Stonewall Farm

Fall

2011-10-23T10:22:00.000-07:00

It's a good thing I like being busy.

Our sheep have arrived, for those who don't follow us on facebook. We got four Icelandic sheep last month. A ram and three ewes, so far they have adjusted well. A couple of them have been limping, Dave tackled them and we had a look this morning, doesn't seem to be anything wrong, but I am no expert. We will see how the sheep fair over the winter and spring. We are testing the waters.

Our pigs are getting nice and big, our three weaners are going to market at the end of November, then we will be getting our new boar. Hopefully "Billy" and Trigger will play nice and have lots of happy healthy babies.

Triggers piglets have had setbacks, of the 11 she gave birth to, seven remain. We lost one the first night, and three five weeks later. Trigger must have picked something up during the move, and passed it onto the piglets. Over half have back leg problems, but they are getting better every day.

Our chickens that we bought as day olds back in May have finally started laying, along with the 12 ready to lay birds we got last month we are finally seeing some egg production. We have been locking them up until about noon, then let them forage for the afternoon. This has stopped the laying on shelves, in the hay mow, ect ect.

Now it's time to plan next years garden. I would like to see the ground turned by November, and maybe some garlic planted before the snow.

Trigger

2011-08-24T08:52:00.000-07:00

Trigger started making her nest yesterday afternoon, I could have watched her all day, it was pretty cool. She was 4 days overdue.

After I fed them supper, and put the kids to bed I went out and she had found her place in her nest and was in labor. I ate supper and did some research on how long labor lasts for pigs. I figured I had at least 5 or 6 hours.

I checked her at 9 and at 10 then went to bed. I woke up at 1:30am and went out to see how she was progressing. All 11 piglets were wiggling around. I had missed everything. Trigger was snorting and content, she laid on her side and the piglets started to nurse. I found the ones going in the wrong direction, and made sure they all had a drink.

One pig didn't make the night, not sure what happened, he wasn't crushed, and was fairly big compared to the other pigs, guess he wandered too far away and couldn't make it back.

Trigger was still happy this morning and let me come in her pen to take some photos. All the piglets are black and white.

The long wait has been totally worth it. Can't wait for more farm animal babies :)

This and That May 9th.

2011-05-09T11:26:00.000-07:00

Chickpeas sprouting.

A photo of the very yellow barred Plymouth rock, next to a dark one.
White rocks aren't going to win a beauty contest at this age, but they are loving their new home.

Playing in the sun.
Take 3. Winter and summer squash started. Some from saved seed, I wonder what will come up.

Why can't we all just get along?

2011-05-04T17:07:00.000-07:00

Even though Micheal Jackson's "Black or White" was being played in the chicken house, there was racial tension. My white rocks (WR) and barred plymouth rocks (BPR) had reached a breaking point.

Yes, I should have listened to the warnings about mixing meat birds and layers.

I lost 15 birds today. Two were WR, the rest poor BPR. I feel like a fail farmer.

I put up a wall, divided the chicks by breed and hoped for the best. I should have done this a while ago, I should have recognized that the BPR were getting bullied by the WR that were twice their size.

Since putting up the wall a few hours ago there is a huge change in the chicken house. The BPR are calm, quiet, resting comfortably. The stress level is way down. I should have realized that if I get stressed in there, imagine what the chicks are feeling?

I learned something! Don't mix WR with anything!

New homestead chicken raiser, don't make the same mistake I did. Lets hope the deadstock numbers stop rising.

Farm Chat

2011-04-21T18:24:00.001-07:00

I picked up a seeder. Dave assembled it and it looks pretty sweet. I can't wait to try it out. I have a bunch of seed to go into the ground this weekend.

We are trying to plan out our next couple years. I want to get organic certified started this year. I think I can get my head around it after talking with numerous people, and the nice lady at Pro-cert. I am hoping that with planning and some good luck we will get our 10 acre field at least turned over and sowed with an organic winter crop this year.

I would love to grow all the grain for our animals, and if it can be certified organic even better! I think it will be a lot of work, but that's how they used to do it back in the day, so we should be able to do it now. We are already getting some "good luck with that" snide remarks.

We found, what we think is an antique thresher in my parents barn. It's in pretty rough shape but it would suit us perfect.

My garden is having a slow start. Plants are reluctant to grow in this cold weather, and I don't blame them. We have some old windows to make some cold-frames so I might try that this year.

