Ever wonder how to raise hens that produce lots of eggs? Or how to decide which rooster to keep? The link below will take you to a video, produced by Backyard Poultry Magazine with help from the Livestock Conservancy, which will answer those questions in a clear and easy way. Enjoy!
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Sunday, July 6, 2014
5-July-2014 South of the James Farmers Market
The South of the James Farmers market started around five or six years
ago and rapidly became THE market for Richmond, VA. Many people from my culinary arts classes, even the Chef, talked about it so we decided it was time to check it out. As I understand, the vendors begin
lining up before the sun has risen, and though the market officially
opens at 8:00 a.m., it was already crowded when we arrived at five minutes after. The weather was perfect, cool and crisp, but not cold. The location is lovely, the James River Park.
Tater Dave, a good friend, was our first stop yesterday morning. He and his wife make wonderful breads. If you stop at his booth, be sure to ask for their newest product, Portuguese Muffins. Delicious when lightly toasted and drizzled with melted butter. They are also great with chutney, fruit butters and jam.
Since another bee colony collapsed this winter, we needed to pick up some honey. Our next stop was Alfredo’s Honey where we purchased a two pound jar of the Wildflower blend for $22. Then it was on to Amy’s Garden for a nice bunch of beets. She had the best selection for both root and greens.
Along the way we passed some stunning flower displays. I was particularly attracted to these bold sunflowers, especially the BIG ones. From the look of the stems, I suspect they were dyed* though I did not ask. I prefer not to dye flowers except for lightly sprayed carnations in special arrangements.
Now, what person of Italian heritage could resist this assortment of veggies? Not us! We purchased the finocchio (fennel) and some tomatoes.
Another vendor had a lovely selection of different color tomatoes. I couldn’t resist a shot of them glowing in the morning sun like polished jewels.
After a quick stop for some shitakes (I really need to start cultivating these!) it was on to Deer Run for brats, ground beef and soup bones for stock. We knew this vendor from marketing at the Goochland Farmers Market. We love their grass fed beef.
*Dying flowers involves soaking them in dyed water until capillary action takes the dyes up the stem and into the petals. It can leach into your water and affect other flowers in an arrangement. It can also dye your hands and any fabrics they may come in contact with. Specially formulated floral sprays do not cause these problems and only affect the exterior of the petals.
Tater Dave, a good friend, was our first stop yesterday morning. He and his wife make wonderful breads. If you stop at his booth, be sure to ask for their newest product, Portuguese Muffins. Delicious when lightly toasted and drizzled with melted butter. They are also great with chutney, fruit butters and jam.
Since another bee colony collapsed this winter, we needed to pick up some honey. Our next stop was Alfredo’s Honey where we purchased a two pound jar of the Wildflower blend for $22. Then it was on to Amy’s Garden for a nice bunch of beets. She had the best selection for both root and greens.
Along the way we passed some stunning flower displays. I was particularly attracted to these bold sunflowers, especially the BIG ones. From the look of the stems, I suspect they were dyed* though I did not ask. I prefer not to dye flowers except for lightly sprayed carnations in special arrangements.
Now, what person of Italian heritage could resist this assortment of veggies? Not us! We purchased the finocchio (fennel) and some tomatoes.
Another vendor had a lovely selection of different color tomatoes. I couldn’t resist a shot of them glowing in the morning sun like polished jewels.
After a quick stop for some shitakes (I really need to start cultivating these!) it was on to Deer Run for brats, ground beef and soup bones for stock. We knew this vendor from marketing at the Goochland Farmers Market. We love their grass fed beef.
Our last stop of the day was Poor Georgie’s. He has the most delicious
baked treats of the kind Grandmas make. Our selection was the s’mores
bar. Gooey, chocolatey goodness just perfect with the morning coffee!
And sold with a smile!
All in all it was a nice morning. Hopefully we can get a vendor spot for the 2016 season.
*Dying flowers involves soaking them in dyed water until capillary action takes the dyes up the stem and into the petals. It can leach into your water and affect other flowers in an arrangement. It can also dye your hands and any fabrics they may come in contact with. Specially formulated floral sprays do not cause these problems and only affect the exterior of the petals.
Monday, June 16, 2014
Official Start Of Summer
The official start of summer is just around the corner and you can tell by the weather today. Hot, hot, hot and humid.
