Thank you Mike Gerken for this amazing image of Ms. Papa doing her thing!
Monday, April 8, 2013
Crop Mob Spring 2013
The Crop Mob held on March 30 was a wonderful success! About 20 folks showed up to lend a hand with a multitude of projects. The hoophouse frame is up and ready to go, the pig pen has been cleared out and ready for the house to be put into place, the Two Bees sign is up, dirt was moved, wood chipped, weeds picked, bees checked, and a great time was had by all! It was so uplifting to see so many folks working together.. Some have been doing this for years while others just bought their first pair of gloves for the event! It was amazing to watch young and old learning from one another and to see such bright smiling faces! Thank you so very much to everyone that came out!
This Spring has been a bit "wacky" to say the least! At times, it felt more like January than March. The cold, rainy weather has really stalled seedlings.. my potatoes are just now coming up and those poor tiny seedlings are finally starting to take off. It seems the worst of the cold is behind us. Everything in the garden is finally coming to life and I hope to have my first veggie boxes out in a few weeks.
The bees have been VERY active lately. The three new hives that were put in a few weeks ago are doing well. One of my older hives is busting with bees. I checked yesterday and there are queen cells, which means they will swarm soon. I've got emergency lesson plans set up at school in preparation for the swarm that will surely come. I just hope I'm lucky enough to be around when it happens.
I had a little bit of that luck on Saturday. I looked up to see a huge cloud of bees. As it turns out, it was a swarm that settled right under a table near the hives. Pictures will be added soon.. I was able to capture the swarm and they are now in a nuc box close by. I'll check them in a week to make sure the queen is settled in and laying. So, lucky me, I now have 6 hives, and maybe 7 by the end of the week?
This Spring has been a bit "wacky" to say the least! At times, it felt more like January than March. The cold, rainy weather has really stalled seedlings.. my potatoes are just now coming up and those poor tiny seedlings are finally starting to take off. It seems the worst of the cold is behind us. Everything in the garden is finally coming to life and I hope to have my first veggie boxes out in a few weeks.
The bees have been VERY active lately. The three new hives that were put in a few weeks ago are doing well. One of my older hives is busting with bees. I checked yesterday and there are queen cells, which means they will swarm soon. I've got emergency lesson plans set up at school in preparation for the swarm that will surely come. I just hope I'm lucky enough to be around when it happens.
I had a little bit of that luck on Saturday. I looked up to see a huge cloud of bees. As it turns out, it was a swarm that settled right under a table near the hives. Pictures will be added soon.. I was able to capture the swarm and they are now in a nuc box close by. I'll check them in a week to make sure the queen is settled in and laying. So, lucky me, I now have 6 hives, and maybe 7 by the end of the week?
Crop Mob Photos
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Happy As a Pig in... (well, almost anything)
I am a creature of habit. Not that I haven't always known that.. I've fought the urge for years.. Move to Portland, San Francisco, Belize, join the Peace Corps. My mother told me once that I suffered from "greener pastures syndrome", and it has taken me 35 years to finally realize her truth.. Thanks mom!
I came home today and carried out my usual daily chores:
I took care of the chickens. At the moment I have 18 laying hens and 1 rooster. Each evening after work I go to the hen house and throw out food, collect the eggs, and check their water. I notice a little bit more with every trip.. The Aracuanas (they're the ones with the beautiful green eggs!) are brave and friendly. One golden hen jumps on the side of the feed bin every day and never seems to mind when I reach out to shoo her away. The Speckled Sussex are calm. They are beautiful heritage birds with a light purple hue in their feathers. I had one stand on my feet today as I was trying to get to the feed. She just looked up at me like "hey.. where's the food".. The Black Sex Links and Barred Rocks keep their distance..and my little game hen, who is less than half the size of the others, holds her own and has been for 4 years now. In the next few weeks I will be expecting to add about 50 new hens to the mix.. I'm incubating 6, picking up 20 layers from Newport Garden Center, and getting the others via mail, 15 of which will be broilers for meat. New brooders need to be set up soon.
