Minnesota!

[Minniechickmama]

Sad day here. I had to cull one of my Red Stars... I think she was having internal laying issues, or cancer. Either way, she's been miserable. Hadn't really eaten much at all this week and it's been so cold, I don't how she even made it through the nights with no food in her system. This was my first cull. Well, we did one a couple years ago but my husband did the actual cutting. This time it was all me and it was awful. I really need to get better at it but there really isn't a good way to practice.....
She was a good hen, laid beautiful jumbo sized dark brown eggs with speckles. She was the lead hen up until she started showing signs of being sick last fall. I will miss her.
RIP Ginger....


And on a happier note, my other EE started laying a few days ago!! Her eggs look identical to the other EE, so no olive eggs, but still so fun to have some color in my cartons!

Sorry to hear it, Foxy.

 

[KlopKlop]

Here is what my husband did with asparagus, dump grass clipping on, and make it thick. Just dig around the spears as they come up, and just keep mulching all summer and then leave in the fall.  Add compost if you have it once a year.  We have burdock and curly dock that still come up in it, but it pulls with barely any effort.  Our asparagus has done awesome this way and we get so much we get sick of eating it.  It didn't stop us from planting more last Spring though.  LOL

It was slow the first year after we planted, but by the third year, it was really coming up good.  Now, it looks like a hedge in our front yard.


 

This is a good idea! I planned on newspaper and mulch but I like this! I was worried if I mulched too much I could have issues but digging it back slightly would do it. News paper out a bit might still be good too

 

[Cluckies]

Sad day here. I had to cull one of my Red Stars... I think she was having internal laying issues, or cancer. Either way, she's been miserable. Hadn't really eaten much at all this week and it's been so cold, I don't how she even made it through the nights with no food in her system. This was my first cull. Well, we did one a couple years ago but my husband did the actual cutting. This time it was all me and it was awful. I really need to get better at it but there really isn't a good way to practice.....
She was a good hen, laid beautiful jumbo sized dark brown eggs with speckles. She was the lead hen up until she started showing signs of being sick last fall. I will miss her.
RIP Ginger....


And on a happier note, my other EE started laying a few days ago!! Her eggs look identical to the other EE, so no olive eggs, but still so fun to have some color in my cartons!

So sorry Foxy, she was lovely.

 

[lalaland]

Maybe try digging the top 4 inches of soil over the asparagus patch. The crowns should be 6-8 inches deep or more so that should hurt them. Dig it up and remove any perennial weed roosts then mulch it heavily, adding layers of news paper where you know asparagus won't be coming up. It you tarp it I would almost guarantee you kill the crowns. Once you harvest and let it go to fern, then pull up the mulch and put lots of layers of news paper down and mulch again around the ferns

A friend of mine would use hot water and vinegar in the areas he grew asparagus. It would kill all the weeds and grass and leave the asparagus. Maybe look it up?

KlopKlop, Blanch, and Minnie,
With all these tips maybe I should try rennovating the existing patch instead of starting a new one. Thanks!



Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.

 

[lalaland]

 

[scandiafowl]

@FoxyChicken

I'm sorry about losing your hen. Culling a grand dame is never fun

 

[scandiafowl]

On today's chicken "I'm sick of cold feet" menu -

Scrambled eggs with brown rice and mango

 

[KlopKlop]

KlopKlop, Blanch, and Minnie,
With all these tips maybe I should try rennovating the existing patch instead of starting a new one. Thanks!



Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.

Rehabing well established crowns will definitely be a better option. If you do go with BRs suggestion of boiling water and vinegar i suspect you would want to do that early before the asparagus starts coming up. Also, chicken bedding compost would be a good top dressing as asparagus loves nitrogen!

I am excited to add more asparagus this year. I have several different stands around the farm but want to increase patch in my garden. It also grows all over in the ditches around here. The canning company used to grow it in the area many many years ago and it spread naturally. we see fern all over when walking the dogs and during the summer I see people out hunting for it everywhere! maybe if i get ambitious i may try and dig a crown or two if i can find it at the right time. That is an old non hybridized kind so it can spread itself unlike most crowns you buy now that are sterile.

 

[mnbrewdude]

Taking advantage of the reprieve from below zero temps, running to Menards to get the stuff needed for my brooder! Will update with pics. Going off a photo suggestion by MCM. I hope her eggs are fertile because I'm getting eager for my babies!!!!!!

 

[Minniechickmama]

This is a good idea! I planned on newspaper and mulch but I like this! I was worried if I mulched too much I could have issues but digging it back slightly would do it. News paper out a bit might still be good too

Wet paper feed bags work as mulch too. There is more than one way to skin a cat