Monthly Archives: May 2015

Two’s Company

Posted on May 31, 2015 by

This morning, Hazel and Colette decided to lay eggs at the same time, and sat down facing each other. Who was there first? It probably was Colette as she doesn’t look that happy. Though when you think about it, she’s … Continue reading →

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Is It May or Is It July?

Posted on May 30, 2015 by

A few days ago some of the potatoes started blooming. I’ve never seen potato blossoms in May here before. I staggered my potato plantings over five weeks, so I should have potato blossoms through July. Up close, the flowers are … Continue reading →

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We All Need Forests

Posted on May 28, 2015 by

This time of year, I start mornings with a walk through the woods. I never imagined that one day I’d be able to walk through a forest just a few steps from my front door. At this early hour, the … Continue reading →

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Radiant Hen

Posted on May 27, 2015 by

Hens sitting on eggs become radiant. Their eyes become so focused. They are not about to let anything happen to their precious eggs, so they give anyone approaching them an evil eye. There’s an intensity that beams from them. Get … Continue reading →

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No Time to Sit Still

Posted on May 24, 2015 by

Rachel and her chicks are ready to move. The last of the chicks hatched during the night, and none of them want to sit still. After breakfast, she takes them outdoors. How many chicks get to go outdoors the day … Continue reading →

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What Money Can’t Buy

Posted on May 24, 2015 by

I saw an article on おはよう日本 – Good Morning Japan, on TV Japan yesterday, about a public bath house with a large community hall. For about $10, you can spend all day, enjoying the hot baths, and relaxing with neighbors … Continue reading →

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Posing for a Family Portrait

Posted on May 23, 2015 by

I found Skunky and her four siblings taking an afternoon break in an old rabbit hutch the hens use for laying eggs. During the day, the two brothers of the bunch are often off on their own. It’s almost like … Continue reading →

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Potato Blossoms in May?

Posted on May 22, 2015 by

In the valley, the large scale potato farmers are starting to till and spray and plant their fields. The first row of potatoes I planted March 17 are putting out flower buds. They should be in bloom soon. I spaced … Continue reading →

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Out of the Garden Today – May 19, 2015

Posted on May 20, 2015 by

It’s nothing like picking out produce in a grocery store, but this tangle of vegetation is where lunch starts. A bit of weeding and I have the ingredients for making a great fried rice lunch: ruby streaks mustard greens and … Continue reading →

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Ancient Shared Genes?

Posted on May 20, 2015 by

A cool, foggy morning gives no hint of the sunny day to come. In the woods, the thimble berry flowers are blooming, with their petals falling like big snowflakes. Two young roosters are off on their own. Two months old, … Continue reading →

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They Want It Green

Posted on May 20, 2015 by

“Yeah, I want to go in there!” That is what flashes through a chicken’s mind when it sees thick brush. Chickens love forests. They love woods. They love tall grasses and thick brush. It’s not surprising, considering that they are … Continue reading →

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How Is Skunky Now?

Posted on May 19, 2015 by

Remember Skunky? This is what she looked like with her mother on April 2, just a few days after she hatched. And below is what she looks like today, at nearly two months. She’s quite transformed. Gone are the prominent … Continue reading →

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Compost Helpers

Posted on May 18, 2015 by

Gone for most of yesterday and all night, we returned this morning to find the compost bin was overheating. It was up to 150ºF (65.5ºC), and at temperatures above that, the beneficial organisms die off. Miasa-hime brought her chicks over … Continue reading →

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Phft … That’s All Live Is

Posted on May 18, 2015 by

On the way home from an errand I had to stop to enjoy these clouds billowing up over the Cascade Mountains. Clouds are the ultimate performance artists. They create these massive works of art, and then, phft, they’re gone. They … Continue reading →

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Eggs for Slough Food

Posted on May 16, 2015 by

Gathering and putting together the eggs for Slough Food each week is never dull. Is Cognac going to lay one of her special dark eggs? What about Svenda and her lovely tan eggs? I usually deliver two dozen eggs to … Continue reading →

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Will It Grow?

Posted on May 15, 2015 by

Will it grow? It’s a question I ask everytime I push a seed into the ground. Nine days ago, I planted a pound of shirohana beans. Yesterday, I got my answer. Rising out of the ground were new leaves. I … Continue reading →

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With the Help of Wet Weather

Posted on May 13, 2015 by

It’s not raining, it’s not pouring, it’s just misting, as if we’re up in the clouds. It’s fitting weather for iris and pansies to bloom, and for potatoes to grow. The row of purple potatoes I planted in March are … Continue reading →

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Is It Really Different?

Posted on May 12, 2015 by

I’m participating in nutrient test of my chicken and eggs. This month I’m sending in some chicken meat, two thighs, for testing. Is there really any difference between the my chicken and commercial chicken? I’ll soon know. These are the … Continue reading →

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Out of the Garden Today – May 12, 2015

Posted on May 12, 2015 by

The garlic are starting to send their spikes up towards the sky. I discovered these on some elephant garlic while checking on the garlic beds this afternoon. From now through June and possibly into early July, I’ll have a steady … Continue reading →

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No Brain Required

Posted on May 11, 2015 by

Here are a few of the huge army of workers I have toiling away in the rows of growing produce. The produce beds are fenced in so the earthworms are safe from the chickens. One of the many helpful things … Continue reading →

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