Remember the corn that was two feet tall on May 19th...well look at it now. It is already six feet tall and setting ears.
Looks like we might have fresh corn on the cob in time for the 4th. Corn is probably the only crop that can take 'hot' manure and it sure does help it grow!
There are plenty of other starting to take off. The tomatoes are setting fruit too and it's so hard to be patient. I can almost taste that first BLT of the summer... Hopefully we'll have some of those in time for the holiday as well. Enjoy the photos from around the farm!
Remember the corn that was two feet tall on May 19th...well look at it now. It is already six feet tall and setting ears.
Looks like we might have fresh corn on the cob in time for the 4th. Corn is probably the only crop that can take 'hot' manure and it sure does help it grow!
There are plenty of other starting to take off. The tomatoes are setting fruit too and it's so hard to be patient. I can almost taste that first BLT of the summer... Hopefully we'll have some of those in time for the holiday as well. Enjoy the photos from around the farm!
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| Fresh Berries |
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| Red Okra |
 | |
| Endless Summer Hydrangea |
 |
| Black Langshan Rooster |
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| Oakleaf Hydrangea blossoms |
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| Hulless Oats Cover Crop |
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| Three Sisters - Floriani dent corn, yellow squash and Violetta beans |
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| Carolina Ruby Sweet Potato slip |
Thursday, May 22, 2014
TERRAMOTO!
So there we were at 9:48 p.m. last night, already settled into bed, being lulled into sleep by the slow, steady humm of the ceiling fan, when suddenly the air conditioner kicks in. Then it made a huge BOOM and the house started to shake. Did the furnace explode? No, wait, it was only thunder, the weather predicted thunderstorms for the evening, except it's not stopping and it's like, rolling westward, underground. No thunder this...it is an earthquake!
It wasn't a big one, nothing compared to the Louisa quake of 2011, and certainly not even a blip by California standards, only 3.2 on the Richter scale. Nothing even fell off the wall; but the epicenter was only a mile or two from our home. And it was LOUD. Like someone was rolling tanks through our crawl space. Particularly startling when you are just beginning to fall asleep.
Today we waited for the rain. And waited...and waited, while Richmond and points east were hammered with hail and tornadoes. The corn is still thirsty. Can we expect locusts tomorrow?
It wasn't a big one, nothing compared to the Louisa quake of 2011, and certainly not even a blip by California standards, only 3.2 on the Richter scale. Nothing even fell off the wall; but the epicenter was only a mile or two from our home. And it was LOUD. Like someone was rolling tanks through our crawl space. Particularly startling when you are just beginning to fall asleep.
Today we waited for the rain. And waited...and waited, while Richmond and points east were hammered with hail and tornadoes. The corn is still thirsty. Can we expect locusts tomorrow?
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Spring Fest 2014
I really meant to post about this a few weeks back, but somehow time just keeps getting away from me.
For those that don't already know, the Goochland and Powhatan Master Gardeners put on an annual Spring Fest of garden related classes and a fantastic plant sale at the Goochland campus of J.Sargeant Reynolds Community College. The day is divided into three sessions, each about an hour and a half long with several class choices during each session. I learned how to make a hypertufa container, how to select the right tomato for my needs and all about hydrangeas. I always learn something new and meet some great people. Of course I also purchased quite a few plants; some from private vendors and many more from the students in the college's Ag program. All in all it was a gorgeous day and I had lots of fun.
This big old cherry tree was in full bloom and every time a breeze came along, the pink petals rained down. It was beautiful.
I'll be making a series of 'Tufa troughs like the one below for growing root crop along our front walk where the half barrels are now. Can't wait to play!
Of course I went Hosta crazy. This is a really nice vendor --- PlantSmart It was a good thing the event has a holding area for all of our purchases while we are in class!
For those that don't already know, the Goochland and Powhatan Master Gardeners put on an annual Spring Fest of garden related classes and a fantastic plant sale at the Goochland campus of J.Sargeant Reynolds Community College. The day is divided into three sessions, each about an hour and a half long with several class choices during each session. I learned how to make a hypertufa container, how to select the right tomato for my needs and all about hydrangeas. I always learn something new and meet some great people. Of course I also purchased quite a few plants; some from private vendors and many more from the students in the college's Ag program. All in all it was a gorgeous day and I had lots of fun.
This big old cherry tree was in full bloom and every time a breeze came along, the pink petals rained down. It was beautiful.
