Living off-grid: Cordwood Building Guide

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Thunderstorm Routines
3. Cord Wood Progress
4. Raised Bed Vegetable Garden
5. Watermelon Plant Training
6. The Mystery Door Project
7. Cordwood Wall Construction
8. Cordwood Mortar Recipe
9. Moving Animals
10. Checking Water Levels
11. Firewood Preparation
12. Chicken Coop Planning
13. Skull Discoveries
14. Beautiful Sunset Views

Article

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the daily activities and projects happening at our homestead. From thunderstorm routines to cord wood progress, vegetable gardens, and even animal relocation, there's always something exciting happening. Let's dive in!

Thunderstorm Routines

Every afternoon, We Are greeted with a refreshing thunderstorm that waters our plants. The dogs have become quite the scavengers, finding an array of skulls and skeletal remains that they eagerly bring to us. It's become a routine to dispose of these discoveries and make way for the next thunderstorm.

Cord Wood Progress

We have been steadily working on stacking cord wood for our upcoming projects. With almost two rows of wood completed, we are making great progress. It's quite satisfying to see the woodpile grow, and we are now halfway towards our goal.

Raised Bed Vegetable Garden

Our raised bed vegetable garden is starting to Resemble a true vegetable haven once again. We have diligently planted several varieties of plant starts, hoping for a bountiful harvest. One particular experiment involves training watermelon vines to grow over the sides of the raised beds, allowing the fruits to hang freely.

The Mystery Door Project

Steve has an exciting plan for a mysterious door, and all will be revealed shortly. It's an anticipated project that promises to bring a new element of surprise and intrigue to our homestead.

Cordwood Wall Construction

As Steve works on the mystery door project, Martin and I have been busy working on the cordwood wall. The incorporation of large bottles into the wall adds a stunning effect, allowing the light to shine through brilliantly. We mix up a batch of cordwood mortar, consisting of sand, sawdust, cement, lime, and water, to form the perfect consistency for the project.

Cordwood Mortar Recipe

For those interested in trying their HAND at cordwood construction, the cordwood mortar recipe consists of three parts sand, two parts sawdust, one part cement, and one part lime. Mix all the dry ingredients together before gradually adding water until You achieve a consistency that can be formed into a ball, similar to a Snowball.

Moving Animals

On a beautiful morning, we undertake the task of moving animals to different pens. Maggie and Tim Tam are relocated to a pen with Cinnamon Bun and Apple Pie, while Coco Pop and Tim Tam find themselves in a pen with Cheesecake. It's an orchestrated effort, although herding the animals can sometimes be a challenge.

Checking Water Levels

After a considerable amount of rainfall, we decide to check the water levels of our watermelon. Surprisingly, the watermelon is still holding water, and the levels remain the same as after the storm. With most of the mud settling at the bottom, our plants are thriving in this makeshift "reservoir."

Firewood Preparation

With the sound of chainsaw action in the background, Steve is busy cutting up pine trees for firewood. We are ensuring an ample supply for the coming months to keep us warm during colder nights.

Chicken Coop Planning

We are in the process of planning our chicken coop. The half-built structure needs some finishing touches, and we are contemplating the placement of fencing around it. Since we are unable to install posts due to the granite landscape, we need to devise an alternative approach.

Skull Discoveries

The dogs seem to have an uncanny ability to discover various skulls during their adventures. While it can be fascinating, we must dispose of them properly. It's interesting to see the diversity of animal remains in our surroundings.

Beautiful Sunset Views

We end the day with awe-inspiring views of the sunset on our homestead. The colors and Patterns in the sky Create a mesmerizing sight, reminding us of the beauty that surrounds us.

Highlights:

• Daily thunderstorms provide ample water for our plants.
• Cord wood stacking is progressing well, with half the goal accomplished.
• The raised bed vegetable garden is thriving, and we are experimenting with growing watermelons.
• Exciting developments are underway with a mystery door project.
• The cordwood wall construction includes stunning features with the use of large bottles.
• The cordwood mortar recipe ensures a strong and Durable wall.
• Animal relocation requires careful coordination.
• Water levels are checked after a heavy rain to ensure plant health.
• Firewood preparation is underway to keep us warm during colder nights.
• Chicken coop planning is a priority, considering the unique landscape.
• The discovery of various animal skulls adds intrigue to our surroundings.
• Watching the beautiful sunset brings a Sense of tranquility and appreciation.

FAQ:

Q: Can you provide more information about the cordwood mortar recipe? A: The cordwood mortar recipe consists of three parts sand, two parts sawdust, one part cement, and one part lime. Mix the dry ingredients together before gradually adding water until the desired consistency is achieved.

Q: How do you train watermelon vines to grow over the sides of raised beds? A: By gently guiding the vines to crawl over the sides of the raised bed, the watermelon fruits can hang freely instead of taking up space within the bed itself.

Q: Why is it challenging to move animals to different pens? A: Animals can sometimes be hesitant or resistant to change, making the herding process challenging. It requires careful control and patience to ensure they are safely relocated.

Q: How do you dispose of the skulls and skeletal remains found by the dogs? A: The skulls and skeletal remains are properly disposed of to maintain cleanliness and hygiene. They are discarded in an appropriate manner, ensuring no harm or contamination to the environment.

Q: What materials are used for firewood preparation? A: Pine trees are cut up using a chainsaw to prepare firewood. The wood is then stacked and stored, ready to provide warmth during colder nights.

Q: How do you plan to overcome the challenge of installing posts for the chicken coop on a granite landscape? A: Since posts cannot be installed due to the granite landscape, alternative methods are being explored to secure fencing and complete the chicken coop.