What did you do in the garden today?

[akroberts1085]

Yesterday I picked my first zucchini and a half handful of green beans. I found a blackberry and ate it. I went back out and found 4 or 5 more berries so I ate those too. They were the best blackberries I have ever had. I'm up to 17 chickens now. I know I will have to build a bachelor pad as I now have 3 roosters.

 

[Rick589]

Predator proof screen?
I have lots of predators and I am paranoid
Mine never appreciated my concern either

yeah, what I did was build a frame that fit snuggly into the clean out door opening then I installed hardware cloth over the frame. I placed stops on the inside of the coop for the frame to sit against so it can’t be moved inwards, eyebolts slip into holes drilled into the coop frame on the outside of the frame. Once installed it can’t be moved inward or outward but it can be easily removed or installed.

 

[jerryse]

Picked 2 quarts of raspberries and watered some plants. Some were wilting. I am wilting also in this heat. Even the dog doesn't want to stay out very long.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Curious how others deal with the onesy/twosey cucumbers at the start of the harvest when your looking to pickle. Do you refrigerate and collect, just use them elsewhere and wait for the harvest to really get going, start pickles and add other cukes as they come, something else? I’ve pickled for a couple of years now and you’d think I have this down, but NO.

I collect them and hold them until I have enough.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Strange, most of my hens are around 5-6 years old, and I consider them young I do have breeds which kind of die young, I haven’t had a lot of luck with Orpingtons ( even though I love how they look and are character wise) most of them died young ( around 3 years) but they were usually sick ( cancer, ovi duct inflammation ) I was shocked when a 8 year old hen died of „old age“… my other old hen died at 11,5 years and the other one will turn 12 soon, i hope

Most of mine that died recently are heavy breeds like Orpingtons, Australorps, etc... I purchased them from McMurray Hatchery... Maybe that's the link?

 

[TJAnonymous]

I went out to the garden this morning at 5:30 am... Just as it was starting to get light enough to see. It was still 73 degrees at that time... I harvested my garlic and a couple of onions. Watered tomatoes. Weeded a little bit inside the hoop house which has become a jungle. By the time it was 7 am, it was well over 80 degrees and I was drenched in sweat already. Fed the animals and then went inside to shower. No interest in going back outside until later this evening at dusk.

Sadly, there's no end in sight for this crappy weather. When it gets like this, I hate gardening... Everything gets either overgrown or killed by bugs because it's generally left unattended unless I go out at dawn.

 

[WthrLady]

yeah, what I did was build a frame that fit snuggly into the clean out door opening then I installed hardware cloth over the frame. I placed stops on the inside of the coop for the frame to sit against so it can’t be moved inwards, eyebolts slip into holes drilled into the coop frame on the outside of the frame. Once installed it can’t be moved inward or outward but it can be easily removed or installed.

Here too. We have to have screens in the summer, or I'd have fried chicken!

 

[Minanora]

I'm behind.

It's been in the high 70s low 80s here. Night time temp is hanging out at around 50. My peppers aren't amused. Nor is my zucchini. Tomatoes are putting up with it pretty well. Butternut squash is all about it. Strawberries as well.

Picked blackberries yesterday evening. Almost done for the season.

I get to spend time in the garden this weekend. I'm excited to finish up planting.

 

[Rick589]

I'd have fried chicken

nearly there now. Our broody hen is really having a tough time, panting way more than the other hens. Took some water and rubber her down with wet hands while she was in a nest box. Was going to put her in the garage with the AC on in there, went to get her and she….was….NOT…..having….it. But she did leave the coop and join the other chickens who were sort of hanging around the fan I set up and enjoying( as much as they could) the breeze and damp soil ( I also hosed down the their yard for them earlier). Geez, I just want them to be as comfortable as possible and make it through this brutal heat ( not even July yet).

 

[Smokerbill]

I should've picked peas this morning, and it's too hot outside to pick them now. I'll do it tomorrow, and water the garden too. Hot here (relatively) at 80 degrees.

I picked a bunch of wilted kale from the grandkids' little gardens and fed it to the chickens. They're not kale fans so they won't care.

I have all the kale I'll need for months now in the freezer and fridge so I don't feel bad about letting the chickens have some of the good stuff.

One of my poppy blossoms opened up today. It's deep, dark purple.