I'm annoyed that five of our turkeys died the first night. I should have kept them in the house. Live and learn, next year I won't be so foolish. The chickens are doing splendid, only one loss so far out of over 110. I forgot what crazy eaters the white rocks are, they will be out growing the brooder soon.

If this nagging head cold would screw off I would have a lot more done outside.

Happy Easter!

Tractors and Seeds

2011-04-10T15:57:00.001-07:00

Here is the almost finished chicken tractor. We hope it will fit 50 birds. The roof can be extended if they need more shade/shelter. The door will be on the front, and a hatch at the back. Gotta build one more, then a hen house.

Here is the planting we did today. The rows are aprox 50' long. Peas, onions, carrots and parsnips are in. We hoped to get our wheat bed tilled and planted as well but the rains came. The seeds got a good soaking.

Our tractor is offically dead for the season. We are on the look out for a "new" one. Maybe by the end of summer. Until then, we will use our trusty rototiller (and by 'we' I mean Dave)

Sugarin'

2011-03-31T17:35:00.001-07:00

Two weeks ago we tried our hand at making maple syrup. This is our elaborate setup. Three evaporator pans over a old oil tank (I think?) we boiled down aprox 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup.

We hope to boil down upwards of 80 gallons of sap this weekend.

Layers

2011-02-25T04:00:00.001-08:00

Since last summer I have wanted layers. We didn't have a home for them so we decided to put it off until this year. I am very excited to have chickens running around. Maybe not so much when they are attacking my garden and chasing the kids, but having eggs all the time will be a huge bonus.

We are getting six hens and one rooster. The girls are Rhode Island Red and Silkie cross. Due to my inexperience I neglected to ask if the rooster was related to the hens, we want to start our own flock and can't have interbreeding so that might be an issue down the road.

Either way we have a week to set up our coop. Here is a somewhat grainy photo taken by the farmer.

Seeds!

2011-02-21T09:30:00.001-08:00

My final shipment of seeds arrived today. I think I over estimated our bush bean consumption, so many seeds! However, I am excited to start some seeds and get more in the ground come spring.

I'm curious to see how my saved seeds turn out. Sunflower, butternut squash and pumpkin are saved. I have enough to cover half an acre I think, I don't know if we'll get that much planted, but we'll try!

Yes, it's -15 0C and my boy is naked. I can't keep clothes on him.

2011 Prices

2011-01-28T16:56:00.000-08:00

2011 Price list for poultry and pork.

Chickens -whole birds (7-9lb) $3.25lb

Turkeys -whole birds (20-30lb), $2.75lb (New Price! LOL)

Turkeys need to be ordered by March. Chickens need to be ordered by April. Deposit required for over 10 birds.

Pigs

You can buy pigs by the half or whole, I can help with cutting sheets if you aren't sure. I expect the pigs to be between 180-220lbs hanging weight.

The cost is $5.00 per pound, smoking/patties/sausage links are an extra $1.50lb

I'll need a deposit of $275 for a whole hog, or $150 for half. with the remainder due when we find out weights (typically six months after we get them) We will get the weaners in May (subject to availability but I was assured if all goes as planned there will be plenty) but I'd like the deposit by April so I know you are serious and so I don't have a herd of pigs without homes!

These pigs are from a local certified organic farm. They will be pasture raised without hormones or antibiotics. They are a heritage breed, raised in the most humane way possible. They taste better than anything you will find in the grocery store. They cost a bit more but are worth it!

Seeds!

2011-01-17T10:28:00.000-08:00

This is the bulk of my seeds for this year, aside from some corn/lettuce and carrots from Veseys this year I went with William Dam. There website was a pain to use, but they had most of the seeds I wanted at a good price, and were untreated.

I always guess the amount of seed I need. I seldom run out. Usually I burn through my carrot seeds pretty quick but I think that's normal.

What are YOU planting this year?