I'll be making a series of 'Tufa troughs like the one below for growing root crop along our front walk where the half barrels are now. Can't wait to play!
Of course I went Hosta crazy. This is a really nice vendor --- PlantSmart It was a good thing the event has a holding area for all of our purchases while we are in class!
Monday, May 19, 2014
Plenty of Rain and Lots of Green
Now that the rains have ended and the floods receded everything is greening up.
This is a picture of what is normally dry ground in the woods along the Northeast property line. Definitely an area where we won't be doing any planting!
Of course the plants are all loving the extra moisture and blooming like mad.
The corn planted one month ago is already a foot tall. Looks like we may have fresh corn on the cob in time for July 4th. Corn ADORES chicken poop fertilizer!
And I am so happy to finally see the mulberry tree beginning to make fruit. Can't wait to test some recipes for preserves and maybe even wine!
The raspberries are making fruit too.
Looking forward to a productive summer!
This is a picture of what is normally dry ground in the woods along the Northeast property line. Definitely an area where we won't be doing any planting!
Of course the plants are all loving the extra moisture and blooming like mad.
The corn planted one month ago is already a foot tall. Looks like we may have fresh corn on the cob in time for July 4th. Corn ADORES chicken poop fertilizer!
And I am so happy to finally see the mulberry tree beginning to make fruit. Can't wait to test some recipes for preserves and maybe even wine!
The raspberries are making fruit too.
Looking forward to a productive summer!
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Hot Weather is HERE!
It looks like Central Virginia has gone from winter straight into summer. Eighty degree days this weekend, but hot or not, it was time to get the field work done.
The corn went in on Thursday while the other vegetable beds were cleared for planting. This year we decided to put up fencing that should keep the chickens and (hopefully) deer out of the market gardens.
Carrots, onions and potatoes were set out in our half barrel system for root crops. We like to keep edible root crops in sterile soils each year. Netting is needed over these too or the chickens will harvest the greens long before maturity.
The cover crops have done well keeping the weeds under control. Can you find the four leafers in these two clusters of clover?
How 'bout now?
The chickens have moved into production gear. We're getting plenty of eggs for Easter. $4.00 per dozen for local pickup/delivery. The quails are just starting to lay. We should see more of their eggs as the season progresses.
The corn went in on Thursday while the other vegetable beds were cleared for planting. This year we decided to put up fencing that should keep the chickens and (hopefully) deer out of the market gardens. Carrots, onions and potatoes were set out in our half barrel system for root crops. We like to keep edible root crops in sterile soils each year. Netting is needed over these too or the chickens will harvest the greens long before maturity.The cover crops have done well keeping the weeds under control. Can you find the four leafers in these two clusters of clover?
How 'bout now?
The chickens have moved into production gear. We're getting plenty of eggs for Easter. $4.00 per dozen for local pickup/delivery. The quails are just starting to lay. We should see more of their eggs as the season progresses.
And Ashe says HAPPY EASTER!
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Tis the Season
For hatching chicks, starting seeds and SNEEZING! Yup, the trees are mating and sending their pollen everywhere. A GREAT way to deal with the seasonal allergies without drug is to use local honey. Make sure it comes from a source within a fifty mile radius of where you spend most of your time. A teaspoon every day (or even once a week) really does help. And it's soooooo sweet too.
The hubby finished my new compost tumbler. It's loaded up and ready to make that rich organic fertilizer!
Some of our new Dominique chicks, now four weeks old. Those with more white in their barring are likely to be males. So far it looks like three boys and seven girls. We'll have to wait and see how they mature.
And Heathcliff's first group of offspring is now almost two weeks old. They are just starting to get that downy bump where the crest feathers will come in. So easy to tell the boys from girls with this autosexing breed. Four males and seven females. Can you pick out the boys? There are also four black Langshan youngsters in the brooder too.
The hubby finished my new compost tumbler. It's loaded up and ready to make that rich organic fertilizer!
Some of our new Dominique chicks, now four weeks old. Those with more white in their barring are likely to be males. So far it looks like three boys and seven girls. We'll have to wait and see how they mature.
And Heathcliff's first group of offspring is now almost two weeks old. They are just starting to get that downy bump where the crest feathers will come in. So easy to tell the boys from girls with this autosexing breed. Four males and seven females. Can you pick out the boys? There are also four black Langshan youngsters in the brooder too.
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