What did you do in the garden today?

[chickengr]

I've gotten really picky with my scratch grains.
Too many are increasing the amount of corn as a cheaper, for them, filler.

The new brand at orscheln has very little corn, mostly oats, grain and millet. I'll pay for that and mix in my own BOS and Cracked corn.

We can't skimp or cut corners on the alpaca feed, only one company makes it, and we have to keep the minerals high for fiber production.

what do you feed your alpacas?

 

[chickengr]

cold is back with rain and hail. no gardening today.

 

[Acre4Me]

Thank you, Acre4Me! That helps a lot. Sounds like I should start them inside early, and wait for summer to plant them out in full sun.

Yes, just watch for bugs! Keep some seeds to direct plant too. I’d put black plastic over the area you will plant them to get the soil warmed up nicely.

We’ve used gourds to cover the S and SE corner of the run for shade. That area is much cooler and shadier for the girls!

 

[BReeder!]

No gardening. Taking kids sledding though!!! (in the dreaded cold)

 

[Acre4Me]

It’s raining pretty good atm, then sleet snd snow will head in tonight. I went to Walmart and bought starter cells and starter soil for starting onion seeds -I can do that while the snow falls outside!

 

[Sueby]

All flock pellets were 20 a bag last time I bought, up from 12 or so I think since Covid. I'm about ready to buy a few more bags so we'll see what it's at now! The price increases on everything is just crazy, sure do wish my paycheck went up like that too.

I also just ordered another half a cow, it will be in for March. I wish I had it in me to raise meat birds, but I'm in too much pain to add any more work to my life right now. Starting a new med soon...

I need to pick up some thyme seeds for my AeroGarden.

I have lots of rhubarb, love the stuff! @BirdsBeesTrees I was just thinking today that I can't wait for it to come up so I can bake a good tart with it, lol.

Oh & that ice is coming this way, supposed to be a horrific commute in the am.

 

[Ascholten]

The weather is stupid this time of year. Few days ago it was 18 degrees, in a day or two it's going to be in the 80s Welcome to Florida February's

aaron

 

[WthrLady]

what do you feed your alpacas?

Premixed alpaca feed, alfalfa pellets, timothy grass pellets, shredded beets, hay and free choice mineral mix

 

[Sally PB]

We had a bunch of rain last night/this morning. Still snowing, and we've gotten 3+ inches. I know south of us is getting more, and the Detroit area could get close to a foot of snow. It's the heavy wet kind too.

Then the deep freeze comes back.

I'm just looking through my seed catalogs to keep a positive outlook on the weather this time of year.

I've tried growing luffa. My season wasn't quite long enough, even though I started them inside. I probably should have given them some more compost. It was pre-chicken days, though, so I didn't have as much as I do now.

 

[vall]

So, everyone who's grown luffas, please give me all your advice!

They grow well in alkaline soil. I've had success (and failure) both direct sow and transplant, but at this point I suspect planting them on the late side will work best. I've always done the "peel and soak underwater" method of cleaning them.

My luffa from last year is still alive - I've only had patchy frost in the yard. This one is ready to pick.