Weekly Garden Thread - Nov. 26-Dec. 1, 2022 [Trees & Shrubs with Winter Interest]

November 26, 2022 | Diana in WI/Greeneyes in Memoriam

[Augie]

We had all four kids/spousal units along with the six grands here for Thanksgiving. First time since I can't remember that all of them could make it on the same day. The weather was nice enough the kids were able to play outside and get a pony ride from their Aunt Leah.

I took advantage of the nice weather and got a few things done outdoors. I rolled up and stored away all of the garden hoses that were laid out to drain before the covid hit us. I reassembled Nanner's steering cylinder mounting bracket so that's ready to go back on the tractor soon as I have a few minutes to spare. The firebox door seal on my outdoor boiler was leaking air so I dug it out, cleaned the crust out of the channel, and glued in a new rope seal. The draft solenoid in the boiler has been wanting to stick open lately and I don't have a spare on hand so I'll need to get a new one before I can rebuild the fire.

I'm still learning how to operate the greenhouse. It's become obvious to me that I was late in planting everything that I put in there. The radishes, spinach, and lettuces that are in the planter boxes on the ground are doing ok. The kale/collards/cabbage that I started in flats are not happy. Those things dry out super fast and I haven't been good about keeping them properly watered. I think I need to buy a couple more chafer pans so I can water the starter cells from the bottom.

Christmas came early for me this year. The new truck I ordered back in August arrived at the stealership last week. Mrs. Augie and I picked it up on Saturday. This one is equipped to my specs so I expect to be driving it until the wheels fall off or I croak, whichever comes first.

[Augie]

Red Express Cabbage did not tolerate hot weather in August & September.

I've had the same results from Red Express. It just can't take our midwestern heat.

Stonehead has produced reliably for me year after year.

I do want to try the Kaitlin this spring. Is that a Baker Creek variety? I don't see it listed on Jung's site.

I'm also going to try some of the chinese/napa cabbage this time. I got my buddy's wife's Korean Granny's recipe for traditional long-process kimchi awhile back and I'm itching to make some of it.

[Freedom56v2]

Chicken transport?!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

I have ten 4 1/2 week-old chicks I wish to transport from IL to TN in my car. A 10-hour drive.

I am thinking of putting them in a large Sterilite solid color bin...putting them in front seat so fairly warm and can check on them.

Currently, they are in a baby pack & play play pen and are close to outgrowing it. They have 90% of feathers in...Flying around, happy....Thriving. We have a larger coop set up in TN.

I am sure the hens will not be happy campers on drive down, but I am looking for any advice some of you might have to make their ride easier.

I am thinking of putting them in a large Sterilite solid color bin...putting them in front seat so fairly warm.

May post this in a general vanity, but I figure my garden FRiends know lots about country living :)

Thanks for any thoughts you have :)

[Qiviut]

Great day to work outside - 50’s, partly sunny, bit of a breeze now and again. I started out with a light windbreaker over a T-shirt & within 10 minutes, was down to just the T-shirt. By 3:30, the jacket had to go back on as it cooled down again. The ‘outside’ time was needed after Thanksgiving feasting, inactivity recuperating & a rainy day yesterday (1 inch of rain).

The project today (major one) was to “do something” about the 3 forsythia bushes in the front field. I love them in the spring when they bloom …. once that’s over, I don’t like them so much. They are about 15 feet apart and have gotten so big that if not trimmed up, I can hardly mow around them. Mom has been keeping them more or less under control and “shaped up”, but now her ladder won’t reach the top.

Another issue – she trims up the whippy long branches all to about the same ‘level’. When you cut forsythia, you get 4-8 sprouts off the cut end. With all the same length, those “baskets” of sprouts get tangled up in each other. The next time you trim, above the “baskets” from the last trim a year before, you get another level of “baskets”. In other words, a mess.

So I told mom that I was going to take the bushes all the way down to about 3 feet. They are almost impossible to kill and they’ll sprout again. We may not have flowers in the spring, but should have them back the year after. It took me all afternoon & 6-8 (I lost count) trailer loads of branches to haul away. The branches don’t load well - I am an expert “packer” & can normally get huge loads on the trailer, but not with the forsythia.

The sun was setting (really pretty) as I parked the golf/cart trailer and all 3 bushes are now down to the main branches and about 3-4 feet max. The next project will be trimming up the Brown Turkey Fig bush. I cut a little on it today, but will have to tackle it big time maybe tomorrow. Some of the branches are horizontal on the ground – trying to get it more vertical so I can mow without getting into the bush (& bees, etc. when there’s ripe fruit). I think what I cut will be easier to haul away – maybe 2 loads.

The back field does not need mowing – the front field/front pasture (around garden) does need it one ore time, as does the yard. I might be able to get it done this week – need to get most of the gas out of the mower before I put it away for the winter.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Ellendra is our current, ‘Chicken Queen.’ I used to raise them in a big way, but haven’t had hens for a number of years now.

That’ll be changing in the future.

Calendula is the LAST flower to freeze in my garden. I still had some blooming until a week or so ago. And it readily self-seeds, so it’s a good plant to have around for many reasons - seasoning, hen food, tea, in salads, use it instead of expensive Saffron when you need to color up a rice dish, etc.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Nice truck, even if I am a Ford Girl. ;)

Glad you’re feeling so much better and that everyone was home for Thanksgiving. It gets tough when you through in-laws and kids in the mix!

