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Sunday, May 17, 2009

New Intimidating Row Garden

When we decided to put in a new garden in the north field, we expected to have so much space that we would have to plant cover crops in some of it. Well guess what? I am out of space and all the area not yet planted is slated for planting with seeds that I have stacked up all over the place. I honestly didn't see that one coming. This garden has intimidated me from the beginning. My husband wanted to weed with a rototiller and I wanted a no-till garden with permanent planting areas accessible by paths around them. That way, once established, there would be no walking in the wide rows and no need to till and disturb the microbial underworld of the dirt. We compromised. His corn rows he could do with as he pleased. My area I could try my new method. We have worked very hard on this area in the last few days. We installed fencing (farm fencing) around the perimeter and electrified it. There are 50 or more cows on our place as of this past week and I don't want deer helping themselves. So far, so good.

 
Later today or tomorrow we are picking up some wood shavings to put in all the permanent paths to keep our feet out of the mud and further define the planting beds from the walkways. I think that will make it look very nice. You can also see my Aquadomes at work in the garden. They are filled with water and are protecting 20 of the tomato plants so far. The others are just going to have to tough it out without them. 24 was the max the budget could handle this year. Maybe more next year. The long rows towards the top of the picture are 70 foot long rows for Doyle's corn. I hope to have that planted later today or tomorrow. I have a little more space to the east of the main walkway that you can't see in this picture. I need to define those areas before I show them to you. I am planting as much from seed as possible this year and only bought tomato and pepper plants. Next year I will start those from seed too.
MEAT CHICKEN UPDATE
  
Things are going well with the meat chickens we have growing in the barn. They hatched on the 5th of May and journeyed from Madison, Nebraska to rural Idaho. They all showed up alive and I am happy to say we have yet to lose one. Knock on wood! This type of chicken is hybridized to grow lightening fast and therefor  have a high mortality rate. This bothers me so, to maximize the health of these guys, we take their food from them 12 hours each night and give it back in the morning. That should help to keep them from eating themselves to death. I am still coming to terms with raising my own meat but I do still feel that they have a better life here with us than in a huge farm for factory use and subsequent grocery store sale. Healthier eating too! That is really the main goal here, to provide safe and healthy food for my family.

18 comments:

  1. Nice work! I am taking tips, so oneday (when I have a spot to plant a garden) I will know what to do. Enjoy your day!

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  2. I hope your chicken will grow well. You really have a lot of things planned out for the garden...

    ~ bangchik

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  3. Heather,
    Man that is a nice garden, your going to have to open a produce stand to deal with it all. Or spend weeks canning everything. You guys are truly going to be locovores.

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  4. We are of the same mind. You remember my big Dirt Garden. Well..I'm out of space. I know your struggle from the heart. I always am afraid that the thing is too big for me to take care of, I should be maximizing space, I should be mulching--I want walking rows..and the guys always want to have tractor and rototiller access. And...did you ever read one of those Ball cooking book guides as to how much food to put away for a family of five? Blows my mind!!
    Have a nice garden. And congrats on winning.

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  5. Wow, your garden looks just amazing, Heather! Those beds are beautiful. Wow!!! And I'm so glad the chicks are thriving. Way to go!

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  6. That garden looks very nice and clean. Much better than my weedy mess, lol.

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  7. i'm starting to think one can never have enough room in the veg! i'm already thinking i need twice the space - until it comes time to weed! can't wait to see the fruit of your labors, and how the chickens come along. at least they are no longer quite as cute as before!

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  8. Wow, it looks awesome! You are a pro!

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  9. The garden is looking great Heather. You are really an inspiration.

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  10. Looks good. And I'm only saying that because it looks like mine (only neater:) Raised beds - mulched paths.

    Why that looks like Big Bird when he was only a little peeper.

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  11. Your garden looks so beautiful and healthy. It's going to be fun to watch it grow!

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  12. As a vegetarian I must say that I'm always thrilled when I see someone taking the time to grow their own livestock. We've all become so disconnected from our food so kudo's for getting in the thick of things and raising chickens! I'm sure your chickens will be deeelish and you're right, their living conditions are greatly improved living at your place rather than a factory farm.

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  13. Lot's of work, eh Heather? But your "compromise garden" looks wonderful! And it's a testament to the cooperation between you and your husband.
    About your chickens, I am a vegetarian but a big part of the reason that I am vegetarian my discomfort with the way the animals are raised and the way they are killed. So if you are making those parts of the process better for these chickens then you are doing better by them as well as for your family. I can respect that! Don't feel bad.
    Plant Lady

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  14. A friend has raised meat chickens in the past. They had good food, lots of sunshine and all the bugs they could catch. And, when the time came, they made the best chicken and dumplings that I've ever tasted. Home grown wins hands down every time. Good luck with yours!

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  15. The row garden is looking great! I'm imitated by all veggies gardens so don't feel bad. LOL -Jackie

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  16. Your chicks look great, your garden looks fantastic! Kim is going to try to finish planting our small, small, patch today and tomorrow.

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  17. I think almost every serious gardener has had that experience! "I'll never fill it up" quickly becomes "I can't fit all this in!!" That's going to be an impressive garden. I like the perma-bed approach, and having clean dry feet makes getting out there much more likely.

    I also like the side-by-side approaches. Very compromisy. It will be interesting to watch the two tomato approaches also. The chicks are still cute.

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  18. Looks fantastic! I'd love to try raised permanent beds. We have so much clay in our soil though, we have to work it pretty good every year.

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Thank you for your ideas, suggestions or greetings. I love to hear from you and read them all.
-Heather

About This Blog

We started this blog in Feb. of 2009 to help us stay motivated and to track our progess in the garden. We live on 5 acres surrounded by Idaho farmland. We have wildlife galore and are attempting to attract more in the bird catagory. This is our journal. Welcome!

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