Friday, February 8, 2013

Oh To Be in the Garden

I can think of no greater hobby than gardening. One hour of gardening burns over 200 calories. It is my most favorite thing to do. I think about it daily and try to plan time to get out there. Q and I have been putting in seeds and cleaning more planters.
I am changing more of my planters over to food production. I will have squash and pumpkins roaming in with other perennials. I have seen so many photos of seeds started in egg shells on blogs so I started some Armenian cucumbers in shells this morning.


I went to the nursery this week but bought only seeds and two blueberry bushes again choosing, though it is hard, to spend my gardening money on food producing plants this year. At least for the most part. This week I put in peas, parsley, bok choy, more lettuce and chard. I am going to try and get some more beets in today before it rains.


My girls have laid two eggs a day for the last week. Good girls. They have been helping me in the planters. I have been raking and clearing out as they come in to scratch and till the soil. I so want to add another chick this year but I think I am crazy. How will I pass the chicks at the feed store? HOW? I just gave two away last year. I love raising them though and now I feel so much more confident after having been through the first year. Now they are so easy. I literally just let them out in the morning and give them some fresh water and put them in at night. I clean the hen house a couple times a week and that is just using my little rake to clean the poop up. About once a week I add in some shavings. So much reward for so little effort. Thank goodness we have them fenced in now, it has made them so easy to care for and they still enjoy rambles in the garden but for much shorter periods of time.



25 comments:

  1. Hi Elaine...I'm with you. I LOVE getting comments and making them, as well. It' really a huge part of the fun of blogging for me.

    Take care and have a nice Friday! Susan

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  2. You are so industrious!! I admire you for working so hard on your garden. But, the fruits of your labor are worth it I'm sure. Your chickens are so entertaining and productive. I bet little one gets a kick out of gathering the eggs.

    Judy

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  3. Our little town has just voted to allow chickens. There are of course rules and regulations you have to follow. I think it would be so cool to do that, but, we have two basset hounds that would also love the chickens. So, that won't be happening here. But, I get a kick out of reading about yours and am going to check out the HenCam for sure! Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Elaine

    I love the pictures of your gardens and find joy in your excitment over the chickens :) I live near sacramento and want to start a small food garden this year, when is a good time to plant it? I am worried that it might be too cold still. Also what are the easiest foods to grow and take care of - I kinda have a brown thumb

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  5. I was out in my garden yesterday too, weeding away on a beautiful NW day!
    I can't wait to get things planted. I see all sorts of buds on my hydrangea, clematis and day lily.

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  6. I just love reading all your posts but especially the gardening ones right now. You're such an inspiration to me.

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  7. Oh Elaine, I want to start planting right this minute! Well, it won't be too long before I can at least start some seeds, maybe another month. Sounds like you have a great plan for your garden this year. Can't believe it's already been a year since your chickens arrived, and glad they've started laying again.

    Mary

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  8. Like the egg shell idea. I am going to try it this year. I have plenty of shells. I usually put them in the compost. This is a much better way to use them. I looked at the hen cam. I will be checking back to see how much snow they get thru out the day.

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  9. That's a great idea, egg shells. I'm certainly going to give that one a go. I read a blog the other day about companion planting and I commented about Bob Flowerdew who used to be on the TV over here. It's about planting food and flowers together and you don't need to use pesticides. So that comment has made me think about this again. Take care. Chel

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  10. Hello Elaine,

    Writing you from our winter winterland...
    Love gardening and can only do it indoors now. Still grow herbs on my windowsills.
    Egg shells are wonderful!


    Gabriela

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  11. Well, while the snow is falling, I checked in on your blog :) BTW, I tried that eggshell idea, which seems brilliant UNTIL your dog jumps up, tries eating them, and then scatters the inedible dirt everywhere.
    -Terry at HenCam

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  12. I read that egg shell thing in an old book just a few weeks ago but yours is the first blog that I have seen it on! I think in the book she was doing it with flower seeds to have some special decor at easter time

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  13. I love to garden as well. I didn't know it burned that many calories! It really helps me relieve stress and feel calm and happy.

    Glad you are getting eggs regularly again. Chickens really are pretty easy to take care of once you get the hang of it. I hope you can get one or two more, but beware of "chicken math!"

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  14. I'm with you.. gardening is my
    favorite thing to do and just
    today I was out back cleaning
    up the yard and planting greens.
    I'm in Florida thinking of all the
    people suffering from the snow and
    blizzard up in the north.. our weather man today said to us.. Stock
    up on bread, milk and sunscreen!
    It hit 80'....
    Good post
    Sandy

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  15. Love the idea of starting the seeds in the eggs...I use the egg shells to keep the snails off plants...I bought seeds this week too...I usually save the pony pack planters...I have a ton from years gone by to start mine...or right in the ground. I love having veggies all mixed in with the flowers...everyone's happy that way!

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  16. Well, I was too late...the hens are in bed! LOL! Yes, I too love to garden and this year I too am having to budget for everything. I need to start seeds like NOW! LOL! I've also used empty toilet paper rolls for little pots. Egg shells are great though too!

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  17. I agree Elaine, gardening is wonderful. It will be at least April for me and May to plant.

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  18. Oh Elaine, I envy you so that you have been gardening year round and now already planting for spring. I cannot wait. I just bought lettuce and spinach seed yesterday, but I'm afraid I'm in for a longer wait!! :/

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  19. What a great idea. We have snow though. I think it's way too early to start gardening. Have a nice weekend. Regula

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  20. Love the eggshell idea. How quickly do you need to transplant them? I'm thinking of starting some seeds, but we are a ways off from being able to plant outdoors here.

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  21. I am dreaming of spring (we had more snow yesterday) and am hoping to get more veggie gardening this year. I too love the idea of planting seeds in egg shells. So green!

    Big Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  22. I love your blog! I have become a follower so I can see what you are up too. I am a gardener. I do something in my garden almost everyday!
    Smiles, Dottie

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  23. I have the best veggie garden soil I've ever had with the hens in there. You might consider adding a fenced veggie area for the chickens too, it really pays off. We just reconfigured the space to allow for fencing and a gate, next to the coop. Pretty easy and we used a lot of recycled fencing, but made it look nice...

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  24. I get a kick out of your blog...chicken cam?! SO fascinating to see what passions others have! Love it! Great idea to start the seeds in egg shells. Wish we had room for gardening and chickens...maybe the next home we buy. Happy heart Day!

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