Maine

[anyasmifya]

You plant potatoes now? I've never heard of that. I've been digging potatoes for a job at a local farm. It sure does help keep me in shape. I need to get on garden clean-up stat. We had a frost last night and the night before. Unfortunately, my christmas cactus got frosted. I hope it isn't damaged. It was my mom's plant, so it's probably like 40 some years old! Stupid weather report said the night time temps were supposed to be in the low 40s.

My chickens chase my cats all the time! It's hysterical.

 

[lazy gardener]

I've never planted potatoes in the fall before. But that hasn't stopped me this year! My best potato harvests come from potatoes that miss the harvest, overwinter, and sprout in the spring in the most inconvenient places. So, I mulch around them, plant around them, step around them all summer and get a bountiful harvest from them... SO, I figured, why not help nature out a bit, and plant some where I actually would like them to grow. I also let lettuce and dill weed go to seed, then pull the plants up and lay them in the garden where ever I think I might like them to grow the following year, throw a little mulch on top, and voila! Lettuce and dill seedlings which are super hardy and super early. You can also do the same thing with non-hybrid tomatoes, and squash or zucchini. However, the latter 2 may not breed true, depending on how far the bees wandered between blossoms.

Thanks for the reminder. I still have my indoor plants out on the back deck. So far, they look good, including the African violets. I'll get them brought in this weekend.

 

[CoopChick719]

Thanks for the tip, LG! You've given me an idea of what to do with my "seriously overrun w/weeds" flower garden. I was dreading it but now I'm actually looking forward to ripping it apart!

My Snake Plant or Mother-in-laws's tongue is still out on the porch. I should probably bring it in at least to the garage so I can be sure all the little creepy crawlies are dead in it.

 

[Carrie54452002]

Definitely check out the Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch Thread. They are great people!! No question is stupid!! I was a nervous wreck w/my first broody--a little Silkie. It was February! I was so worried that the chicks would be cold, that the other birds would hurt the babies, etc. It was like waiting for your own babies to be born! The BYC'ers on the Broody thread were wonderful at calming my fears and supporting me every step of the way.

I can't thank them enough!!

Shavings are fine for her nest. I would let her come & go as she pleases unless you find the other birds are getting in there to lay or damage eggs. I've read that most broodies won't sully the nest but some do. I would only lock her in for a day or 2 after Hatch Day just to keep the chicks safe from others in the flock.

LOL! SCG, When I first read this I thought you were giving her a recipe for squirrel pie.

Thanks Coop chick! Since my last post I did put her nest into a cat carrier.... much to her dismay.. but she came around. I didn't move it into the coop as she was pretty hesitant to even get in the carrier and I was afraid she would abandon it all together. So now I lock her in at night only and let her out in the morning. She runs right out does her business, gets some yum yums and a drink of water and back to the nest she goes! Mother nature is SO COOL! I candled them at day 5 and all 15 looked viable so I am very impatiently waiting until day 10 to candle again and see which ones gave up so I can take some away from my hard workin Mama... hoping for some babies on our maiden hatch

Thanks for all your help everyone! I will post some chick pics if we have any success!

 

[MEMama3]

I think poor Dorothy Zbornchick is feeling left out. Her hatchmates (Sophia Pecktrillo, Rose Egglund and Blanche Nevercreaux) are all laying. Actually EVERYONE except her is laying. All morning she has been hovering outside the box and singing with her hatchmates when they exit. She isn't going in, but she's joining in with the songs. Too cute!

 

[Carrie54452002]

I think poor Dorothy Zbornchick is feeling left out. Her hatchmates (Sophia Pecktrillo, Rose Egglund and Blanche Nevercreaux) are all laying. Actually EVERYONE except her is laying. All morning she has been hovering outside the box and singing with her hatchmates when they exit. She isn't going in, but she's joining in with the songs. Too cute!

Haha, LOVE the names too cute!

 

[ashandvine]

Dug worms for the Orloff chicks in the basement today. Chicken keep-away is hilarious esp when its chicks and super long worms or beetle chase. Harvesting dry beans and little carrots that managed to escape my earlier weeding zealotry midday. Runners are still green so I'll wait on those. Garlic and Egyptian onions are still waiting for a clear bed. The tiller isn't here yet. I also brought in the amaranth, radish seeds, arugula and Parsnip seeds. sigh. so much to do yet.

 

[anyasmifya]

Lazy you inspired me today. I just came in from ripping out the san marzano tomatoes. Why did I plant so many? I probably got another 30lbs of ripe tomatoes, now I have to can them. And hundreds of pounds of green ones. Ahhhh. I heard my gold laced polish try and crow! I think she is a girl though, no waddles or anything. Now I am confused. Do hens try to crow sometimes? Last thing I need is another roo!!!!

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Lazy you inspired me today. I just came in from ripping out the san marzano tomatoes. Why did I plant so many? I probably got another 30lbs of ripe tomatoes, now I have to can them. And hundreds of pounds of green ones. Ahhhh. I heard my gold laced polish try and crow! I think she is a girl though, no waddles or anything. Now I am confused. Do hens try to crow sometimes? Last thing I need is another roo!!!!

Polish are harder to tell. If the head puff is really round, it's a girl. If the feathers are more "slicked back" like a rocker, and are pointy, it's a boy.

Boy

Boy

Girl

 

[Widget]

I have heard of the Egyptian onions and almost got some a couple years ago. A co-worker was moving and giving away most of his plants. Unfortunately I missed out since I was off that day.

. I havent seen them anywhere for sale though except mail order. Would love to have some at some point.

Now I am just waiting for the coop run to dry so I can try and get some gravel and stone dust type material down to help prevent mud. There is one spot that is guaranteed to become two-three inches of mud when it rains. The storm from the other night made a nice mess. My white birds were a bit tan. The kiddie pool went from sparkling clear this morning to dark brown within five minutes once the ducks discovered it. Nothing like watching eight ducks and two geese splash around and argue over who gets to go in next.

Broke down and ordered a polar fleece coat for the Ibizan. She is already shivering on these chilly mornings. Heck we had frost the other day. She has an outdoor coat that her previous owner sent with her but needs one for indoors. Poor baby. She has lived in Georgia the past two years so she is not used to our seasons.

While I was at it I also ordered a new turnout blanket for one of the horses. His old one was worn and even though he grows a really thick coat I would rather have a blanket on hand for him. I do not want him to lose any of the 70 pounds he has put on this summer. He is looking good but I would still like another 50-70 pounds on him. If anyone is looking for nice, functional dog coats for their dog I recommend sstack.com The coats are designed like horse blankets and are only about $20-25. Even the horse blankets are fairly inexpensive. Both are also well made. Not sure if they sell any chicken coats though. Not even naked neck neck warmers.