The Front Porch Swing

[perchie.girl]

On a non food related topic, a couple days ago I got a pickup load of cedar shavings. I was planning to use them for chicken bedding. Yesterday someone suggested that cedar should not be used for chickens, nor pine. I used cedar for my rats growing up and never had any problems. Is there a reason to not use cedar?

There is also a local mill that deals with Douglas Fir. Would that be better? (it's all free.

Certain types of cedar out gas too much and can cause breathing problems.... Not all cedar is an issue. Safest would be pine. What type of mill is it... Be careful if its one that does furniture. Some of the hard woods are very bad for horses I dont know about chickens.

One of the reasons the really fragrant Cedar is used for Hope chests or in closets is its a natural insectiside.

deb

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
Nettles when cooked are a very good high iron food... you can eat them like cooked spinach or make Nettle soup out of them. The horses LOVE them.

deb

 

[perchie.girl]

Not sure if y'all are interested in this. My local TSC has catfish food at 32% protein for $18.99 a 50# bag. I'm definitely gonna beef my feed up a little.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...ory_rn=&top_category=&urlLangId=&cm_vc=-10005

I did that for my Guineas because I was not allowing them to free range. They Wuvved their Catfish kibble.... What I would do is mix it in a big trash can four to one.... four Poultry one catfish. I dont know what final percentage of protien that is I actually figured it out on paper... but my brain isnt working these days.

deb

 

[Triple Willow]

You are soo funny.....   I am doomed too.  I am going to be 59 in four days.    so (55) was a good year.

I get to say it FIRST... na na na!! Happy Birthday Deb!!!!

 

[Triple Willow]

I think I will, my sisters have been saying we need to write down stories of family stuff, I think I'll just start and email my family to add what they know.
The nettle is made into a powder or dried and crushed into small pieces, I get it from my mom all ready, I make mashed potatoes with it and add peas and sweet corn when boiling the potatoes, that's how we make our traditional mashed potatoes. It's also used in soups by adding a spoonful or two when its nearly done.

Neat! What kind of flavor (or benefit) does the nettles add? What country are you from, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[MistyMountain]

What does allelopathic mean? Oh is it like black walnut the roots kill off other plants?

Thanks for the Jerusalem artichoke idea too. I thought they would grow here but the nurseries are providing them so ill give it a go.

And Bruce thank you for the raised bed suggestion. I think I will make done of those around the patio because I really don't think I could do without fresh tomatoes.

Notice how food-centric the Porch is today?

Oooo tell me about this black walnut tree stuff. We've been told about it before and have a few growing along the tree line. We'd like to put our big garden on that end of the property next spring. Just how far away should it be?

 

[heartsizedfarm]

Awesome.... Did you put vinegar in there to extract the last bit of Gelatin?

My Great Grandma was a midwife.  Back in the late 1800's  When She had a delivery where she didnt know if she was going to be a bleeder she made up a special tea  for them.  She never told them what it was.  But it was loaded with Vitimine K and helped with blood clotting...  She never told them she made it from horse maneure... freshly collected before it hit the ground.

deb

Whoa! That's interesting! There's some traditional practices I really want to learn and try, and then there a few I'll pass up!

 

[heartsizedfarm]

Lazy gardener, thank you for the useful gardening advice. I have been perhaps making it too big each year, always keen to plant something I haven't tried yet.

One half is perennials like I said, and the other half is tomatoes carrots beans etc. I'm just wondering if I could sort of cut down that side of the operation and not lose out on the fresh veg I like. I don't dislike gardening, I spend hours at it every day, just looking for some efficiencies.

 

[heartsizedfarm]

Oooo tell me about this black walnut tree stuff. We've been told about it before and have a few growing along the tree line. We'd like to put our big garden on that end of the property next spring. Just how far away should it be?

I think it is futile to think of planting anything anywhere near black walnut. It might look okay for a year or two but as the walnut tree grows taller and deeper it will eventually kill all competitors. I have two big ones on the property line and they killed a hemlock tree! What can kill a hemlock? Only thing that grows around them is grass, some scrubby juniper and goldenrod.

 

[TexasLisa]

Um, so at this point I guess confessing to loving a steaming bowl of Campbell's creme of tomato soup with a big blop of butter and a balogna sammich would be a sacrilege??

Blooie, I am with you on Campbell's soup. We grew up on Campbells' Bean Soup with Fried Baloney sammiches! Mmmmmmmm

You are soo funny.....

I am doomed too. I am going to be 59 in four days. so (55) was a good year.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN 4 DAYS!! My husband will be 60 on Sunday.

He sure doesn't look it.

Lisa