Mulching the garden beds

 I did do quite a lot Sunday. I know, it's a day of rest. But when the mood hits, I jump.


So I got the wagon and loaded up 3 huge loads like this one of the best hay mulch. This is where I fed the sheep hay and it's sat here all winter. It's FULL of big red worms. I mean FULL. Every time I got a fork full there were worms.

This is where all that went. On the cabbage and onion bed. It's really deep too. Still have a flat of cabbage and some broccoli to get planted. It will get done.

I have all this to get on the garden too.  Under the sheep shelter. Lots of good stuff. Then there's the other shelters. The chicken coop. And the goat barn. I should have lots of good arm muscles soon!

What do y'all use for mulch? I like this because it has all the sheep, goat and chicken manure mixed in with it. So good for the garden. And I can mix it in later to the soil and it makes it richer.

So tired

I don't know what's wrong with me. I am so tired. Can't seem to do anything. I have no strength. I get worn out so fast. And I have SO darn much to do. I think I'm depressed. I cry at the smallest things. I get upset all the time. I am just so tired. I lay in bed at night, thinking of all the things I need to do. I can't sleep. I have to get up and take a sleeping pill. Then I have to get up at 6 am to get my grand daughter on the bus. It's getting daylight again now, so I stay up.

Already today, the sheep were outside the electric fence. In the rock garden. I was on my way down the driveway to plant some flowers under my farm sign when I saw them. They must have just gotten out so hadn't done much yet. The little piece of field fence was down. SO I ran and got some feed and got them back in the sheep yard. Then had to fix the boundary fence to get them over next door for a few days. The grass in that yard in nice and pretty tall and so green now.

I was going to mow along that fence so the sheep wouldn't be tempted to go under. But  the grass is so tall, the mower keeps shutting off. And it wears me out to have to crank it up every few minutes.

But earlier this morning, I tried the new milking machine on Zarah. I had put her kids up last night so I could milk her. I could not get ANY suction. Nothing. I tried the bigger machine on Penelope. No suction on that one either. So had to hand milk them both. I got so upset and just cried buckets. I feel so useless. I know it's something simple that if my husband were here, he could get it going. It just makes me mad. And I cry some more. Poor me.

I did make some farmer's cheese for a farmer's get together and seed swap tonight. I want to go so bad. But it starts at 5 and goes til 9. Right in the middle of milking and feeding times. Aren't these farmer's too? Don't they have evening chores to do too?

And now my camera is not working. Something about the lens. I should know not to carry it in my pocket all the time. And I just got it not long ago.

I think I'll go back to bed now.

Arlo's gone

I just sold Arlo Guthrie and Trudy's buckling! So I have enough money to buy my milk machine! I am so happy that Arlo isn't going to be sausage. Now to find a new home for John Henry. And Ira Joe.

I'm going in the morning to get the milk machine. I hope I don't get lost. Nashville is not the easiest place for me.  It's got a lot of highways and signs and way too much traffic. I hope I can find the place.

Pigs, having fun in the sun

 Aw, just look at that face. he's so happy. They were both out enjoying the sunshine today.

I was filling up their water bucket and squirted them both with the hose. they love that. They'd run all over, squealing. So fun! I filled up a few of their holes for them too. Their yard is now a big mud hole.

So I went and cut them some salad to eat. They really enjoyed that. I'll have to do that every few days.  But they are growing so fast. It has to be all that good bread and the fermented grain they're eating. The white pig is as big now as the black pig. They are kind of fun right now. But I know later, it'll be different.

It works!

I went out this morning and put the new Premier fence up. I got it all hooked up and was wondering hoe to tell if it was working or not. About that time, I heard a big ole yelp and saw poor Stella running for her life. Yes, it works! So got the gate open and the sheep piled out. They ran around a bit, then one by one, they touched the fence. Because what's on the other side is better, right? I am so sorry, but this is the funniest thing I have ever seen. When sheep get bit, they leap up in the air and jump through the yard. Then all the others go running to see what happened to them. I know, I have a sick sense of humor. It hurts. I have gotten bit a few times. It ain't fun. But when it happens to someone else, it's just too funny.