My first ‘greenhouse’ was a bunch of old glass sliding doors that I found in the barn, leaned against a south-facing wall. I cooked more veggie plants than I raised that first year, LOL!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Can you help a FReeper with chicken transporting issues? ;)

If they’re feathered out, warmth isn’t as critical as when they’re just at the ‘fluffy’ stage. Make sure there are air vents in the top if the box and water would be more important than food over the length of the drive.

Make sure the container is large enough so they can all lie down comfortable and so they don’t start pecking one another and getting injured.

That’s all I can think of. They’re pretty hardy now that they’re feathered out.

[Freedom56v2]

Thank you for your thoughts.

They seem to be feathered out...A couple have a little bit of fuzz around face, but they are flying in the brooder—lots,...

I used a warming plate which some say helps them to mature a little ahead of schedule.

They drink water from a feeder or out of a small pyrex bowl in my hand, so can give them H2O when I stop for gas. They also eat out of my hand—gruel—their favorite where I mix their regular feed with water....Something about that makes them go nuts ;)

First rodeo, so trying to get ‘em all to their forever home :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Good luck! I’m sure you’ll all do just fine. :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Just a little something to make you all smile. My Spring Garden with puppy, 'Sunshine' who is now the top hunting Raccoon Dog in all of Minnesota. Treeing Walker Coon Hound is her breed. Good Girl! She was a joy to raise. Love that girl and her owner sends me pictures and updates on a regular basis.

[Freedom56v2]

Coming from you, I truly appreciate it!

Thank you!

[Ellendra]

With 90% feathers, heat probably isn’t an issue. Food, water, and cleanliness are definitely bigger factors.

The bin you have is a good start. Make sure the lid is well ventilated, and choose bedding that is absorbent and not too slippery. The motion of the car will make it hard for them to keep their balance, and with a slippery floor that might lead to leg injuries. I’d go with a thick layer of sand, at least 3 inches. Maybe even some heavy-duty wire mesh near the top of the sand so they have something to grab hold of. Just make sure the ends of the wire are tucked where the chickens won’t get hurt on them.

For food, I recommend either something that comes in a solid block, or else something sticky enough it can’t be spilled. Chances are they won’t eat much while moving, but it’s good to have it available.

If you don’t already mix food-grade charcoal in with their food, I recommend you start doing that a day before you leave, and add some to their travel food. Just a tiny bit will do. My ratio is about 1/2 a teaspoon per quart of food. This cuts down drastically on odors, and it also reduces the ammonia and other noxious substances emitting from their poop. Believe me, your lungs will thank you!

Water is the tricky part. I have yet to see a chicken waterer that won’t spill while traveling. My advice is to plan on stopping for about 10 minutes every 2 hours, and put their water dish in every time you stop. You can also stick an apple or other fruit in their feeder so they get a little water that way.

On short trips chickens tend to just hunker down and not move until they’re sure the vehicle is stopped, but for a 10-hour trip I’m sure they’ll appreciate some extra pampering.

[Freedom56v2]

Thank you sooo much for the helpful information!!!

I will do what you suggest.

They probably will eat the gruel I make for them and that does not spill...maybe when we stop.

I have been putting 1 tsp apple cider vinegar per quart of water.

I have heard some recommend chick electrolytes for traveling...Any thoughts on this?

[Ellendra]

If they have food and water, electrolytes shouldn’t be necessary. Up to you if you want to add them anyway, but the only time I’ve given a chicken electrolytes was when she was too sick to eat.

[Freedom56v2]

Thank you.

You have been so very helpful!**

I am sooo excited to get “the girls” to the farm! They will be in a sunroom for next few months until they can be outside in permanent coop.

Enjoy the rest of your day!

**I am going to PM you a couple other questions.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Diana: a beautiful dog and a great looking Spring garden! Great job! Your romaine lettuces are enormous! (Beat the heck out of mine!)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

The Romaine lettuce was a 6-pack from Bonnie Plants @ Walmart. Great performers.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Wow, amazing!

Flowers yes, but I would not normally look to a WalMart for vegetable transplants. Of course, you see the same Bonnie packs at Home Depot and and the local Westlake Hardware. The difference is that WalMart plants are more likely to languish next to 100+ temperature parking lots for extended periods of time without watering which affect viability.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Augie; I think the Kaitlin was from Johnnies Select Seeds, but look around. there may be other sources. Its December 4 and its has a small head but is still growing. (In the low tunnel. I snaked one of those 40 degrees F. heating cables you use to prevent pipe in the straw around their base. About 100-120 days.. Get it started in late July!) The Golden beauty Chinese cabbage is from Bakers Creek and is still doing well. They also offer a cabbage called Sapporo Giant Cabbage and thought I would try to grow some next year.

No, I have not had much luck with any red cabbage which is a shame. Mrs. Pete likes sweet and sour Cabbage soup and braised red cabbage. At least it does not cost much to buy.

Good deal! Nice truck and just in time for winter. My last truck was 30 years ago and I still miss it. My cars are all light gray. Darker colors and midwestern heat and all that.