Michigan

[CricketYang]

Quote:

Isn't this time of year great? I've been spread out with my seed catalogs, laptop, and garden notebook complete with post-its and highlighters for two days. I think I enjoy the prepping and planning season as much, if not more than, the actual growing season.

I haven't touched my seeds yet! I'm excited for that also bc DH and I bought this indoor nursery rack thing. It has four shelves and grow lights for each level. I'm just not sure when to start them. We have tomatoes in our basement right now.

 

[Olive Hill]

Quote:

Isn't this time of year great? I've been spread out with my seed catalogs, laptop, and garden notebook complete with post-its and highlighters for two days. I think I enjoy the prepping and planning season as much, if not more than, the actual growing season.

I haven't touched my seeds yet! I'm excited for that also bc DH and I bought this indoor nursery rack thing. It has four shelves and grow lights for each level. I'm just not sure when to start them. We have tomatoes in our basement right now.

You have tomatoes in the basement that are producing?

Would love to hear about your setup. Dang! You're committed.

When to start them depends on what you're growing. Leeks and onions 8-12 weeks before last frost (and they can be set out up to a month before last frost) or just go with starts; eggplants 8-10 weeks; tomatoes and peppers 6-8; melons 3-4 weeks; broccoli, cauliflower, et. al 2-4 weeks prior to late frost... hmmm, I'm probably missing some here but that's a start.

And then you just have your direct seeding. Cold weather crops such as carrots, greens, beets, peas, radishes, etc. can stand to be planted before the last frost by up to a few weeks. And if you use row covers, low tunnels, soil-warming mulch, raised beds, etc you can go even earlier. Your warm-weather crops -- summer and winter squashes, cukes, bush and pole beans, etc. -- can be direct seeded after last frost, once the soil has warmed.

My estimated last frost here is May 15 -- of course Mother Nature can throw anything our way, but that's the approximate -- you can google last frost dates for the state of Michigan and find one for the town closest to you keeping in mind elevation can make a difference if there is a large variance between you and that town.

 

[Olive Hill]

If anyone is interested, I am planning a Holderread order for early spring. I'd be happy to add to my order to save shipping costs and/or help out those who may want fewer birds than the minimum. I'll be ordering enough ducklings to make an order myself, so could add as few as one for someone else.

I'll be sending my order in soon-ish so let me know either by email or PM.

 

[vicki2x2]

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How can you be so cruel as to tempt us this way????

 

[lighthawk]

Hi sam, and all my fellow michiganders. I've been offline for quite some time now as a virus infected my old PC. I'm typing on my Xmas present. I can't thank you enough for your help designing my coop. everything worked out great. I now have 6 healthy and happy barred rock pullets laying their hearts out and spoiled beyond belief.
Now that I am officially back and on the verge of being laid off for the winter I will attempt to put together a coop page and update my personel page. I can see it is going to take a while to get back in the swing of things. I only read back a couple of pages prior to this post so I hope everyone is happy. healthy and sassy. BTW I also have a case of TMB and CRS as well.

 

[chickflick]

Welcome back, lighthawk! Glad you got a new computer. Can't wait to see your pics!

 

[lighthawk]

Thanks. I've been able to check in every now and again at work but no time to login. Been lurking occasionally. still have to download the software for my new(6 months ago) digital camera.

Nothing can go wrong there.

 

[KrisRose]

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lol I have an insulated coop with a flat panel heater connected to a thermo cube. Works great. Just wish they would stop pooping! Its all about what works for you.

TMB=Too Much Booze??

You know, if you stop heating their Paris Hilton penthouse suite they'd spend more time outside and less pooping where you have to clean it up.

LOL Only those crazy Brahmas!!.

 

[KrisRose]

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I went feet up this morning, landed in goose poop, spilled the scratch and hurt my arm. Slick as snot outside the door to the runs!
I salted the path outside the garage but didnt get by the coops.

 

[Olive Hill]

Quote:
How can you be so cruel as to tempt us this way????

Where's that evil genius smiley when I need it?