PRODUCT Provider 450g
PRICE $6.75
PRODUCT Goldrush 125g
PRICE $3.75
PRODUCT Packman Hybrid pkt
PRICE $2.95
PRODUCT Reaction Hybrid pkt
PRICE $3.45
PRODUCT Rainbow Hybrid pkt
PRICE $2.35
PRODUCT Purple Haze Hybrid pkt
PRICE $2.35

PRODUCT Babylon Hybrid pkt
PRICE $1.95
PRODUCT Semi Dwarf Westlandse pkt
PRICE $1.85
PRODUCT Sabre (PLS116) 125g
PRICE $2.95
PRODUCT Lincoln 125g
PRICE $2.95
PRODUCT Sugar Sprint pkt
PRICE $1.95
PRODUCT Laurentian 'Certified 5.0' pkt
PRICE $1.75
PRODUCT Green Banner Pkt
PRICE $1.85
PRODUCT Summer Melody Hybrid pkt
PRICE $1.95
PRODUCT Waltham Butternut pkt
PRICE $1.75
PRODUCT Purple Top White Globe pkt
PRICE $1.75

PRODUCT Big Beef Hybrid pkt
PRICE $2.25
PRODUCT Super Sweet 100 Hybrid pkt
PRICE $2.25
PRODUCT Roma V.F.N pkt
PRICE $1.75
PRODUCT Mammoth Russian 25g
PRICE $3.25

Pigs; the number game.

2010-12-22T17:17:00.001-08:00

When the butcher called and said the pigs cost $860 I was kinda shocked. Holy crap that's a boat load of money, but when you break it down over three pigs and over 700lbs it didn't seem so bad. It is a cost you have to factor in though.

The start up costs for building a pen and running fence, buying the pigs and feeding them for seven months then butchering cost about $2000. Assuming we worked for free...which we did.

Our intention isn't to make money raising pigs. We just want to sell enough to cover the cost of raising them, and upgrading our facilities as we need. Buying things like a truck, livestock trailer, tractor supplies and eventually a barn, all come out of the profits.

Next year we might try raising four pigs, or maybe five...I dunno, it will depend if the weaners are available and if we can get money up front to raise them.

We might raise chickens to sell as well, again, to cover the cost.

I don't know how farmers do it. They get a huge amount of credit and earn every dollar they make. Hats off to you! Being sustainable is not easy, but it is more than worth it.

2010-2011

2010-12-15T19:56:00.000-08:00

This past year was a year of firsts. We had chickens for the first time, and raised pigs. We learned a lot about animal husbandry. Things I learned in 2010
-Don't keep White Rocks till 11 weeks. We don't need gigantic chickens, I think 9 weeks would be good.
-Plant 3x the amount of carrots, potatoes, squash, turnip...basically everything. I ran out of everything before the season was over. Not the best planning for the sustainable farmer.
-Plant long rows instead of squares. Easier for weeding and harvesting.
-Bring pigs to market sooner, that last month was borrowed time.
-Should have gotten layers. Will have some in spring 2011 for sure

Plans for 2011
-Want to plant grains, I have a bunch of varieties.
-Raise pigs and chickens to sell, maybe make some money back, or break even on a stock trailer
-Think about an online market, possibly selling veggies and meat
-Expand the garden, as always

Seeds!

2010-12-12T16:53:00.001-08:00

I'm addicted to seed catalogues.

Aside from the glossy magazines I get in the mail, I spend countless hours searching online for other seed resources.

My hunt for wheat seed has been a long one. I don't really want to pay $25 for two pounds of seed and after a long search I found a place. I am sure there are lots of places I could find seed, local farms or mill perhaps. Just finding the time to get out there and hunt them down.

I have to get my garden planned for next year. Feels like I am running out of time already.

Rainy Days

2010-08-23T05:06:00.001-07:00

I don't think anyone is used to the rain like this. Yesterday when half the kids napped we went out and gave the pigs more pasture, pulled the last of the carrots and picked all the butternut squash. We got soaked but the work got done.

My tomatoes are hanging on, but I didn't get the quantity I was looking for. I have blight again, probably from planting my tomatoes in the same spot two years in a row, not very bright.

The corn is done, it's pig food now.

Now we are making plans for next year. I have a some different sample packs of grain I want to try, white, red and black wheat, chick peas and quinoa.

Winding down

2010-08-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

The garden is winding down. Picking bags of tomatoes, digging potatoes and eating the last of the carrots.

My pumpkins are early, hope they make it to halloween but I kinda doubt it. They were early last year too and all rotted.

Pigs are getting big, I wonder if I am feeding them too much, they love to eat, and if I keep them happy they don't dump there water 50 times a day.

Corn!

2010-07-26T12:01:00.001-07:00

I was pleasently surprised when I checked a cob of corn this morning to see that it was ready. The cobs are a bit small, but the corn is ripe and sweet. Jr and Ruby ate two each, raw, right off the stalk.

