The Orangery
In Sweden, most houses have a garden room where 2 or 3 walls are of glass. We decided to build a garden room instead. We call it the orangery
We are a couple rapidly approaching the age of retirement, but instead of stepping down and having more relaxing days, we are going in different direction. Not that we don’t like to sit on the terrace sipping wine, but we need to fill our days with more than that.
While we still have the strength, we’d like to create a place where we can enjoy the last part of our life with activities we like in surroundings that are calm and beautiful. We also like to meet new people and are planning to have a small glamping business or some type of accommodations to let.
Rita is an Upper Secondary School teacher. I love gardening and growing food, which I also like to cook and serve to friends and family. It’s fair to say that my gardening ambitions are bigger than my budget as well as the time I have available, but I hope in time to be able to create a garden I can open to visitors.
Frank is an electrician and handyman. I love engines (old and new) and to show my wife that these machines are useful in the garden. I’m not a professional carpenter, but I like to build and create the things we need on the farm. I also love to get in contact with people and invite them around and share a meal with us.
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In Sweden, most houses have a garden room where 2 or 3 walls are of glass. We decided to build a garden room instead. We call it the orangery
I love stones. In fact, my youngest sister says I am stone-crazy. Over the years, I’ve used a lot of stones in the garden.
The summer is usually a busy season. We’ve had lots of visitors and taken time off from our projects. However, the plants have produced an abundance of flowers and food for us to enjoy and preserve.
Finishing the roof on our new build has taken time, but with the help from neighbours, family and friends, the roof is finally complete. All of us have been challenged to do things we have never tried before. The «boys» have laid solar panels and roof tiles and the «girls» have handled power tools and new trades.
Some people claim that you can do almost anything with a tractor and an excavator. During 2022, we have done a lot of gardening with an excavator. We have created a large fire pit behind the house as well as creating a new flower bed and planting.
We have started the build of a workshop, with bathrooms, a large food prepping kitchen and holiday lets. Our budget is 1 mill SEK and we plan to do most of the work ourselves. The building is a major part of our plan to live off the farm and will also have solar panels on the entire roof towards the south.
Last night was dramatic on the farm. An old tractor digger we have borrowed from a friend self ignited and started to burn. I don’t know how it started, but I first noticed the smell, then saw what I first thought was fog. However, the combination made me run to find out what was happening.
Although the spring has been unusually cold this year, we have already completed a lot of tasks on our list. Building raised beds, sowing, and preparing for a new-build are just a few of our activities. We have also managed to squeeze in a trip to Poland.
Spring is the busiest time of our year. There’s seeds to sow, plant s to grow and garden beds to make or remake. Yet, I dream of spending time in my hammock with a good book.
I have been in a program to register the production of food in a private garden. I have spent 180 hours tidying, planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting fruit and vegetables.
Baking with pumpkin has become a new favourite of mine. The cakes are very moist and can store in room temperature for several days.