Moving portable coops

Ken now has two portable coops.  Today he moved both.  First he moved the small coop east. Then he moved the large coop down on the west side of the drive       The hens have discovered the compost pile, and are raking through it for weed seeds and insects

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Winter Squash in Racks

Ken likes to wait for frost to harvest winter squash for two reasons: the vines and leaves die back so the squash is easier to find, and many people believe a frost hardens the shell and sweetens the flavor.   Ken got two loads of squash in the yard.  I got the onions and garlic out of the racks and he put the squash into the racks.

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Harvest Newsletter

Greetings from the Garden!  This week’s CSA box has salad and braising greens, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, tomatoes, peppers, red onions and leeks, and herbs. Field Notes.  We had frost, so Ken has brought in the winter squash and set it on the racks – temporary storage until it is so cold we move it inside for the winter Yesterday Ken moved both portable coops.  I helped him catch some turkeys to clip wings – …

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Harvest Newsletter

Greetings from the Garden!  This week’s CSA box has tomatoes, potatoes, beets, peppers, onions or leeks, greens, daikon radish, sweet potatoes and herbs Field Notes.  Ken has started in on fall tasks – he tilled the area where garlic will planted.       He has started the preparation for moving the mobile high tunnel over the fall greens.       and expanded the pig area. He is crossing items off that to do …

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Squash this Year

Most years Ken waits for a frost before he brings in squash.  We still haven’t had frost yet!  People have been asking for winter squash and Ken needed to expand the pig yard so he pulled some squash for those who want it now

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Moving the Mobile High Tunnel Prep

Ken is getting ready to move the mobile high tunnel over the fall greens.  He has to clear out all the heat loving crops in the current location         He lays vines on the ground as he plans to move the hens into this space once the greenhouse is moved

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Pigs get new space

We view animals as an integral part of the team – chickens scratch out bugs and weed seeds.  Pigs clear and till spaces.              Ken recently added the east side of the garden to the pig area.  They are digging and clearing for him         As I approached they came to check me out.  Even at this size they can run!

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Fall Tasks – Garlic Prep

Ken cleared out the cucumber fence and prepared the area he will plant the garlic.  Now I need to sort out the seed garlic.

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Harvest Newsletter

Greetings from the Garden!  This week’s CSA box has tomatoes, potatoes, greens and lettuce, peppers, onions or leeks, beans, salad turnips, cabbage and herbs.         Field Notes.  Brr, it feels like fall is here; the wind has a bite to it.  Ken has such a long to do list he isn’t sure where to begin!  He is planting for fall, picking heat loving crops, digging roots, and soon he will be getting …

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New coop has Residents!

Ken completed his smaller portable coop for the tweens!  Last night we moved chickens: cockerels to the north coop.  Ken found that a group of males without a female in their midst form a gang with a pecking order, but they don’t fight.  Then the pullets went to the new portable coop       Here is his new coop with many great features:           There is the bird door with …

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