Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Sammster]

I used to hate raking. Now I see it a very valuable garden mulch, and it's not the onerous chore it one was.

I just wish that oak trees dropped their leaves like the maples! They're done now. Nope, I swear oak trees used to be exotic dancers in another life. They take it off just a bit at a time.

True! And the cottonwood! Don't get me started!

I did fill all my gardens with leaves, too. Soil doesn't like to be bare

My back yard trees are just about done. But my neighbor's trees drop late, and blow over to my yard, so I have my gutter cleaning guy on stand-by. Hopefully in about a week we can get that done - before the leaves are frozen in the gutters.

 

[Sally PB]

We see lots of ads for gutter covers that will "end cleaning out your gutters, guaranteed!" Yeah, right.

I have yet to see a design that makes me have a hope of a chance of a ghost of a prayer to never need to clean out the gutters. Really? It'll keep out the heavy pollen that the oak trees spread in the spring? The pollen won't cover the screen (screen type of cover)? or clog up the thin opening, gluing it closed with the oak leaves that come down in the spring?

Somehow, I really, really doubt it!

Hubby is planning to clean out the gutters today.

 

[1muttsfan]

Going to be cold starting tomorrow night - well down into the 20s. Dug out the heated base for the waterer and got it plugged in to check it, I'll take the summer plastic one out tomorrow.

When the power company trims trees in the area, if you catch them they will dump a load of chipped trees off at your home. I got a big load last year. Took the tractor and added a big bucket load of chips to the run. Tossed it in a few big piles, and left my landscape architects to rearrange them to their satisfaction.

Most of the winter prep work is done, just a few little tasks to complete then let the snow come (well, that is going to be Saturday).

 

[1muttsfan]

Whoops I may have said the S-word

 

[Sally PB]

I gave the chickens another tarp load of leaves yesterday. They all run and hide in the coop when I come into the run, dragging the tarp, but as soon as I left, they were out, scratching through the pile.

That was their "snack" yesterday. We had to leave for the bee nerd meeting, so I didn't have time to mix up chickie snack and take it to them. I think the substitution was acceptable.

 

[fuzzi]

I gave the chickens another tarp load of leaves yesterday. They all run and hide in the coop when I come into the run, dragging the tarp, but as soon as I left, they were out, scratching through the pile.

That was their "snack" yesterday. We had to leave for the bee nerd meeting, so I didn't have time to mix up chickie snack and take it to them. I think the substitution was acceptable.

"A tarp, a bucket, a wheelbarrow, OH NO! RUN!"

 

[uchytil]

Hi everyone. Been a minute. Family issues out in New England have taken our time. Still keeping farm going one person at a time. Leaves? I used to rake but have decided to allow the little critters that bed under them have their way. I get enough to compost from all of our livestock anyway. Miss everyone. Hope to make it to CS as we missed last year (family). Peace!

 

[Folly's place]

We've missed you too, glad you're back.
Leaves! I might get them mowed this afternoon. Maybe. If not, oh well...
And ticks! We are in deer tick heaven, far as I can tell. Monday two on my horses, one with Anaplasma and one with Babesia odocoilei, and then Wednesday, another two that i didn't bother to get tested. This week, blood tests on all four horses, trying to figure out who's been exposed to what. Finding deer ticks on large dark brown horses, it's a joke anyway. Ugh!
My current antibiotic Rx ends at Thanksgiving, for Lyme exposure. Happy times!
Our May pullets are laying eggs, and sizes are going up. And the bantam chicks are growing, still looks like four (five?!) cockerels and two or hopefully three pullets. Cute, but too much!
Mary

 

[Sammster]

We've missed you too, glad you're back.
Leaves! I might get them mowed this afternoon. Maybe. If not, oh well...
And ticks! We are in deer tick heaven, far as I can tell. Monday two on my horses, one with Anaplasma and one with Babesia odocoilei, and then Wednesday, another two that i didn't bother to get tested. This week, blood tests on all four horses, trying to figure out who's been exposed to what. Finding deer ticks on large dark brown horses, it's a joke anyway. Ugh!
My current antibiotic Rx ends at Thanksgiving, for Lyme exposure. Happy times!
Our May pullets are laying eggs, and sizes are going up. And the bantam chicks are growing, still looks like four (five?!) cockerels and two or hopefully three pullets. Cute, but too much!
Mary

Oh, my! Perhaps some guinea are in order?

 

[Folly's place]

Screaming guineas? No way! And the neighbors, who are good with roosters and our chickens who stay home, won't be pleased either.
We've having more brush cleared along the fence lines, and insecticide on the horses and my clothes, and winter will help a bit too.
Mary