Monday, April 18, 2011

My Garden

















This in my garden. On the right is when it was just turned over. On the left it's just been plowed.

The little part to the left is where I planted beets last week. Then there are grape vines. Then next I just planted 20 Rutgers tomato plants today. At the far end I planted 2 rows of Blue Lake green beans. I like the bush. Running beans are a lot of work. So I always plant bush beans.


We need to get the old tiller fixed So I can til some before planting more. I have Silver Queen corn, squash and zuchinni seeds to plant too. Also an heirloom sweet corn I saved seeds from last year. Then okra and cucumbers and peppers and more tomatoes. There is a farm over the ridge that I get heirloom tomatoe and pepper plants from. I will go see what they have next week.


I have cabbage and broccoli in raised beds to the left of the garden. I also have free range chickens. Gardens and chickens don't go well together. Especially at the beginning. And when tomatoes start ripening. So I am going to have to put the hens in coops til winter. They will not stay out of the garden right now. And I want veggies. If I have to pen them up that means I will have bugs and ticks. And probably snakes. So I have some thinking to do here.


I did catch 4 of the Buff roos tonight. They are in a coop right now til I can get them butchered. Have to wait for Truckin' Man to get home to help with that chore. I have 3 game roos that will have to be shot. They roost up in the trees so there's no catching them. Unless I can get them in the milkroom when I feed them in the morning. I will try. My son-in-law said he would be happy to come out and target practice. I will keep one Buff roo. That's all we need.


I hope everyone is able to plant a garden this spring. With the way food prices are going up and all the food scares, I am planting alot. And raising all our meat too. And milk.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

And We're Done!

I had put Sandy in the barn last night and checked on her when I would wake up through the night. But no babies. And none this morning. So I let her out. A few hours later she's up under the trees "talking" and I noticed a bubble. So I hollered at the grands to come watch. I have NEVER seen this goat kid and I have had her since she was a few days old and this was her 5th kidding. So I was really excited. And man, is that girl fast! She popped the first one out and within 5 minutes the 2nd one was out. And of course she is staying on her record of having all bucks. She had a doe way back in 2008. Her last doe kid. I could tell right away what they were. But they are cute. The 2nd one has toggles or wattles and looks like her. The 1st one looks like the dad. Both have elf ears that are a little longer. So they are back in the barn and she's had her bucket of warm molasses water and some more feed. I am happy it's over and now on to the milking!! We are in the milk again!!! My camera needs batteries so will take pictures when I get them.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Sandy



This is Sandy. She is about to have her kids. I hope . Her udder has filled up and is really big. So I went ahead and put her in the back of the barn in a stall. And Abby and her kids are next to her so she won't be lonely. But she was standing outside the barn and it's about to pour down rain any minute now. So I had to put her in. She would have her kids right outside. But not tonight. I am so excited. It's been 3 years since she has had a doe. SO I am hoping she has a doe. I can hardly wait to see them. It's nice and warm and dry where she is. So hopefully the next post will be some good news.