Winter Rye

While the garden is still supplying us with fresh veggies and flowers, we are planning for winter. Much of the fallow parts of the garden were seeded in winter rye in hopes of improving the nitrogen levels for next planting season. When the rest of the crops are brought in, we will do the same to that earth.

Alpha Turkey

Moroccan HENna

My hens all agreed, that Moroccan Henna was the only rational paint color choice for their coop. Hopefully move in day will be later this week. The finishing touches are going in now. It's mostly interior work that is left, such as perches and lighting fixtures.

Ruler of the Roost

As the little guys have grown into roosters, it's become clear which one is ruler, and here he is. So far, no fights. I think the 2nd rooster is so sure of his secondary position that he doesn't even give it a challenge.

Our Best 'Hired' Hand

Pat Reed models his new tee shirt. The work he has done with us is priceless....so we just have to keep him in syrup and honey.

Bit 'o Honey

The bees have been so busy this summer that we had to extract honey from a 'super' to give them more room for more honey.

Decisions decisions

Sugar House progress #2

Sugar House progress

This is the site, cleared and leveled, where the sugar house will go....just down from the barn.

Cock-a-doodle-do

Two of my ten little chicks turned out to be cocks. So far so good, but I've been warned the guys like to fight.

Clearing the way for a sugar house

The plan is to have a sugar house built before next sugaring season, so a space is being cleared and some land trenched to improve drainage. Lots of the trees being taken down are being chopped back up and thrown back into the woods, other is being used to mulch the garden paths. The sugar house will be on the west side of the barn, looking out to the west field.

New house for the turkeys

Their long necks pushed them out of the roof of their brooder so Don put together a turkey RV, which they seem to find very accommodating

.

The Cherry Tree at the End of the Drive

Last summer this cherry table was a tree. We had to take the tree down to get our certificate of occupancy because it was blocking a safe view distance for getting out of the drive. We took the tree to Lathrop's in Bristal, to turn the tree into boards. Then we took the boards to Vermont Furniture in Salsbury to make it into a table. The table now sits in our entry way.

Water to the Garden

The garden is located over in the west field, hundreds of feet away from any water. But Don, the engineer, devised the beginning of an irrigation system, starting with laying tubing through the woods and across the field, and connecting it up with hoses and valves to the house outdoor faucet so that we now have running water at the garden. What a time saver and back saver. Soon we will have irrigation to all the rows, with valves to regulate each one. This is the best way to water efficiently and only where you need it.

Meet Tom, Tetrazzini, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Meatball, and Noodle Soup

Six little guys arrived today. I fear naming them since, #1 I may get attached, and #2 There's a good chance they won't all survive. They are having a hard time figuring out the eating/drinking part of staying alive and need lots of coaxing. I really think they need their mama. But, hopefully they will all make it till the holidays.