Checking in-I've been super busy at home and work!
Big news on the chicken front! I've been getting 4 eggs a day which is the most I've ever gotten! I have 17 7 weeks olds in a separate coop now and I'm looking forward to those starting to lay in the Spring (the leghorns, anyhow)!
I've been looking into learning gardening. Does anyone near me do any gardening ?(Zebulon, outside of raleigh). I have plenty of space for it, but have some unique spots and lots of shade..
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Ally - we are setting up a large garden for next year along with our orchard (being planted sometime in Feb or March when the trees arrive). What are you looking for exactly? Seeds? Advice?? I know VFem is an excellent gardener, and I know Matt & HT do a lot of canning, so I'd assume they would have some sort of garden too (but they do not qualify as "close")...I keep trying to get VFem to come over and do my gardening FOR me, but she lives too far away!!
I am just hoping to be able to get enough food out of the garden to supplement our food bill here and there (not to mention I know where it's coming from!!) I don't know how much help I will be with the new baby and all, but I'm always game for learning a thing or two, so we can always learn together!! (Although I will be extremely jealous if your garden thrives and mine dies...again!!
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One thing that helps us...we're surrounded by farmers, so even if/when we mess up, they are still sweet and bring "treats" over for our DD!! Remember, I'm just down the road from you and I will help in anyway I can!!
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to LukesCityHens!! I'm over in Johnston County so not close, but not too terribly far either!!
Ally, I have a garden every year but I am no means a big gardener. I'm happy to help any way I can. I mean to ask you....do you plan on breeding the leghorns? I ended up with a roo and won't have a use for him. Do you want him back?
Double A, I have several leghorn roos that will be dinner, so probably not ..Thanks, though.
I'd like to follow someone around their garden, maybe? I'd also like to start my own calendar on when to buy seeds/start them indoors/plant them outside, etc...The information I've read is so overwhelming! I managed to grow some tomatoes in the summer, but I was way late planting things and didn't yield much..
My husband built me some raised beds this year and I have some beautiful seed catalogs, but I just want to sort of "copy" the actions of someone else this year and see how I do. That way at least I'll know my timing is ok.
The other thing is that I have lots of shade in my yard. I don't use so much of it, so I'm thinking of designing it mostly for florwers in the back, and putting vegetables in where the sun will allow it..
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Come over to TheEasyGarden.com forum, BYC's sister site. I do a LOT over there with gardening stuff. There is lots of advice, lots of chat and lots of pictures!
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The oats(cover crop) just got turned over. Should be a good source of nutrients come early Spring. The lower garden needed replenishing badly and it gave Dad a reason to get the '42 ferguson tractor out and play around for a few hours. The gardens got turned very well.
As soon as that old motor rolls over some of the older chickens take off running to it. They know bugs/grubs will be dug up too. It is funny to see that tractor going through the yard towards a garden with a flock of chickens chasing it. Dad is always very carefully and so far has not run anyone over or plowed someone under. A couple old gals will not move for anything and if they see something they will dart right under the plows or tires to get it.
We always make sure the brakes are in good condition.