I'm stoked I was able to grow corn. I am pretty happy with my garden this year. I'm already planning for next year.

I also made another double batch of refridgerator pickles. My cucumber plants are out of control. I wanted to try making dill pickles but that involved more work than I had time for. Maybe next year.

Harvest Party

2010-07-23T13:49:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is our summer party, and I am changing the name to Harvest Party. My sisters and brother-in-laws are down and they helped me prep a feast.

Joel prepped two chickens and my sister made two marinades. My other sister made a giant cake. We dug potatos, carrots and onions, and picked beans and squash.

Feel free to stop by around supper time for good food and drinks.

(and despite my last post, there will be hotdogs...you know, for the kids)

Pig Progress and I am getting preachy

2010-07-14T18:43:00.001-07:00

The pigs are coming around. The spotted one nuzzled my hand before bolting off. I think they need a bigger pasture, I thought it was huge when Dave set it up, but the way they run around it's like they are in a mouse wheel.

They are a lot like dogs only smarter, and cleaner. I am not getting attached, i am not getting attached i am not getting attached...

Preachy alert!!! Don't read if you are offended by opinion!

I've spent quite a bit of time reading about pigs, do a quick search on youtube and you'll see countless videos of concentration camp pigs, no fresh air, no grass, just concrete and shit. (heartbreaking commericals about the australian pig industry)

It's so sad that millions of animals are living in those conditions.

People don't care about what they eat. They drive though and pick up a burger not thinking about the cow that a week ago was living in factory with thousands of other cows being force fed chemicals and genetically modified feed, then butchered and "cleaned" with ammonia and bleach and a cocktail of other chemicals just to kill the bacteria that filled the factory cow. Then ground into patties, flash frozen and shipped all over the world. The same is for the chickens who are confined to tiny cages zero quality of life, hundreds of millions of chickens all miserable.

Would people eat as much meat if they had to wait for it? If they could only eat chicken if they ordered it 3 months in advance (and thats for the quick growing birds, science has created birds that grow to size in 45 days) would you wait 3 months for chicken nuggets? Would you wait 8 months for bacon?

Dave and I are basically vegetarians, we eat very little meat, and since starting our hobby farm we only eat meat we grow ourselves or buy locally. That may sound snotty, and I feel like a douche saying it but there is something wrong with this high chemically altered animal flesh diet.

Sure it's more expensive to buy locally, but start small, have a couple vegetarian meals a week, then throw in some local food, not only does it taste way better, you know where it came from, and you are supporting local farms.

When the Superstore advertises great flats of meat for pennies it's hard not to fill up the cart, but next time ask yourself; Do I really want to eat this?

Veg

2010-07-12T09:58:00.000-07:00

Hot on the heels of my peas are beans. SO MANY BEANS. I don't have luck planting in succession. One of the crops will always fail, so I just put hundreds of seeds in the ground and hope for the best. Holy shit do I have a lot of beans now.

Good thing I like them. A couple more days I'll be in full freezing mode. Too bad our freezer is filled with chicken.

We are thinking of selling a couple, recoup some cost and free up some freezer room. Anyone want a chicken?

2010-07-10T12:01:00.000-07:00

Radishes are blooming. I only grow them because they are easy and a welcome sight after a long winter. They are about 4 feet tall, the pigs enjoy them.

Chilling under their tree. When they aren't swimming in the pool they are lounging under the tree.

My poor beaten onions. They are starting to bulb a bit, but jr has chewed most of the tops off and has trampled them. One year I'll get onions right.

Turnip! First year growing turnips, I might eat one or two a year, I've been feeding them to the pigs.

Baby butternut squash. Most of my squashes failed last year, I have high hopes this year.

Corn has tassled and is starting to grow cobs. I am very excited to have corn on the cob. Dave will be rigging up an electric fence to keep out the vermin.

Pickles

2010-07-08T10:02:00.000-07:00

I am not a huge fan of pickles. I'll throw some on a burger or with crackers and cheese, I'll buy a huge jar and convince myself I like them, and they will sit in the back of the fridge until they expire.

However, Dave loves pickles (maybe not enough to dig them out of the fridge) but he insists he will eat them if I make them.

Yesterday I filled my skirt with pickles (wow, that sounds really dirty) and went to work (still dirty) I used this recipe, adding pickleing spice cause I bought a huge bag and figured I should use it.

