The HH is making progress on the chicken run! Since we didn’t have a blueprint for a run he is totally winging it based off a few pictures I showed him. The run will be 16 feet long and 12 feet of the run will have a matching cedar shake roof. We are hoping that 12 feet of covered outdoor space will be enough room for the hens to venture outside when snow on the ground surrounding the coop.
The plan is to use wire over the top of the last 8 feet of the run and then grow some sort of vine over the top during the summer months. Cucumbers maybe?
I bet the chickens would love pecking at those. 😉
These days the chickens mostly scamper off to the woods each morning to peck for bugs {and clear the underbrush!} and take dust baths in the shade. This is Lily, our Lavender Orpington. I’ll do a proper meet and greet with the hens just as soon as the run is finished and I can snap a good picture of each of them. It’s kind of hard right now because it seems like as soon as I get close enough to take a picture, they get camera shy and run off.
I was able to get the front fence weeded…. Wahoooo! Having cooler weather {in the mid 70’s} has helped tremendously with my gardening efforts and attitude.
I think the miniature pumpkins are just the right fit for growing along the fence and I plan to grow them again next summer as well. Maybe I’ll even try another squash with long vines.
Although I do like all of the assortment of shrubs that are growing along the front of the fence, I’m not to keen on their placement and I’d really like to move them to somewhere else on the property. I’m just not sure if it would be better to move them in the fall, or the spring.
The shrubs do give the backyard a bit of privacy from the road, but I’d rather put that wire fencing to good use and grow something on it.
This past week while weeding I exposed some rock under one of our ornamental cherry trees. If you look closely, you can see an large garden bed in the back right of the photo. I saved that patch for Mrs. HB and to clean up when she gets here. 😉 Because seriously, after spending a week downtown in a big city at a work conference wouldn’t you want to spend your down time relaxing in the garden with your friend pulling her weeds? Yes, I think you would. 😉
This fall though, I’ll be marking where are the flowers are and then next spring I’ll be laying cardboard over every square inch of the garden beds {that don’t have flowers planted} and then loading it up with mulch so I don’t have to worry about weeding an acre of garden beds. Planning. The key is in the planning.
Another bed we are working on cleaning up is the one under the kitchen window. That particular bed had a mature dwarf weeping golden Norway spruce in the corner along the fence. The are area around it was a magnet for ticks and every time Lucy went near it I swear they would jump on her.
It was a really nice tree, if you are into those sorts of trees and I had to convince the HH to remove it so we could open up the space and {eventually next spring} plant a herb garden under the window instead. Making a garden YOURS… can be hard sometimes, especially when you know the previous owners put so much time and hard work into the yard before you came along and bought it.
My vision for that space though, is to remove a bit of grass to line up the end of the bed with the back patio, remove EVERYTHING but the flowering purple hibiscus shrub and next spring plant a strip or two of mammoth sunflowers and fill the rest of the space with herbs.
The nasty orange day lilies? I already dug those out. The sedum? I’ll relocate it later this fall once it’s done blooming. The 2 azalea bushes? The HH is making me move them to the side of the house {next to the giant azalea bush by the big dining room window}.
We have a neighborhood potluck coming up {that we are both looking forward to attending} and I think it will be a great opportunity to see if anyone wants any of the plants we plan to get rid of. I have ZERO interest in dealing with the hassle of offering our unwanted plants to people we don’t know on Craig’s list or Free-cycle {because I’m weird that way}. So hopefully, a I’ll meet a neighbor or two who wants them.
In other news… I got stung by a bee yesterday. It was not fun and my leg still hurts and is super swollen. 🙁
The garden, it’s still kickin. I was planning on getting a round of fall peas planted at the base of the tepees but the green beans just won’t stop! I think I am going to switch to bush beans next year though so I won’t have to wait.
And last but not least…. the blueberries are on their last round. Summer. It’s going by fast this year.
~Mavis
The backyard vegetable garden tally of 2018:
Beets 22 pounds 5 ounces
Blueberries 28 pounds 6 ounces
Cucumbers 41 pounds 4 ounces
Green Beans 3 pound 6 ounces
Green Onion/Scallions 12 ounces
Lettuce 11 ounces
Onions 1 pound 11 ounces
Peppers 1 pound 7 ounces
Potatoes 1 pound 3 ounces
Sugar Snap Peas 1 pound 2 ounces
Swiss Chard 5 pounds 5 ounces
Tomatoes 70 pounds 0 ounces {AWESOME!}
Turnips 9 pounds 3 ounces
Zucchini 3 pound 2 ounces {So weird!}
Herbs
- Basil 1 pound 10 ounces
- Chives 6 ounces
- Mint 4 ounce
- Oregano 13 ounces
End of the driveway farm stand tally $123.06 {2 weeks!}
Total Food Harvested in 2018 198 Pounds 6 Ounces
Total Eggs Collected in 2018 {with 7 hens} 0 {the ladies are just 18 weeks old}
Total spent growing 198 pounds 6 ounces of food this year $811.00 {about $4.09 a pound so far!} 😉 The goal is to get this down to $1.00 a pound or less by the end of the season. What did I spend my garden money on this year you ask? Well, $399 on Manny and the rest on seeds, compost, grow light bulbs and small garden tools/supplies.
