| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Feb 27 2012 : 4:13:02 PM
I went to Home Depot today and bought a brand spankin' new tiller!!!! And I have already tilled 4 wide rows and plantes 200' of spinach and 200' of kale! I need to work on the soil some more before I plant beets and onions. But I am ready now! I am fencing in the 2 gardens to keep the sheep out. I'll do the one I am working on right now tomorrow. I bought 200' of woven wire fencing. Then I'll need to make a chicken coop area so I can keep the chickens put up during tomato and red bell pepper season.
So now I can concentrate on my CSA business. I have needed a new dependable tiller that I can start myself since I am the one doing this. I went to the elementary school this morning to deliver a freind some eggs and asked her if she would be interested in joining my CSA. There were 2 other ladies in the office that were interested too! And another friend as well. I want to start small and see how much I can handle. Plus I want to go to the farmer's market on Wed. Then I'll do the CSA on Sat.
I am so excited to finally be getting this going. I have been thinking about it for a few years now. Just needed some good equipment. I think this will help me alot.
And I might get some Girl Scouts coming out to visit and see where their food is coming from! I told the leader that I will have baby lambs and goats in a few weeks. And chicks too. And hopefully some garden veggies will be coming up by then.
This is what I have needed to get me motivated. And up off my bum.
Does anyone else do CSA and farmer's markets? I'd love to hear how you got started.
Oh, the weather is in the 60's and low 70's this week and in the 40's and 50's at night. But rain coming. Which is fine if I can get the beets and onions planted.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Apr 02 2012 : 8:15:19 PM
I saw potato plants coming up today!! And some zuchinni and squash too!! I tilled a few more rows for peppers and okra and more beets. I am going to lay down a thick mulch on the 2 tomato rows tomorrow to get ready for some plants. There is SO much to do that hasn't been done yet. I can't seem to get much done when there is so many other things to do too. I need for bodies. But it will get done eventually.
And it was 90 today. April 2nd and 90 degrees. What will it be like in July?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Mar 31 2012 : 4:01:29 PM
Teresa, I will try to get my daughter to help me. It's just hard to pin her down. And now I can't find mu USB cord to put the pictures on here. I'll look some more. I hope you get some green coming up soon. Where is Medford? I have a friend in Rye, NY. My hubby goes through NY State alot and he loves it there.
I planted lettuce 2 days ago in a raised bed and it's already coming up! I planted more lettuce under the cedar tree in a pretty bed I made with Hosta around the border. I was going to see if it will work under the tree with some sun. The raised bed get sun all day. So it may take a little longer for under the tree to come up. Also planted carrots and I think I see some of them. Still no potato greenery yet. I called my friend up the road and she doesn't have any either. She planted the same day. Also no signs of zuchinni or squash. But everything else looks pretty good. I need to put something on my cabbage. Something's eating the leaves. We have had rain the past 2 days. So this is good. Everything is SO green out there.
I had to dig up one of my fig trees just now. It was a little lower that the other 2 and I don't see leaves yet and the others have leaves. It's sopping wet. So I moved it up higher. I hope it's not dead.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| TeresaJ25 |
Posted - Mar 31 2012 : 07:31:07 AM
So envious of your gardens Kristin! We were teased with beautiful weather last week and it awakened my gardening spirit. I planted pansies, lettuce, spinich, broccoli & cauliflower. Then harsh winds and nightime temps in the 20's!! Everything survived, but I haven't been digging in the dirt since.
I would LOVE if you could post a pic of your garden
~Teresa
Farmgirl Sister #1348
Little Henhouse on the Island
Keep reading. Keep learning. Keep loving. Keep giving. Keep smiling. Keep listening. Keep forgiving. Keep praying |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Mar 27 2012 : 12:29:52 PM
I got another flat of veggies yesterday from my Ace Hardware. They have people that just work in the plants there. They are all well watered and come from a local nursery just over the mountain. So I get my plants from them alot. I got some Ruby Red cabbage and some purple cabbage that's supposed to get really big. And some eggplant to plant around my potatoes to attract the potatoe beetle to them, not the potato plants. And I have been working in raised beds, planting carrots and lettuce. I also tilled up where we had my parents camper for a long time. Mom gave me alot of different flower seeds I'll plant there. Plus all my zinnia seeds too. And I have a big pile of rocks that I have been working on, planting flowers and bushes in. It's looking so pretty. ANd mulching and weeding. So much to do. And the weather's been fantastic. Almost kind of scary. I hope we dont get a big blizzard. It could happen. We still have the rest of this week of March, then April has been known to have some crazy weather.