I made 3 jars in about 20 minutes.

I don't know what they taste like, but they look pretty.

Chickens

2010-07-07T14:43:00.000-07:00

Processing chickens is a messy job. The lawn still bears the sign of a chicken massacre, blood splatters, and drifting feathers.

It took about 4 hours to kill, pluck and clean 22 birds. The job would be quicker with more guys, and if I didn't throw a tantrum every time a pin feather squirted goo at me.

I hope we send them away next year, it was hot, messy and somewhat traumatizing. However, not processing your own chickens is cowardly as my "how to raise chickens" book says.

Curious

2010-07-06T03:44:00.000-07:00

The pigs seem to enjoy their pasture. I don't think they have ventured into their pig palace since we opened the gate yesterday. All that hard work!

They came right to the fence this morning. Either they like me or they like the bucket of food I was carrying.

PIGS!

2010-07-05T08:19:00.001-07:00

We got our pigs last night. It was an interesting experience. The nice people at Funny Duck Farm sold us three weaners. They wrestled the pigs into the crate like pros, no matter how much profanity the pigs yelled at them they didn't let go!

Sam and Aaron told us numberous times that the pigs would escape, and they would come back. They were right. A pig escaped moments after climbing out of the crate which sent Dave and my parents on a wild pig chase. Thanks to Dave and our little dog the pig ran back into sty (after doing a tour of our 40 acre property).

The pigs don't like the camera, here is a quick shot of them flying into the shelter.

The meal so nice, I made it twice.

2010-07-01T17:45:00.000-07:00

I want to see how many complete meals I can get from my garden. This will be #2. Knowing me I'll lose interest in keeping track by around meal #4, but for now...

Potatoes with onions and garlic, grilled zuchinni and peas and carrots (all done on the bbq in foil)

I made enough for me and the kids. Dave was certian he wouldn't be home.

Then at 7:30 he calls saying he'll be home in 3 hours. Jr and I go back to the garden, dig potatoes, pull onions and carrots and fill a basket full of peas.

An hour later dinner for a second time is ready.

Pig Palace

2010-06-28T18:48:00.000-07:00

Minus the doors, the pig palace is finished. Now we just have to learn how to raise pigs. If that fails it will make a sweet kid pen.

Crunch Time

2010-06-27T08:42:00.000-07:00

Zuchnni coming along.

Chickens prefer to be inside in this humidity. Next weekend they will be in the freezer.

Current state of the pig pen, or should I say "Palace" . Dave has to build the run area, set up the electic fence, and finish pig proofing the walls. We get the pigs in five days.

Squash is looking good!

Corn is growing well too, peppers are a little small, not sure if the plastic is helping or not.

Onions are doing ok, Jr keeps stepping on them which has stressed them out. They are mostly tops with not much bulb forming. The potatoes are huges though! New ones will be out soon.

Dave got the brush-hog fixed and is leaving a path of destruction.

Progress

2010-06-16T11:35:00.000-07:00

Potatoes and corn are doing well, tomatoes are growing but not many flowers yet.

Cucumber and pumpkin are doing well, other winter squash are catching up.

First peas of the season ready to harvest.

Leita likes peas!

Bossy is getting big. Three weeks until they are in the freezer, and two weeks until the pigs arrive!

Bossy

2010-06-03T11:16:00.000-07:00

Somehow a boy sneaked into our flock of girls. He's big and bossy, has to be the first one out in the morning and the last one in at night. Eats the most food and picks the most fights.

Little does he know that his reign of terror will soon be over.

other half

2010-06-03T11:14:00.000-07:00

The second half, more weeds, more wasted space (mostly due to Jr's growing toy collection) Still to come, second crop of beans.

One half

2010-06-03T10:46:00.000-07:00

Here's half the garden, things are coming along nicely.

What to plan?

2010-05-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

Heading out the door with camera in hand, only to hear the baby wake up.

My garden is doing very well this year. The early heat wave has really helped. The peas are knee high, carrots, squash (winter and summer), beans, tomatos, peppers, and corn are all doing well.

Our chickens are getting nice and big. Hubby had to cull two last weekend when they stopped walking. They were just big enough to clean and eat, so we did.

Our makeshift farm is growing with the addition of a tractor. We are toying with the idea of growing our own grain to feed the livestock we hope to have. (Pigs, maybe goats or cows, and chickens and turkeys) I bought a few books on growing grains we'll see what it says.

