Texas

[bnjrob]

You need to be careful with cinnamon. You can actually OD on it.

I use elderberry for immune support and that is about it. I know there are a lot of other herbs you can use too. I don't get too into that though. I have started growing micro greens. Eating a balanced diet is really a better way to go. Limit sweets and fats, lots of veggies and fruits, whole grains.

From my research the consensus is that true Ceylon cinnamon does not have the problem with coumarin that Cassia cinnamon has. Of course Cassia cinnamon is more common and much cheaper than Ceylon cinnamon.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

I know there is cinnamon and Saigon cinnamon. I prefer Saigon cinnamon for my baking, the flavour is much better.

 

[gooselady]

This whole no egg stunt is getting old. 18 layers and I'm getting 1 egg every 3 days. I have one hen who hasn't laid since I bought her in June. Thoughts? Advice?

I do not have extra light as I want them to take a break, but did not expect them to stop. I feed either a 16% or a 20% protein feed. As well as oats, barley, and scratch as a snack. They free range otherwise. I left them in their run for over a week in case of them nesting in spots I haven't found. Didn't change anything. Fed cat food for about two weeks for extra protein and that didn't make a difference.

My girls have slacked off since the days got shorter. They will pick up again when the days lengthen. They needed the break. They are laying machines. Also it has a lot to do with their housing. Mine have free range in a large fenced area and they go into their chicken house to roost at night. Maybe your girls will pick up when the days get longer.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

This is so cool. I want to get one for my garden.

The bronze fennel I planted last year attracted a lot of bees too. I plan on planting more this spring. I grow it for the butterflies though. Black swallowtails love it.

 

[Brookshire11]

This is so cool. I want to get one for my garden.

The bronze fennel I planted last year attracted a lot of bees too. I plan on planting more this spring. I grow it for the butterflies though. Black swallowtails love it.

I know how important bees are..but I'm TERRIFIED of them...
I do the bee dance every time one comes near

 

[bnjrob]

I know how important bees are..but I'm TERRIFIED of them...
I do the bee dance every time one comes near

Bees are only important if you like to eat once in a while.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/15/supermarket-without-bees_n_3442938.html

 

[Brookshire11]

Bees are only important if you like to eat once in a while.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/15/supermarket-without-bees_n_3442938.html

Eh, ..I guess I like eat once in a while

 

[Ms Jellybean]

I know how important bees are..but I'm TERRIFIED of them...
I do the bee dance every time one comes near

I took macro shots of them on the fennel. Inches from them and they didn't care one bit. They were too busy gathering pollen.

 

[ShadowsFIAL]

I would love to get into bee keeping! I honestly want to get elf sufficient, but alas since I do not have my own place yet it will be kind of difficult. I watched a video on youtube of a woman up north who turned her entire back yard and half of her neighbors yard in the city into a self sufficient garden. All I can say is her potatoes were huge! Her chicks also looked quite happy. She had a compost/worm farm under her porch. It was all lovely! I need to start saving money faster to get my own place so I can start gardening again. I miss it bunches! My little herb kit inside just isn't enough for me!

 

[jajeanpierre]

Speaking of gardening, anyone have any luck growing avocados here in texas? I am starting a few and would like to know how well they do here. On another note, what are some good crops that grow well in a small space? I can only have a garden about 3'x8'.

Just remember they are toxic to birds. I am not 100% sure if all parts are toxic, but the fruit is. It is a definite no no for feeding to birds. I've read reports of some birds eating some avocados without a problem, but my avian vet said to never feed it to birds. I drove my husband crazy because I cut the tops off all the avocado trees so my free flying parrots would never land on them.