The chicken tractor idea sounds perfect. They really are good little weeders/cultivators.
But, how about this?
Posted on 02/01/2020 10:32:50 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
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I’m kind of waiting to hear what my growing assignment is before I get too deep into my garden planning. In addition to the 3 legumes Baker Creek assigned to me last year that I couldn’t get planted in time, I also have 4 species I’m test-growing for Cultivariable, a squash developed by Carol Deppe that none of the seed companies are carrying yet, 3 of my own plant-breeding projects, and about 10 varieties I wanted to test last year but never got around to. And that’s before adding all the stuff I want to grow just to eat.
I have a design for a simpler, lighter-weight chicken tractor that I’m hoping will work for clearing the weeds. Each one would only hold 3-4 birds, but that might work out better anyway, since half my flock is overweight, and the other half is a little on the skinny side. I can split them up and control their eating a little better. My biggest “problem weed” right now is foxtail grass, which they absolutely love.
I thought last year I would finally be able to get started on my house construction. Maybe it’ll happen this year? Who knows.
The chicken tractor idea sounds perfect. They really are good little weeders/cultivators.
But, how about this?
Hemp for rope and other industrial uses was inclouraged by the government in WW II. Planting the seeds in the midwest allowed it to go wild at “ditch weed.”
Yep. I know *I* didn’t plant it, and its not ‘the good stuff’ so I know the various teens that have lived on this farm since 1900 didn’t have access to it. ;)
There’s a nice patch adjacent to the mule’s yard - good fertilization! :)
We’ve gotten through another week of typical mid-winter weather here in Central Missouri. Snow, ice, melting, and mud. The groundhog saw his shadow this morning, but I’m not superstitious, and we’re one day closer to spring.
It’s nice out today. Might try to do some pruning on an orchard tree or two.
My pond is full to overflowing and covered with ice.
Canterbury Bells, and the green variant((Irish Bells?). There are red coneflowers, now. Rudbeckia is nice. Shasta Daisies....
Still no favs beans setting, but last year’s pea vines are flowering again.
Thank you.
Planted 5 Romeo tomato seeds from 2013 (late 2012 harvest) last week...was hoping for one to come up, but ALL 5 came up! I am going to try some 2011 New Zealand Pink Pear seed this week while I still have the ‘touch’.
That’s always a thrill, isn’t it? :)
Sure is!
The Pennsylvania Farm Show is a celebration of food; fuel; life; milkshakes; hot, flaky potato doughnuts;
fresh double-fried mozzarella cubes; hard work; conservation.......
Some wondered whether the half-ton of butter used for the famous cow sculpture would go to waste,
something farmers never do because they are conservationists to the core.
It was disassembled by 4-H volunteers, sent to a methane digester and converted to renewable energy.
There was something to eat for everyone....
<><> 12.5 tons of potatoes were consumed, either in flaky doughnuts or French fries;
<><>nineteen thousand gallons of ice cream were consumed in milkshakes and ice cream cones;
<><>7,000 pounds of cheese were consumed in fried mozzarella squares.
<><>Pennsylvania mushrooms were served in abundance, sauteed with onions on a gluten-free bun.
Farmers are 1% of the economy but paradoxically have an inordinate influence on political relative to the size of the constituency. THE USA DOES NOT HAVE AN AGRARIAN ECONOMY.
EVANSVILLE, Ind., Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Loved by some for its health benefits and disliked by others for its cardboard-like consistency, kale might be heading for a makeover.
After surging in popularity several years ago, sales of the dark green, leafy vegetable are beginning to plateau. One vegetable breeder hopes to change that by creating varieties of kale with new flavors, textures and colors.
"It's mainstreaming kale, to some extent," said Phillip Griffiths, an associate professor of horticulture at Cornell Agri-Tech in New York.
"Kale has become one of those health foods, and only certain people eat it," he said. "But there are a lot of people who eat leafy greens because they want something fresh and healthy."
To reach those customers, Griffiths is creating a whole line of new kale.
Some of his plants have a milder flavor that might appeal to those who dislike the taste of traditional kale.
And a kale offering in lighter green color could entice customers who shop with their eyes and are looking for a brighter salad.
Ultimately, the changes are meant to help kale appeal to a wider range of consumers without fundamentally changing what people already love about the plant, such as the curliness of its leafs or its nutritional profile, Griffiths said.
"You take a product that's become popular for some very good reasons and improve it based on market preferences, but still keep it very close to what it is," Griffiths said. "You have the potential to open it up to a wider range of people."
Try living without us, LOL!
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