I love the idea of being self sufficent (or as close as possible) This is the first year I am not pregnant or tending to a newborn during the summer, although Leita at 7 months is a handful.

We will expand the garden next year, and get our cold storage working properly. This year I WILL LEARN TO CAN. Yes, I CAN CAN. Why does the thought of canning scare me? Who knows, but this year I will can. yes I will.

Woke up to

2010-04-28T04:28:00.001-07:00

This is what we woke up to yesterday. Hopefully the last snow of the season.

The chickens are big. scary how much they have grown in three weeks. They have feathers and are trying to fly around their coop. They sit waiting for me in the morning, lining up at their food trough.

My peas are sprouted, carrots and turnip planted. Still prepping the garden for other vegetables. I started my squash inside, and will be putting down plastic to warm the soil. Sticking to basics this year in the garden. Hopefully concentrating on a few vegetables will mean they get more attention.

2010

2010-03-29T05:35:00.001-07:00

I am hoping for 2010 to be a huge season here.

Our garden has doubled in size thanks to the addition of a tractor. We have a chicken coup built and a pig pen in the beginning stages. Very exciting.

I have only started tomatoes and red peppers so far. The hassle of onions and leeks turned me off last year, I'll buy sets instead.

I'll be starting my broccoli and squash in a month, the rest will be direct seeded. Not enough time on the weekends. I think my peas can go in soon, just have to prep the soil.

Garden update

2009-07-22T09:59:00.000-07:00

There are some gardening wins and fails this year.

Fails
-squash...I swear I am the only person who can't grow a zucchini . They flower, then the fruit turns yellow and dies. Three plants have only produced 1 measly zucchini.
Pumpkins took a hit when i tried to mulch them with sawdust...the leaves didnt' like it, turned yellow and almost died.
cucumber, i have one small plant trying desperately to live, still no fruit
sunburst squash, i've had some success, but not nearly enough fruit to use. Next year I'll plant twice as much
the rest- butternut, gourds, pickling cucumber, trying to produce...
- Swiss Chard...started out good, then got bug infested and stopped growing, maybe I should have thinned more? I don't even know how to cook the stuff, planted it cause it's pretty
-Cabbage, full of worms...

Wins
-Peas, here and gone, will plant twice as many next year
- Tomatoes, in the area of the garden that gets full sun, waist high with lots of fruit, can't wait to try canning them.
-potatoes, are ready, but the grubs are coming out too...not sure how to fix this.
-Broccoli, large heads, (the ones that weren't destroyed) have been steamed and made into soup.
-Carrots, ready to eat, but are short and stubby. I never had luck with carrots.
-parnips are doing well, but only in the full sun part of the garden. I need a chain saw, or a new location I fear.
- Beans are starting to flower, they are late, but hopefully good!
-Leeks are doing well, they are a lot of work so I hope they taste good.
-Onions, starting to bulb out, won't have any left come harvest time, next year I will plant twice as many.
-Peppers are doing ok, kinda slow, not flowering much.

The Horror...

2009-07-07T18:40:00.001-07:00

It has been rainy. I guess I am a bad farmer for not checking the garden when it rains. What could go wrong?

Look at my poor broccoli. These aren't even cabbage worms! I have no idea what they are but I pulled that entire patch of broccoli cause they pissed me off. I should have been checking them. Lesson learned.

On a brighter note, my carrots are doing well, swiss chard is up and growing, even though no one will eat it. Peas are pretty much done by now, got a big bag frozen, next year I will grow twice as much. Broccoli (that wasn't ravaged by worms) is ready for eating. Zucchini is ready, I made two loaves of bread with it already. Onions are doing well, beans are doing well too. Tomatoes are out of control. Cabbage is riddled with worm holes and will probably end up in the compost heap. Leeks are getting big, potatoes are flowered and hopefully growing potatoes...I have a bad feeling I won't get any, I didn't have much soil to hill them with...fingers crossed. Late corn is up, first time growing it, the big fields of corn are already knee high...we'll see if it matures fast enough.

Found a live snake that scared the hell out of me, and a dead snake in the garden today. Good omen, bad omen?

Starting Over

2009-06-05T10:38:00.001-07:00

I think I am the only "farmer" who can't grow a carrot or bean...

I replanted my beans today, the carrots are a different story. I may put some corn in and call it a day.

