Hello from Alaska

[milkmansdaughter]

And from Alabama

 

[CrealCritter]

Hello, my name is Aly and I am from Alaska (born and raised). My husband and I bought our home on a 1 acre plot in a very small town a little over a year ago. We moved to our home starting with our 2 year old son and 8 year old mutt.
In the year we have lived here we have had another child, purchased a Bouvier de flandres, bought 3 goats(delivered my first goat kid this week), put in a rough garden, added a couple rabbits(breeders for meat), chickens(10 hens 1 rooster, and some chicks I hatched out in April). It has been an extremely busy first year for us here.
I look forward to growing a life of self sustainability, and having the opportunity to learn from this forum. It is nice to meet everyone

Wow, form Alaska, how awesome is that? Welcome to SS.

 

[Britesea]

What kind of growing season do you have? I bet it's a real challenge.

 

[wyoDreamer]

3b is what I grew up with in Norther Wisconsin. We are supposed to be 4b where I live now - 30 miles south of where I grew up - but, I am now south of the 45th lateral. So, 1/2 half way between the equator and the north pole, lol.

 

[Britesea]

Our growing zone depends on what you are using for your data... if you go with average minimum winter temps, we are 6b; but if you go with average winter frost dates, then we are zone 3. Isn't that special?

 

[Mini Horses]

Welcome from VA. Alaska is cold!! Brrrr….I would consider most things to be a challenge there as I couldn't handle the extremes. Beautiful country but, for me, only a visit.

Realizing there are areas warmer than others, what type of situation do you have to handle with keeping animals comfy? I'm WAY south of you and the few really cold weeks we get is more than I like -- that would be almost Spring weather for you At least you grew up with it & it's "just life".

 

[Lazy Gardener]

We are close to the 45th. I call myself zone 4B, based on our average high/low temps and last/first frost dates. While you may live in a certain growing zone, there can be wild variation in terms of daily temps, and frost dates based on the micro-climate of your yard. AND, there is much that can be done to modify your micro-climate to enhance your gardening season!

 

[baymule]

Welcome from northeast Texas! We have hair Sheep, chickens, horses and the occasional feeder pigs. Would love to hear more about your farm!

 

[Britesea]

there is much that can be done to modify your micro-climate to enhance your gardening season!

For example, I am slowly building a wall of concrete blocks along the north side of the garden. On one side they hold compost piles, leaves and wood chips for adding to the soil. But they also create a wind barrier and heat sink for the garden- raising the temperature a few critical degrees and giving me a few extra frost-free days. My next step after finishing the wall will be to paint it black as well.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

@baymule What breed of hair sheep do you have? Raising them for dairy, meat, both? Or are they organic lawn mowers?