WEBVTT 00:01.601 --> 00:03.970 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% [Narrator] Creative collaboration, muscle building grit 00:03.970 --> 00:06.172 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and passion for plants and animals. 00:06.172 --> 00:08.141 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% That's what Travis County Master Gardeners, 00:08.141 --> 00:10.010 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Julie Nelson and Kay Angermann, 00:10.010 --> 00:13.079 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% brought to their new homestead, dubbed Katie Bird Farm. 00:13.079 --> 00:16.516 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% - We bought the property in 2013. 00:16.516 --> 00:18.752 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% We had been eyeing it for a long time. 00:18.752 --> 00:21.654 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% One of our best friends lives next door. 00:21.654 --> 00:26.459 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And we had spent many times on her back patio. 00:26.459 --> 00:29.696 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% We kept talking about this rough, rough patio. 00:29.696 --> 00:30.997 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% [Kay Angermann] Dreaming about living next door 00:30.997 --> 00:32.565 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and doing something fabulous. 00:32.565 --> 00:35.568 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% When we first walked onto the property. 00:35.568 --> 00:38.438 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Well, we started designing it at that moment, 00:39.439 --> 00:41.207 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% but we had to back into it, 00:41.207 --> 00:42.909 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% literally our bodies because, 00:42.909 --> 00:45.645 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% [Julie Nelson] well, we had to chainsaw a path, 00:45.645 --> 00:47.881 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% so we could actually pull the truck into the property. 00:47.881 --> 00:49.149 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% [Kay Angermann] First of all, 00:49.149 --> 00:50.617 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% we had to locate all of the Oak trees. 00:50.617 --> 00:53.286 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% We have 26 Oaks. 00:53.286 --> 00:55.388 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% So we cleaned it, cleared it all out. 00:55.388 --> 00:57.857 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Figured out where we were gonna build the house and all, 00:57.857 --> 01:00.293 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% this was over the course of a year. 01:00.293 --> 01:03.596 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And then all of the sudden the Blackfoot Daisy 01:03.596 --> 01:05.131 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% started showing up. 01:05.131 --> 01:10.136 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And the foreigner daisies and some grasses. 01:12.138 --> 01:13.673 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% And we were like, 01:13.673 --> 01:16.709 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Oh my gosh, once we lifted that canopy, it was like, 01:16.709 --> 01:18.311 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% everything woke up. 01:18.311 --> 01:20.880 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% [Kay Angermann] We love birds and wanna make sure 01:20.880 --> 01:22.916 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% that we have a lot of habitat for them. 01:22.916 --> 01:24.551 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% So some of it was native. 01:24.551 --> 01:26.553 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Some of it we've enhanced. 01:26.553 --> 01:30.757 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% All of those cedars that's protection for the chickens, 01:30.757 --> 01:34.494 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% because it's less room for hawks or owls or predators 01:34.494 --> 01:36.329 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% to swoop in. 01:36.329 --> 01:39.232 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% We are on very, very rocky property out here. 01:39.232 --> 01:40.733 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% [narrator] From previous gardens, 01:40.733 --> 01:43.169 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% they knew how to deal with rocky land and shade. 01:43.169 --> 01:44.938 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% Plus they've got gardening roots. 01:44.938 --> 01:47.273 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - Our mothers, our grandmothers, 01:48.274 --> 01:50.009 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% my sister and brother-in-law 01:50.009 --> 01:54.280 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% own a big greenhouse in Des Moines. It's in the family. 01:54.280 --> 01:57.717 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% - My family, they're all farmers in South Texas. 01:57.717 --> 01:59.986 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% [narrator] When they moved to Katie Bird Farm in 2013, 01:59.986 --> 02:02.122 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% the Halloween floods, washed out the driveway. 02:02.122 --> 02:03.923 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% [Kay Angermann] And so we ended up having to bring 02:03.923 --> 02:05.391 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% in a backhoe 02:05.391 --> 02:08.862 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and all of these large berms around the property 02:08.862 --> 02:11.498 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% are literally from our washed out driveway. 02:11.498 --> 02:12.932 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% [Julie Nelson] 'Cause they had to scoop it up 02:12.932 --> 02:15.468 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% and just dump it in a couple areas. 02:15.468 --> 02:18.304 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80% [Kay Angermann] So we rented a skid steer ourselves 02:18.304 --> 02:20.473 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and we started forming all of these berms, 02:20.473 --> 02:22.575 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% [Julie Nelson] We filled it in 02:22.575 --> 02:27.046 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% with some of the credy dirt that we had and then, 02:28.181 --> 02:29.816 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and then good dirt and then mold. 02:29.816 --> 02:33.019 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% So we just use this layer this berm. 02:33.019 --> 02:33.920 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% [Kay Angermann] Everything was done 02:33.920 --> 02:35.355 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% in such an organic way. 02:35.355 --> 02:39.159 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Julie and I never wrote, drew a plan out or, 02:39.159 --> 02:40.860 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% had a plant list that we wanted. 