We’re ALMOST ready for fresh garden salad! I’ve been going out every day, hoping it would finally be the day to start harvesting fresh, leafy greens to add to our meals.
Aside from a few quick snacks, I’ve had enough self control to wait and let them continue to grow.
The rest of the garden is starting to bud with life. The cranberry and aronia berries are blooming, so are the cherries and apple trees. Carrots have germinated, and the radish is just about ready to be harvested.
We have been getting a ton of rain! Now that the temperatures have been warmer, I would love to get our warm weather crops in. I’ve been running out during breaks in the weather to get a few plants in here and there.
Definitely the rain is good for the garden growth, but it’s also good for lazy days sitting on the front porch.
Stirling helped plant our ground cherries, gooseberries and has been helping with the morning animal chores this week. Always willing to help, he’s a good companion to have when the chores start feeling mundane.
Herb Garden
Herbs (both culinary and medicinal) have a tendency to spread like wildfire. Our original herb garden was located up front, completely away from the rest of the garden and simply inconvenient to use.
We’ve had a pile of bricks laying around that was here when we moved in. I think it will make a great raised bed for our herbs (and hopefully contain some of the spreading). I’ve piled in some compost, rabbit manure, and comfrey leaves for added measure. Once I have the chance to go out, some topsoil will be added for good measure before planting!
Bees
Bryce started tending bees a few years ago. We purchased our first hive locally and soon after caught a swarm from his grandma’s property.
Last summer, we caught another swarm that split from our own bees which brought us up to three total.
Overall it’s been a great experience! We try to make things as easy for those hardworking women as we can, and always leave a significant amount of honey each winter on the hives for them.
Unfortunately, the hive we purchased originally absconded this winter. Abandoning their hive and honey stores without so much as a Dear John letter.
I hope you’re all happy and healthy somewhere, little friends!
This week, some precious friends came to visit. (Why is it that whenever someone comes over, all the tasks you keep putting off suddenly become blaringly obvious in your eyes? #INeedtoOrganizetheChickenBarn)
They brought us this magnificent American Elderberry bush. I’ve named her Greta. She’s safe in her new home at the end of the chicken run. I’m hoping this will help give the hens shade this summer and any berries that drop before we harvest them will be extra special treats for them. This photo definitely doesn’t do it justice! It’s easily 8′ tall! (Check out why we love elderberry so much here! And our current favorite elderberry syrup recipe here!)
While we were standing on the outskirts of the garden, the deep, humming rumble started from the hives. Once you know what the sound is, you can tell a swarm is about to leave the hive several minutes before it happens.
Thankfully, it was nowhere near as dramatic as the first time our hives swarmed. The entire backyard was overtaken in a massive honeybee hurricane that darkened the sky and reached an almost deafening roar.
This swarm was still of decent size, but small enought that we could enjoy enjoy watching from a safe distance.
They settled high in our tree line but relocated to the neighbor’s trees where Bryce was able to collect them with relative ease. (He did suffer one sting through his gloves.)
Food
Over these days we’ve collected 21 eggs, and enough greens to fry up with breakfast this morning.
I’m working with the momma goats on the milking stand. I still haven’t fully milked them out, but a little practicing each day has gone a long way with getting them into the routine! (This milk wasn’t wasted. It was given to the cat as a special treat.) I now see the reason why so many of my milking goat-mentors shave the udders and belly of the momma goats to lessen the hair and debris that fall into the pail. Even with a good brushing and washing, we still had debris!
