5 Year Plan for the 7hh-G Urban Homestead

I’ve been researching lots of other blogs out there and have come across a lot of good things. One idea in particular, that appeals to me and applies to our virgin Urban Homestead is a Plan. And to add to that would be a schedule – scheduling is a huge part of my day job (I supervise a team of Architects & Project Managers who manage Design & Construction projects for the Federal Government). So, this post will be about the 7hh-G Urban Homestead 5 Year Plan. I believe it will be helpful to put down and review the interests and projects for our Urban Homestead for a number of reasons. One good reason for planning is to know how much funding is going to be needed. Another reason is that I’ve come to see how inter-related our projects are; some projects have to be in place before others can be started. Growing seasons and maturation of some plants are also issues to be considered.

So here goes some initial thoughts on a 5 Year Plan.

Year 01 – 2014

1. Build the chicken coop (a 6 wk. project) – 2/2014.
2. Build the chicken brooder – 3/2014.
3. Condition straw bales for straw bale garden – 3/2014.
4. Receive & begin raising 7 chicks – 4/2014.
5. Plant eco-lawn Fleur de Lawn – 4/2014.
6. Plant 1st straw bale garden – 4/2014.
7. Plant fruit trees (2 apricot & 2 nectarine) – 4/2014.
8. Plant perennials & annuals – 4/2014.
9. Plant strawberry raised bed – 4/2014.
10. Plant herb garden – 4/2014 .
11. Build & install rain harvesting system on chicken coop – 5/2014.
12. Build fire pit – 6/2014.
13. Build compost bin #2 – 6/2014.

Year 02 – 2015

1. Build two bee hives – 3/2015.
2. Build wood pergola over flagstone patio – 3/2015.
3. Receive & install two packages of bees – 4/2015.
4. Plant grapes at the base of pergola – 4/2015.
5. Plant perennials & annuals – 4/2015.
6. Build fire pit seating area – 5/2015.

Year 03 – 2016

1. Plant perennials & annuals – 4/2016.
2. Plant espaliered apple trees – 4/2016.
3. Build wood deck next to flagstone patio – 5/2016.
4. Build & install water feature/pond adjacent to wood deck – 6/2016.

Year 04 – 2017

1. Replace existing asphalt shingle roof on house with metal roof – 3/2017.
2. Build & install rain harvesting system on house – 4/2017.

Year 05 – 2018

1. Build aquaponics grow bed at west-side pond – 4/2018.

Looking back after completing the Plan, Year 01 may be too ambitious. More posts to come as this Plan is refined.