Well I started these gardens with a rear tine tiller. And We worked a lot out there. But With 5 bad discs in the back 3 in the neck and a couple real killer conditions I decided either to give it up or figure how to beat it. So came the tractor and implements. Spent most my life working hard but was also taught to work smart. So this year I bought the bed hiller and will make raised beds and put plastic on them. The walk rows I'll either kill or mow. The deer I tried a lot of things and talked about a fence but every one said you have to have a 6-8 foot high electric. Well that was out of my budget. So soon after planting I put wood poles for corner and gate way and bought push in plastic ones for the wire.Ran a single strand with a 10 acre shock box and three ground poles. I then took pieces of aluminum foil about 4 by 6 and wrapped around the wire every 6-8 feet and formed a small cup which I filled with a tsp. of peanut butter. Well deer have good smeller's and didn't take long for them to come to the garden . One good lick and they didn't come back. Only problem is one may get a lick and run through it. But never happened to me. And not one deer. I used a 22 rifle on rabbits and groundhogs But think this tear I may run a wire about 4 inches from the ground for them it worked so well. And yes I have counted as many as 30 deer out back before the food. So it works
The deer garden I started last year to keep them around for gun season. Their is also a corn feeder and we haul 500 lb boxes of apple squeezing which they love. It serves several purposes as I can't walk far to hunt these days I hunt out back. It also fattens them up and keeps them out of our plants. And my whole family was raised on wild meats. We love venison. Makes great sausages,bacon and ham.
I am also blessed with a wife who knows nothing but hard work. She can not even watch a movie because it requires setting in one place. LOL She works from sunset to bedtime. I wish I could work as hard as she does. But I did till i got sick. We can mostly veggys and fruits, deer,sausage. But anything is fair game. We also have two freezers for freezing things. Also like to dry meat and fruit. And I'm getting things read to make home dried meats and hams. Not in a smoker but to hang for months, We also have a large rub-barb patch and Garlic patch. Have no garbage service as we burn,recycle or feed to the animals. Heat the house with wood we cut and gas. Have our own well and septic. I am slowly but surely tring to do what this country should do. Be self sufficient as possible. And yes I like to brag and share on that.
That Walleye was one from Lake Erie last year. Nice fish there. We fish 3-6 times a week and get a lot of walleye and jumbo perch . Walleye from 4lb-12 lb. and perch as big a s1 1/2 lb. Thats all the fish we usually eat. Except for some steel-head we can for canned salmon. I try to kill most my own meat or at least al I can. Our fish will last from one year to the next.
Well I think I answer all the questions if not just ask. I love talking about these things. People call me cheap and thats ok. I worked as a Automotive die maker making the big bucks and living the live in a bigger fancier place. But life never really has been enjoyable as it is today with me my wife,kids and and grandkids