Monday, April 12, 2010

Homestead Happenings


"In the spring,
at the end of the day,
you should smell like dirt."
~Margaret Atwood

Our snap peas are up! That is one in the photograph above... it is a little hard to see, but so exciting.

We have been fencing in our gardens to keep our chickens out. Creating new garden spaces does take a lot of work, but it will be worth it. We chose two areas on our new homestead that show the most promise and now we are in the process of covering them with composted cow manure that we can get for free from a neighbor down the road. It is the really good black stuff full of red worms.

Now, chickens and gardens don't mix. Originally, we were going to fence in the chickens in an area around the barn. Well, after dear husband made branch posts, sledge hammered them into the ground and wrapped recycled fencing from our neighbor who has a rubbish collection business (in other words we didn't have to go out and buy new fencing), I just couldn't leave them fenced in. I have such a soft spot for these chickens and probably would for any animal. They just need to free range - to eat insects, grass, worms, but - NOT my garden!

So, Michael has been fencing in our garden areas. It isn't pretty, but the benefits out weigh the negatives.
Here is a picture ~
We have another garden area to go.

I have been planting seeds in egg cartons to grow on a card table in our bathroom window. Oh, we are just so blessed with this home with sunny spaces. My homesteading neighbor gave me a packet of tomato seeds she wasn't going to plant and a farming friend gave me some of her own tomato starts. With 30 tomato plants started, I may not be buying any tomato six packs from our local organic farm this spring. I also started 12 melons, and a dozen money plants (seeds from our neighbor - an herb and flower seller). Money plants or luminaria. They are a biannual with pink/purple flowers. The second year they leave disk-shaped seed heads which you can gently pull off the seed hulls by rubbing between your fingers to leave "silver dollars" which are great for dried flower arrangements.

I snapped this picture this morning by holding my camera behind my back as I was walking down the driveway to put some mail in the mailbox. My ladies love to follow me whenever I am out.
Enjoy this day. Warm wishes, Tonya

24 comments:

  1. Tonya,
    The chickens following you cracked me up.Mine do the same thing --my husband says I am the Pied Piper...LOL!

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  2. I love the chickens, Tonya, and I received your spring newsletter today, thanks!

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  3. How wonderful to have a sunny house to start your seeds. We have too many big trees that shade our house!
    I love the chicken photo - too cute!

    Blessings!
    ~Nadine

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  4. Love that quote, and thank you for the planting inspiration!

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  5. i love that picture of your gals following you! so sweet. your home is lovely. we love money plants here. fun for the kids to do.

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  6. Your chicken picture is just wonderful!

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  7. such beautiful chickens! what joy to have them follow you!

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  8. My hens also free range and we have to do the same thing you are doing! Fence in the garden...lest they eat us out of house and home!

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  9. That picture of the chickens following you is just too funny! I have a soft spot for my chickens, too...and they pulled out all my peas the day after I planted them! They're in a planter box, but maybe a fence around the perimeter of it would work. Thanks for the idea...

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  10. Great start on the garden!! I was excited to see that you started money plant... I haven't seen any in a very long time and they are so lovely dried in arrangements. The 'ladies' look like they are strolling to a garden party!

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  11. sounds like lots of good stuff is going on over at your homestead! Love those girls following you down the lane...do you ever feel like your being watched!? Enjoy the pokings of the garden...it's always so exciting.

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  12. I just started reading your blog and I just started my own little container garden (we live in an apartment in the city) so this was a very timely post! The chickens are adorable!

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  13. I love how your chickens follow you around, precious:)

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  14. It's so funny and cute that they follow you around as if they were a pack of puppies. I wouldn't be able to fence them in either.

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  15. Our chickens do the same thing. :) They love people!
    I am anxious to watch how your garden grows! We're re-doing ours as well- and you're right about gardens and chickens. . . . and we have 4 who manage to get out no matter what we do!

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  16. You have been busy! Beautiful photo of the chickens. It is always calming to visit your blog.

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  17. Hi Tonya!
    I just found your blog via Down to Earth, and got so absorbed in reading your posts and your "Journey I and II" that an hour went by without me noticing it! I love your attitude and your pursuits- lovely.

    I am way over on the other side of the country, living a simple city life in Portland, Oregon. I blog about my gardening, crafting, and frugal living at http://batchworthlane.blogspot.com. I would love to have you check it out, and am making an effort to be more connected to other people across the world who are living this kind of life.
    Thanks for all your lovely words!
    Liz

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  18. I love that picture of your "ladies"...it is a beautiful sight!!!!

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  19. Ho Tonya, first I loved your Spring newsletter. Thank you for all of the hard work. Your post looks like there are a lot of fun things happening on your homestead. Can't wait to see what these seasons bring

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  20. Love that picture of the chickens following you!
    Ours call out to me when I come out to the yard.

    We had to recently fence ours in because of the garden starting up. The yard just isn't the same without them roaming everywhere.

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  21. I love, love, love the chicken picture!!!! Oh, that is so great.

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  22. Oh how great is that last picture !!!

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  23. The picture of the chickens following you is hilarious. You must feel so popular. love, Beth

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  24. Tonya, I simply ADORE the photo of your hens following you!!!

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