02:40.860 --> 02:43.263 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% - I build all the raised bed gardens 02:43.263 --> 02:45.899 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and we have to raise bed our vegetables 02:45.899 --> 02:47.834 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% because it's so rocky out here. 02:47.834 --> 02:52.805 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% We tried hay bell the first season and that was okay. 02:54.007 --> 02:54.841 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% But then we realized we actually needed 02:54.841 --> 02:56.809 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% a different solution. 02:56.809 --> 02:59.445 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (country music) 03:04.350 --> 03:06.586 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% [Kay Angermann] Julie is really good at building 03:06.586 --> 03:08.421 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% and I'm really good at holding things 03:08.421 --> 03:10.290 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% while she builds them. 03:10.290 --> 03:11.491 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% (laughs) 03:11.491 --> 03:13.226 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% [narrator] They did hire out for their sturdy 03:13.226 --> 03:14.460 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% and safe chicken coop. 03:14.460 --> 03:16.296 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% [Julie Nelson] And it's a mobile coop. 03:16.296 --> 03:19.199 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So technically it could be moved, it's on wheels. 03:19.199 --> 03:23.236 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% I actually brought it in on my little John Deere Gator UTV, 03:23.236 --> 03:25.205 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and then we've kind of just, you know, 03:25.205 --> 03:27.106 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% made it our own thing. 03:27.106 --> 03:29.409 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% [Julie Nelson] We have an old dog kennel 03:29.409 --> 03:31.844 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and we attach that to it and then. 03:31.844 --> 03:33.646 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% [Julie Nelson] Create a more space. 03:33.646 --> 03:36.149 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% [Kay Angermann] So they can free range some, 03:36.149 --> 03:40.386 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% we can have them in a protected area at times as well. 03:40.386 --> 03:41.854 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% [Kay Angermann] We completely close them up at night. 03:41.854 --> 03:43.423 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% So they are completely protected. 03:43.423 --> 03:45.058 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% [narrator] The happy hens are watched over 03:45.058 --> 03:46.492 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% by our lady of Guadalupe, 03:46.492 --> 03:48.027 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% rendered by graffiti stencil 03:48.027 --> 03:50.863 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and mural artist, Federico Archie lotto, 03:50.863 --> 03:54.367 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% known as El Frederico to as many fans. 03:54.367 --> 03:55.668 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Then the chickens got company. 03:55.668 --> 03:57.904 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% [Kay Angermann] The donkeys were clearly 03:57.904 --> 03:59.806 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% a midlife crisis for me. 03:59.806 --> 04:01.507 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% Some people go out and 04:01.507 --> 04:03.876 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% get a sports car or do something crazy. 04:03.876 --> 04:07.480 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% I got donkeys. It was just something that. 04:07.480 --> 04:08.881 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% [Julie Nelson] we always wanted. 04:08.881 --> 04:10.783 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% [Kay Angermann] That I had always wanted 04:10.783 --> 04:12.218 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and we wanted to have a little hobby farm. 04:12.218 --> 04:13.853 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% [narrator] They term up every spot with unique 04:13.853 --> 04:16.623 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and personable vintage funds that Kay sources 04:16.623 --> 04:18.591 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% for her business hip Billy Kay. 04:18.591 --> 04:20.660 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - Kay would bring something home that's really cool, 04:20.660 --> 04:23.162 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and she'll place it somewhere and I'll be thinking, 04:23.162 --> 04:25.732 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% now, I think it might work, and I'll just, 04:25.732 --> 04:28.768 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% I won't ask her necessarily all move it and say, 04:28.768 --> 04:31.971 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Hey, what do you think? And more times than not, 04:31.971 --> 04:35.108 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% if it works and I'm like, Oh, that does really work there. 04:35.108 --> 04:37.944 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So we're constantly just kind of moving things around 04:37.944 --> 04:39.212 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and looking for the right angles. 04:39.212 --> 04:43.016 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% So we have lots of collectible stuffs. 04:43.016 --> 04:45.551 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% [Kay Angermann] And we we utilize a lot of 'em. 04:45.551 --> 04:48.021 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% I mean, a lot of them really have a purpose, 04:48.021 --> 04:49.856 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and most of 'em has planters. 