What's going on in your neck of the woods? Or gardens?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Mar 23 2012 : 07:40:55 AM
I went yesterday to pay for my yearly membership for the Farmer's market. It opens the end of April. I will probably only have kale then. I am really looking forward to the markets.
My garden is looking good.Except the game hens are going out where I planted the potatoes and scratching the mulch off. I really need someone to either come try to catch them and take them away or shoot them. I have all the Buffs and Americana hens in a coop and run for the rest of the year so they aren't in the gardens. But cannot catch these game hens. I might could catch them when they are on a nest and put them out with the others. Anyway, they are a mess, those game birds.
I am going to go out and stick some squash and zuchinni seeds in the ground. I know it's still early, but it feels like May already here. Dogwoods, Redbuds, wisteria, Iris', and azaleas, all blooming now. So I may even try to plant some beans and corn next week after we dry out from this rain we just had. We'll probably have a horrible drought this year after the really wet winter.
How's all the gardens coming along out there so far?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Mar 19 2012 : 8:28:42 PM
I just cut up some white, red, blue and yellow potatoes to dry a bit so I can get them planted tomorrow. About 20 pounds. I tilled the rows tonight ( I went ahead and tilled the spinach row as it was not doing too well and it's too hot) and will let them dry some. Then make trenches then lay down the straw-sheep poop bedding I cleaned out from the sheep stalls down the trenches. Then lay the potato pieces on the straw then cover with dirt. As they grow I will add more dirt and mulch. I haven't had much luck with potatoes here so will try this way.
I will also go ahead and mulch the 2 big rows I have tilled for the tomatoes real good and thick. Then when I get the plants, I will put them into the mulched rows. I really want to do heavy mulch this year. I have been reading Ruth Stout's book. It's so good. I would love to have seen her gardens.
It's been so hot. In the very high 80's. And tomorrow almost 90. Then it cools down to the 70's the rest of the week. I will be glad to see that. It seems like it's the middle of the summer already. And tomorrow is the first day of spring. I am seeing Dogwood trees blooming. And Redbud trees in full bloom. Also Iris' are blooming. And my friend's yard that's full of old azaleas is almost in full bloom right now. It's beautiful. She will be back home the end of March and she will be so happy to see all her pretty flowers blooming. And all the grass is so green. All the animals are well fed.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| TeresaJ25 |
Posted - Mar 17 2012 : 08:02:42 AM
Kristin, glad you got your sheep inside! It's moments like those that we remember forever!
High 80's would be such a gift today, but in my neck of the woods-we have plenty of time before that happens! I live pretty much right next to Laurie and our last frost date is in May.. so if we got more winter weather, it wouldn't surprise me!
~Teresa
Farmgirl Sister #1348
Little Henhouse on the Island
Keep reading. Keep learning. Keep loving. Keep giving. Keep smiling. Keep listening. Keep forgiving. Keep praying |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Mar 16 2012 : 3:19:59 PM
Great idea, Teresa. That would be nice. Although we didn't have much of a winter it was SO wet. And we just had a nice storm with hail. It rained on the way home and the closer I got the harder it got. Then when I pulled in the driveway it started hailing big ones. And my poor sheep mommas and lambs were out in it. So I took off my shoes and grabbed some babies and took off for the other side and the shelter. There's always one stupid sheep that can't see her baby and goes back. But I finally got them all back over to the other side and it stopped a few minutes later. And of course we are all soaked. Even the dumb dogs were out in it.
Laurie, will you get more winter weather way up there? I can't even imagine that right now. It's going to be in the high 80's all the way through next week here. HOT!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| TeresaJ25 |
Posted - Mar 16 2012 : 1:50:58 PM
ahh... the smell of soil.
They should make a dirt scented candle for those long winter months!
~Teresa
Farmgirl Sister #1348
Little Henhouse on the Island
Keep reading. Keep learning. Keep loving. Keep giving. Keep smiling. Keep listening. Keep forgiving. Keep praying |
| laurentany |
Posted - Mar 16 2012 : 1:10:48 PM
Small scale planting here on Long Island so far. Planted some lettuce and beets...have to wait til the weather "officially" is safe...LOL! With the winter we "didnt" have this year it really makes you want to get out there NOW and start planting away, but alas, I know I have to wait to be "safe". Want to get some broccoli in very soon too. In the meantime I will continue to weed the flower beds and turn over the soil in the raised beds which are eagerly awaiting more veggies!
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Mar 15 2012 : 09:31:15 AM
April, you have a good hubby! Sounds like he's very smart to hold you back some. It's best to start small. I can't wait to hear more about your gardening adventures. I wish there was a place where you could try out tillers for a few days to see which one is best for you. I guess renting would be a good idea. But I LOVE my tiller. So glad I got it.
