Monday, March 12, 2018

Getting Off The Grid - Getting started Or Starting Over



Taking the plunge! In more than one way, or am I starting over? After all it is a new way of thinking, out of the box? No, off the power grid.

Around 10 day ago I bought a 100 watt solar power kit, you can read more about that here, but I have not opened it yet.

Why?

Well, I needed the battery!


So over the weekend I bought the battery. The battery made to be used with the solar panels. The battery that will give me 100 watts of free power.

I am excited and scared all in one, because I am taking the next step, although a little step, its a big deal to me.

And ya know what? It did not cost as much as I thought to get this started, I do want to make sure its for me so starting little is the way to begin.



Want to see how cheap it can be to try out solar power? Click Here and Here, I will show you.


On The Homestead :



The grass has grown up, weeds included, The rain has came in along with a few nights that were very cold. It is March so the winds are up as well as the flip flop temperatures, Spring indeed.



I have pears blooms and I hope that I will get pears this year, its been two years since the last crop of pears. 



The peaches are also blooming and the cold nights are good for them. 

I have not noticed any on the apple tree , yet.


No I have not set out the grape vines yet, The area I will plant them has to be cleared, probably one days work, and that will come next week, hopefully.

Since I have finished the "away from home, go make a living work" I can now get back to my plans for the homestead.

I intend to build a small guest house, old fashion, old western movie type. One big room but with a sliding wall to a sleeping area and bathroom,the purpose of a sliding wall is that can be moved at night to receive heat, and closed off during the day when you may have company. I would like a wood cooking stove, to use as heat as well as cooking. 

However, I do have a building and if I can, I may move it cheaper so that may be the way I will go. As for power, if you thought solar you are right. Water? I have not gotten to that part yet.


For The Garden: 




I have not planted anything outside yet, I had planned to put a few of these very tall tomato plants out but we are having a few cold nights that would just kill them, after taking care of them for a couple months inside that is the last thing I want to do, I will wait another week. 



However I do have baby tomatoes, several and they are blooming most every day. 

The bell pepper plants, eggplant and more are all growing very nicely, they will be ready to get out in the garden soon as well.

I do not grow all my garden plants inside to transplant, I do have packets of seeds ready to place straight into the ground, I am truing my best to learn how to grow what I eat year round.

To check out more seeds that can be delivered straight to you through the mail click here. The world is changing and I do not have to worry about the stores being sold out by time I make it by there.




The Stockpile :

I have to say that I am slacking on restocking the pantry with my homemade goods but I am not finding any deals at the moment. I did buy a couple clam shells of strawberries but those two will go into the freezer for smoothies or to add to ice cream.

Maybe next week something I need to can will be on sale. Till then I will continue to enjoy the stockpile.

Want to get everything together to home can this Summer?  For the pressure canner click here. For the canning jars click here. For the "how to home can " click here. This is how I learned to home can and in no time you will be reaping the benefits of the best food you have ever tasted.


The Learning :

I am learning so much! Its all about the solar power kit and what I need to make thing thing start paying for itself. This week I plan to connect this up and get something, anything! plugged in to see how well it works. 

Life is changing around this homestead and for the better. 


By Andria Perry
Photos By Andria Perry


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10 comments:

  1. I'm so envious of seeing actual green grass! We still have snow... you are making great progress :)

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    1. Thanks, I can see the progress now, not last year at this time. Yes everything is a month early. I have already mowed grass once at the rental house.

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  2. Today we look like someone shook up the snow glove again. Expecting 18".
    That's the way I would do it. One step at a time. I'd use the solar to power something for my outdoor kitchen where I put up for the stockpile, either stove or fridge. Maybe freezer.

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  3. It's so lovely to see your fruit trees blooming! It's been a long winter here, as it was in 2017. We've had snow right up through last week. But the crocuses are blooming on the farm where my daughter works, so I hope spring is really coming now.

    And I am so glad to see your homestead moving forward!

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    1. Thank you. Yep if you see flowers Spring is coming fast!

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  4. Solar is wonderful - it frees you from worrying. That is something about being free of the reliance on someone else when the storms roll in!

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  5. Sounds like springtime! Cheers to youall and your lawnmowing...I'm seeing Prunus blossoms in Virginia too, but lawnmowing seems to be another week away :-)

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    1. I have done a couple lawns and a field so far, I do love this time of the year.

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