Geeze Cecil -- it is like we are living in a parallel universe! Your place even looks similar to ours -- rock and log home, with room under the back deck to do things.
Anyway, much has already been started this year.
Chickens. The chicks are now about four weeks old. They will go into the big coup in the next week or two, depending on weather.
Catfish cage. Also, about a month ago, I built a 3' x 3' x 4' fish cage that has 50 (well, 47 -- three died) catfish. It is tied to the end of my dock, and the catfish are feeding like crazy every day.
Feed rings. The first feed ring got built and put in yesterday. The catfish cage is in the middle of it, and it is within the "firing range" of my feeder.
Brood pond. The brood pond with get further expanded. It is currently a triangle about 25 x 30 x 30. It is filled with fatheads now.
A seine-able pond. I plan to dig another small pond about 30 feet wide about 40-50 long, and about 4-foot deep, that can easily be seined when the water is dropped.
More aquaponics. I gave my first IBC aquaponics tank to my son, so I've got to get another one built.
Bigger worm farm. Last night I built what looks like a 5' x 5' x 10-1/2 inch high raised bed. It is actually two 5x5 boxes made from old 2x6s, from my old dock. Maybe I can finish it tonight. It needs landscaping cloth on the bottom -- and then I have to unload my pickup truck, which is filled well beyond capacity with somewhat-aged horse manure. My regular worm farm probably has several thousand worms in it now. I'll take half of what is in there, and use it to seed the new farm.
New greenhouse on pond dam. Actually, I've decided I'm going to use a 10 x 10 chain link dog kennel that the chicks are in now. I'm going use PVC hoops over the top. During the warm season it will all be open. During the cool season, I'll cover the hoops with 6-mil clear plastic sheeting. I may make removable sides with corrugated clear plastic roofing that would be off during the warm weather. The inside will have more raised beds that will be irrigated with pond water, using a 12 volt bilge pump, powered by a solar charged battery and timer. It will be easily expandable in 10 foot sections.
Lots more raised beds. Right now, my little greenhouse is filled with big containers and lots of shelving. Things are growing great. The outside is surrounded by 4 x 4 raised beds. I want to raise the current beds, and build a bunch more.
RETIRE from my "real job." That will happen sometime between October 15 and January 15!
Oooh! I think it is time for a nap!
Ken
