A Lengthy Update on Everything

Sunday:

On Sunday I got four rows of potatoes planted in mulch. It was a lot of work digging small trenches and scooping mulch over the top.  A few people told me that it won't work for various reasons. I respect that advice, but when it is all you have, you go with it.  Plus I couldn't waste all the seed potatoes having nowhere to plant. 

The encouragement came from a well known YouTube content creator, Liz Zorab, who actually did a test of her own several years ago using four different planting methods. To watch, click here.  She shared the weight of harvest as well as a taste test of identical potatoes from each section. The potatoes grown in leaf mulch and woodchips turned out to best. 

Al was able to start putting up electric fencing for the goats rotational grazing.   We were able to divide the pasture into four parts and put hot wire up for one section. The goats will not be on the pasture until it is filled in more. We are trying hard to keep them off of pastures that are too short. 

Tuesday:

This morning Al went for a load of composted mulch but they were completely out for the year. So he picked up several bags of garden soil with which we will be able to plant the remainder of the garden. 

I went out after the kids started on school and moved existing mulch around to prepare the raised bed for tomatoes.  Then I used bagged soil and poured it into rows in which I planted two rows of tomatoes. (This cuts back on how much soil is used.) 

I planted peppers in the square garden, but ran out of space. So I used some old tree pots to plant 2 jalapeño plants.

The store bought rosemary and sage were put into two large planters repositioned near the comfrey and a carrot bed. Then I decided to plant some purple echinacea in the bed with comfrey. 

So far, none of the squash, cucumbers, or melon have come up, but I am hopeful something will soon.  While they are in pots,, they have been outside and therefore are simply growing in a small pot of dirt temporarily until I can get it moved.   Meanwhile I have time to spread the mulch and put soil in for the remaining plants to grow. 

I have some ideas for expanding the garden and am actually quite excited. My goal is to make flower and herb beds for medicinal. I figure if I direct sow it all, it will do well. No hardening off necessary.

Wednesday:

While I am not working in the garden today...that I know of, I did take a walk through to see how Yah is bringing such beauty through each and every seed.  

My kale, spinach, and chard are up which mean delicious greens! 

My beans are up!  I am so thankful for that!  From the first time I saw them peeking up this morning to just a few hours later, some have grown to two inches!  I am amazed! 

And look at the onions!  Up and looking so pretty. There are more in the garlic bed, but not many. 

The radishes are growing quite large now and soon we will have some to try a dehydrated cinnamon radish chip.  Some of the seed didn't do as well, but I have already filled in those rows with a new planting.  

Peas and carrots!  And to think I was worried my carrot seed washed down the hill.  I tried thinning the carrots, but right now I think they might be a little too young still.  So I will wait for them to root in a bit more.  Peas need trellising, but I have to get some chicken wire for that. 

The Orchard:

I will admit...I cried when I checked on the plum tree and found these beauties.

And while there may not be a lot of them there, I have plums! Believe me, I am thankful!

The pear tree is covered with tiny pears....

And the apple trees are full of apples...

The blackberry bushes are absolutely decorated with blossoms, promising so many berries to our bellies.

And the grapevines, both concord and muscadines, are shooting forth leaves.  

This time of year makes me smile and fills me with so much excitement as I find new things growing up out of the ground or off of branches that just days before looked like they were lifeless. 

Livestock and Poultry:

The sheep have already been moved to a new pasture, which unfortunately is so small they won't be in there very long.  I am unsure how we will move them to a different pasture, but we can't move them until we get the main sheep pasture divided using electric fencing.  

The bucks have been sharing the woods with the chickens.  They look so thin without their swollen hay bellies, but I know they are getting enough to eat.  

All of my baby goats (that I am not keeping) have been sold.  The bottle babies are weaned and doing well.  Only Shiver Me Timbers, Serenade, and Cupcake will remain here.  Cinnabon, Thunder Rolls, Cuppa Joe, and Jack Frost are sold to a family moving here in the next few week. 

The turkeys are set to hatch any day now, half of which will be going to a friend.  

The new chicks and ducklings are happy and healthy.  They absolutely love the sod clumps we put in their brooder.  The ducklings will hop up and eat the seed heads they find. 

Meanwhile, we are working toward processing all the hens from last year's purchases from Murray McMurray hatchery because they are not laying.  I ordered 20 straight run last year as well as 20 hens and two roos.  And somehow, none of those ladies have received the memo that they should be laying.  And the roos?  There are none.  

Finally, we have ordered quail hatching eggs and will be getting back into them as a source of protein.  They are easy to raise, and easy to process.  While it isn't our favorite meat source, it is highly efficient.  Our plan is to use tractors and feed them off of pasture.  

Homeschool:

I am working on getting these kids focused on sitting down and getting their work done.  This morning, I am quite pleased to find them all around the table doing their work, somewhat cheerfully.  And believe me, that is huge!  

For the last few days, Hannah has been working on her solar system.  She finally got it up last night.  You can see the downgraded Pluto on the right.

Caleb, with the help of the girls, made his own guitar out of boxes and trash.  I was pretty impressed with his creativity and how the girls so nicely worked with him to help him out. 

Well, my eyes are strained.  I have written enough.  I hope you enjoy this update.  Be blessed - love you all.