Another month - and then some - has blown by, and my blog is lagging behind. This school year has turned out to be a very trying one, and I guess something has to slip. Better the blog than anything else!!
So many things have happened on the farm since fall arrived. It's been cold and windy - unusual - and hot and humid - the norm - off and on all month. The heat worked a number on our lettuces and many of them bolted, but we've replanted and they seem to be doing ok. Most everything that made it through the summer seems to enjoy the cooler weather. Bell peppers are growing like crazy, as are the eggplant. Tomatoes are green on the vines and the cilantro is going to town! We can see another big batch of hot sauce in our near future!! All those cold-weather vegetables you think of - cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuces, spinach, radishes - are coming right along. After reading a couple of blogs from other growers nearby, I'm wondering why we don't have squash or peas left, like they do. There is so much to learn about this gardening business that it sometimes seems overwhelming. But I look back at how far we've come, and I'm amazed! Big John has revised, yet again, our watering system. We've come from above ground sprinklers to in ground - popup sprinkler heads to soaker hoses to a new system now that will carry the water along the fences to spigots spaced every so often down into soakers for each row. After we purchase a pump, this will allow us to use all that water we saved from the summer downpours. Wow!! He must think of this stuff in his sleep! If it weren't for Big John's ingenuity, I'm sure I'd still be watering this garden by hand!
In homage to Uncle Dick, you may recall we planted a pumpkin patch this year. Uncle Dick was known far and wide for his giant glorious pumpkins (among other things!) He'd give them away to those he loved, and it was so much fun for all of us. Turns out, we planted about 6 weeks too late for "the big day," but we've got orange in the field!! I've already sold several pumpkins for fall decorations, and have other orders lined up. Big John and I have thoroughly enjoyed pumpkin farming, and people seem amazed that we "grew them ourselves!" Next year, we're going all out with the pumpkins.
The most fun project of all recently has been our growing flock of baby chicks. We had the three banties hatch at the end of July, Poppy hatched Pepper at the end of September, and then Cloud, pictured below, hatched 3 little ones on October 30th. Cloud is a Blue Cochin (although she looks white) so I'm thinking that blue chick might have been one of her eggs. The babydaddy is Sambo, and all of his chicks - even the one Jody and Douglas hatched - have feathered legs. It must be a strong trait! I've spent more time than Big John needs to know just watching all the baby chicks! I'm even thinkng of starting a chicken ranch!!! HA! HA!
It's been quite a struggle trying to move around all the fowl. We're just not set up as a hatchery, but we're thinking on the run and using what we've got. The banties spend their days in the covered dog kennel. They were outside in the yard all day yesterday, but it's a little scary with all the hawks around. They would be easy pickin's for a hungry predator.
Cloud and the babies are getting the run of the brood pen, since they outnumber Poppy and Pepper, who are relegated to the pigeon cage during the day.
As soon as I get home, I'm able to lock the dogs in the garage and let Poppy and Pepper into the yard. This evening, Poppy made her way into the nesting boxes - I'm hoping she's ready to get back to business - and Pepper flew right up in beside her. We're going to leave them for the night.
I'm sure I'll be up 2 or 3 times during the evening to check on them. This chicken business is hard work!! Thankfully we have no other broody hens right now. I need all the layers I can get, as egg orders are more than I can keep up with! That's a great problem to have!!
Ranger made it back from his latest knee injury-induced stay at the Equine Hilton. I'm wondering if he's enjoying these mini-vacations to the vet - there must be a cute mare that stays up there. He was confined for several weeks, which by default meant Roxy had to be penned as well.
The only thing worse than moving chickens around is moving horses around. They've since been released and are loving the freedom to roam. Ranger is safe from any real work for a while longer, but his free-loading days should be coming to an end soon. I see a sore rear end in Big John's future!! Let's pray there are no rodeos!
As always, life is great on the farm! The cooler weather has everyone feeling their oats and loving life!
