Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Debbi]

I have some eggs coming from Wynette in the spring. Other than those, I'm not planning anything until I get more building done here. Already got my Baker's Seed Catalog the other day! If I can get my lamp workbench cleaned off, I'm going to be starting plants indoors this year!!

 

[gilavina]

Quote:
Oh yeah...you did tell me about that! I need to do some serious building in the spring too...yarg!
I got my baker's seed catalog as well! Between that one and Seed Savers Exhange out of Iowa, I am in heaven browsing through those catalogs. I always start all my own plants...last year I started for myself and several other people's gardens, I ended up starting at least 1,000 plants through different stages of late spring and early spring. If you need any help or suggestions on plants, I'd be happy to help. I have a seed safe that is packed full of tons of varieties and have tips and tricks for getting things to grow easier

 

[Debbi]

I'll need all the help I can get!

I've tried it in the past, but it's been many years ago. Potting soil seems to be my worst problem, along with a tendency to water too much. I would like to make some raised beds this year so I don't have to contend with the weed problem. We have that darned nut sedge here, and that stuff can literally take over overnight! Being higher off the ground would save on the old backbone too.

Now, to figure out how to keep the chooks off of them...will probably have to fence them all in, the beds, that is.

The old garden spot is going to be my Silkie and single mating run, sectioned off.

 

[berkeleysprings]

Quote:
well don't go crack in that 30 odd 6 in them bushes that restraining order you got on me keeps me 1000 yards away lol and kim it sounds like you're enjoying your day a little too much exactly how good are you with a gun now I know debbie can shoot!

 

[berkeleysprings]

I really need to do something about that creepy avatar I have to.

 

[gilavina]

Quote:
the best thing i ever did was switch to the seed starting soil. At first I had to buy it at regular price, but I waited til they ran it on sale and usually I can fill 2- 72 cell flats with one of those...and I use a formula of that soil to water and never vary from the ratio. Then, when the seed starting prime is pretty well on the way out, most stores will clearance it out for practically nothing, so I buy out what they have and store it in the tool shed in a rubbermaid storage container or two. That way I don't have to buy it at full price the next season. I would mix my own, but it is more expensive around here to buy the materials used for mixing it up myself since I don't use massive quantities of it. I also reuse the seed cells and use the plastic covers for spurring on the development of seeds. On most seeds that have a germination of 7 to 10 days, I can get seeds breaking through the soil by day 3 or 4....I would guess its just trial and error and I've found what really works, let me know when you want more help and we can chat about specifics!

 

[gilavina]

Quote:
I forgot to reply to the rest of the post...I have nut sedge here too...It drives me nuts, but the goats adore it, so I let the keep it trimmed up. For raised beds, it might sound funny, but I use old stock tanks that have sprung leaks in the bottom. People give them away around here and for the bottom I will fill it with old wood logs, leaves, all sorts of materials that will break down. I've also tossed in some larger rocks and gravel to help with drainage and etc, then I put in my regular soil and compost, they work amazing. Last year in a 10' round tank I had a yield of just over 200 pounds of potatoes.

 

[Debbi]

Quote:
I forgot to reply to the rest of the post...I have nut sedge here too...It drives me nuts, but the goats adore it, so I let the keep it trimmed up. For raised beds, it might sound funny, but I use old stock tanks that have sprung leaks in the bottom. People give them away around here and for the bottom I will fill it with old wood logs, leaves, all sorts of materials that will break down. I've also tossed in some larger rocks and gravel to help with drainage and etc, then I put in my regular soil and compost, they work amazing. Last year in a 10' round tank I had a yield of just over 200 pounds of potatoes.

Wow! That's an awesome idea!! Thanks!

 

[Debbi]

Quote:
well don't go crack in that 30 odd 6 in them bushes that restraining order you got on me keeps me 1000 yards away lol and kim it sounds like you're enjoying your day a little too much exactly how good are you with a gun now I know debbie can shoot!

Moi???

I'm more of a 12 ga. girl, but I wouldn't shoot you!!

 

[gilavina]

Quote:
I forgot to reply to the rest of the post...I have nut sedge here too...It drives me nuts, but the goats adore it, so I let the keep it trimmed up. For raised beds, it might sound funny, but I use old stock tanks that have sprung leaks in the bottom. People give them away around here and for the bottom I will fill it with old wood logs, leaves, all sorts of materials that will break down. I've also tossed in some larger rocks and gravel to help with drainage and etc, then I put in my regular soil and compost, they work amazing. Last year in a 10' round tank I had a yield of just over 200 pounds of potatoes.

Wow! That's an awesome idea!! Thanks!

no problem, I love helping people with ideas when it comes to gardening and livestock stuff!