What did you do in the garden today?

[karenerwin]

, I can’t wait to make zucchini salsa. And my clematis is finally doing what I want. I’ve got some ears in my tiny corn patch and I found an eggplant! ... also I can’t keep up to my blackberries

Wow! Your blackberries are loaded!!
Zucchini salsa?? Will you share your recipe??

 

[karenerwin]

I did get the grass cut and picked up all of the downed branches and sticks from the storm last week. I still need to cut grass and pick up sticks from the front of the house and down by the mailbox, but I got the biggest area done today.
I also bought the rest of the ingredients to make the corn & cherry tomato salsa (except for lime juice, the store was either out or doesn't carry it). Will go see Mom tomorrow. I told her I will bring her a vanilla milkshake!
Brought in another zucchini. It apparently had fallen to the ground after the stem had broken off the main part of the plant. That seems to be a problem with my raised bed. The zucchini can't seem to grow over the side and hang down very well. They seem to be prone to breaking off. I would guess from the weight but the stems always look like they rotted a bit and then broke off.
I'm going to prep more ingredients for the salsa and for zucchini muffins tonight so I have less work to do tomorrow.

 

[Acre4Me]

Chick pics - My they've grown!

Missing one - it is lost, don't know how and haven't found any traces either!

So, our mystery chick is a Salmon Faverolle!

You can start to see the unique comb taking shape in the Buttercups

We suspect a sexing error (a female instead of the male we ordered) - the chick on the left is more female in behavior, also a smaller stature. Hamburgs are trim birds, anyway.

Still super-fluffy!

This one lost his brother - a mystery.

Looking forward to seeing the grown up feather pattern.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Good morning gardeners. We were treated to a decent shower overnight so I don't have to bother with watering the garden today. The potatoes keep wilting back. I'm sooo tempted to check for new potatoes but I'm practicing patience. I did pick 2 nearly ripe large tomatoes and a couple of handfuls of cherry tomatoes. I may get some chard seeds in the ground today. Since my doctor told me I have to take it easy for a while I get a little frustrated with having to limit my activities. I'm still working on getting the house prepped for the VA appraiser so that is taking up the bulk of my time and energy. I did manage to prep and freeze all my peppers I have picked and the okra yesterday. I'm happy to learn that you are growing lingonberries @NewBoots. I planted some this past Spring and am hoping I'll actually get some berries. Of course I will likely have to arm wrestle the chipmunks for them. LOL! I'm not a blackberry fan @Nigel27 however, they should be pretty easy (less time consuming) to freeze in large quantities. Lay them out on a large baking pan and freeze flat, then put them in a ziploc bag. Just a thought. That's how I freeze peaches. I hope your cucumbers do grow well @Acre4Me. I forget you are in a little milder grow zone than me. Right now is when we all start prepping for winter. Storing butternut squash is pretty easy, however, they do need to be hardened off, preferably outdoors. I had to move mine inside because the the local wild life was so curious and wanted to taste them. After they harden off, keep them around 60F. I've had mine last up until January. If I do get enough potatoes to store, I'll be begging for advice on how to deal with them. Have a great day everyone and happy harvesting.

 

[Acre4Me]

Storing butternut squash is pretty easy, however, they do need to be hardened off, preferably outdoors.

We have them on a wire rack in the barn right now. But, they seem to be doing well. I keep them on the vine until the color is uniform and the stem looks like it had been drying out. Also, the skin (when on the vine), should already have toughened up so that a fingernail can't pierce it easily, like when it hasn't turned color yet.

If I do get enough potatoes to store, I'll be begging for advice on how to deal with them.

We put them in a wood box that has a lid and a wire bottom. We pack in straw. However, they never last as long as say, butternut squash!

 

[Sueby]

@Acre4Me sorry about losing a chick - that is so odd. I love the pics!

We got a little rain overnight too - happy about that.

So I lost a pullet this am. She was the one with issues laying soft shelled eggs. I was giving her calcium when she'd have issues but apparently it was just too much for her. She laid an egg today, walked out of the coop & collapsed under the ramp - her insides on the outside. She was already dead when I found her. Poor girl, she was so sweet too. So I hurried up & ordered some pullets so I can hopefully get them integrated before winter as there is no power to the 2nd coop. I ordered a Barred Rock, a Buff Orpington & what they say is an Araucana but I'm guessing is an Easter Egger. I give up on the production reds, I've lost 2 out of 8 to reproductive issues within their first year. So this is my first venture with other breeds, I hope my reds aren't too mean & I can get this to work.

So not much going on in the garden - actually absolutely nothing! Have a great day all!

 

[Acre4Me]

@Acre4Me sorry about losing a chick - that is so odd. I love the pics!

We got a little rain overnight too - happy about that.

So I lost a pullet this am. She was the one with issues laying soft shelled eggs. I was giving her calcium when she'd have issues but apparently it was just too much for her. She laid an egg today, walked out of the coop & collapsed under the ramp - her insides on the outside. She was already dead when I found her. Poor girl, she was so sweet too. So I hurried up & ordered some pullets so I can hopefully get them integrated before winter as there is no power to the 2nd coop. I ordered a Barred Rock, a Buff Orpington & what they say is an Araucana but I'm guessing is an Easter Egger. I give up on the production reds, I've lost 2 out of 8 to reproductive issues within their first year. So this is my first venture with other breeds, I hope my reds aren't too mean & I can get this to work.

So not much going on in the garden - actually absolutely nothing! Have a great day all!

wow! I’m sorry about your chicken passing! I’m even more shocked that you were able to find pullets!!

 

[Sueby]

We'll see if/when I actually get them! LOL

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Wow, I’m so sorry for your losses both @Acre4Me and @Sueby. I’m amazed as well that you were able to order pullets. Under normal circumstances it’s not all that hard finding pullets around here this time of year, but I’ve forgotten what normal is anymore. Hope your pullets arrive safe and healthy.

 

[Sueby]

I think it's getting easier to get them because the mad covid rush in the spring had everyone deciding to hatch as many as they possibly could over the summer. All the places I considered ordering from has started pullets. The farm I ordered from doesn't get great reviews, but it's all about their demeanor, not the quality of their chickens & I don't particularly like dealing with people either so I get it. HA! We'll see how it goes.