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Chickens, Chickens and Chickens!
The Chickens have arrived! Luckily was able to get the ramp and remaining trim work around the chicken wire complete before Elaine got back. Kids are having fun giving them all names. They will most likely change over the next few days/weeks but for now we have. Ms. White > Chick~Chick Ms. Red > Castle Ms. Black > Charlotte Ms. Black Q > Coraline Yes for some reason the names the kids came up with all started with “C” so we kept it going. Castle seems to be very bossy hoarding the food and keeping the others at bay. Chick~Chick is adventurous and the only chicken to explore the coop prior…
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C-Day Tomorrow
Tomorrow Elaine is picking up the chickens from her Aunt… which means we need to get this chicken coop done! Last night we prepped the chicken wire so first Task is getting it all closed in. Next up, the Roof. We can’t be hammering the asphalt shingles down with the chickens inside now can we. A Hammer, Nails and 5 packs of Shingles will get this job done. Kids wanted to climb up on the roof as well but settled for the ladder and trees. Going to have to keep an eye on Lionel he is starting to get up but doesn’t know how to get back down… Now to…
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Picking Berries at Mill Run Park
Few things beat a simple day at the park with the kids. What makes it better is enjoying a leisurely stroll through the wooded trails picking berries and enjoying the meandering creek. On a sad note the park decided to take out the Bocce Ball Court…
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A shift in perception
When your perception changes from “look a bunny…” to “stay out of my yard!” congratulations you have a garden.
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Attack of the Beetles
Its officially Japanese Beetles season. These things sure are voracious doing some decent damage to my honey crisp. But time to intervene, starting to do multiple rounds with a jar of soapy water. Simply flick them into the jar and let them drown. Our neighbor says her son just grabs them and smashes them on the road. Can’t do it next to the plants as it seems to attract more… We’ll see ho many I collect over the next few weeks. Need to keep the trees healthy if we’re going to get apples in a few years. Might look into traps but I hear that just attracts more beetles in…
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Deer, definitely not awww cute!
Woke up this morning to find the new growth on my cherry tree completely stripped by deer… 12 inches of growth on 6 primary branches gone. Bound to happen and will be good to see how the tree bounces back from it but come on it was looking so good! Went to the nursery and bought some garlic oil sticks that you clamp directly to the tree. We’ll see if these keep them away. Oddly they don’t seem to want to nibble on the blue berry bushes.
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Raspberry Bushes going in.
Brian was nice enough to bring up some White Raspberry shoots this weekend .. Planting Time! I’m thinking the northern border makes perfect sense as it doesn’t get much foot traffic! In total there are 7 connected plants we’ll see how they do. Haven’t done my research on Raspberries yet so we’ll see if we get a yield this year! Thanks! Now I just need some Purple and Red Raspberries, Blackberries…. lets not get a head of ourselves now Matthew.
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They’re Alive, Alive!
Buds, Buds and more Buds! Trees are taking root and we’re starting to see new growth… so exciting!
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What Home is complete without a Chicken Coop?
April found Elaine building her Chicken Coop! Brian was up to lend a hand as it sure is a big task building a 8×14 enclosure keeping the chickens safe from the foxes we’ve seen around the yard. I’m just an extra pair of hands on this project can’t wait to see how it turns out. A little work here and there in the weeks to come.
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Out with the Old…
Trees are coming!! In under a week at that… we need to clear the southern border of deer food a.k.a Cedar Trees fast. Nothing like a brisk April morning for chopping and de-limbing some trees. Luckily Mike had a chain saw as that is one tool I don’t like having around the house. I’d be tempted to use it on smaller jobs and I find a healthy level of fear/caution is essential when working with chain saws. Don’t want to become over familiar and have an accident. Elaine didn’t want to be left out so she started prepping the boards for the soon-to-be Chicken Coop. Year One of Phoenix Ridge…
