Tag Archives: compost

Manure Magnetism

Mia and her son came out to the farm today to grab some of our very precious "Paca Gold," aka manure, for their garden back home. 



Mia and I are kindred spirits - raising chickens, gardening as organically as possible, and getting lots of fresh air.


And while mom shoveled, little Levi and I did a quick walkabout in the pasture...


He was quite keen on visiting the chickens and collecting eggs. 


The alpacas were their usual curious selves, as if they'd never seen one of these miniature humans before.

Thank you for coming out, friends, and please stop back by again!  Mia - I bet we could get you crocheting... it's worth a try...

Seeds in the Ground!

Today I am home with laryngitis. Yesterday, I got seeds into the ground! Now I have to figure out how to keep the chickens OUT! Right now the seeds are covered with a cloth which is supposed to let in air, light and water, hope it will discourage the chickens! They tend not to go into the garden if the gate is closed, but it is only a matter of time - if food is involved - until they figure out that they are indeed birds and can actually fly over the fence -- shhhhhh, don't tell them!

I have been scooping the compost out and tossing it onto the beds a little at a time for the last couple of weeks and letting the chickens go at it - you can see in the left-hand bed that they do a pretty good job!


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There are new pretty flowers- these are the best tulips! They are super bright, early and last!
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Crocuses -
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and of course, forsythia-
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Can't forget the chickens - here they are in their prison run waiting to be let out
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If you are needing a good dose of spring - go check out the Lambcams - yes they now have THREE over at Juniper Moon Fiber Farm. The babies are coming and nothing says spring like baby sheep and goats! Two cams look into nursery pens, the third (cam 2) looks out into the small nursery field. So far there is 1 lamb (bird names) and 4 kids (apple names)

What a Beautiful Weekend it Was!

This was the first line-dried laundry of the season:
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My plan was to begin planting, I have planting charts from the Penn State Extension Service, Burpee seeds, maps of my beds, square foot gardening plans...
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My first job was to dig out the compost bin that has been sitting all winter and get a pile ready for pole beans, and sprinkle a nice coating on the garden beds etc. As it turns out the only thing happier than a pig in shit is a chicken in compost!
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We don't get to see a lot of Ethel, she is a pretty independent hen, but she had just as much fun in the compost as everyone else.

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But the day was so lovely I got sidetracked and while I did get the chickens got the compost spread, I lolled about a lot and watched the flowers!

Lenten Rose (hellebores)
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Apples
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Plums
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We are expected to get cold and a "wintry mix" on Wednesday, so planting can wait until next weekend! Spinach, collards, peas, shallots and garlic will be the first to go in!