Farming in style...

As usually I'm farming about two - three days a week and what a pleasure is lately !
I've done some upgrades on the solar power system and added a generator for back-up.
Learning to weld and cooking too...

Our farming fleet

The best cooking I've ever done

Bungalow project done !

The bungalow is finally done and we couldn't be happier.

We’ll definitely spend more time in the nature, our food for soul. The field’s scent is already unbelievable, it feels like a dream. Is this the heaven? Where else the poo parlor smells like lavender naturally?

CCTV installed

The ultimate flower pot

The bungalow project progress

We are impressed with the progress and the quality of the workmanship. We even brought an inspector all the way from Belgium ( and paid her in passion fruit ...not yet ripped )

 

The bungalow project

New project undergoing: the old barn reconstruction into a bungalow. As the agricultural venture is progressing beautifully we thought that a place to stay will be a great add to the lavender field.
Here it is our well organized building team and how the barn looks now:

Short visit at the field

The lavender is growing and  looking great :

One Day Farming

The best time for one to do his hobby is during work time, in the week.

When it’s not possible for me to spend a few days at the field, the “one day farming” is the way to keep in touch with the project.

Early morning departure from Walvis Bay, short flight to Omaruru,

Aerial view of the 3 hectares fenced area

Omaruru airport. From here 18 km drive to the lavender field.

The gate to Erongo Mountain Nature Conservancy

Checking the lavender, the orchard, water supply, power, etc and fix the glitches, take pictures and fly back home. Life is good! even though I have to work in 40 C plus….
After the latest rain in the area it is amazing to see how much the lavender grows in a short time, the fruit trees are greener and happy and the bush is back to life.

Afternoon departure from Omaruru at 41C

Back home, Walvis Bay, final approach

Happy New Year 2016 !

Happy New Year to all of you, lavender fans !
First update since planting the lavender eight weeks ago.
About two thirds of the plants received are doing well despite the extreme hot weather in Omaruru area. The other third had not much chance from the beginning as this ones were tiny, little plants which couldn't survive the heat shock. We drip irrigate the field eight times a day to keep the plants cool.
The rainy season has started, a bit shy these days, still, we had about 20mm rain over the past 10 days.

 

Once the lavender field has been established we had more time to care for the orchard, to plant more fruit trees, apply mulch and organic fertilizer, improve the irrigation. We've also assembled the recently acquired bush shredder/chipper so we'll soon make mulch for the lavender plants.