Overdue Update

So it's now the middle of July and we've been slacking on updates.

Strawberries were a good harvest back in early June. Small amount of Raspberries and a few blueberries followed.   After we planted the rest of the vegetable garden, we recently harvested the garlic and onions that were planted during the cold season.

With a record amount of rain in June, it appears that it was too humid for our pepper plants, as they are undersized and not great looking.   Potatoes and tomatoes are doing better recently.  Our bush beans are doing good, but the runner beans never got very far before the heat was too much.   Cucumbers are looking good so far, (knock on wood) we don't have the same cucumber beetle problem as the last two years.

Hops went strong from the get go, and topped out the trellis in late June, and are covered in maturing hop cones.

The new chicken enclosure is complete, the new coop inside is yet to be started.

Spring is here

Technically it's here, but the weather doesn't seem to make up it's mind.  Two weekends ago it was 60 degrees, but then we've had two minor snow storms since then, luckily the snow didn't last more than a day each time.   But around the yard we are seeing the signs of Spring!

 The buds on the cherry tree are ready to pop 

 The tulips are up

 Same with the daffodils

 The elderberry bushes are sprouting new branches

And the crocus are up and blooming

We were able to let the chickens enjoy some time out of the pen to find some bugs and worms

Chick Days Are Here!

I'm so excited for Spring!

We have decided we need to expand the flock. Sweetums, Shelly, Rizzo, and Dr. Teeth have been keeping us in eggs for two years now, but they are definitely starting to slow down. That's actually OK. When they were just starting to lay - we were overwhelmed with eggs!!

So, we are going to slowly expand the flock. I'm going to the feed store today to place an order for 2 chicks. We are going to get an Araucana (Easter Egger)



and a Barred Rock


We are debating the names. They will either be Statler and Waldorf or Camilla and Gonzo (both pairs keeping in our Muppets theme)

I can't wait to pick up the peeps in a few weeks!!!

2012 Harvest & Production Summary

2012 - Harvest

• Hops (dried) -6 oz
• Dried Beans - 1.5 lb
• Gourds - 20 assorted
• Sweet Potatoes - 7 lb
• Watermelon - 40 lb
• Hops - 13 oz (wet)
• Eggs - 28 dozen
• Soy beans - 9 lb 10 oz
• Zucchini - 17 lb 8 oz
• Carrots - 6lb 3 oz
• Green Beans - 2 lb 7 oz
• Peppers (mixed) - 29 lb
• Tomatoes - 108 lb
• Squash - 10 oz
• Onions (mixed) - 1 lb 4 oz
• Strawberries - 23 lb 8 oz
• Cucumbers - 10 lb 4 oz
• Sugar Snap Peas - 4 lb 13 oz
• Raspberries (mixed) - 9 oz
• Blueberries - 3 oz
• Garlic - 3 lb (dried)

2012 - Production

• Canned Hot Pepper Jelly - 6 pints
• Canned Salsa (Mild) - 7 pints
• Canned Pickled Peppers - 13 pints
• Canned Pickles - 32 pints
• Canned Tomato Sauce- 7 pints
• Canned Ketchup - 4.5 pints
• Canned Salsa (Hot) - 6.5 pints
• Canned Strawberry Preserves - 6 half pints
• Canned Strawberry Jam - 7 half pints
• Butter - 6 oz
• Honey Butter - 6 oz
• Berry Orange Mead - 1 gallon
• Spiced Orange Mead - 1 gallon
• Hard Cider - 3 gallons
• Black IPA - 5 gallons
• Russian Imperial Stout - 3 gallons
• Amber Ale - 5 gallons
• Porter - 5 gallons
• English IPA - 5 gallons
• Farmhouse Cheddar - 2 lb
• Gouda Cheese - 2 lb
• Queso Fresco - 2 lbs
• Mozzarella - 2 lbs
• Ricotta - 1 lb
• Buttermilk Biscuits - 34
• Zucchini Bread - 2 loaves
• Italian Whey Bread - 2 Loaves
• Sweet French Bread - 1 Loaf
• Whole Wheat Bread - 4 Loaves