Spring Plans

Having spent a full year at our little homestead, we are now making some long-term plans on how to incorporate our wish list into the reality of this place.
We're planning a pond in the front yard - in part to enhance the visual interest on the property, in part to provide a bit of wildlife habitat, but also in part to offer a bit of fire suppression. Our neighbours had a car fire and it took the volunteer fire department about 10 minutes to get out here (which is not bad considering how far we are from town) - a lot can burn in 10 minutes. We figure if we outfit the pond with a pump, some power and a bit of 1 1/2 hose nearby, we could perhaps stave off destruction until the pumper gets out here. Fire notwithstanding, the birds should love it.
We've also refined my 'greywater garden' plan - we're going to trench the outspout further along the backyard and therefore relocate the garden to a more convenient place. Where the outspout is currently, it prevents people from accessing the back yard from the deck and is also hindering our efforts to make a garden bed for the cucumbers.
Our rainwater collection barrel have been working astonishingly well - so much so that I'm going to try and install a third one. We used 100 gal. industrial containers that we bought used. They come in a metal frame for support so while they are pretty ugly, they are rugged and large enough to be really useful. Max adapted the existing valve so that we can attach a hose to it. Since gravity will be the 'power source', it isn't the most high-pressure system, but it works and it's free.
We're hoping to plant some fruit trees and canes this week.... I can hardly wait to compete with the birds for the mulberries and raspberries!