June 24 – July 1, 2023
Hey! Joyful summer season! Joyful fourth to these of you within the U.S.
Final week introduced us numerous rain and, in fact, humidity. Fortunately, nothing like some components of the U.S. are receiving, however we had been grateful to have acquired it (the rain, not the humidity). Regardless that it meant our Saturday craft present was a really moist day. Our air high quality had been fairly unhealthy a few weeks in the past (we had the orange sky and intensely hazy days) however had improved tremendously till this week. It just about stayed within the “unhealthy for these at-risk” class, so not nice, however an enchancment, nonetheless.
The flowers are blooming, the backyard is rising, and so are the weeds! We’re at the moment harvesting sugar snap peas, lettuces, kale, beet greens, beets, arugula, spinach, broccoli, herbs, radishes, and asparagus. The primary spherical of jalapeno peppers are nearly prepared (this would be the earliest we have ever harvested them), as are inexperienced beans, cherry tomatoes, zucchini & yellow summer season squash. Our cucumber vegetation are rising very slowly for some cause, and though we’ve got numerous tiny bell peppers on the vegetation, it is going to be a while earlier than they’re sufficiently big to reap. The pears are nonetheless trying nice as are the Asian pears.
Oh, and the thrill of the week is…..I’ve 4 sunflower vegetation!! Out of the three instances I’ve tried to develop them this yr (and 4 packs of seeds used up….), these 4 have made it to a few foot tall. I hope (and hoping and hoping) the chipmunks and squirrels go away them alone, however who is aware of. I’ve tried so many alternative contraptions this yr to develop any in any respect, however these darned critters discovered a solution to get to virtually each single one and eat them. I’ve at all times grown sunflowers and by no means gave it a second thought till 2 years in the past after I misplaced all 35 (sure 35!) that I had began from seed. First, I misplaced the entire seeds. A chipmunk (or two or three) discovered a number of after which found that there was a whole row. They greedily stole all of them. The following batch I lined with shade material and secured it to the bottom, however as soon as the sunflower vegetation had been a number of inches tall these little monsters discovered the way to get to the tasty greens and ate each. single. one. {sigh…} I had hoped they would depart me one or two however that, apparently, was an excessive amount of to ask. So now you understand why I’m so excited on the prospect of FOUR sunflowers!
One in every of our older Coop Women, who has by no means been broody a day in her life up thus far, is now broody. Nicely, truly, she’s a part-time broody hen. Who knew this may very well be a factor? She seems all day to be broody, staying in a nesting field, being very possessive of it together with puffing up her feathers and growling in the event you even take a look at her unsuitable, but not laying on a single egg. Then, within the night, she retires to the roost, leaving the field behind. The following morning all of it begins once more. I do not know what she’s considering or why, now that she’s 7 or 8 years previous, she out of the blue has the need.
Fascinated about her jogged my memory of one in every of our earlier broody hens. These of you who’ve been with me for some time will bear in mind our “little Lizzie”. She was a spitfire. One of many smallest chickens and an entire lot of perspective, however we liked her. Some days, when she did not assume I used to be paying her sufficient consideration, she would fly up onto my arm as I used to be working. After all, I’d cease what I used to be doing and speak to her. She would additionally do this if she wished her personal share of the treats I used to be doling out. Nicely, she ultimately went broody. So, Mama Claire (do you bear in mind Mama Claire? She was the BEST hen ever!) was broody and I imagine sitting on 6 eggs, and little Lizzie took over a nesting field subsequent to Mama Claire. Lizzie ended up with 4 eggs to take a seat on. (We had a rooster – Clyde, in order that they had been fertile)
I tracked when the eggs must be hatching and commenced checking on them frequently when it was getting shut. As soon as Mama Claire’s eggs had been hatching, I used to be checking continuously. We had been going to maneuver Claire and Lizzie with their chicks into crates contained in the coop as soon as they had been all hatched, so we had been making ready for that. This ended up being a superb factor as a result of who would have identified that little Lizzie was not in any manner eager about being a mama? Mama Claire’s eggs had all hatched and I used to be making ready their crate, so I had gone out to the coop. I out of the blue heard Lizzie’s trademark growl. Why would she be growling, I questioned. I assumed perhaps one of many different hens was making an attempt to get in her field. Once I entered the coop, I noticed a bit of chick peek its head out from below her and he or she growled and commenced attacking the poor factor. I used to be shocked and grabbed the chick. Lizzie continued growling and pecking at something she may. Saying she was indignant was an understatement. Clearly, she had no concept that is what would come from sitting on eggs. Nicely, we ended up giving the entire chicks to Mama Claire, who already had 6 of her personal. She LOVED being a mama and gratefully accepted them, though there have been days the poor woman regarded fairly overwhelmed. However she did such a superb job. From then on, when little Lizzie went broody, we gave her faux eggs to take a seat on. No extra chicks for her!
Talking of the coop women, do you bear in mind after I shared about coop woman Dorilla who protects her flock sister Stella at night time? Stella seems to be delicate to noise and Dorilla tucks Stella below her wing. Nicely, the photograph above is one I took this previous week. Sadly, it’s a little onerous to see and Stella, curious as to why I used to be within the coop at night time, partly untucked herself to take a look at me, however you may see candy Dorilla’s wing on Stella’s again. They’re at all times the primary 2 to go to mattress each night time.
Here is a fast video of Oliver. He will get excited after his night meds and rolls round in his huge mattress.
Meals for this week:
As a reminder, I prepare dinner 2 separate meals as a result of we do eat in a different way.
My meals:
veg stir-fry with both rice or pasta & air-fryer tofu
uncooked veggie sandwich with hummus
huge salads
Jay’s meals:
candy & spicy smoked hen thighs with rice and veggies
grilled bbq child again ribs with baked beans and veggies
grilled steak with homefries and veggies
hen parm with pasta and veggies
grilled pizza and air fryer hen wings
grilled honey mustard hen with skillet potatoes and veggies
I am hoping your backyard is doing superb, in case you are rising one, and wishing you a beautiful week forward!
