(The regular 'free-range' monthly blogs ceased Sept. '20 - this is the third 'occasional' blog since then)
Growing stuff can help to keep 'feet on ground', with good awareness, for instance, of yearly seasons and seasonality, and the vital importance of something that here in the UK general society maybe at times undervalues, that is, rain. In rain-less periods water has to be put on the ground here via irrigation, otherwise crops would'nt develop. This year the crops have been generally ok/pretty good, with strawberries and potatoes both being outstanding.
Supplies of wood have built up to cater for the woodstove next winter, and the inevitable hurdles and problems along the way have generall y been adequately dealt with . The 'biggest' of these was the run-off pipe from the septic tanks to the soakaway ditch blocking up, but fortunately a solution was found. Off-grid domestic living seems to have been back in the news a bit, and no doubt with the basics now available such as solar panels, wind turbines, battery stacks and heat pumps, could be an attractive proposition for some.
Ground-source and air-source heat pumps are being touted by the UK government as the 'way ahead', but some care is likely needed as the associated costs can vary quite dramatically. Off-griding is a way to practice self-reliance which can give a satisfying feeling as well as 'one in the eye' of those reportedly greedy large energy companies. Similarly growing home food production via hand tool methods can again support the self-sustaining feeling, linking too with farming methods of yesteryear.
Home food production from either home base or an allotment (or both -an allotment being a piece of rented land generally away from home) can also link to 'simple living' lifestyle choices, maybe at least partly as a reaction to modern life complexities and 'rush', along with economic attractions ------two 'goals' the micro-holding here seems quite suited to,