Charlie and Butterbean, my dwarf nubian goats, are crying away while I'm making the rounds. Each day is the same.. Charlie tests the electric fence as many times as he can stand until I get his feed in the bucket. He's so excited about this every time that I can't help but smile.. He's like my chocolate Lab Henry.. jumping around, crying, head butting.. All for the same sweet feed he got the day before!! After this, they usually run around, chase each other off the hills, and frolick a bit before heading in. Watching them play is always one of my favorite parts of the day. I'm hesitant to add to their company right now. I eventually want to get a few more females and start milking them for cheese, soap, and milk... I think I'll hold off on that one for a bit longer.. I may like my routines but I don't know about having to be here EVERY day.. morning and evening to milk.. I'm not that committed yet!
The bees are the definition of routine. They are the most amazing creatures to watch.. Today especially since I now have 5 hives. On Saturday I installed 3 new hives and replaced the queen in my weak one. I'm watching them closely for activity.. that being a very good sign that all is well and they are settling into their new home. I'll go back in the hives in a few days.. once the weather decides to warm up.. and check to see how they've done over the last week. Fingers are crossed for a good honey harvest this season!!
The cats and dogs.. well they certainly have routines. The cats spend all day sneaking up on one another or lounging around.. the dogs eat dirt.. and send me to the vet for an $800 bill with an additional surgery costing $2000 that hopefully won't happen!! They lick, scratch, beg for food, and follow me around the house.
I'm settled into my routines.. I am happy that I haven't decided to sell this place and move for the hell of it. I'm happy that I've learned to clear my head at the end of the day by doing simple things like taking notice of chicken patterns.. I'm happy that I've been fortunate enough to end up here, and happy that I am building a life that I love.. Sure I dream of other places all the time, dream of having other things, but in the end my pastures are pretty green right where they are.
Don't forget about the work day Crop Mob planned for this Saturday. We'll be starting around 8 am but come by whenever you can. There are plenty of projects to be completed and enough to keep the kiddos busy if you wanna bring them too! Please consider leaving your dog at home however, I've got 3.. one of which has been really sick recently and probably doesn't need the stress.. Bring gloves and any useful tools like shovels and rakes that you can cram into the car. The more the merrier!! Email me at seahorsenc@gmail.com if you need details or directions!
I came home today and carried out my usual daily chores:
I took care of the chickens. At the moment I have 18 laying hens and 1 rooster. Each evening after work I go to the hen house and throw out food, collect the eggs, and check their water. I notice a little bit more with every trip.. The Aracuanas (they're the ones with the beautiful green eggs!) are brave and friendly. One golden hen jumps on the side of the feed bin every day and never seems to mind when I reach out to shoo her away. The Speckled Sussex are calm. They are beautiful heritage birds with a light purple hue in their feathers. I had one stand on my feet today as I was trying to get to the feed. She just looked up at me like "hey.. where's the food".. The Black Sex Links and Barred Rocks keep their distance..and my little game hen, who is less than half the size of the others, holds her own and has been for 4 years now. In the next few weeks I will be expecting to add about 50 new hens to the mix.. I'm incubating 6, picking up 20 layers from Newport Garden Center, and getting the others via mail, 15 of which will be broilers for meat. New brooders need to be set up soon.
Charlie and Butterbean, my dwarf nubian goats, are crying away while I'm making the rounds. Each day is the same.. Charlie tests the electric fence as many times as he can stand until I get his feed in the bucket. He's so excited about this every time that I can't help but smile.. He's like my chocolate Lab Henry.. jumping around, crying, head butting.. All for the same sweet feed he got the day before!! After this, they usually run around, chase each other off the hills, and frolick a bit before heading in. Watching them play is always one of my favorite parts of the day. I'm hesitant to add to their company right now. I eventually want to get a few more females and start milking them for cheese, soap, and milk... I think I'll hold off on that one for a bit longer.. I may like my routines but I don't know about having to be here EVERY day.. morning and evening to milk.. I'm not that committed yet!