04:49.856 --> 04:52.959 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% We've got a hog feeder with circulants in it. 04:52.959 --> 04:56.095 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Over here as my dad's old cast iron crock and. 04:56.095 --> 04:59.532 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% - I didn't hear your grandfather kept his in. 04:59.532 --> 05:02.302 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% [narrator] One of their favorite bonds is an old windmill 05:02.302 --> 05:04.337 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% that inspired the barns design. 05:04.337 --> 05:07.006 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% This storage building and winter home to large container 05:07.006 --> 05:10.109 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% plants had to be substantial enough to support the windmills 05:10.109 --> 05:11.744 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% weight and 10 foot girth. 05:11.744 --> 05:13.212 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% [Kay Angermann] We owned the windmill 05:13.212 --> 05:14.681 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% before we owned this property. 05:14.681 --> 05:17.717 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% [Julie Nelson] So we knew we needed to do something awesome. 05:17.717 --> 05:20.553 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And then we light it up and we keep the lights on it all 05:20.553 --> 05:21.954 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% year. 05:21.954 --> 05:24.891 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% It illuminates the whole garden at night, it's fabulous. 05:24.891 --> 05:26.159 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% [narrator] Then they added a greenhouse 05:26.159 --> 05:27.894 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% as a propagation station where 05:27.894 --> 05:30.363 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% they also overwinter cold tender plants. 05:30.363 --> 05:32.031 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% [Kay Angermann] We actually got the greenhouse 05:32.031 --> 05:34.734 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% from the same guy that did the chicken coop. 05:34.734 --> 05:37.470 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% [Julie Nelson] We pack that greenhouse in the winter. 05:37.470 --> 05:38.938 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% You can barely get in. 05:38.938 --> 05:42.342 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% You can get in just enough to do the requisite watering. 05:42.342 --> 05:45.244 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Otherwise you cannot maneuver in there. 05:45.244 --> 05:46.746 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% [narrator] On super cold nights, 05:46.746 --> 05:49.749 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% a small heater in greenhouse and barn warms things up 05:49.749 --> 05:51.184 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% nicely. 05:51.184 --> 05:55.088 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - It's probably one of the biggest chores on this property 05:55.088 --> 05:58.624 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% is the winterizing it, because we have a big investment 05:58.624 --> 06:02.528 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% in our potted plants and we don't wanna lose them, 06:02.528 --> 06:05.965 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% I mean, most of these plants in the pots we've had for four 06:05.965 --> 06:08.668 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and five years that have made it through the winter. 06:08.668 --> 06:10.036 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% [narrator] To protect plants from deer, 06:10.036 --> 06:12.638 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% they installed a six foot goat wire fence. 06:12.638 --> 06:15.675 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So what's behind the homesteads name, Katie Bird Farm. 06:15.675 --> 06:19.345 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80% - My grandmother from South Texas, from violet, Texas, 06:19.345 --> 06:22.081 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80% a little town outside of Corpus. 06:22.081 --> 06:26.119 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Her name is Katie, was Katie, Katie Burkhart. 06:26.119 --> 06:28.020 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% And she was an avid gardener. 06:28.020 --> 06:31.190 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% She was a rose gardener, and a farmer, a farmer's wife. 06:31.190 --> 06:34.127 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% I just loved my grandmother in the vegetable garden here. 06:34.127 --> 06:37.663 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% We have a gate that was her garden gate in her rose garden. 06:37.663 --> 06:40.266 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And well at first was the gate to the house, 06:40.266 --> 06:41.768 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% the old farmhouse. 06:41.768 --> 06:46.572 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And then she moved it into her rose garden to be a feature 06:46.572 --> 06:48.741 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% kind of like we have these features around. 06:48.741 --> 06:51.043 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% [narrator] One feature owners of resident Road Butter 06:51.043 --> 06:52.912 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% who adopted them from day one. 06:52.912 --> 06:54.147 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - I've always kind of thought 06:54.147 --> 06:55.782 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% of my grandmother as my guardian angel. 06:55.782 --> 06:58.851 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And so I feel like that has, you know, 06:58.851 --> 07:02.255 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% manifests itself into this reservoir. 07:02.255 --> 07:05.858 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80% She followed me around yesterday and sometimes I would come 07:05.858 --> 07:10.029 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80% out and she would literally follow me all around the 07:10.029 --> 07:11.264 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% property. It was crazy. 07:11.264 --> 07:14.100 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% She's Katie bird and we're Katie Bird Farm. 07:14.100 --> 07:16.769 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (country music)