Progress and Pain.

So this is the lava cap I mentioned. These rocks in the wheelbarrow came from a narrow 2x10 ft. by 6 inch deep pass of the rototiller (ugh). It's like digging up potatoes but a little less gratifying knowing I can't store these rocks for the winter. At least I'll never have to dig the craggly bits up again.

Happily, I made a breakthrough on that mess and the rest of the upper garden space was easier.

So far I've broken a rake, a shovel and a post hole digger. see broken tools above.
You can't imagine the sense of pride I have in this plot of land right now. My body aches in that way in which I know I've done an honest day's work on the acre.

Soiled.

So this is the progress on the new garden site. Many years ago the previous owners terraced fruit tree boxes on the acre. Over time the land has shifted and what once was level is now a gentle slope, likely due to water run off. In order to plant my garden in North-South rows (thank you Master Gardeners classes!), I need to level the garden site.

This is proving more challenging than I hoped, The Hut sits on a lava cap (enter local winery jokes here). What I hoped I would finish in a few hours will likely take me the next three days to complete. Balancing this with a cranky Goo is a juggling act.

Last week's MG class on "Soils" encouraged gardeners to love their soil and it will love them back. If true, harvest is going to be amazing.

Oh look, only this much more to go...

38 and 1.

Today has been such a beautiful day. Tim and The Littles have spoiled me on by birthday. We went to the antique fair, Tower Café for brunch and spent the evening with Tim's parents here at The Hut enjoying good company and a tasty dinner. A full year of 37 was wonderful, I can't wait to see what 38 feels like. Today also marks the 1 year anniversary of Izzie-pug joining our family, obviously she had to wear the obligatory family birthday hat.

Worm Farming/Vermiculture.

A few Saturdays ago I took a class offered by the Master Gardeners entitled: Worms and Worm Bins. I wasn't overly excited about sitting through this particular class and was even more annoyed when I couldn't bring my coffee into the lecture hall but after 10 minutes of presentation, I was hooked. My friend Krista has had a worm bin for some time now and uses the castings or vermicompost on her ornamental plants. Another girlfriend Tara had been telling me about an article she read about Worm Bins and so we made a date and decided to become worm farmers. Vermicompost is a nutrient rich, organic fertilizer for gardening. I get really excited when I think about the benefits of vermicomposting here at The Hut, and I am a few months away from any real change but here is what I am thinking: outside of the obvious reason I have for worm farming (NUTRIENT RICH ORGANIC FERTILIZER!), The Hut now has another way to break down refuse in this house=no garbage. We already recycle whatever we can. My Lovelies get all the table scraps they will eat minus citrus, coffee grinds, garlic, onions, egg shells or fats and meats. Worms eat what the chickens won't (citrus, coffee grinds, garlic, onions, egg shells) aside from meat. So really, the only "trash or garbage" we will have here is meat (which we eat very little of anyways) and The Goo's diapers. So essentially the only thing trash in this house will be diapers. I've got to get organized about the sorting of all this but you know what? I am very excited about less waste.

Tara distributing worms.

Teaching The Littles.

Luxen loving his worms.

Olive, Ivy and Savannah.
(thanks for the photos Tara)

Say What?

If someone would have told me a year ago I was about to acquire a pug and a flock of chickens, I would have shook my head in disbelief and convinced them how wrong they were. Then I likely would have made sure it didn't happen because that is just how I am. A year ago I was quite pleased with the ease and flow of our home life without a single domesticated animal to call our own.

But here I sit. With a pug, resting her chin on my shoulder. And 12 chickens, 5 of which currently reside in my dining room (in a brooder box). It's amazing right? Our hearts, and their capacity to love. My heart overflows for my furry and feather-y loves.

Sprouts And Hope.

Do you see this? Look closer...

All my seeds have sprouted save the peppers. And I've yet to plant many other seeds of other vegetables and herbs (some will be directly sown) but here we are with the promise of a prolific harvest ahead. The photo above is a variety of broccoli called Purple Peacock.  

Look who's feeling better! Chicka is still a bit slow and lethargic, but she is drinking and eating on her own which eases my worry tremendously. She's a tough little Lovely.

Desperation.

Chicka is sick. I think something is stuck in her crop. I've been hydrating her with water and olive oil, feeding her yogurt and cottage cheese, massaging her neck, wearing her tied to my neck -- all suggestions I've read on chicken-lover forums and discussion groups. At this point only time will tell if she can pull through. Worry is occupying my mind.

 

How was your weekend Hutters? What are you looking forward to most about this coming week? My weekend was easy and fun. We spent time with family friends, I enjoyed a girls' night out with book club (we read this, so SO good), My friend Tara convinced me to do a long run with her (8 miles!), I went to a gardening class and we spent family time here at The Honey Hut. This week, I am looking forward to the rain which is buying me some time to plot out and plan my next steps towards putting up the garden fence. The amount of work needed to be done plus the lack of knowledge/time it takes to learn equals a very large sum of puzzles and second-guessing. My hope is to have post holes dug by the end of the week. Happy new week ahead!