A&S Tropical Cottage
@anstropicalcottage.bsky.social
Operating a clothing optional airbnb in America's Tropical Paradise, St Croix USVI
Becoming a Banana, Mango, Fig and maybe Cocoa farmer :)
Becoming a Banana, Mango, Fig and maybe Cocoa farmer :)
Well, looks like our mulch pile is growing some mushrooms, maybe Ink cap mushrooms (Coprinopsis atramentaria)
February 17, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Well, looks like our mulch pile is growing some mushrooms, maybe Ink cap mushrooms (Coprinopsis atramentaria)
This weekend is the Agfair. Like the old county fair. Lots of food booths, vendors, local agencies and rides for the youngsters. And of course the plants😁
So we have 5 new residents here at the homestead.
2 Strawberry Guava trees, 1 pineapple guava, 2 vanilla bean plants and a tuber called Jicama
So we have 5 new residents here at the homestead.
2 Strawberry Guava trees, 1 pineapple guava, 2 vanilla bean plants and a tuber called Jicama
February 15, 2026 at 10:31 PM
This weekend is the Agfair. Like the old county fair. Lots of food booths, vendors, local agencies and rides for the youngsters. And of course the plants😁
So we have 5 new residents here at the homestead.
2 Strawberry Guava trees, 1 pineapple guava, 2 vanilla bean plants and a tuber called Jicama
So we have 5 new residents here at the homestead.
2 Strawberry Guava trees, 1 pineapple guava, 2 vanilla bean plants and a tuber called Jicama
I think I will rearrange my tasks again 😁 and clean out the next section for the bamboo. After I finish chipping.
They will continue the line I've started with the original 3.
Tomorrow is the Agricultural Fair, so there may be more to come 😁
They will continue the line I've started with the original 3.
Tomorrow is the Agricultural Fair, so there may be more to come 😁
February 15, 2026 at 1:04 AM
I think I will rearrange my tasks again 😁 and clean out the next section for the bamboo. After I finish chipping.
They will continue the line I've started with the original 3.
Tomorrow is the Agricultural Fair, so there may be more to come 😁
They will continue the line I've started with the original 3.
Tomorrow is the Agricultural Fair, so there may be more to come 😁
Thanks to Ferdie, I have 3 new bamboo plantings.
They go into pots with some root growing hormone. Usually I'd leave them for 3 months or so, but they were such great shape
They go into pots with some root growing hormone. Usually I'd leave them for 3 months or so, but they were such great shape
February 15, 2026 at 1:04 AM
Thanks to Ferdie, I have 3 new bamboo plantings.
They go into pots with some root growing hormone. Usually I'd leave them for 3 months or so, but they were such great shape
They go into pots with some root growing hormone. Usually I'd leave them for 3 months or so, but they were such great shape
The Cocoplums are growing fruit, from flower to ripe fruit is supposed to be 3 months, so we shall see
February 15, 2026 at 12:40 AM
The Cocoplums are growing fruit, from flower to ripe fruit is supposed to be 3 months, so we shall see
I have a new addition to my water buffaloes, a meter to tell me how full my tanks are.
February 15, 2026 at 12:28 AM
I have a new addition to my water buffaloes, a meter to tell me how full my tanks are.
Ok, the latest tool to help me mange the homestead has arrived.
It is a quick hitch attachment. I just about back up to the implement and pick it up. It will make attaching the chipper and tiller much easier
I have another huge pile to chip
It is a quick hitch attachment. I just about back up to the implement and pick it up. It will make attaching the chipper and tiller much easier
I have another huge pile to chip
February 10, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Ok, the latest tool to help me mange the homestead has arrived.
It is a quick hitch attachment. I just about back up to the implement and pick it up. It will make attaching the chipper and tiller much easier
I have another huge pile to chip
It is a quick hitch attachment. I just about back up to the implement and pick it up. It will make attaching the chipper and tiller much easier
I have another huge pile to chip
Well the new area is almost cleaned out
February 7, 2026 at 12:27 AM
Well the new area is almost cleaned out
The next phase for the pool, the electrician came by. Early even 🤣🤣
The heater is supposed to be released by next Friday so figure 3 more weeks for the heater.
The heater is supposed to be released by next Friday so figure 3 more weeks for the heater.
February 7, 2026 at 12:26 AM
The next phase for the pool, the electrician came by. Early even 🤣🤣
The heater is supposed to be released by next Friday so figure 3 more weeks for the heater.
The heater is supposed to be released by next Friday so figure 3 more weeks for the heater.
Since we got over 2" (5 cm) of rain the last couple of days the dirt has been to wet to work so I decided to go back to the one manjack tree up front that hadn't been worked, and trim it down. This will also open up the slope. Still not sure what to do with all the extra land it opens
February 5, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Since we got over 2" (5 cm) of rain the last couple of days the dirt has been to wet to work so I decided to go back to the one manjack tree up front that hadn't been worked, and trim it down. This will also open up the slope. Still not sure what to do with all the extra land it opens
The custard apple (related to sugar apple) tree lost all of their leaves and then last week it budded out and we have new leaves
Today's rain should give a good drink
Today's rain should give a good drink
February 3, 2026 at 10:49 PM
The custard apple (related to sugar apple) tree lost all of their leaves and then last week it budded out and we have new leaves
Today's rain should give a good drink
Today's rain should give a good drink
Well that cold front that hit you Northerners has made it's way down here. The good news is (yes I'm obsessed with water 🤣) 2 inches of rain is 2K into the cistern and all my water buffaloes are full and my bananas are happy.