The bees are the definition of routine. They are the most amazing creatures to watch.. Today especially since I now have 5 hives. On Saturday I installed 3 new hives and replaced the queen in my weak one. I'm watching them closely for activity.. that being a very good sign that all is well and they are settling into their new home. I'll go back in the hives in a few days.. once the weather decides to warm up.. and check to see how they've done over the last week. Fingers are crossed for a good honey harvest this season!!
The cats and dogs.. well they certainly have routines. The cats spend all day sneaking up on one another or lounging around.. the dogs eat dirt.. and send me to the vet for an $800 bill with an additional surgery costing $2000 that hopefully won't happen!! They lick, scratch, beg for food, and follow me around the house.
I'm settled into my routines.. I am happy that I haven't decided to sell this place and move for the hell of it. I'm happy that I've learned to clear my head at the end of the day by doing simple things like taking notice of chicken patterns.. I'm happy that I've been fortunate enough to end up here, and happy that I am building a life that I love.. Sure I dream of other places all the time, dream of having other things, but in the end my pastures are pretty green right where they are.
Don't forget about the work day Crop Mob planned for this Saturday. We'll be starting around 8 am but come by whenever you can. There are plenty of projects to be completed and enough to keep the kiddos busy if you wanna bring them too! Please consider leaving your dog at home however, I've got 3.. one of which has been really sick recently and probably doesn't need the stress.. Bring gloves and any useful tools like shovels and rakes that you can cram into the car. The more the merrier!! Email me at seahorsenc@gmail.com if you need details or directions!
Monday, March 4, 2013
Crob Mob!!!
We got rained out last fall, but fingers crossed for a few days of sunshine and dryer grounds! The new Crop Mob date has been set for Saturday, March 30 starting at 8 am. There are lots of projects to be completed including a new hoophouse, chicken coop, garden irrigation, burning and land clearing, trellis building, weeding, and lots of other work! Come on out and lend a helping hand. Bring gloves, tools, and your energy! A morning of work will be followed by a light lunch and drinks. Hope to see you there!!
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Sprouts!
I've gotten quite a bit done in the last week or so.. here's a list of what's in the ground, what's on deck, and what's not checked off the list yet..
.... Spring seeds are popping up. I've got broccoli, collards. cauliflower, parsley, cilantro, chard, beets, and spinach soaking up the fake lights inside.
....Potatoes were cut yesterday and will be left to cure for a few days before setting them out in the ground.
....Asparagus, horseradish, and ginger are ready to go in.. Just waiting another week or so. I'd rather be safe.
.... Baby chicks are ordered and should arrive the first week in April. My friends over at Yellow Bear Farm, Erica and Kelly, came over to help move the soon to be coop into place. Now to find a creative and funky design... and build it!!
....Another friend, Jim, agreed to get his truck dirty and helped with yet another load of compost.. Now to shovel it in place and get the new beds growing.
....I'll be going up to pick up blueberry and grape transplants very soon! Can't wait for some summertime jelly.
....The one hive I've had so much trouble with is , yet again, at risk. After combining the hive in fall I've kept my fingers crossed for a winter survival. I noticed the other day that they were being robbed by the neighboring hive. I had to quickly throw a sheet over the hive as it was almost dark and wait until the next day to act. I replaced the boardman feeder with a top bar feeder and am again hoping for the best. I took a very quick peek in at high noon when it was the warmest out. There is still a sizable cluster of bees so that is a good sign. If they make it through, these are some tough ladies!!
....The new crop mob date is set for March 30. Come out and help build a hoophouse, run plumbing for the garden, and electricity for the "back 9".. It should be a fun day!
If you're interested in seeing a farmer's market in Beaufort, come out to Backstreet Pub on Tuesday at 7pm. Enjoy a tasty beverage by the fire and hash out some ideas.. I for one would love to see one started but we're going to need support and helping hands.
.... Spring seeds are popping up. I've got broccoli, collards. cauliflower, parsley, cilantro, chard, beets, and spinach soaking up the fake lights inside.