Are you growing a vegetable garden this year? If so, what are harvesting these days? Curious minds want to know!
Have a great day everyone!
If you are new to gardening or just want to learn more about organic gardening, my #1 favorite garden book is The Gardener’s A-Z Guide to Growing Organic Food
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Toni says
Good morning.
I’m sorry you got stung… A fresh cut onion will take the sting away almost immediately.
Just cut the end off a onoin and hold it on there.
I love reading your blog… I would love to see more pics of your veggie stand and how you package and price your items, And your signs.
Thanks again for entertaining me every morning.
Mavis Butterfield says
So far I’ve been putting flower bouquets in the old canning jars that were left behind by the previous owner. I do love the canning jars but I can only use so many and I’d like to think the people buying the flowers like the jars as well. I did set out one bouquet of flowers a few days ago in a silver vase I picked up at the recycle center.
I also love setting veggies out in wooden baskets {tomatoes $2.00 a pint, blueberries $3}. Lately though we’ve had some rather large heirloom tomatoes and so I just set those out on a try and priced them at $1.00 each. I plan to make proper signs for the vegetable stand this winter.
It’s fun. I really like being able to share our extra garden veggies at a fair price {one that I would pay}.
Toni says
I do love canning jars and I’m sure your neighbors do too.
We live in Saint Paul MN and I had a front yard (no grass ) garden for a few years… But now we are looking to move where there is more property and sell our house so this spring we put sod down where my gardens were, and I miss them dearly!
If all Goes as planned, hopefully I will have gardens, bees, and chickens next summer. ( and a garden stand)
Thanks for replying, Toni
Mavis Butterfield says
Fingers crossed!
Carrie Council says
Toni,
I also have a front yard (veggie) garden. I live in an old neighborhood with huge oak trees so my entire backyard is in the shade. At times the garden can be unsightly with weeds, dying plants or barren in winter but everyone who walks by says they love it. I too, hope that one day I will live out in “the sticks”. I do keep chickens and bees at my current house, on .18 acres. I dream of having a large flock of chickens, maybe even ducks if I have a pond.
E in Upstate NY says
Where I live the city has laws about growing veggies in the front yard! From where I sit, enforcement is based upon who complains and who the complainer and the grower are.
We have an ordinance requiring lawns to be cut. If it gets above 10 inches, then the property owner is out of compliance and the city can come cut and charge for the cutting [BIG bucks]. One spring, my son was cutting our lawn, the first of the season and I told him not to cut one section as the wild violets were still blooming. Don’t you know it, we received a letter reminding us of the ordinance. Before cutting, I took a measure to check the height – 5 inches at best! Believe that someone walking the street complained.
Kathie S. says
I love hearing about your garden and flower bed plans. It gives me inspiration to change up ours. Sorry about the bee sting-ouch!
Jenny Young says
We’ve found that evergreens with needles seem to draw ticks really bad in our area. So we’ve gotten rid of all of ours.
Leslie says
And ants!
Kristina says
Eek, sorry about the bee sting. We’ve got loads of them during almond bloom, and last time I was stung, it was inside my ear! We have a rose (iceberg) climbing up our chicken run, and chickens love rose hips! Plus, they are pretty in bouquets and you can make jelly and tea from them.
Lauren says
That’s a great idea Kristina, I think I will plant a climbing rose to cover part of ours, and the fact it will let the winter sun in is such a bonus 🙂
Rebecca in MD says
Love seeing pictures of your new garden! It is beautiful.
So sorry about your bee sting. We have lots of wasps near our home and I got stung last year. A friend recommended taking antihistamine (cold or allergy pill) and that really helped.
It may be better to wait until spring to move/divide the sedum. Love seeing all the beautiful flowers you have on your property.
Deborah says
When we get stung by a bee or wasp, the first thing I do is make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply to the sting and let it dry. Elevate the part that has been stung and rest while the paste is drying. Repeat if necessary. Hope this is helpful.
Michele Palmer says
I do this too!! It draws out the bad stuff and you don’t get as swollen or itchy.
Sorry you got stung Mavis! It’s always surprising how much it hurts. haa
Lea says
Baking soda works great! So does Meat Tenderizer (the spice mix stuff – not the mallet! 🙂 )
So sorry you got stung, Mavis. That’s a rough way to end your day.
