb dinner cooked on the webber and a bottle of champagne. 

The next day we started tidying up area around the shed and the home site pad.  Roger drove to Esk to pick up the chainsaws, mulcher and ride on mower.  This equipment will initially be put to use to clean up the area around the home site, verge and vegetable garden. 

Our plan is to selectively clear the smaller straggly trees and fallen timber from the front of the block, leaving the larger trees and native bushes around the home pad to provide a firebreak and to let light in. The remainder of the site we plan to leave as native bush to encourage koalas and other wildlife to stay.

In our first week we did see a small mob of Pretty Face Wallabies grazing on the grass around the home pad and shed.  Unfortunately, despite much searching, we have not seen any koalas, yet.  Several locals have told us that koalas are in the area but they do move around with the seasons and the availability of feed.