The hens, at the top end, could do with a new run. All their grass has gone, and I'm having to suppliment their Maize diet with salad leaves etc. When I plant our new orchard, I'll fence it, then they will have about half an acre.
So far I have sown Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Carrots, Red Onions, Swiss Chard, Kale, Cavolo Nero, a few Salads, and some Parsley. I may go to market this morning and see what's on offer. I could use a few Red Cabbage and Sprout plants.
In the chicken run, the Apple, Plum, and Fig trees are all beginning to sprout leaves and/or flowers. At the bottom end, the few vines are looking good. And in between, the yellow Cherry, and small red Plum are both in full flower. It may be April 1st, but at Haddock's there's no fooling.
It's hot here, and the ground is dry; the water situation is already becoming serious. There are storms forecast for tomorrow; but we'll see.
Where do you draw your water from? Is that a stone wall at the rear of Haddock's? What is that building in the background of the photo. Is that a pear tree in the chook run?
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking of getting a chicken coop with hutch that I can move around - Just for three hens - http://www.crazysales.com.au/products_pictures/462/46223_158993_F.jpg
The lovely old stone wall is where I keep my slugs and snails! The tree in the chicken run is a Reine de Reinettes Apple; I've just given it a good pruning.
DeleteWatering is a problem. Usually my last resort is a hose and sprinkler, which stretches about 100 metres back to an outdoor tap at the house. Alternative solutions are being sought.
I have roses blooming. In March! Strawberries will be ripe in April!! Unheard of... Your property is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI've got 'swelling' strawberry flowers, Jim. Shouldn't be too long. Spring red fruits are my favourite.
DeleteLooks tres neat. We had some rain here yesterday, I think I counted about seven or eight drops and that was it ... some parts of the fields look like those horror photos of Africa, cracked and crusty. Mayhap the government has leased out our rain to somewhere that can pay more for it?
ReplyDeletelooking good...if dry. Hope you have nice drizzle to wet everything instead of storms to wash it away!
ReplyDeleteHi Cro
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment on the cats.
I am not so sure about foxes taking cats, We actually feed a couple of foxes each night and our cats have sat a few yards away watching them.
Of course it could be that they don't need to catch a cat because I leave them food.
The Derbyshire Fox Rescue people say it's a myth that foxes take cats.
The jury's out on that one.
Your veg plot looks great, we really miss our allotment but it takes a lot of hard work and with hose pipe bans here it is soul destroying trying to grow stuff.
Briony
x
Personally I would agree with you about the fox/cat saga; but try convincing Lady Magnon....No chance!
DeleteIt all looks and sounds so idyllic ... Hope you get some nice long gentle prolonged rain soon.
ReplyDeleteit looks very neat and orderly, unlike our jungly patch :-)
ReplyDeleteOh dear - again - from the title of this post, I was hoping for some shenanigans whilst Lady M was away in Oz.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely. A freshly tilled field offers as much promise as a blank canvas. Sounds like your field is gonna be plenty "fulfilling."
ReplyDeleteIt looks so clean and sunny. But I do hope you get that rain!
ReplyDeleteLookin' good - how long will it remain weed-free I ask myself. I am going for the no-dig approach this year, but I really miss seeing newly turned soil - might revert back to traditional methods.
ReplyDeleteI dig, rotovate, and hoe. No wonder my back is in such a bloody awful state!
DeleteI've just posted a second, slightly better, photo. I've also just had another look at tomorrows weather; they've ditched the forecast for rain. I suppose it was just an April Fool Joke!!
ReplyDeleteCro, you have a lovely place. I am going to show my husband your wonderful chicken pen..soon he will retire. Spring in beautiful in your part of the world. As always thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'm certain that our pen is Chinese. They seem to turn-up all over the place. It's small, but perfect for my 3 girls.
DeleteHi Cro,it all looks so neat and tidy,I shall have to show Bob lol..do you have water tanks over there for when it does actually rain,they are part of our lives here although ours is rusted out awaiting replacement..it would help even just for your veg..your chook house is the same as ours and yes perfect for the girls..with all that to attend to no wonder you stayed at home!
ReplyDeleteLovely view! Your hens are lucky to have such a wonderful place, and the haddock's inviting.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you can get rain soon. In times of drought, when we had bans on using a hose, i'd fill 2L bottles and turn them upside down at the base of plants. I also used grey water for watering. We ended up getting rain barrels, too, which worked well.
You certainly have been a busy man. We have been having a cold spell, and it has given me a reprieve from all the gardening work I have to do. Mañana is good enough for me this year.
ReplyDeleteit's a beautiful place -- quite idyllic. hope your water situation does not become dire. i hear that the method of growing tomatoes via 'dry farming' cultivates some lovely rich toms. Not so good for the other veg you've got going.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you've been hard at work! And look at that sunshine! Hard frost this morning here in Devon...hoping my seedlings are toasty in the greenhouse :/ :)
ReplyDelete