Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[chickwhispers]

Yes raccoons are out here also. Been seeing them dead in the road nearby, which is better for me then I don't have to deal with them. So far no tracks around the coop or house.

 

[snowflake]

@mindylee Wow you got chicken math set in real good!

You will never get bored. It's good to have a hobby or two, along with a job or two. I used to do that, but I'm seriously ready to retire tomorrow if it were possible, and just want to wind down and enjoy a slower pace for a change. Although if I could have a horse I would, and a few sheep as well. Still waiting on DSO for the dog. Wait is that animal math I hear trying to kick in?

just thinking about all that work makes me tired

I SWEAR I'M NOT ADDICTED TO IRIS FLOWERS...
I SWEAR I'M NOT ADDICTED TO IRIS FLOWERS...
I SWEAR I'M NOT ADDICTED TO IRIS FLOWERS...
I don't have enough! Just 1 more color! I know I don't have it...
My hubby thinks I'm nutz!

were do you live? would love to come see them some time, you could give a tour, they are beautiful!!!

 

[snowflake]

thanks RAZ and Imalivewire, we had one on the news some months back, they followed all the check first, got the OK to go a head then some one came out and said there was a mistake and they had to many animals and had to get rid of most, don't remember how many acres, 5 or 10? any how I never heard how they came out,

 

[gladahmae]

Tell me about the milk jug thing. Do you plant your seeds in them? Never thought to use those!


I'm glad you posted this pic. I was leaning towards a all silkie flock, but didn't realize until recently how little their eggs are. The rest of your eggs come from standard size chickens or are they banty size?

There are drainage holes in the bottom. Then I duck tape them shut and put them in a partly sunny place. Water as needed in spring when they start to grown and take the tops off when appropriate (hot days or when the plants are touching the sides)


Generally speaking, little chicken, little egg. Silkies are really fun though. Mine never had any problems getting along with the lf birds so you could have both if you wanted.

 

[gladahmae]

 

[mindylee]

were do you live? would love to come see them some time, you could give a tour, they are beautiful!!!
[/quote]

I live in Lapeer. I see folks stop on the edge of the rd to look at the rainbow of colors last yr. And only 10% of them bloomed. So this yr if weather is nice to them, I should see twice as many.
Last night I bought 20 new colors. Added some multi colored spaceages, double bloomers, and jumbos. Cant wait to see them bloom!

 

[chickwhispers]

That is a cool idea! I have been saving milk jugs I use to carry water out for the chickens so now I have another use! I love it! Thanks for sharing!

 

[gladahmae]

The really NICE thing about wintersowing (wintersown.org if you like to read more) is that you can do it IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER for a LOT of things. Pretty much any perennial, herbs (I have about 8 lavender plants that I was able to start from seed this way). Anything the requires a chilling period can be started really early as the freeze/thaw cycle helps 'open' the seed. Things you would usually have to soak or score such as morning glories can be planted in the winter. I usually wait until the beginning of April for my veggies just because we usually get such late frosts that I can have plants that came up in mid March and then lose them in the end of May. Tomatoes are supposed to do GREAT wintersown as well.

 

[chickwhispers]

Where do you sow your plants, in the basement or in the house? I don't have many places. Basement doesn't get much light and sunroom is too cold in January thru March.

 

[gladahmae]

Sow them and PUT EM OUTSIDE! WOO HOO!

My method is to cut the jug on 3 sides just below the handle, and make drainage holes/slits on the bottom of the jug, or on the sides just above the bottom. Fill with soil, wet it down (this is the messy part since the extra water has to drain) sow your seeds, tape the jug shut and put it outside (throw the screw cap away, you need the ventilation). Label your jugs if it's important to you to keep everything straight....like if you did 4 kinds of tomatoes or something like that. The seeds will come up when the weather is appropriate for them to come up. Think of your milkjug as a mini greenhouse.