All the seeds are popping up all over the place! It took the spinach awhile though and it's really just here and there. I may just till it all back up and use that row for something else. And all the cabbage that the chickens ate that I planted is doinf great! Getting new leaves. I need to fertilize and mulch this week. So lots to do. I need to move my compost pile to the garden side now. I fenced in around the garden for the sheep and the compost is on their side now. I think I will use some of the pallets to make a new one.
I hope all you who are able to garden are doing well so far. Would love to hear your garden stories too.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| sonshine4u |
Posted - Mar 12 2012 : 08:03:44 AM
Kristin, You are so inspiring! Keep updating us on all your adventures! :) It's making me very excited to get all my seeds started and planted. I'm ordering potatoes today.
I'm gonna check-out the tiller and see what the hubs says. We may just borrow or rent one this year. It's our first year on our land, so I'm just way too excited to get going! He has to keep holding me back so I don't bite off more than I can chew!
Playing in the Sonshine
|
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Mar 10 2012 : 06:43:04 AM
I am going to go ahead and plant the cabbages that got eaten by the chickens. There are about half that have grown new leaves. SO I shall see if it helps them to be planted in the ground with more room to grow. The rest of the cabbage and SC I planted a few days ago is still there! I have not seen any chickens out there. And I see some spinach coming up. This sunshine is drawing all the little seeds up and out of the ground now.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Mar 07 2012 : 4:34:01 PM
Got 63 cabbage plants in the ground and 9 Swiss Chard plants and 2 packs of SC seeds. I put some fence over the plants like a tent to keep those darned ole chickens from eating the leaves. I'll see if it works. I might keep Bubba out there to keep the chickens out. He likes to chase them. I'm keeping the front tribe of chickens put up in the coop til next winter. I need to catch the rest and put them up there and make them a run. They really aren't too bad except for the young tender leaves of new plants and the ripe tomatoes and red bell peppers. They also like to scratch up everything I put down as mulch. It's all over the place. They think I am doing all this hard labor just for them.
Also tilled to 3' wide by 100' long rows to get ready for potatoes. It's time for them too. I'm going to try some purple ones. And reds and the regular Kennebecs. I hope I have better luck this year with them.
Thank you Suzanne. I do love that tiller. I can crank it on the first pull every time now! It's just a dream machine. Very happy with it. And the depth thing is really not so bad. Or else I am getting used to it.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| LuckyMommyof5 |
Posted - Mar 07 2012 : 3:36:11 PM
Congratulations Kris!! Your tiller sounds awesome and I wish you bunches of success with your CSA!
Farmgirl Sister #3243
"The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong." - Laura Ingalls Wilder |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Mar 07 2012 : 1:04:20 PM
I am going to plant a flat of cabbage this afternoon. Plus whatever looks good and might grow back from the chicken rampage last week. I have been adding grass clippings, leaves, paper and good compost to each row as I go. I can tell the difference in the color of the soil that I haven't done yet. What I have been working on is dark brown and the rest is red clay. Needs so much work. But it gorws good veggies so far.
Looks like it might try to rain later. That's ok. My spinach is still not up yet. It should have been up. The kale I planted the same day is coming up.
I hope every one's gardens are doing well so far. And those of you still having winter, you will be gardening soon too.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Mar 04 2012 : 4:09:21 PM
The grands have been here all weekend and when they are here it's go go go all the time. But it's fun. We went to the Aquarium yesterday with my youngest Dd and today went to get the grand's hair cut. I spend too much money when they are here. I need to learn how to say NO!
Sherrye, I don't know who sells electric tillers. They's have to have pretty big motoers to do the job. Last year when Earl the ram was just a few weeks old, I took him to the market to see the people I got him from. You should have seen the attention he got. Kids and adults all over him.
Karen, it's a Cub Cadet. I got it at Home Depot. It's really a smooth machine. I will be using it alot this week. It's supposed to be clear all week. But COLD! And the weather man even said the S word for tomorrow night. NO!
Hello Ruth, you stranger you. You have been a busy lady. You need to come back for a visit here and see the lambs and kids. They will be having them any day now. I was just out talking to my ewes and the 3 Katahdin ewes are all getting udders. So exciting! And Abby and Sandy should have their kids any day too. So they'll all be born about the same time. I do hope they don't have them at night. It's in the 30's. I might need to make some lamb sweaters. I hope all your seeds come up.
I saw some kale coming up this morning while I was checking things out in the garden. No spinach yet.
