While we were away, some work had been completed by Larry and team at A-1 Logging. They had dug out a pad for the shed by the well and covered it in rock. We planned to build a 24'x24 shed with a 12' lean to on the side. The shed is big enough for the tractor and the attachments. All of the dirt that was removed from the hillside was dumped on the other side of the access road to form a large parking area.
The guys from A-1 has also been working hard on clearing nearly 11 acres. They used a D8 and an excavator for the work. The goal was to remove all of the trees and stumps from the area and gather the material in burn piles. Clearing with the D8 left a variety of sticks and rocks that must still be cleaned up before we plant.
We scheduled the ground to be ripped and stick picked later in summer. Ripping involves multiple passes over the land with a tractor pulling long metal stakes through the ground to bring roots and rocks to the surface. Once ripped and stick picked, the land will be disced before a cover crop is planted for fall.
The majority of the week, we spent working on the fence. We decided to fence in about 11 acres in an almost square shape. We started with the northern edge of the property along a hillside that A-1 had cleared. For those that have not put up a deer fence before, it is hard work! You start by building 'H-braces' in the corners and every few hundred feet. Then you put in the wooden poles every 100 feet, or so, with metal poles every 20' between them. Finally, you attach the fence to one side and stretch it to the end point.
We got better at the process with practice, but we definitely started slow. By the end of the week, we had finished the northern edge of the property. Chris had plans to return at the end of May to work on it again.
