National Gardening Day....
and the nasturtiums, calendulas, marigolds and zinnias can’t wait to get into the garden. But they’re going to have to be patient….it’s a few more weeks!
Science experiment?
No, just trying to prime some spinach seeds. They always seem to present a challenge in germinating! The greenhouse is already too warm. Temps are finally spring-like!
Christmas eve sunrise....
really seemed to shout…A King has been born! Merry Christmas!
Winter Solstice...
makes everyone celebrate in Wisconsin! The days will become longer, egg production will get into full gear, and we can all anticipate the growing season ahead. It may be time to start studying those seed catalogs. Even my amaryllis knows today is something to celebrate!
More eggsciting news....
one of our pullets laid her first egg! She (and 11 others) arrived as a 2-day old chick on July 18. The books say they start to lay at 5 months. The books got that right….almost to the day! It may not be as big as the others…but it surely is just as lovely.
Exciting news...
as we are finally beginning to look at the nutrient density of the foods we eat. Not all food is created equal…in fact, not all home grown food. What if there were a metric to know which carrots were more nutritious. I think the Bionutrient Institute is trying to do just that…on a scale of 1 to 100.
Old Man Frost....
has arrived! 28 degrees here this morning and sparkling silver frost crystals on everything. I still need to plant my garlic!
The totals are in...
and it was a bountiful harvest! Now begins the work of planning for next year. Asparagus and rhubarb were added this summer and I look forward to seeing their yields in the coming year.
Glorious fall day...
and absolutely perfect for walking Wally along the Sugar River Trail.
New greenhouse manager?
He seems to have found a home among the lettuce leaves of my hydroponic system. I think it’s a Cope’s gray treefrog, common in southern Wisconsin. Isn’t he a cutie?
More art than science....
is needed when sexing a day-old chick. One of our new chicks has turned out to be a rooster! The very developed comb and wattles are a sure giveaway. No hatchery can provide 100% accuracy, but they are usually right on the mark. But our Toni has become Tony! Fortunately, we have found him a home, a farm in Monroe who was eager to add another rooster to his flock. We will miss you, Tony!
It's pepper time!
And they couldn’t be more beautiful! The harvest has been spectacular this summer…temperatures must have been just right! Friends and family have all enjoyed them, and St. Mary’s church in Durand accepts donations of fresh produce for the food pantry.
New chicks arrive...
and they are all perfect! I am always amazed that day-old chicks can spend 2 days in a box traveling hundreds of miles…and still arrive safely. 6 Plymouth Rocks and 6 Brown Leghorns will join the rest of the girls soon!
It's happening!
Glorious, gorgeous grapes!