....Potatoes were cut yesterday and will be left to cure for a few days before setting them out in the ground.
....Asparagus, horseradish, and ginger are ready to go in.. Just waiting another week or so. I'd rather be safe.
.... Baby chicks are ordered and should arrive the first week in April. My friends over at Yellow Bear Farm, Erica and Kelly, came over to help move the soon to be coop into place. Now to find a creative and funky design... and build it!!
....Another friend, Jim, agreed to get his truck dirty and helped with yet another load of compost.. Now to shovel it in place and get the new beds growing.
....I'll be going up to pick up blueberry and grape transplants very soon! Can't wait for some summertime jelly.
....The one hive I've had so much trouble with is , yet again, at risk. After combining the hive in fall I've kept my fingers crossed for a winter survival. I noticed the other day that they were being robbed by the neighboring hive. I had to quickly throw a sheet over the hive as it was almost dark and wait until the next day to act. I replaced the boardman feeder with a top bar feeder and am again hoping for the best. I took a very quick peek in at high noon when it was the warmest out. There is still a sizable cluster of bees so that is a good sign. If they make it through, these are some tough ladies!!
....The new crop mob date is set for March 30. Come out and help build a hoophouse, run plumbing for the garden, and electricity for the "back 9".. It should be a fun day!
If you're interested in seeing a farmer's market in Beaufort, come out to Backstreet Pub on Tuesday at 7pm. Enjoy a tasty beverage by the fire and hash out some ideas.. I for one would love to see one started but we're going to need support and helping hands.
Winter Reflections
I woke this morning to a light dusting of snow on the ground. It was nice to see all the animals huddled together for a bit of warmth and the few plants Charlie and Butterbean didn't manage to ravage in the garden were a bright spot of green. It seems winter is showing itself in NC again.. Although I'm sure it will be back up to 70 in a day or so!
Winter offers up a lot of time to nest. Time to plan for the seasons to come, time to ready the ground, and to clean out old piles. Those days, like today, when it's too cold to do anything productive, are good ones for reflection.. what went wrong, what should be repeated? What can be improved?
I've had a lot of changes happen in the last few months. My brother moved out, my boyfriend moved on to other things, and I've been spending a lot of time alone. This can be both a positive and a negative. I have admitted before, and will again, that it scares the shit out of me to have this much land and this many dreams in my head without someone here to help when I need to lift the other side of something too heavy. I often question what exactly it is that I'm doing, and if I should even try for something more. Maybe it would be more practical to live in a little house in town with a small garden and two chickens again? Maybe that wouldn't be as scary? But then I wake up and walk my property on a cold day like today and I stop to count my blessings. I'm fortunate to have found a little piece of Earth to call mine. I'm lucky to have the room to dream big, to build and create, to turn this place into my own little fairytale. I see asparagus shoots peeking out, bluebirds readying the new nesting box, snow on the ground, and can't help but smile.
Winter offers up a lot of time to nest. Time to plan for the seasons to come, time to ready the ground, and to clean out old piles. Those days, like today, when it's too cold to do anything productive, are good ones for reflection.. what went wrong, what should be repeated? What can be improved?
I've had a lot of changes happen in the last few months. My brother moved out, my boyfriend moved on to other things, and I've been spending a lot of time alone. This can be both a positive and a negative. I have admitted before, and will again, that it scares the shit out of me to have this much land and this many dreams in my head without someone here to help when I need to lift the other side of something too heavy. I often question what exactly it is that I'm doing, and if I should even try for something more. Maybe it would be more practical to live in a little house in town with a small garden and two chickens again? Maybe that wouldn't be as scary? But then I wake up and walk my property on a cold day like today and I stop to count my blessings. I'm fortunate to have found a little piece of Earth to call mine. I'm lucky to have the room to dream big, to build and create, to turn this place into my own little fairytale. I see asparagus shoots peeking out, bluebirds readying the new nesting box, snow on the ground, and can't help but smile.
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