Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[saysfaa]

Progress report on the tomato patch: the space is mowed, sort of. The finish mower went over it but the middle of the three blades is off for repair. Normally that would mean we don't use it. This is such a small space, we have time to just go over it extra times to get it all.

Plan A was to disk the space but the tractor with the disk on it won't start. Plan B was to pull start the tractor but I need such a small part of the field was we skipped to Plan C - rototill it. Considering how tall the grass was, we revised it to mow and rake first. That also lets me see how digging out the poison ivy will go.

Then there was so much less to rake that we just mowed once. I think it is because I disked it thoroughly a couple of years ago and planted rye pretty thick.

I dug a few test spots (really it was to get sand for the chickens' bath tub). Anyway, the actively growing parts are thick and tall but there is little thatch or sod. I might be better off using a shovel to clear it instead of the rototiller.

 

[1muttsfan]

You might be able to rent a sod cutter, our true value hardware store does rentals and they have one. It takes that sod out like nobody's business, much better than just rototilling all the roots back down into the ground.
You can't dig up poison ivy, any tiny bit of root left behind will grow a whole new plant. It is pernicious.

 

[saysfaa]

...
You can't dig up poison ivy, any tiny bit of root left behind will grow a whole new plant. It is pernicious.

I think you are right that root left behind often causes a bigger problem. This gives me hope digging it out might work - https://theglovedhand.com/

This person was one of two or three people talking about manual removal when I first researched it several years ago. The vast majority of sources were saying chemical or goats. Now a netsearch for professional poison ivy removal brings up many companies offering either chemical or manual removal.

Of course, I found it on the internet.... so .... I'll test a small patch to start with.

 

[Dreamzchaser]

Good day!
Decided to let them all out early since I am not sleeping well with the pain. Also decided since had to be outside to watch them, that I would read my Bible and write in my journal on a table under the shade of a tree. Little did I know that I will have a Bible reading companion. No matter how I moved, it found its way either on the other side or back to the same side. I guess a have a Christian chicken,lol

 

[Dakota8472]

anyone need silkie roos?

 

[aart]

Bought feed today, Purina Flock Raiser goes up a buck every ~2 weeks.

Broody run here, have had 5 in the crate in the last month, with 1 repeater, and another will probably go in tonight.

 

[Sally PB]

I need to get some more feed soon. It was $21 and change last time (50 lbs). I like dealing with a small family owned place.

Has anyone seen or heard from @Frankiegirl recently?

 

[Frankiegirl]

Hey there everyone!!! Hi Sally PB!!

Just been in a hole trying to find a job….hope everyone is doing well. All is good here except the career path. I am in the final stages of securing a position so hopefully i will be back to the world of the living soon. This has simply been awful but it didn’t kill me just hit me pretty hard.

Thanks for checking up on me. It means more than you know. Struggle for sure but not broken. Look forward to seeing everyone in June.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm not getting alerts when there are new entries here, blast it!
Need to get outside and do something! It's just really hard to get there in the heat... Work tomorrow, and then the weather will be much better. So far no veggies have been planted, not so good. Must get busy!
Anyone do a conservation easement? We are in the process, want to preserve our farm and wood lot, not have it turn into suburbia.
Mary

 

[1muttsfan]

Hot up here too, 88