August Update
FInally, winter is over. It has been long, cold, frosty and hard to bear this year. From now, we will start to get a few hours of sunshine most days, which will enable us to top up the solar batteries, and also gives us hope that the cold weather is disappearing. We use the generator more than we’d like to in winter, due to lack of sunshine. Before long, with the warmer and sunnier weather coming, we will use it rarely.
Being off the grid can have it’s disadvantages. They are very few and we consider them to be lifestyle choices, so try to work around them. One of those disadvantages is that our house is quite cold in winter. So, most nights during the cold months, we head off to bed fairly early with the hot water bottle. Remember those? Our solar system can’t support an electric blanket so we have brought back the hot water bottle. I love it! Our house is beautiful and cool in summer which gives us the offsetting advantage.
Garden
The past month in the garden, has seen me continuing to create the no dig garden beds to enrich the soil and reduce the amount of weeding necessary. It’s been lovely to walk around the garden in the past week, and see it starting to come alive after the dormancy of winter. The lavendar are blooming and spring flowering annuals are starting to show their vibrant colours. We have daffodils under the lemon tree, which are flowering and looking beautiful. The wattle trees are in full bloom. Daffodils and wattle are always a welcome sight to me, at the end of winter, as their flowering signify that winter is almost over.
The end of winter is a busy planting season for seeds and seedlings. I have a tiny hot house which is full with small pots of tomatoes, lettuce and many herbs. We planted a large crop of potatoes in the new vege garden that we developed last month. The word of the month for the garden is weeds! The weeds are going gangbusters with the rain and are taking a bit of keeping up with. When I get frustrated I cast my mind back to the summer when there wasn’t a weed in the garden due to the dry weather. Unfortunately that also meant that I had to spend hours watering. I’m just trying to enjoy the weeds and not get frustrated by them.
Rainfall
We have had quite a good rainfall during August, with the water tanks overflowing at one stage. When that happened Chris made a temporary drain down, to the dam so the water wasn’t wasted. Total rainfall for August was 58mls.
Produce
There is quite a bit of produce in the vege garden that is ready for harvesting. In the last week of August, there were potatoes, silverbeet, lettuce, brocollini, and lemons. Herbs being picked are mint, basil, thyme,lemon thyme, chives, parsley and rosemary.
Chooks
Now we are getting a few hours of sunshine the chooks are starting to lay again. They don’t lay much during winter as theyneed full sunny days to develop their eggs. We have been getting enough eggs during winter, for our needs, but other than winter, we usually get enough eggs to give them away to family and friends. Our chooks range free and the eggs are very nice to eat. Much nicer than eggs bought commercially.
Out and about
During August I went to Coolangatta in Queensland for a reunion with a group of twenty special girlfriends from all over Australia and New Zealand We met online ten years ago and have maintained that friendship, meeting up a few times over those years. I had a wonderful time due to the great company and also the opportunity to get away from the winter for a few days. The temperature was 23-25C. . I was out walking every day for hours as I couldn’t get enough of the sunshine.
The following weekend was The Bendigo Writers Festival. This event is in my diary every year. I wouldn’t miss it. I had a fantastic three days listening to authors and seeing the latest book releases. My bedside table ‘to read’ pile is much higher after the weekend.
I agree Jennifer, Wattle and daffodils are welcome sights at the end of winter. I love your update and like you, I love the arrival of spring. Enjoy the sunshine.
A sunny day is such a joy Deb
Hi, Jennifer – Sadly our summer has just ended and Autumn (and our very long rainy season) is now settling in. I’m impressed with your dedication to your solar heating, and your use of water bottles for nighttime heat. I absolutely loved those when I was a kid — so comforting!
The hot water bottle brought memories back for me too Donna. Thanks for visiting
Hi Jennifer – we’ve just installed solar panels. I’ve not been able to justify the cost up until now, but they have become a lot more affordable and a lot more efficient. Our’s generate 6.5kw in full sun and that will be great in Summer. It’s also been nice to put a heater on during the cold sunny days of late Winter – free energy from the sun – bliss!
MLSTL and shared on my SM
Solar panels are a great idea as you know Leanne. Especially for you in wa. You will have much more sunshine than us. We love knowing there will be no power bill
A great update Jen and look at your produce! You could open a farmer’s market. Thanks for sharing your August with us at #MLSTL and bring on Spring. I’m sure you are looking forward to the warmer weather.
HAnging out for a hit hot summer Sue. Thanks for popping in
I’m always fascinated with people who live lives off the grid. I hate being cold, so that would be the hardest for me.
As you probably gather Amy I can’t handle the cold either. Looking forward to a long hot summer
As you are heading into spring we are heading into winter. I am thinking about getting ready for a long and cold winter, stocking up on books and wood for the fire. I can’t imagine living off the grid, but it sounds like you have figured it out quite well. I hope there are many daffodils in your future.
Sticking up in books Is something I love to do also Michele. Happy reading during those long winter nights.
Glad to have found your blog via #MLSTL. Here in the states, we have a big rolling trailer that is outfitted with solar. It won’t run heat or A/C but it will do most everything else. We have spent weeks boondocking (being off the grid with no hookups) on public land and loved it. So peaceful and quiet. But, we are fortunate to have a propane gas heater to take the chill off the cooler times.
Really interesting to hear of your solar experience Donna. Thanks for visiting. I will check out and share your blog also
I love the idea of time away with friends and to do this for 10 yrs is awesome. As you head into summer we are heading into fall and winter and I dread it. lol I am afraid I would be no good at living off the grid. lol
Victoria I was a bit concerned at first at the thought of being off the grid.but it seems I’ve really taken to it. Thanks so much for visiting
This post was so interesting for me, as I can’t imagine living off the grid. We are so dependent on our electricity, WiFi, etc., at my house. We are just coming to the end of summer in the U.S., entering my favorite season, fall, but also starting to think about the long, cold winter months. Enjoy the sunshine and gardens!
When we first went off grid I was very worried about how I’d cope. But I love it. Must say we do have wi-fi. I couldn’t cope without it. I love autumn too. Thanks for visiting