Humans have always felt a need to present the best version of themselves to others. To show our mistakes or flaws indicates a weakness that we want to keep hidden. This has only been exacerbated by our new ability to share ALL of the wonderful things with social media sites while continuing to hide the errors.
This is understandable. No one wants to say "I messed up" and face the ridicule that comes with that. On the other hand, it doesn't paint a realistic view of our lives. While no one wants to know about the hundredth time that you stepped in dog poop, it can be helpful to know that the perfectly designed and executed homestead isn't as perfect as it appears through a screen. To know that others occasionally struggle, allows us to take the pressure off of ourselves to be perfect.
So, I'm being a little vulnerable here and sharing just a few of our homesteading mistakes.
Mistake #1: The flower garden
I had this idea in my head to create a beautiful oasis of flowers and herbs within view of my kitchen window. It would have a border of luffa and sunflowers and a center with a combination of vibrant colors that would amaze anyone that saw it.
I covered the ground with black tarp to kill off the grass and weeds. I added rabbit poop as fertilizer. I did all the things to prep! I was so proud.
I removed the tarp to start planting the seeds.
Then, life happened and I stopped.
I only stopped for a short period of time but that is all that it took for nature's plan to takeover this space.
Can you find the flowers that I planted? It has become a jungle of variety and somewhat of an adventurous game called "Name that Plant".
What I would do different:
- I had intended to create a defined border with stone or tile but again, life happened and this just didn't. I think that a defined border of some fashion is really needed.
- Besides having the back section planted with sunflowers, I didn't have any set plans as to where anything would be planted here. I simply threw out some seeds and planted a few purchased flowers. I even put a couple of tomato plants in the mix. Can you find them? I still stand by the fact that it doesn't need to be perfectly manicured or designed but some idea may have prevented me from procrastinating from indecision and allowing nature to completely take over.
Mistake #2: Placement of the Compost Bin
One of the first things that I wanted when we moved to our little homestead was a compost bin. I found a design on Pinterest and the hubby built it. It is a great compost bin.
My mistake was thinking that I was one that enjoyed the activity of building compost. I don't. I am essentially a lazy composter. I simply wanted a place to deposit our food scraps and wanted nature to take over and turn it into compost that I could later place onto my garden.
The design and location didn't fit my intentions. I still have a place to put food waste but that was decreased when we obtained the chickens and they enjoy a lot of our food scraps. I have failed to turn the compost to aerate it and it doesn't produce the desired effect.
I have read where some people place their compost bins in the chicken run and allow the chickens to do the work of aeration. I may look into that option as I admit that I am simply not going to take the time to be a good composter.
Mistake #3: Using Woodchips Without Enough Fertilizer
I did some research into Back-To-Eden gardening utilizing wood chips. This appeared to be a great option for gardens and I was excited to try it out. Check out my post from the beginning of this season for a description: Introduction to Our Garden – PJ's Projects (pjsprojects.com)
We convinced local tree trimmers to drop off their loads of wood chips on our property rather than hauling them off. We moved the wood chips to the garden, spread them out and let them sit over the winter. We spread chicken and rabbit poop over the area during the winter. In the spring, the garden looked great and the decomposing woodchips were producing impressive black soil underneath teaming with worms. I was excited for planting.
It turns out that the decomposition of wood chips changed the nitrogen levels. I didn't get the soil tested but it became obvious after planting the large garden that something was off.
Can you see the poor plants turning yellow and struggling after being transplanted?
I attempted to overcome this by surrounding them with rabbit poop but it was too late. I should have mixed the chips with more fertilizer before attempting to plant in them. Not only did I mess up this method but I didn't have a plan for if it failed and my entire garden space was used for plants that are struggling. It looks like I will be a great customer at the farmer's markets this year!
Mistake #4: Avoiding a Rooster
I avoided obtaining a rooster for my flock for many reasons. I heard that they were mean, aggressive and loud. While some roosters can be aggressive towards their owners, Donald isn't. Donald is a great name for a rooster, right!?
Donald wasn't an intentional purchase. He came in the pack of newly hatched chicks that were supposed to be all females. The website stated that they only guarantee 90% sexting and they sent us an extra chick "just in case" so I really couldn't complain when one of our Rhode Island Reds turned out to be male.
The cock-a-doodle-doo-ing isn't so bad. It's actually kind of cute. He isn't aggressive towards the kids or myself in anyway. He was a little rough with our hens at first but has settled down. He works hard to protect his ladies from our dog, who enjoys the the thrill of chasing chickens. We are even trying to let our more broody hens hatch an egg or two to see how well it works.
It looks like Donald has made himself a permanent home with us.
Mistake #5: Making Jelly That Doesn't Set
I have discovered enjoyment from making our own jelly and jams. My kids eat a lot of PB&J sandwiches and it is nice to know exactly what is in the jam/jelly that they are consuming.
While it isn't difficult to make and can jelly and jam, it doesn't always work out as expected.
This picture of what was supposed to be grape jelly was renamed grape syrup after it failed to set. While it is not being used for the PB&J sandwiches, it makes a great topping for pancakes and waffles!
I could go on and on about the many different mistakes that I have made in our homesteading adventure but I don't want you to lose complete confidence in me! The point is that we make mistakes. Sometimes they are easy to recover from (like the non-setting jelly) but other times they require patience and alternative plans to make right (like the wood chips without enough fertilizer). I have learned greater lessons from my mistakes than from easy successes. As long as we are still trying and learning, isn't that the important thing?
Life may become boring if you stop trying new things. Lucky for me, I have four kids that continuously encourage me to try new things even if I am not good at them. Life around here is never boring!