spend spend spend

 It seems I rarely do anything but spend money lately.New tires on truck and car repairs and chainsaw and sprays,but I never seem to find the time to do much work. I did however get the land cleared and some remaining cherry trees planted on the mill street site and notify the buyers of the cottage street site that the deed has arrived and they should get with an attorney to settle the property. It would be a tough spot to grow anything and they dont gnat trees in there so now it will go to them.
 I will probably check into purchasing a lot or two to replace the one I sold and then concentrating monies on finalizing the signs and web site for the entire program.I also have some areas that will need trees in the spring to finish filling in and I need to start leaning towards expansion planing for future projects using money solely generated by the program so I can relieve financial stress in my own home.
 I still need to get a tree carver in here to do some work so I am busy behind the scenes.

some pics

 This is the winter wheat variety I planted in the flood plains, it is up about 2 inches and seems to be doing well!

This is the new trailer under renovation, it has been painted and has new tires,. It will get a bottom and removable sides for mulching and the carrying of the mower(it does tilt).
   I  have been so busy I havent been able to keep up with the whole program,I will try harder to delegate my responsibilities!

no barley

 So I tried like heck to get winter barley and couldnt find the variety that I wanted or would fit my needs and I compromised with winter wheat. The winter wheat will be ready for harvest and the buck wheat will be planted in its place. I will also be planting some soy beans this year as well as corn to try to get a return on investment for newly planted properties so I can grow the program.
  I have ordered dormant spray for the fruit trees and it should be here in a week or so.
 I have been so busy with work and getting the crops in that I have been too busy too post. I will be putting up some pictures of my progress soon.

hulless winter barley

 So I have spent countless hours researching what type of hulless winter barley too plant and it has not been easy.It seems hulless winter barley itself is currently under the research thumb of most ag colleges so that is where I have directed my search.Virginia seems to be the most logical choice because of the data they have posted online which I encourage everyone too read.They have a variety called"dan" that seems to be what I am looking for.It isn't for malting as much as it is for food ,but I would love to get some.I have been trying to contact them or their affiliates to see if I can purchase a little seed and will be trying throughout next week.
  I will try to get a video up that shows the growth and loss of some of the paw paw trees as well as the hazelnuts,but I make no promises for today I am spraying the lots for broadleaved weeds either on the perimeter or throughout depending on the barley and wheat program determined for each lot.

WATER!!!!!

 For over 35 days I have been battling the drought again this year. It is uncharted territory to have a drought 2 years in a row that I am aware of.I have lost several pear trees this year and have spent much time watering but even more time wondering why this is happening.Its hard to keep motivated when the uncontrollable weather is seemingly against you.I am happy to report however that we finally had a little bit of rain today and the temps have fallen off a little.The forecast for the week shows more rain is on the way. It is very late in the year now too plant the buckwheat so I have decided to try and get some hulless winter barley to drill in between the trees for a winter ground building cover crop that will be replaced by the buckwheat in very late spring 2014.I still need to line up a person to drill the crop in as well as get the seed ordered,the local soil and water has a drill for rent at 15 dollars an acre but I need a 50 hp tractor with hydraulics.
  I have also noticed that where I sprayed the ditches with weed killer,it seems to have promoted weeds too grow.I believe I may have found a solution to this problem using a new chemical to kill weeds but not grass,but I am unsure if it kills buckwheat or barley.I will be experimenting,but for now I just got to kill the weeds so at least the grass can take back the area and help with stabilization of the soil.

The mowing should soon slow down

 After making contact with some organic driven persons about the health of the fruit trees a plan has been put into motion.I will be planting winter wheat or barley with in the fall and buck wheat in or around July.I cannot list all the benefits of this soil building cover crop program simply because I have no time and the list is long.
  I must continue to work nonstop as I have now included a deep root fertilizing program to give the trees a boost going into winter.I also have tree guards to install on fruit trees and remove from walnut trees.
  I am happy to report that with some help from my friend Wilson ,I was able to share in the purchase of a sprayer in which I will be fully buying when I get some money.The sprayer is the bombdiggity.I have the study books for my spray licenses and will hope to get on that asap.I wish they had it on audio so I could listen to it at work while I paint.I absorb more information by hearing it and performing another task than I do adsorbing it through reading.I suppose this is why I was never so interested in school.
Bulk Mycorrhizal Fungi Supplier
 How to Grow Buckwheat - Organic Gardening - MOTHER EARTH NEWS
 Information about cover crops catalog extras
 The Secret Life of Bees | Science & Nature | Smithsonian Magazine

Native Seed Certification | MCIA | Upper Midwest

It seems all I do is mow

  I work all day and then come home and mow every day.I hardly have time to enjoy what I have.
  I am starting to see a lot more fruit this year on the apples and pears but I am  also seeing a large amount of randomly dead branches on some trees.Its as if one side of the tree dies out.I have sprayed for beetles and I have sprayed for blight but It keeps happening.I am starting to think it is from last years drought.I have also fertilized one lot and have notice a huge difference in tree growth so I need to get on to fertilizing the other lots.I did the walnut trees already and some of the hazelnut and paw paw trees.I* am hoping that someday soon I can have more time in the orchards,but for now I will try to take what I can form this and "slow down" to reflect on the process  and why it is taking place.
 I will try to get some pics up..