The Plum rains have arrived

Lee-Mika

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Really, the only draw back to living in a tropical climate it the rain. at times it seems to be endless. How do you care for your stock, and then what happens to the gardens? I wonder what do farmers do during the rainy season? Sit on the porch and watch the rain!
 

Mark

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I grew up (to grade 4) and later worked in Darwin for 5 years - it's in the tropics. There's lots to grow both animal and plants in the tropics even throughout the wet season.

Several shelters would be handy positioned around a tropical property to help keep animals out of the heavy rain. Your greenhouse would allow you to do some garden work like potting up plants or raising seedlings whilst it was raining. I guess plenty of farmers just whack on their raincoats/boots and get out in the rain.

Sometimes, I garden in the rain (not when it's hammering down) and I like it because it's cool and I don't have to water the plants or seedlings in after planting :D
 

Lee-Mika

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Yes, The rain is like a warm shower. But it seems that most things grind to a halt during the rainy season in the Philippines. Dealing with your seedlings and feeding the poultry is about it. But for us in the Philippines, the infrastructure is very poor, most of the road turn in to mud and untraversable by vehicles. So it is like living total isolation, Which I don't mind very much until it comes to making a supply run or selling poultry products.
 

Mark

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But for us in the Philippines, the infrastructure is very poor, most of the road turn in to mud and untraversable by vehicles. So it is like living total isolation, Which I don't mind very much until it comes to making a supply run or selling poultry products.
Then, becoming more self-sufficient is also a necessity for you not just a lifestyle choice! But, seeing your pictures I could think of lots worse places to be isolated - it's beautiful :)
 

Lee-Mika

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Yes, you are very right it is a must for that location, the need for being self sufficient is still a choice, as this is all part of the plan to begin with, it is an all or nothing thing for me. No half way measure on this, as the only income will be the farm. Building have to go up quickly and the garden has to be in with little time to spare in the beginning. Once it is set up, there will be little time to enjoy my semi-retirerment. But my life will be my own :)
 

Mark

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What is the market like have you investigated selling your produce or do you intend to grow most food to eat rather than sell?

And semi retirement, so I'm guessing you'll continue teaching parttime?

You're certainly going to be busy (in a good way) especially at the start with building etc all going on at once.
 

Lee-Mika

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Selling fresh vegetables and eggs in the public market is not much of a problem there. You can wholesale it to vendors, or setup yourself. But prices are low if you sell framgate.. Semi retire means, working as a farmer. My teaching days will be over.
 

Johnm64

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Mika can you please explain the term Plum Rains for those of us (ME) who don't understand the meaning, good luck on you journey.
Look forward to watching your progress.

regards john
 

Lee-Mika

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Sure it an easy one. The east Asian rainy season, commonly called the plum rain in Chinese; 梅雨. I have also heard it called the mould rains because every thing gets mould on it because of the long period of rain.
 
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