Spring is around the Corner!

Spring will officially arrive in just a couple of weeks, and things are beginning to shift in dramatic ways. The grass is green and the buds on the tress are swelling and getting impatient to burst. I see honey bees out looking for wildflower blooms. The water in the seasonal creeks is flowing and things seem to be "abuzz" and as vibrant as ever. I have done quite a bit of pruning, getting the trees in shape for the new apple bearing season. We've got a little fence planned for around some raised beds that will exclusively be a "kitchen garden" for those living in the cabin. We are heading into the new growing season with lots of enthusiasm and hopes for a productive and abundant harvest. Hopefully we will be using the new fruit dehydrator for the drying of organic apples. Blessings!

Transformation......

Life guarantees change! What once was so important and real is now gone. And, so it goes. I am embracing the movement of the wheel of fortune as it whirls past me and sets the stage for the next transmogrify. The chicken coop that stood in the center of the orchard for oh so many years could not with stand this tidal wave of movement. There is now a bench or ledge that runs the hillside traversing the rolling hills. The grape arbor is being dismantled after more than 25 years of saluting to the sun each morning in favor of open space and a new gazebo below it. No, I didn't sit down with a neat and tidy plan and lay it all out on graph paper. The magic of the universe simply has allowed it to unfold, each step a unique leaning in a new direction, not necessarily planned. The intuition of the land is working to cast its spell and who is to say just what will result in the end? All I know is that I am happily part of this project, and I am glad to be swept along with the this foolish current to whatever it is that the elementals have determined that this garden shall be. The spirit of earth and all the beings are bonding together to make the wonder of nature and its fruit. In this case apples!

Time for New Trees!

January is bare root season, and, we are taking full advantage of that opportunity. This year, on Sunday January 10th, I planted two Arkansas Black and two "Crippen" Pink Lady apple trees. It is always a creative effort to find new space in the existing orchard. This season I felt inspired to go with the old adage, "Out with the old and in with the new!" I dug out two very old Apricot Trees that have never actually produced any fruit, to allow their space to be given to these new members of the orchard. Although it pulled at my heart strings some to see these two trees go away, as the blossoms are utterly beautiful, I need to remember that the current mission of the orchard is to produce apples. With that in mind, things are moving in the direction they are.

I also dug up a volunteer apple tree under the Gravenstein that is getting too big to remain where it is. Assuming it survives the transplant, this tree will be on the list of trees to be grafted this spring. When the weather warms, I will be bringing the camera to capture more pictures.

First Post of the New Year!

As will happen, the days turn into weeks, and the weeks months, and here we are at the start of a New Year, ready or not! The realization that the light will begin to overcome the darkness and a new spring will dawn is powerful at this time of year. The symbolism of new beginnings and the innocence of all of nature just floods the sky ways and envelopes all of the hidden voids surrounding this place we call space. It is righteous to be out on the land, and partake in this discovery that the raw energy of the planet allows this miracle of rebirth to happen year after year. The promise of all the things to come in the coming year and the willingness of nature to surrender to the caretakers of the land and become the farm that is imagined and willed from within is magical. Everywhere there is unity and purpose. I see the apple trees pruned, composted and blooming. I see the bees flying about and pollinating the blossoms. I see the branches giving way to leaves and growth. I feel the warm sun on my skin the same way the trunks of the trees feel the heat. I smell the wildflowers and grasses as they blow in the wind. Finally, I taste the first ripe Gravenstein, and savor the juicy flavor of this ambrosial fruit. Let it all unfold! I am ready for the New Year............

The Big Freeze of 2009!

Last week Alaska opened the refrigerator door and a very cold mass of air enveloped California for a few days......it was cold! It got down to 5 degrees in Trinity County and about 10 in places around Mendocino County. As usual, the pipes burst and the plumbing supplies went sailing out the door at the hardware stores. I thought we were pretty safe against the cold, but, mother nature proved me wrong. The inline water filter shattered and that took the whole system out until things thawed and the water started flowing again. The problem is, once everything freezes, you can't tell where the leaks are.....you just have to patiently wait so you can begin fixing things. I also lost some argicultual fittings at the outlet to one of the big plastic tanks. That still has to be repaired, but not to worry, there will be plenty of opportunity to repair that before it is needed. After the freeze the rains came, which are a most welcome relief after the bitterly cold period. The hydro is now flowing and creating about 62 amps of power a day. The road is soft and will need some more gravel as a temporary solution in order to get in and out of the cabin. I plan to do that on my next trip up. Oh the joys of ownership! Actually, I am not complaining; I love my land!

Dormancy

Yes, apple trees need and like the cold. In fall, the leaves drop and the sap, the energy of the tree, flows down into the trunk and root system. Trees need at least 500 to 900 hours of low temperatures so the tree can rest and prepare for the spring bloom. So cold nights and mornings are just what the doctor ordered when it comes to apples. I wonder about people? Do they need down time when they can regroup and rest? Sometimes we call that vacation! The first snow of the year has hit Bell Springs and it is a wonder for sure.

For me, winter is the perfect time. Because of the snow and cold, nature forces us to "chill". We get to linger over a cup of tea, and spend a few extra minutes talking with a friend or relative. The maddening rush is done, and the satisfaction of the accomplished projects hangs in the air. This year there is so much to be thankful for. I am happy to be here and feeling liberated. Feeling free to be myself, and dote on my apples. Keep it simple, Noel, that is the only way to really enjoy life!

Finished At Last!

After nearly six months of focusing on the water system, I can realistically say that for now I am done. It really began with the leveling of benches along the hillside last year by the excavator. With the leveling meant removing water pipes that formally followed the terrain. However, the challenging aspect is that post tractor work the pipes then needed to be reinstalled. You know how it is....first I decided to upgrade the pipes to a better quality that wasn't so available 25 years ago when we first created the system. Then I got to looking at the tanks themselves, and realized what I didn't really want to know. They were pretty shot with the lids broken from years of snowfall, and little creatures nesting in this delightful aquatic environment. So, the replacement plan got more expansive. Research was necessary to determine what size and brand. And due understand, just because you buy something does not mean it is magically going to appear 40 minutes from the small podunk of Laytonville. Merchants are definitely on "country time", and it takes some negotiation to get the product delivered. The other consideration was the Hydro System, which I have also been working on for a couple of years. In the winter, the water from rainfall is abundant, and it makes sense to capture the water and direct it to the generator that is now producing the power the cabin daily needs when the sun is not out. So, no plan is complete without calculating how the water system will work hand in hand with the Hydro Power system. Once I finally had all the materials, pipes, sand, tanks plumbing fittings and faucets, I then had a pretty daunting feeling and the question came to mind, "How am I going to do all of this?". As was mentioned last blog entry, that is when Ben came along. But, today, I was on my own for the finish up. Some final connections were on my list for today, stopping at the hardware to pick up those items that I became aware of last time that I needed to go to the next level. For me, there is nothing more satisfying that covering the holes and racking the ground smooth, becoming receptive to the rain that is already gathering far out on the horizon. With the tools put away, a smile on my face, I cruised home feeling a strong sense of accomplishment!