Someday in the future

Someday in the future I want to be self-sufficient. I want to be off the grid, I want a cistern and I want to supply my family with fruits, vegetables and eggs. Maybe it's a bit of a pipe dream. But I want to work towards these goals. Not only for the good of the world but that of my children.

I look forward to the day when my husband won't roll his eyes because I want to put solar panels on our roof, which has the perfect sun exposure (Or at least that's what I've been told.). We had a well when we moved in but we had to hook up to city water because it was contaminated and had an insufficient supply. A cistern could supply all our pool and garden water.

As far as the garden goes, I need a lot of help and to GREATLY increase my gardening knowledge. I have created a compost pile, but it really needs further assistance. I'm determined to decrease my garbage out put, although we'll never be like Ed Begley Jr. (Two shoeboxes a week.). Hopefully, eventually that compost pile will enrich our soil. Daughter #2's chore is to empty the compost buckets and cover it with leaves. I have failed to get my family to buy into this idea. I keep hoping they will get it.

The other problem is that my backyard is fairly shaded. My front yard is available but I have to dig it up, enrich the soil, build raised beds and fence it in before I can plant anything. It will also be visible from the road so it should look halfway decent. I did plant a small vegetable garden between my front door and side deck but the tomato blight got me! So much for those expensive organic plants being blight free.

It's a great road plan, but it's going to be a long ride. Maybe over the next twenty years...