So what’s been going on?
I put 21 eggs in the incubator, and 16 hatched. I ended up with 8 hens and 8 roosters. These chicks (now chickens) were healthier, friendlier, and bigger than the chicks I bought at Tractor Supply last year. They are all still alive and getting big- the roosters are crowing, and the hens should start laying in just a few more weeks! We did slaughter 5 chickens once I knew the eggs hatched- I plan on canning these guys for both meat and broth. Right now I have 12 hens and 9 roosters. I will kill of all but 2 roosters, and we’ll be good to go.
My neighbor came over with his tractor and tilled my garden twice in about 30 minutes and the planting began!
I planted: potatoes, cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, carrots, radishes, green beans, tomatoes, corn, zucchini, acorn squash, cucumbers (pickling and slicing), pumpkins, watermelons, cantaloupe, and honeydew. I also tried to plant some raspberries along the perimeter, but once again, no luck. Oh yeah, I forgot about the gourds that I planted last year and came back- they’re taking over my garden and I may have to go into the gourd business!! 
I had intended to plant an herb garden, but I ran out of time. Up until today, I continued to think about planting it this year. I have now decided that the herb garden will wait until next year, and I’ll plant my fall crops here instead (green beans, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, and carrots). So, while I have already started clearing it, I’ll spend this week getting the rest cleared and planted.
As far as canning goes, I have canned almost 60 pints of jam- strawberry and strawberry rhubarb. I am trying to capture enough wild blackberries to make some jam, and my sister is picking Concord grapes for me to make jelly.
I have also canned green beans, using a pressure canner for the first time- tricky business. I am canning some beans right now. My experience is to hot pack for success. And yes, this comes after two previous failures.
Anyway, I guess that’s what’s been going on here! Like I said in the beginning, I plan on checking in more often from now on, so see ya soon!
Yay! You posted and I got to see pretty pictures. You can always put the gourds on EBAY- people buy them for crafts.
ReplyDeletehow are you tough enough to kill a chicken? I tend to make friends with animals too easily.
Well, this spring, my friend Chris came over and he did the killing- I did the rest. Now, with these new birds, I am planning on doing it all- but I have a feeling I will be apolgizing to them. Some of the roosters have been getting in the habit of biting the hand that feeds them (mine) and so they will go first. I'll let you know if I "chicken" out or not! LOL
ReplyDeleteAs far as the gourds go, the ones I've picked, I plan on using them for decoration in my house- if I get inundated with them, I may sell them!