Everything else is doing well. A few broccoli plants have keeled over and died, but the onions, leeks, tomatoes, cabbage, squash are doing well.

Cucumbers are still sad.

Started hilling the potatoes. That is a big job, baby steps for that one.

Cold Spring

2009-05-31T05:57:00.001-07:00

The weather has been wonky. I fear I put my peppers out too early, they are starting to turn purple. I planted my beans a week ago, and dumb me should have looked at the weather...four days of rain followed. I don't know if they will germinate. The packages says excessive moisture is bad.

On a brighter note my peas are doing well, onions and leeks are kicking ass. Broccoli, tomatoes and cabbage are doing ok. Potatoes are doing well too. Carrots, the bane of my existence are plugging away, I rarely have good luck with them. Here's to hoping.

Have already harvested radishes. Gave them to my parents cause I don't really like them. My spinach is also ready to be eaten.

Cucumbers are dying, can't seem to grow a freaking cucumber. I have 7 other types of squash, all doing splendid, but the cucumbers are dying. May have to buy some transplants.

Not far behind my good friend Jen my stomach is growing. I am trying to get all my grass clippings down so I won't have to weed soon. Getting harder to hoe every day.

Went to my local market for the first time yesterday. I have decided I no longer can support factory farming. I keep saying I don't support it, but come home with a basket full of grocery store meat every week. Enough is enough! I paid $40 for the following: 4 thick pork chops, 2 chicken breasts, 2 packs of ground beef, 1-3lb ham, 1 purple tomato plant and a dozen eggs. She also sells cheese, jam, baked goods and seasonal produce. Her store is only open on weekends, but I plan on doing as much shopping there as I can.

Going for it

2009-05-20T05:45:00.000-07:00

I am planting my tomatoes today. Up until Jr bolted for the house. My Brandywine are great looking, stout and strong. My Classica are leggy and weak. I am trying to get them all in the ground regardless.

My parsnips are up, how exciting! I find it amazing when seeds planted in the ground sprout. Espically long germinating ones like parsnip. My carrots are weak, spotty germination. I never have luck with them.

Peas are growing strong. Hubby built a super trellis for them. Almost high enough to reach.

It's getting hard to bend over and dig. At 20 weeks pregnant my endurance is greatly diminished. Hubby will have to get the rest of the beds tilled soon, or we will have to make due with what we have.

Peas

2009-05-13T13:11:00.000-07:00

My peas are growing like crazy. I have never grown peas before so I am anxious to see how they taste. The trellis is in the works.

Still working on the rest of the garden. So much to do, not a lot of time to do it.

New Digs, Planting part 1

2009-04-28T08:59:00.000-07:00

I have three beds of the five planted. My radishes are coming up, marking the rows of my parsnips and carrots. Spinach and peas are slower. The peas keep popping out of the ground when it rains, I am sure all the innoculant has washed off them. Onions have filled one bed, they haven't done much yet though.

Still waiting on phase two and three and four. My screenroom is filled with plants waiting to get in the ground. Tomatoes, Peppers, herbs, leeks, and recently sprouted squash.

I can't wait to get the rest of my beds dug and planted.

New Digs

2009-04-21T11:53:00.000-07:00

Hubby tilled phase one of our new garden. This is one quarter of what we are putting in this year. I dug the beds, five in total with smaller ones on the far end. A lot of work, but totally worth it. Planted parsnips, peas and radishes in the first two beds so far.

Plants

2009-03-02T07:52:00.000-08:00

Transplant

2009-02-28T07:40:00.000-08:00

Some of my tomatoes are doing amazing. The Classica sauce tomatoes are at least six inches high and were transplanted today. My Brandywine aren't doing as good, only 2 have grown any leaves, the rest failed to do anything. I will try again with new seeds. I want a good slicing tomato, I know there are a lot of varieties out there, any recommendations?

My peppers are doing good, working on their first set of true leaves. My herbs are rolling along, oregano are small but sturdy, parsley have just sprouted and cilantro is kicking...or is it cabbage...I got the two mixed up. One is growing like crazy one hasn't done anything yet. I should label better!

My leeks are doing well, had to trim them once already. I planted a new batch of seeds last week and they have begun to sprout.

I also started some marigold and Nasturtium. They are doing too good, I'll have to transplant them. I think my growing lights should have been lower.