Lea
Stephanie says
Your garden is so gorgeous. This is our first year growing anything, and we have mostly tomato plants. I wanted to have a full-on garden plot, but my husband just kind of threw the seeds in in a patch he cleared in the corner of the yard. It’s on a hill, and not something I can get to easily (due to back issues; makes it difficult and painful for me to climb, plus my balance isn’t great), so that was a bummer, but fortunately, I think he’s gotten the message that I want to be able to do more in the garden next summer, and he’s been so jazzed about the enormous amounts of tomatoes that we’ve been getting that he definitely wants to expand. We do have like four pumpkins growing out there as well, which is pretty exciting. I’ll keep watching your garden as inspiration for ours! 🙂
LoriAnn says
We have used meat tenderizer or a tea bag on stings. The meat tenderizer draws out the “venom”. Sorry you got stung, but you have so many critters around your new home that I guess you’re trying them all out as you learn about your property. Your place is gorgeous, and I certainly do love reading your blog each day. Miss you on Saturdays!
Lauren says
oh I initially thought you meant a meat tenderizer hammer 🙂 🙂 hahahaha
Debi says
Bee stings are not fun! I love reading about your gardening plans and I wish I lived in your neighborhood because I would totally take any and all plants that you wanted to get rid of!
Kathy L. says
FYI, we live in Virginia but had to build removable baffles for around the base of the run in winter to help prevent the snow from blowing in. Our snow rarely comes straight down 🙂
Leslie says
Are you collecting seeds from this year’s harvest for next year?
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes! 🙂 So far I’ve save tomato and pepper.
lissa says
Terrific and fun post. Love the updates
Brenda P says
I also say wait until next spring to move the sedum. They bloom until frost and then there isn’t time for the roots to take hold of you move them or at least that’s been my experience.
I also would put some of your unwanted flowers for sale or for free in your vegetable stand. That’s how I have expanded flower gardens before. Love stopping at stands at the end of driveways.
suzanne says
That’s a great idea.
Pam Kaufman says
This time of year seems to be prime time for yellow jacket stings, at least around here. I have found white vinegar works really well. It takes away the sting and I don’t have the lingering pain afterward. Just douse a cotton ball with vinegar and hold it on the spot for 5 to 10 minutes or so. It really helps!
Teri says
Love the coop and run. Would grapes grow there?
Christy says
Don’t short change freecycle. Post the plants, dig them and then leave them at the end of your driveway. No one even has to enter your property. I have had very good luck with freecycle (but you do have to be smart).
E in Upstate NY says
When I’ve dug up unwanted plants, I put them at the roadside as far as possible from the house on newspapers. When posting them, I ask the people to be neat about picking up what they want. Since doing that, I’ve never had a mess to clean. Have even had people tell me that they arrived and couldn’t find a plant and if I dug more, please contact them.
Cass says
If no one has already told you the best cure for bee stings is Unspiced Meat Tenderizer. (the spices sting, so be sure it is unspiced)
Make a paste of the tenderizer and rub it into the bee sting….if there is an actual hole be sure to get it right in there. Less than a minute late the pain is gone. The swelling is greatly decreased because the meat tenderizer neutralizes the protein in the venom.
Dan - Iowa Beekeeper says
Yellow jackets give honey bees a bad name. They are too busy preparing for winter now.
Marybeth says
The chicken run looks great. You have been working hard on all of your gardens. They look wonderful. The sunflowers made it to the 2nd floor.
My tomatoes are finally ripe. I have been picking them buy the basket full. I need to can sauce this weekend.
Peggy says
Cukes would be nice, the only thing with them is when they are done, they are done and look sad very quickly. Right now, I’m growing a bowl gourd on one side of mine. I planted them late since we were still working on the run, but they are growing great now, so I’ll do it again next year, only earlier.
Mel says
Silly question, but can you leave the plants at the recycle place you visit (dug and in pots)? They’d still go to a neighbor.
Mavis Butterfield says
I’ve never seen plants there so no, I don’t think so.
Dora says
We use straight bleach on bee/wasp stings. Just apply a small amount to a cotton ball and apply. It immediately begins to work and later you can’t even tell you have been stung. After a few minutes, I just wash it off. Also, can be used at the beach for jelly fish stings.
As for the azaleas, they are pretty and pretty much sacred here in the south but they also attract mosquitos so we don’t have them in our yard.
I enjoy your posts so much and seeing all your beautiful pics. of your garden, home, chickens and of course, Lucy!
Laura Ryan says
I was told the best time to transplant plants and shrubs is in the fall. Although the air is cool, the soil will stay warm for several weeks. This gives the plants plenty of time to lay new roots and not become stressed from the searing heat, harsh sun and drought of summer.
Tamara says
Your chicken run and coop are looking awesome! And I am so inspired by your veggie stand, I think I will have to make one for myself or have hubby help me! We have harvested close to the same amount as you, we are up to 169 pounds. Interesting because we are back in the Seattle area so it is fun to compare! The weather has cooled down and I am anxious to harvest our onions and potatoes this weekend and make that number go up! As always, love your blog and thanks for sharing!
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Tamara!
charwelsh says
You can also use a copper penny placed on the bee sting to alleviate pain and swelling. Just be sure it’s an old penny not one of the new ones!