We got out early this morning to get it done because the rain was supposed to come. We had put down stones for the walkway a couple of weeks ago, but they were only arranged, not level and fixed in place. It had been staring us in the face every time we drove in the driveway. So..today was the day. We had to dig out, level, put down tiny rocks, tamp in place every stone. We did about ten stones, got hungry and stopped for breakfast and went at it again. We came back and finished it. We swept off the rocks, wet them down, moved dirt around. It looks great. I like the way it curves...it's serpentine.
Still there was no rain. There was plenty more to do. Dwight tilled around the garden fence so that I can plant pansies and keep the grass from growing into the garden. I began the process of getting out the grass (plus some earthworms and grubs) and tossed them over to the chickens.
The rain still had not come so Dwight tilled in the courtyard area near the woods line so that I can plant some beautyberry bushes and a lantana that I got at the arboretum plant giveaway. Then we trimmed some stray limbs from the maple behind the plowed area.
You know, that rain still has not gotten here, but we surely did have a great productive fall day outside.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Free Plants at Raulston Arboretum
On Saturday, October 11 2008, we went to the Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, which is affiliated with NC State, and participated in their plant distribution for members. This was a great time - they gave away 5,000 plants to those who supported the arboretum and we got about 28 - free! Susan had gone on-line, decided what we should go for, and then when we got there at about 8:15, we registered and lined up. There were maybe 200-300 others in line, and at 9:00 they blew the horn and we positioned ourselves near the plants we wanted. The plant varieties were numbered and in rows sequentially. Then we could get one plant of three different types so for the two of us that was 6 plants. Then we waited for the second horn and did it again and then the third horn. Now we had 18 plants. After that it was a free for all and we got about 10 more plants! It was very organized and we appreciate the volunteers at Raulston for making it a lot of fun. Plus we met some neat folks in line. We highly recommend this arboretum ... and their plant give-away.
Oh, the chickens are doing fine with their move - we measure success by the eggs they provide us and they still come 2-4 per day. Yesterday, one of the younger chickens got outside the fence and Susan and I herded him/her back under the fence. He/she seemed relieved to be at home inside the fence. Fortunately, neither of our cats (Tom and Jerry) nor our house dog Della saw what was happening.
We have changed the grain feeding bowls for the goats so they cannot put their feet in the bowls - moved the three bowls outside their stall and cut holes in the wooden fence around the stall. Then we wrapped it in wire so Daisy could not get to it. Still need to tinker a bit with it but seems to be working pretty well. There's always something like this to do in the barn. But it's a lot of fun to think through the solutions as the problems arise. Tonight we are getting a delivery of 8 bales of orchard grass from Jerry.
Susan has planted lots of fall vegetables and they are doing really well. we are eating the lettuce, swiss chard, and okra (not a fall vege but still hanging on). The weather looks like there will be no frost for a week or so which is good. We are nursing the last two-three peppers along and hope that they can make it. The beans are gone and the tomatoes are 98% gone.
And it is so beautiful outside!
Oh, the chickens are doing fine with their move - we measure success by the eggs they provide us and they still come 2-4 per day. Yesterday, one of the younger chickens got outside the fence and Susan and I herded him/her back under the fence. He/she seemed relieved to be at home inside the fence. Fortunately, neither of our cats (Tom and Jerry) nor our house dog Della saw what was happening.
We have changed the grain feeding bowls for the goats so they cannot put their feet in the bowls - moved the three bowls outside their stall and cut holes in the wooden fence around the stall. Then we wrapped it in wire so Daisy could not get to it. Still need to tinker a bit with it but seems to be working pretty well. There's always something like this to do in the barn. But it's a lot of fun to think through the solutions as the problems arise. Tonight we are getting a delivery of 8 bales of orchard grass from Jerry.
Susan has planted lots of fall vegetables and they are doing really well. we are eating the lettuce, swiss chard, and okra (not a fall vege but still hanging on). The weather looks like there will be no frost for a week or so which is good. We are nursing the last two-three peppers along and hope that they can make it. The beans are gone and the tomatoes are 98% gone.
And it is so beautiful outside!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Moving The Chicken House
Yes, a friend with a tractor came on Sunday night (october 5) and picked up the whole chicken house and moved it about 200 feet to the upper garden near our house. It had to be done at night after the chickens had gone in. And of course we tried not to upset the chickens too much as they rode inside their house because we did not want them to forget about laying eggs. It all worked out and we appreciate our good neighbors who are so helpful on these things and who have the right equipment. So thanks to Jerry, Victor(Jerry's son) and Jerry (Victor's friend). It was quite interesting to see this move only in the tractor lights and the moonlight.
I wonder what the chickens thought the next morning as they cautiously exited their house to new surroundings. They seem to be quite happy.
So why the move? Susan had a great idea to let the chickens scratch the compost at the end of the kitchen garden to remove the weed seeds, especially the Johnson grass seeds. Johnson grass is awfiully hard to get rid off because of the huge roots. We managed to get a truckload of it out of the compost but are sure lots of seeds remained. So the chickens are there and doing a great job scratching out the seeds and eating them and ....
Of course, after the house was moved, Susan and I had to move the electric fence as we do not let our chickens roam freely. This went OK too.
Some of you may think that the chicken yard will smell badly (especially since it is 25 feet from the house) but that is not an issue. There is no odor, except inside the chicken house when we do not clean it out often enough. So no problem with smells. And the eggs are great and easy to gather! Also it's now easy to toss the garden weeds and dead plants ovber the fence to the chickens instead of haiuling them to the old chicken yard.
Another good byproduct of Susan's idea is that the goats now have a bigger and better fenced area.
The only negative is that the old gate to the original chicken yard, which is on two posts seciured by concrete is still there and unused. We call it the "Gate to Nowhere" (you know about the "Bridge to Nowhere" from Sara Pailin).
After the chickens finish their Johnson grass seed cleaning business we may move them back. Also thinking about putting wheels on the chicken house to make the moving easier.
And that's the story of the chicken house being moved in the light of the moon on Sunday night, October 5.
I wonder what the chickens thought the next morning as they cautiously exited their house to new surroundings. They seem to be quite happy.
So why the move? Susan had a great idea to let the chickens scratch the compost at the end of the kitchen garden to remove the weed seeds, especially the Johnson grass seeds. Johnson grass is awfiully hard to get rid off because of the huge roots. We managed to get a truckload of it out of the compost but are sure lots of seeds remained. So the chickens are there and doing a great job scratching out the seeds and eating them and ....
Of course, after the house was moved, Susan and I had to move the electric fence as we do not let our chickens roam freely. This went OK too.
Some of you may think that the chicken yard will smell badly (especially since it is 25 feet from the house) but that is not an issue. There is no odor, except inside the chicken house when we do not clean it out often enough. So no problem with smells. And the eggs are great and easy to gather! Also it's now easy to toss the garden weeds and dead plants ovber the fence to the chickens instead of haiuling them to the old chicken yard.
Another good byproduct of Susan's idea is that the goats now have a bigger and better fenced area.
The only negative is that the old gate to the original chicken yard, which is on two posts seciured by concrete is still there and unused. We call it the "Gate to Nowhere" (you know about the "Bridge to Nowhere" from Sara Pailin).
After the chickens finish their Johnson grass seed cleaning business we may move them back. Also thinking about putting wheels on the chicken house to make the moving easier.
And that's the story of the chicken house being moved in the light of the moon on Sunday night, October 5.
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