Los Cuatro Gatos Locos Urban Homestead

So I have four crazy cats, therefore, I figured since they're the only animals I have so far, I'd name the urban homestead after them.  Things have been going well here.  Hubby's been busy building things for me.  Unknowingly, he has enrolled in my "Farmhand in Training" program.  He's doing a great job.  So far, I have an outdoor sink, two raised beds and lettuce table on the way.  Apparently, we need more power tools.  I believe this is the motivating factor behind his willingness to help me.  He's such a manly man.  The machismo is really coming out now :D

Isn't he just precious?!






I found two cute white shutters, which will go on the front.  I haven't told him it needs a shelf or that I envision panels around the whole thing, but that's ok.  It will be serviceable once we find a faucet for it.  I'm going to try the Habitat for Humanity ReStore tomorrow. Not sure what color to paint it.  Any suggestions?

Here's the raised beds and the plants longing for its warm embrace.



Going to try to convince him to build just one more, lol.  There might also be a tire planter involved in this area.

Finally, the nasturtiums have really sprouted well via the wet paper towel method.  100% germination!  Yay!  I chose "Alaska" for its variegated leaves, since everything in the front yard is green or brown.  They will encircle the oak tree in the front yard.  First, I put down a ring of compost around the pine mulch, then I walked on it to tamp it down.   The seedlings are spaced about 12 inches apart.  They seem to be growing ok.  Oh, and we have fire ants everywhere!  We're going to try the boiling water method for a bit before we try more extreme tactics.  I've got bites that are two weeks old and still itchy!