house and garden

Rain /snow mix.  Cold and grey day.  Not much seems to change from day to day weather-wise and winter has us all by the cross hairs.  While I’m waiting for the weather to improve enough for the  builders to begin, I am sketching garden  and orchard plans.  Yesterday after worship one of my parishioners went with me to look at the property.  He happens to be the forestry educator for 4H in Harrison County and really knows his trees.  He gave me many helpful suggestions and  a big green thumbs-up for the location  I selected for the orchard and veggie garden.  One caveat, though, is how the water will drain.  Fruit trees hate wet feet.  I also need to get a soil test.  So I probably am waiting until next fall to clear that area and do  soil prep then for an early spring 2012 planting.

The house plan is already set and the basic floor plan will look similar to this house:  http://www.lowes.com/cd_The+Katrina+Cottage+-+Model+697_189005361_

The changes include a 10 x 8 screened porch off the back bedroom.  The original porch in the floor plan will be enclosed for a small office/guest room.  Square feet will increase from 697 to just under  1000.   There will be a room in the walk out basement with a ¾ bath roughed-in which will be finished later.   I have asked for materials to be as environmentally  kind as is possible.  Siding, roofing etc is all made from recycled materials, as is decking.  Thermal insulated windows, geo-thermal heat system with a wood burning stove as a back-up and a tank-less water heater.

I guess most people would have selected a cabin for a wooded location such as I have, but cabins are too dark and too high maintenance .  Besides, I like the farm house design and the area where it will sit will be cleared of lots of trees, in fact about 2 acres will be cleared out to allow for lots of air flow which reduces mold and mildew.

As  I watch the rain/snow mix that has now turned to snow, I’m wishing for an early dry spring!