Michigan

[Olive Hill]

Hey Raz, I'm working on planning out a mini-Orchard and am thinking of planting some cherry trees this year. It's on a southward facing slope -- not too steep, but a decent grade -- problem is, it's all clay. I've got lots of compost and organic materials around -- straw, spent hay, manure (pig, chicken, goose, alpaca, cow, duck, horse and rabbit), fallen leaves, etc -- I was thinking of covering the ground with a thick layer of compost and organic materials, tilling it in, planting the cherry trees and then mulching over top of the whole area. I don't know a whole lot about cherry trees though, does this sound like a work-able plan? Any recommendations you'd make instead?

 

[RaZ]

Hey Raz, I'm working on planning out a mini-Orchard and am thinking of planting some cherry trees this year. It's on a southward facing slope -- not too steep, but a decent grade -- problem is, it's all clay. I've got lots of compost and organic materials around -- straw, spent hay, manure (pig, chicken, goose, alpaca, cow, duck, horse and rabbit), fallen leaves, etc -- I was thinking of covering the ground with a thick layer of compost and organic materials, tilling it in, planting the cherry trees and then mulching over top of the whole area. I don't know a whole lot about cherry trees though, does this sound like a work-able plan? Any recommendations you'd make instead?

The materials are all good for amending the soil, especially if they have composted over the winter. The hillside could work to your advantage. How steep is it? Can you post a picture?

One problem in roto-tilling in clay is that the tines actually compact the soil at the bottom and can create a bathtub effect and hold too much water for the tree. The compost helps, but if often takes years to turn that clay in to nice loam. I think that I would till up from the spot you want to plant the tree. That would give water a chance to seep in and wick down to the tree roots, instead of washing over the root system.

Be sure to dig the hole 3 times the diameter of the root ball and no deeper than the root ball depth. You are better being too shallow with the hole. Remove all packing materials from around the root ball, plastic, wire, twine and even burlap. Loosen any bound or twisted roots even if you have to cut them. Then make vertical slits in the root ball with a knife or saw. That will promote new root growth to move out horizontally.

After all that, a layer of mulch 2-3 inches deep over the ground you have excavated, just don't pile it up to the truck. I keep it away as wide as my hand. Oh, and the root flare should be visible after planting.

How many trees are you planting? Are you getting them from a nursery?

 

[sarah92480]

I have to share this. I was reading some really old forums today and I was reading one where they were talking about egg colors and sizes, and someone posted this:

"No I thought brown ones were rooster eggs, so brown ones are fresh so they get lighter as they become unfresh?? So all the white eggs from the store are unfresh, I think I need help!!
What color of egg will my rooster give wont it be brown and fertile?? or are only the hen eggs fertile when they are brown???"

I mean, I am far from an expert on chickens, but I got quite a chuckle out of reading that.

 

[RaZ]

Sadly, I have had that argument Sarah.
Ignorance can be fixed, there is no cure for stupid.

 

[uchytil]

Are those flemish? What colors do you have?

Yes, the mom and dad are sand with fawn at the nape. They are adorable parents and I'm sure the offspring will be also. At one week old it's too soon to tell what clor phase they will be. The babies are scentless and camoflaged for protection. Anyway, they are beauties and anyone that is interested should drop me a PM. I think Laura should take two

and then I could come with sone German New Hampshires

 

[uchytil]

I still need to remember to put on my glasses when I type darn it. Anyway if HH saw my last post I meant bring home some GNH's! You know you want some Easter additions.

 

[sarah92480]

Sadly, I have had that argument Sarah.
Ignorance can be fixed, there is no cure for stupid.

Which side of it were you on?? LOL

 

[NovaAman]

LOL. Now that is so funny. Sounds like something you'd get from a person who never knew that chickens laid eggs, and didn't just come from a factory! I hope who ever wrote that didn't feel like a total "Blonde" afterwards. LOL. No offence to the blondes.

Wyandottes... I love my girls. I do not have any dotte roos. If you can't have roos, grow them out to 18-20 weeks and find a processor. Dottes are dual purpose, and those roos make a nice Sunday dinner. What they are doing, is normal roo behaviour. It is very amusing to watch them go at it. My young studs, they are doing that right now too, and it is just something to watch them. I need to video it. They are not as "holdable" as some can be. They aren't so much standoffish, as they just prefer to come up to you, get treats, go on their way, and you keep your hands to yourself. Mine are very friendly, eat from my hand, but will only let me pet them when they are on the roost.

I got to see a couple of big Toms today... Well, I see them quite often here, BUT, I mean with their tail feathers fanned out. It was so cool. I have seen them like that in pics and on tv, but never in person. I have seen toms in person, but... you know what I mean. Man were they HUGE. The display was quite splendid. Show offs.

All the girls are laying again. Got an egg from 6, and Veena's egg was a snack again for someone... I think her. She is laying shell-less still. But she is back to laying with membranes. I am hoping she'll get it worked out and actually get a shell on there. Until then though, she is happy being herself. Picking on the littles and making them "RUN AWAY." LOL. So funny. Even funnier is little Leila. She's in her next box, trying to get out her daily contribution, and her littles, who are almost bigger than her now, especially the Aster baby, who is a roo... They are in there with her, on top of her, trampling her. LOL. And she's just so laid back, she lets them. THEN out comes the corn treat I got for them, and everyone is together, EVERYONE, and she decides that Skeeter is a little too close or something, goes bat chit and puffs her little self up, wings out, and attacks! My little silkie! And she doesn't even really mama her babies any more. Roger does more taking care and minding of them now. But, to see that little ball of fluff in full out witch (cap B) mode is always a shocker. Of the broody hatches, 4 of the 7 are definetly boys. Bummer. LOL. SO, 8 boys for the dinner table, unless some one wants any. BUT, they are all mutts so...

I was wondering about Daron too. Haven't seen him on in the last week. I think the last time we heard from him, he was complaining of the heat, got the field tilled, calves were cracking him up, and he got his rooster coop ready to go... Haven't heard anything since.

Ok, now that I have written a mini novel... My I have to go make dinner. My head is kicking me again. Excedrin and coffee are not working so much. Might take a narco later, but the make me woozy and sometimes pukey. Just might take another round o excedrin an hour early.

 

[NovaAman]

RaZ.. Are you sure you want to go into organismal (sp?) behaviour? I think you should go into landscape therapy/enhancement/make it workable...

I need someone to cut some trees down... Anyone cut them down? make me a deal... don't hit my house?

 

[sarah92480]

Dang, I was afraid of being right about them being roos. We live out in the country and our property is considered "agricultural" so we can make as much noise as we want and our neighbors are all farm people...but I'm not sure I want to deal with their crowing myself! Also, if they are both roos, then I only have 4 hens and how would they deal with only having 4 ladies among the 2 of them? I dont want them to be mean and fighting all the time. We'll have to wait and see I guess. Depending on their attitudes, my BF already said he'd be willing to make dinner of them if necessary. He can do the killing because I dont think I could do that part, but I will probably have to ask for some advice on processing them; if anyone does it themselves, let me know so I can come to you with questions if and when that time comes, lol.