The Front Porch Swing

[Hollowoakfarm]

Good Morning, Happy Chicken People!

I did get a couple pics this morning, but need to transfer them from my phone. It'll be this afternoon, I think.

 

[NotAFarm]

We had a drought here last summer but this year it has been very wet.....hardly a day goes by that we don't get some rain....the mowing is endless....and gas is expensive....but over watered and some times too long beats the dry, crunching grass we had last year.....
This is the first year that bush has been so full of blooms! I have a friend that makes a syrup with the berries. I have helped her pick berries and I will be trying to make my own this year. Her tip is to remove all pieces, no matter how small of the stem from the berries (which are small, so it takes lots of berries to make much juice) or the juice will be bitter. The berries should be ripe, almost black, to be used. The hard part is beating the birds to them! The chickens love them too...
I don't know about pollinators for them........they grow in the woodlands here so mine are all natives. I know there are other elderberry bushes but not sure if they are strictly ornamentals or not.
I got about a dozen cherries from my Lapins cherry tree this year.....the birds stripped it as soon as the cherries got close to ripe. The dozen I got were under leaves that I could see from underneath but the birds didn't see from above.

Looks like I will have to get a net for it.......

 

[LaceyMae]

Welcome to the group!!! the more the merrier... tell us a bit about yourself!

Thank you! I have had animals all my life. I have had a little bit of everything, dogs, cats, rabbits, turtles, lizards, hamsters, mice, rats, snakes, parakeets, cockatiels, lovebirds, crows, squirrels, possum, donkeys, horses, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and guineas. I only have one old horse, two dogs- a small JRT inside and a big lab outside, chickens, ducks and a turkey, at the moment. I live in the deep south on five beautiful acres in the woods. I love to garden and cook and I hate to clean house (but I do, anyway!) I like to read, and I have been known to be artsy/crafty and quite handy with fixing things around the house. I have had to learn to do things for myself and rarely need to call on anyone to come do something for me, not that I would mind having someone to call besides my brother.

 

[pysankigirl]

It's so sad that you have to put a net on things to get any produce. I am coming to that conclusion, too, but it ruins the idyllic look of the garden to have nets strewn all over it. I wonder if there is a way to protect your crop but still have it look nice.

 

[NotAFarm]

For the cherry tree, I would only have to "net it" for about three weeks. The birds don't bother them until they are within a week of ripe enough for me to pick them.....same thing with the Concord grapes....they are looking good this year......so far...

 

[LaceyMae]

Wow! Those look great!

 

[NotAFarm]

Quote: ..........I only have....at the moment....

....you're going to fit right in!

Having some one to help makes a big difference in the time and effort to do anything.....even if it needs to be a brother........

 

[LaceyMae]

Yes, I know, and my brother is the best brother in the world! He is 12 years older than me, but we have always gotten along. He will help me anytime I ask, but I try to do it myself if at all possible. That way, I don't use up my favors! I am very patient, and would rather take two weeks doing a project alone than ask him to help me for two days. I like to build things and he likes to change the plans.......

I just get lonely ................... every once in a while.

 

[NotAFarm]

Yes, I know, and my brother is the best brother in the world! He is 12 years older than me, but we have always gotten along. He will help me anytime I ask, but I try to do it myself if at all possible. That way, I don't use up my favors! I am very patient, and would rather take two weeks doing a project alone than ask him to help me for two days. I like to build things and he likes to change the plans.......

I just get lonely ................... every once in a while.

....my DH is like that......."Do you need my help with anything?".....translated means.."I'll be glad to come out and tell you how I would do it or question why are you doing that and why are doing it that way"...he means well but sometimes I just want the extra hand and not the advice/commentary........

.......yeah, lonely stinks.....

 

[pysankigirl]

The husband and I get in the worst fights over projects. over the years we have sorta learned how to work together but we still fight. he's an engineer but I swear I think things through better. (probably because I work in the architectural/construction field and his engineering is mechanical/materials.) so many times I have had to hold my tongue and let something go.

but he probably does too about other stuff...lol like my driving. and I am not the best cook in the world (read: I suck but I still try to work without a recipe) like this potato salad I just made...it was pretty good until I overdid it on the onions. (and just because it LOOKS like a Vidalia, doesn't mean it TASTES like a Vidalia!. OY. maybe green onions would be safer next time.