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They’re free, free… FREE!!!
Once you get chickens you start to see them everywhere. Our Neighbors got some chicks the same time as our little ones. With the weather cooperating its time to start letting the chicks mingle with the mature chickens. I’m a little nervous about how Charlotte will treat them so we’re going to take this real slow. For now they’ll all be in their run while we’re outside and hopefully after a few weeks they’ll all be able to happily share the coop. I’m nervous the fence isn’t tall enough as these chicks can fly!
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We’re Going on a Park Hunt
What better way to spend a Saturday morning than a hike with the kids to the park. Its great being able to walk to the park without having to drive. The biggest ordeal isn’t the hike there its coming back after kids are wiped from running around the park.
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New Growth
The greatest part about spring is the ease at which the decision to go outside comes. No real thought to the weather or what to wear its simply “I’m going outside”. Its great being able to stroll the yard and take in all the changes. All but the black raspberries are showing new growth, not concerned as the 6 inch canes have nice green color to them but would expect expect a shoot by now. Surprise surprise we have a new strawberry plant growing in the patch. Here I was hoping for runners and it looks like a discarded seed has taken root. tete
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Turning the Garden
We saved some seeds from last year and with the turn in the weather its time to see if they will take! Hmm but the garden sure is weedy already. Luckily the straw from lining the chicken coop over the winter is being recycled to help to keep the weeds down this year. As an added bonus it will also stop the soil from drying out. We’re also going to slowly switch to raised beds to help make it more manageable (and keep the kids from tramping on the plants. Working the garden can be hard work but its just great to be outside. Also turned in our own compost…
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Chicks in the Hen House :: Day 2
Its day 2 and the chicks seem to be super excited about being outside. They were out of the box for most of the day simply wandering and pecking at the ground. Even saw a few scratching at it in imitation of the adult chickens. Chick-Chick and Charlotte aren’t that interested in them except for trying to steal their food. Definitely need to keep an eye on their water and food a little more in this heat wave but so far so good. We’ll let them wonder the whole run this weekend when not distracted by work and other misc weekday activities.
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The Chicks are outside!!
With May comes the warmer weather and the chicks are out to the coop. Well under the coop as they get acclimated to Chick-Chick and Charlotte. Beyond their solo explorations of the office and the garage the box is where they’ve spent all their time so keeping it for their use for the time being. We’ll want to most likely downsize so they get a little more running around space when they aren’t able to be in the yard. They were a little hesitant but by the end of the day they all had ventured out to peak around, and to eat as we strategically placed that out and about.…
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Spring Planting 2018 : Part Four
Introducing Thompson Red Red Raspberries. Or simply put traditional Red Raspberries of the unknown variety. Our neighbors have raspberries growing around their garden and were kind enough to let us dig up a few plants to complete our Raspberry patch expansion. As of now we have Red, Pink and Black… we’ll add some purple in the future but the patch is complete for 2018. Now to water, weed and watch them grow. Which they are already doing.
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Cleaning the Strawberry Patch
With the ground softened up and all the new trees & bushes planted its time to turn my hand to the garden. Pulled up the caging from last year and its exciting to see new growth on all of the strawberry plants. A bit of weeding to do but manual labor is good for the body and lets the mind wander. Hopeful we’ll see some runners this year and can get the patch to double in size.
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Potato Planting… Why not?
After hiking Brickyard Falls this morning in the misty rain it cleared up quite nicely so I was able to get the higher fencing up on the southern border of the garden and get all the new trees fenced and anchored. Last year mid-summer we had some deer trouble so hoping to nip that in the bud this year with the fencing and garlic sticks. They are supposed to last 6 months but the ones I put up 9 months ago still are quite potent. After the fencing was up it was quite easy to hoe the garden with the moisture level of the dirt. Cleaned up the garlic to…
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Brickyard Falls – Morning Hike with Dad
Its Spring Break so we’re getting the first hike of the year out of the way (in prep of many more). The CNY Land Trust acquired more acreage along Brickyard Falls complete with existing 4-wheel trails that lead down to the creek bed (No need to scale the cliffs, although you can if you are careful). As such it is the perfect time to grab Grandpa (Dad) and go for a hike through the woods. Quite a nice enjoyable stroll with several old cars along the way. The great debate is whether the original owners took the trail to sharply and voila or if they were dumped here after they…