15 days til spring!!!!!!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| violetrose |
Posted - Mar 04 2012 : 2:12:35 PM
Hi Kris, I've been so busy with family and friends visiting, that I haven't been on the "farm" for a bit! So happy that you got a new, big tiller and your garden sounds amazing :)! I have started some seeds in my "cabin room" in a plastic tub, trying to play it safe with the weather. This warm weather probably won't last all month!
Sending big hugs,
Ruth
Farmgirl Sister # 1738
God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us!
St. Augustine |
| Bella |
Posted - Mar 04 2012 : 11:43:55 AM
You go, girl!!! Do you mind if I ask what brand tiller you purchased? I have had the worst luck with tillers. The little one that I loved couldn't handle my big garden and it died. The big one, which I purchased at Sears, bounces all over the place and I have never gotten the "hang" of how to use it. I need a female-friendly tiller.
Thanks, Karen
"Just living is not enough, said the butterfly. One must have freedom, sunshine and a little flower." -Hans Christian Anderson |
| sherrye |
Posted - Mar 03 2012 : 07:17:40 AM
wow kris, you always say how busy i am. WELL GIRL i say your a busy farmgirl. what a fine thing your going to do. now the tiller i have envy. i had a mantis. she stopped last fall. i need electric since i am sensitive to exhaust. when i was real sick papa even extended the exhaust pipe on our tractor. that way it was above my face and nose. i could run it longer then. with your happy bubbly personality you will do great with a csa. its the whole farm experience they want. IMHO if it is allowed i would bring baby chicks or a baby goat when you can. the animals would draw folks to your booth. kids love baby animals. where theres kids there are parents. i sure am sorry to hear about your cabbage. i had to laugh though. it sounds like something i would do AUDREY i know that little dog has the best home ever. happy days to you girls sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
|
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Mar 02 2012 : 4:19:57 PM
Hi Audrey. I am so glad you and the new puppy are hitting it off so well. I bet he's a sweetie. There are some people wanting to know how things are going over in the Barnyard section.
I'll look on line right now for that article. Thanks. If I can't find it then yes, I would love to see it. I'll let you know.
I had bought a flat of cabbage plants yesterday and left them outside on my shearing stand to water them. This morning as I was walking by I just about fell over. There was not a single leaf on any of those plants. those darn chickens ate them all. I am so mad at them. ANd at me for not thinking. Darn it. $22.00 of chicken feed. And I bet it took 2 minute flat for them to eat them all. Maybe less. Darned old chickens. That's alot of eggs to lay to make that much.
I hope you get your seeds all up and going. I had a small greenhouse before and would love another. It sure saves time and money to grow your own seeds.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| acairnsmom |
Posted - Mar 02 2012 : 2:00:40 PM
The new pup is doing very well considering he has never been a house dog. He's a lover and lets me hold him and snuggle. Something Hobbs would never have put up with.
I'm so jealous of you already being able to plant! My garden still has lots of snow in it and more is expected this weekend. Boo! Hiss! I did start some cabbage (red and green) and cauliflower indoors and they have sprouted already. This weekend I'll start some broccoli, brussel spouts and the like. We've got a short growing season here so this year I'm trying to get a head start by starting my seeds indoors. I'd like to have a big garden this year and can't afford my usual transplants bought at the garden store so thought I'd try my own.
By the way, the Jan/Feb issue of Hobby Farms has an article on starting a CSA. If you haven't seen it I'd be happy to scan it and email you a copy next week.
Audrey
.jpg) Good boy Hobbs! I love and miss you. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Feb 29 2012 : 3:48:48 PM
Thank you, Audrey. That's nice. I do love to garden. How is the new puppy doing? I went to an old book store in downtown Chattanooga today. I was walking by it on the way to the Aquarium and saw a lady spinning wool. So on the way back I stopped and at the door was what looked like a Cairn. Daisy Mae. She was a sweetie. Anyway, I am going back for free spinning lessons next week!!!
I also went to Lowes and got some organic seeds. Cucumbers, Swiss chard, straight and crookneck squash and zucchini. I'll plant the Swiss chard when I get another row tilled. And order lettuce seeds from Johnny's. A friend is ordering purple potatoes and some other colors and we'll split those. I will get them planted soon. This is so fun!
It's supposed to be stormy tonight. I hate night storms.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| acairnsmom |
Posted - Feb 29 2012 : 11:45:35 AM
Kris, I love your attitude. I don't think there's anything you won't try and darned if you aren't succesful at them! Many blessing on your garden this year!
Audrey
Good boy Hobbs! I love and miss you. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Feb 29 2012 : 05:13:36 AM
Laurie, I forgot to ask if that is the set price you pay for the whole thing? And do you have to pay any when you get the food?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
