Journal

In the past two weeks:
1 - D bushhogged the millet; still some patches where neither millet nor centipede grew and could erode later so we will be doing "spot" soil tests
2 - Confirmed the tree orders with suppliers; Mr. Bunn may not have all of the varieties grown to his satisfaction but we will adjust the layout when/where needed if necessary; Mr. Berdoll has more than sufficient to cover our Pawnee/Desirable order with him
3 - Re-laid three full rows just east of the fruit orchard, more accurate now that the millet has been cut. Ethan has been especially helpful pulling the measuring tape and driving the four-wheeler to get tools for us!
4 - Reconfirmed monies available. With recent economic crisis/market crashes/job layoffs/etc. it has been good to know we had made early arrangements and have the funds available thanks to D's good foresight.
5 - Had some dove hunters come on opening day but very little luck. A couple of weeks later doves are in large flocks all over the field !
6 - Will allow deer hunting this fall/winter with several neighbors and friends. Lots and lots of does and fawns roam over the field daily but very little sign of bucks. However, we know that when runt starts....
7 - Planned layout of some extra trees along the path and at the old sawmill site.

Prepping the land

Praise for rain in the past few days but so far still no lift of the burn ban. In the meantime, D has spent all of his waking hours gigging the land and we now have lots and lots of rocks and roots to pick up to keep us busy while we wait for that ban to lift! Today I finalized the number count on the varieties based on our "master plan" and adjusted for the poor availability (many growers are saying they have the smallest stock they've ever had due to the drought, heat and late spring freeze). In other news, I have gotten prices for the nurse tank and trailer (looks like AgriSupply has the best price), a 24" auger to dig the holes, a sprayer that can be attached to the tractor or the ATV, various insecticide and herbicide prices, prices for lime and zinc, nickel (if needed), and a trailer hitch for the ATV in order to pull the wagon D bought today to use for many things, but for now especially to haul the roots and rocks we will be picking up for days (weeks?) to come! Moving along, just not as quickly as I'd like but then again I always said "Rome wasn't built in a day.... I think a few hours should be plenty."