Peachicks Arrive, Garden Still 2 Weeks Behind

3 day old peafowl

     On Sunday, Amber, grandson Alex and I made another trip to Sharon and Earl's farm to pick up our 3 baby peachicks.  Sharon and Earl are such nice folks and have such a pretty and picturesque farmstead. It's always a pleasure to visit.

The Guinea Choir

     It's been 3 weeks since we were there to pick up our 6 guinea fowl.  At 4 weeks of age you can see that they're already learning how to sing in a choir.

Our 2 Roosters watch over the remaining flock

      Of course we can't forget the chickens.  After the stress of losing 7 of their fellow hens to varmit violence, they seem to be recovering.  With the 10 remaining hens, we're coming back to 6 or 8 eggs on most days.

Other Garden News as of July 20

     We continue to run about 2 weeks behind due to the cold spring.  I know you're tired of hearing that, but I'm not complaining, it's just a fact.

East Garden Tomato and Pepper Patch

A Few Small Green Tomatoes

Tomato Cage Factory

     A roll of woven wire fence that I got from a friend who was cleaning up an empty lot makes better tomato cages than the commercial ones I bought previously.  Cost a lot less too.

Home made Cage in Use

South Garden, Cabbages, Broccoli and Sweet Corn

     No flowers on the broccoli yet, but cabbage heads are beginning to form and the corn is beginning to tassel.

New Garden Cart in front of Beets and Beans

     I made my new garden cart out of  a discarded gas grill.  I just removed the grill portion and added a platform on the bottom to hold a sack of compost, and a box on the front to hold small tools and seeds.  The long handled tools are held in place with the same holder that formerly held the gas bottle in place.  Whatever the project may be, I just load up with what I plan to use, a few things I might use, push the igniter button to get me going and the job gets done in half the time.
     The beets are almost ready, but the beans haven't blossomed yet.  The pumpkins and sunflowers in the back have a ways to go.

3 Sisters with Arugula in Front

      The 3 sisters, corn, beans and squash, have a ways to go.  The arugula in front is something I just discovered this year.  It's easy to grow and a few leaves added to a salad, a sandwich or a stirfry, adds a little peppery seasoned taste that just makes life a little nicer.  If you see me in your neighborhood next year with a sack on my shoulder and throwing something in your yard, you'll know it's just Johnnie Arugulaseed, adding a little spice to life.

     It's often the little easy things you can do that make the biggest difference.