Transplant time

2009-02-08T09:58:00.000-08:00

I have transplanted all the seeds I started. My husband bought me fancy eco-friendly seed pots with the plastic dome over top. I filled two flats, 100 seedlings.

I have two types of tomatoes, a lot of leeks, oregano and red peppers. I will start the rest of my seeds in a few weeks.

It's alive!

2009-02-06T05:58:00.001-08:00

I started some seeds under my laptop in coffee filters in plastic bags. I checked them and they have started sprouting! I am so excited. Going to attempt transplanting today.

Winter Sowing

2009-01-13T07:17:00.000-08:00

I got my experimental winter sowing out today. I planted a wildflower mix (seeds giving as wedding favours), Brandywine tomatoes, winter squash, leeks, spinach and bunching onions. I have no idea if the leeks and onions and squash will work, but I am going to give it a try.

I have never had luck growing from seed. Maybe because I worked and neglected my seedlings and they would get spindly and die. Since I am at home I can keep a close eye on them, and maybe I'll have a garden full of plants all started by me.

As you can see, I just cut some pop bottles and filled them with soil. Let them suck up some sink water for a while and sprinkled some more water on top. I also had a few takeout containers (not shown).

I put them outside out by the firepit, the area of lawn that gets the most sun. I can't wait to see the green spouts.

Let the great experiment....begin!

Winter

2009-01-09T08:58:00.000-08:00

Winter is still insisting on stopping by.

I have my winter mini-greenhouses ready...well almost ready. I still need to drill drain holes, put dirt in them and seeds and water. Basically I dug pop bottles from my recycling. That counts, right?

The sun is blazing today, but don't be fooled, it's a bitter -14oC and I am not going anywhere.

2009

2009-01-06T07:23:00.000-08:00

After putting my seed catelogues and gardening books on the shelf over christmas, I am back at it.

I am nevous for 2009. My "Garden" is still lawn at the moment. Hubby was unable to get a tractor in time. This worries me. So many plants go in when the ground is just thawed. I will have to crack the whip come spring time.

I am going to try winter sowing some seeds seen here looks cool, and will save lots of room in my kitchen.

For those interested, here is my revised garden. Some plants may not make it in, ( or all of them if hubby doesn't get my garden tilled) but have a look, tell me what you think. (Plan created with plangarden)

Busy

2008-12-10T07:26:00.000-08:00

I have big goals for 2009.

I have wanted to do this for years, but haven't had the time until now. I hope to grow all my own veggies for the year. I am working on my garden plan, and meticulously pouring through seed catalogues and planting guides.

I will keep updating as breakthroughs happen.

Harvest

2008-08-24T13:38:00.000-07:00

Saturday we picked everything that was ready in our garden. My allergies are out in full force so I had to be quick, and with the help of my sister and husband we got a good haul. This is the second harvest of broccoli, smaller heads, but still good.

There are still a bunch of butternut squash, carrots and peppers left that are still growing.

Our tomatoes did ok, considering they weren't staked and most rotted from being on the wet ground. I was hoping for a lot more, but this will be enough for some salads and sauce

Broccoli Cont.

2008-08-06T06:01:00.000-07:00

The cabbage worms are all but gone. I noticed a wasp eating one the other day, and he seemed to clear the patch out. I harvested some broccoli last week and didn't find a single worm. Who knows how many I ate...

The War

2008-07-29T05:52:00.000-07:00

There is a war going on in my garden. The innocent victim, my broccoli.

The enemy, cabbage worms.

My broccoli is getting ravaged. I pick and pick and pick and still they come. My green cup of death is filled with the blood of these small destructive beasts.

2008-07-28T09:06:00.000-07:00

Here is one side of my small garden, we are over grown. Planting too much in too small a space. Broccoli along the edge is getting eaten by cabbage worms. Tomatoes and squash are filling in the rest of the space.

A butternut squash growing in my bean patch. Next year we are expanding.

Carrots and beans picked fresh for last nights dinner. I wish we had a longer growing season, I love eating food I grow myself.

2008-07-27T15:35:00.000-07:00

This is what my vegetable garden looked like last year in April. Our 2006 garden was far from the house and didn't get properly taken care of. Our decision to bring the garden close to the house made it much easier. We burned brush and leaves on the garden site to kill the grass and introduce nutrients.

The Garden

2008-07-27T15:31:00.000-07:00

I spend a lot of time in the garden, why not blog about it?