2013 the
continuation of our smallholding attempts in Switzerland! By The Good Life In
Practice Blogger, Katy Runacres.
Firstly thank you to Andrew for having me as a guest blogger.
Katie with here chickens |
We have loved living here but have felt a little frustrated at times that we cannot live off the land better. However, this month we have had good news about our flat and its effect on us smallholding-this dear reader is what I will be divulging!
Our landlord has agreed to give us a small section of land near our
house to use as a mini allotment! This means we can finally start growing
properly and can plan what we can grow where. We can begin as soon as possible
(although may have to wait until the snow has melted!). We hope to mainly use
it to grow vegetables like leeks, carrots, and salad crops such as rocket and
cherry tomatoes. Additionally, a factor that we have taken a lot of thought
into is what we can grow when-a problem when all growing seasonal planners are
for UK soil not an alpine village! However, we have asked a local Swiss friend
to write up a basic vegetable plotting chart so we know what to plant in
when-particularly as often the weather can still be snowy up to April time. We
already have some basic ideas to possibly sell or barter surplus stock in the
summer to neighbours or friends-fingers crossed!
Moreover, the landlord has allowed us to use an extra piece of sloping,
stony land right next to the house for some chickens! This has been our aim and
I have really missed having my chickens back home. Therefore, we can now start
making plans for up cycling old wood to make a hen coop for 2. The plot will be
big for 2 chickens to root around in! We shall start looking for suitable
places to get chickens from nearer to spring time when the weather is better
and ask around local Swiss friends.
If you would like to hear how the adventure in veg growing and the search for Swiss chickens continues please have a browse at my light-hearted smallholding blog: http://thegoodlifeinpractice.wordpress.com/, or find me on twitter: thegoodlifein and facebook: The Good Life In Practice.
By Katy Runacres
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