The bad news is it is damp, a bit windy and cold 🥶🥶
The bad news is it is damp, a bit windy and cold 🥶🥶
February 3, 2026 at 10:46 PM
Well that cold front that hit you Northerners has made it's way down here. The good news is (yes I'm obsessed with water 🤣) 2 inches of rain is 2K into the cistern and all my water buffaloes are full and my bananas are happy.
The bad news is it is damp, a bit windy and cold 🥶🥶
The bad news is it is damp, a bit windy and cold 🥶🥶
One of the changes that we have wanted to do since we moved in was to update the kitchen. We have arranged with a company: Armrey to redo the kitchen. It should be done sometime in March.
January 29, 2026 at 8:26 PM
One of the changes that we have wanted to do since we moved in was to update the kitchen. We have arranged with a company: Armrey to redo the kitchen. It should be done sometime in March.
So after chipping all of the previously cut branches I decided to tackle reducing the manjack in the Northeast corner. Now I have a lot more to chip 🤣
This will give the flamboyant tree a chance to thrive. I still want to clean it out more.
This will give the flamboyant tree a chance to thrive. I still want to clean it out more.
January 29, 2026 at 1:43 AM
So after chipping all of the previously cut branches I decided to tackle reducing the manjack in the Northeast corner. Now I have a lot more to chip 🤣
This will give the flamboyant tree a chance to thrive. I still want to clean it out more.
This will give the flamboyant tree a chance to thrive. I still want to clean it out more.
The new chipper is up and running. I love it 🤣
Sorry it is a bit loud
Sorry it is a bit loud
January 25, 2026 at 5:20 PM
The new chipper is up and running. I love it 🤣
Sorry it is a bit loud
Sorry it is a bit loud
A Cacao update :)
January 23, 2026 at 8:36 PM
A Cacao update :)
2 years ago we had a drought and collected 34K of water and used about 24k, so there is plenty, we just need to be able to store it.
Yes I am obsessed with water 🤣🤣
Yes I am obsessed with water 🤣🤣
January 21, 2026 at 2:00 PM
2 years ago we had a drought and collected 34K of water and used about 24k, so there is plenty, we just need to be able to store it.
Yes I am obsessed with water 🤣🤣
Yes I am obsessed with water 🤣🤣
We should be able to hold 72" of water for about 22K gallons. Since late last year we have been only able to keep around 24". It rained enough to provide enough water, but had a hard time providing enough for the pool as well.
January 21, 2026 at 2:00 PM
We should be able to hold 72" of water for about 22K gallons. Since late last year we have been only able to keep around 24". It rained enough to provide enough water, but had a hard time providing enough for the pool as well.
Well, we knew that the cistern needed to be repaired, again. This time they found cracks in the floor and more roots 🥲
January 21, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Well, we knew that the cistern needed to be repaired, again. This time they found cracks in the floor and more roots 🥲
My Christmas present has arrived.
A WoodMaxx MX8600. It is run off the shaft from the tractor, and most important is that it has a hydraulic infeed 😁 no more shoving the branches in, now I'll let hydraulics do the hard work.
A WoodMaxx MX8600. It is run off the shaft from the tractor, and most important is that it has a hydraulic infeed 😁 no more shoving the branches in, now I'll let hydraulics do the hard work.
January 15, 2026 at 10:26 PM
My Christmas present has arrived.
A WoodMaxx MX8600. It is run off the shaft from the tractor, and most important is that it has a hydraulic infeed 😁 no more shoving the branches in, now I'll let hydraulics do the hard work.
A WoodMaxx MX8600. It is run off the shaft from the tractor, and most important is that it has a hydraulic infeed 😁 no more shoving the branches in, now I'll let hydraulics do the hard work.
Well I have finally removed one of the 2 piles of dirt left over from the pool. Next up for that section is to till it and level it out in order to grow stuff*, which will probably be in March 😁
*bananas and other things 🤣
There is still plenty to do if you want to help 😁 Free week in paradise 🤣🌴
*bananas and other things 🤣
There is still plenty to do if you want to help 😁 Free week in paradise 🤣🌴
January 9, 2026 at 11:52 PM
Well I have finally removed one of the 2 piles of dirt left over from the pool. Next up for that section is to till it and level it out in order to grow stuff*, which will probably be in March 😁
*bananas and other things 🤣
There is still plenty to do if you want to help 😁 Free week in paradise 🤣🌴
*bananas and other things 🤣
There is still plenty to do if you want to help 😁 Free week in paradise 🤣🌴
A major milestone, our neighbor Feridie, of Ferdie's Forest, trimmed our poor tree. He says it will come back, bushier and healthier.
It even had a rat nest in it 🥲
It even had a rat nest in it 🥲
January 5, 2026 at 7:34 PM
A major milestone, our neighbor Feridie, of Ferdie's Forest, trimmed our poor tree. He says it will come back, bushier and healthier.
It even had a rat nest in it 🥲
It even had a rat nest in it 🥲
From our family to you an yours, thanks for joining us on our journey have a happy New Year.
We have lots to come.
We have lots to come.
January 1, 2026 at 2:39 PM
From our family to you an yours, thanks for joining us on our journey have a happy New Year.
We have lots to come.
We have lots to come.
Our solar cover is shedding all of the bubbles that warm up the pool and water is really cold, around 80° F (26.6°C) so I've decided to install the solar heaters. This is temporary, I want to see how it works.
December 30, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Our solar cover is shedding all of the bubbles that warm up the pool and water is really cold, around 80° F (26.6°C) so I've decided to install the solar heaters. This is temporary, I want to see how it works.