Master Plan and our Orchard

The original development of our project was that of our dream home build. This ‘dream home’ was just a part of our overall master plan. This plan would be a blue print for how our property would be developed over a period of years / decades, when the need / time is right. In addition to the dream home, we would look to incorporate main entry gate, guard house, orchards, farming plot, shop, guest homes / cabins, ponds, remote renewable energy plant, etc. As we enter the winter months, it is our utmost desire to commence infrastructure work at first thaw 2009 as we route wells, locate cisterns, electrical connections, ponds, septic drain field, stake out exact foundation location, etc. On top of this, and working presently, we will complete design and finalize, and then move to construction documents. With this coming to fruition, we will look for Cultured Log Systems to deliver their product for erection around June 1, 2009. Beyond design being finalized, materials being chosen, LEED H criteria being revisited and decided upon, we have another child entering the world in January. Lots to juggle over these next five months, but with the project team in hand we expect all to be met in a timely fashion.

In the past week we have seen to the start of development of upper orchard #1 at Huckleberry Ridge. Brown Excavating removed all stumps from the approx ½ acre lot. At that point I went through and flagged exact tree layout in the orchard, with Brown Excavating coming in behind me to dig the holes. Each hole is approx. 4 cubic feet, which will allow for me to introduce a select organic soil to marry up with the native soils in place. Tomorrow I will be adding a collection of collected leaves to the holes that will act as an organic source which will break down and strengthen the holes for planting next year. Apple, Cherry, Plum, Pear, Walnut are the types of trees we will plant. In the immediate spring we will erect elk fencing and construct a small orchard shed to house tools, pump, and PV’s. Based on location it is my desire to see this plot be an annual contributor to our food needs in both fresh and canned applications.

Sincerely,

Tim