So I think in a few days, this will be all eaten down. It's the front yard, where the septic tank is. I mowed this in early Feb. Not since. And it's very tall and lush and green. Why doesn't the rest of my farm look like this?

I will be using this fence to do the intense rotational grazing. I so hope that this will help keep the parasite problem down. Plus the Diotemacious Earth, kelp and minerals they are getting. I think they are all looking really good for not having much to graze on yet.

You can see here how tall and pretty the grass is here.  And they have plenty of room to keep them all busy.

 I did have to add some of the field fence here at the end to make it reach to the fence. So far, so good.

This is the energizer bunny. It's amazing! Like a secret agent case, full of goodies. I was a little intimidated at first, but it has great instructions on the lid and was really easy. I did all by myself!

This is the inside. So cool, right? I was wondering how I was going to tell if it was working, before I let the sheep out. About then, I heard the loudest yelp. Stella must have been sitting beside the fence when I flipped the on switch and got bit. Poor girl. I had to thank her for her help.

So I think this just might be the thing I have been needing here to help keep the sheep where I want them. I've had one of these before, but without the energizer. So I sold it. Wish I had it back now. I may need to get another one. I want to keep the chickens in one going after the sheep to eat the poop and spread it around to fertilize the pasture. Isn't it amazing how one thing helps another?

Eggs and fences and kindred spirits

I finally got an egg from the 2 hens in the tractor today! I had lifted the top a few days ago and left it open for a few minutes. Kansas told me a few had gotten out. The rooster and 2 hens. Out. All over the yard. I grabbed some feed and got them in the coop. And they've been there ever since. I keep forgetting to get them back in the tractor. But I did get one egg yesterday from one of the cooped hens. So 2 eggs in 2 days! And after paying $5  for a dozen eggs at the farmer's market Wed.

Also got my Premier sheep netting fences and energizer electric fence I ordered on Wed. That was fast. I'm going to put up one of the fences out in the front yard and let the sheep mow it for me tomorrow. See how the fence works. Each one is 164'. I am planning on putting one up and putting the sheep in it. Then putting the other one up next to it to let them into it after a few days. I'll have to see how that works. That energizer is too cool. I hope I can get it working. I'll take pictures and post again when it's up.

And had some people come over tonight to see about getting goat milk and cheese. So some new customers. And some new friends. I feel like I have met some kindred spirits. They are into fermenting too! So they want to come back and learn how I do it. So fun! I love meeting kindred spirits. Right away, I liked them all. Like I've known them forever. I am finding that there are a lot of people like this around. I have been meeting them all over. And even right here on my blog. I feel like all of you who leave comments are kindred spirits too. So many people doing the same things I am. Sharing what they learn. Learning form others. We need this now. More than ever. Kindred spirits.

OUCH!

 I have always wanted to find some stinging nettles. I have yet to see any. So last week, when I saw that one of the farmers at the market was going to have some, I went. There was a man in front of me and he got the last 2 bags. Just like that, gone. And I was SO close!

So this week, I got there early. I was the 3rd person in line. I grabbed 2 bags! I was so excited to finally have stinging nettles in my hand.

But even more exciting was having them already picked and in a bag! Man, those things DO sting! And I am still stinging. But I really would love to find a wild patch and pick them anyway.

So last night, I sauteed some with some baby collards and garlic. Pretty good.

But I have also heard that dried nettles makes some good tea. So I am drying some. But first I put some fresh in a pot and boiled it for some fresh tea. I love it. It's really good. So next week, I will try to nab some more. She said she should have a lot more then. So this and dandelion tea, I should be good to go.

Let me know what you think of these prickly little buggers.  Have you ever had any? Have you ever picked any? How do you eat them? Tell me, please. I want to know all about them.