Vendor Fair and More Plants

 Ms. TD and myself went out Saturday morning to get some chicken feed and meal worms for the girls, then headed to a farm supply owned by a friend of ours. And that day he was also hosting a vendor fair, so all the better. We cruised through the tomato and cucumber plants and picked out a few varieties. We also got a few herbs but probably will grown some ourselves. We also ventured through the vendor fair and picked up some good looking (and tasting) cakes and looked closely at some nice greenhouses. Love to have one. Sadly we didn't take any photos but it was at Phillips Agri Sales. 

Spent the rest of the day planning for Sundays' work. We napped too since that helps. Sunday brought on said plans (there weren't any except from last week) so we jumped into it. We got another 4 beds built, one filled completely. Planted six pepper plants and four cherry tomato plants. Let's take a small tour.

I like to plant marigolds between the tomato plants to help keep the pests away. 

Here's the remaining plants to get in the ground. 

The wife spent some time with the chickens and got some action shots.

One of the girls, (the gang leader called Madge) had crusty butt so we soaked her in water and salts to help her get cleared up. She was not happy. 

Aaaannnnddd we finished up all of the tree burning. Just some minor pieces left to burn. 

Another long day and makes us wonder if we're up to it. 

WOF of the week. The Mrs. took this of herself and her (personal) dog, being said WOF. He is obsessed with her. 

Off until next time. Happy gardening. 

Thank Goodness That Four Day Weekend Is Over

 Let me start by saying my wife and I plan big, but then once we start on said plans we get in over our heads. We both were off Friday through Monday. We planned on finishing the front flower bed, removing old pool deck posts and straightening out that part of the yard, removing the old wood raised beds and installing new metal beds. We got our mini excavator Thursday but didn't start with it until Friday. Now I have used one in the past but I am definitely no expert, especially with the bottom blade. It seems I made things worse when trying to level out the ground. Let me go through each project.

Front Flower Bed       
My wife did this all by herself. She purchased a few more bulbs, weeded out everything that she could, then mulched the beds. She did a great job of it too. She had it done Sunday. We ordered in the mulch and mix for the raised beds. 

And now the finished product.

We cut down some larger holly trees and through a long process have been getting them burned at the fire pit. Our yard has been covered with the branches, etc. for over a week. We burned every day except Monday and it seems we didn't make any progress. 

I hope to get the rest done this coming Saturday. 

We tore down an old pool deck but the posts remained and were too hard for me to get out. The mini excavator made quick work of them. 

The stairs are being salvaged to use at the deck I need to build at the chicken coop. I also need to get the old filter and pump gone. 

The old garden beds were full of weeds and rotting. It was time for a change so as per last post, we ordered some metal beds, compost mix, heavy duty landscape fabric and went to work. I tore out the old beds, reworked the underground water lines, and leveled out the ground. I worked the lines to feed eight beds. The beds I ended up getting are 1 1/2 foot tall instead of 1 foot. The old metal wagon we have had an axle break and tore up a tire so it was to Home Depot for a new dump wagon. $430.00 later and we now have a 17 cubic poly wagon that holds a lot of dirt. Trust me. Here are a few photos. 

Got some of the dirt pile down some but not before we had to end the use of the mini excavator. Onward on the work this week just not Tuesday. We need a break. We may need to order more dirt to finish the beds. As far as the beds themselves, they seem to be made well and are solid when the dirt is in them. I can build on in about 30 minutes. We have about $800.00 in the beds and another $500.00 or so in dirt. I really hope to have everything done, water lines, beds complete in a few more weeks. It is a process. 

Next up will be finishing up the chicken's home. I have trim work to do, metal facia, building the deck and install the stairs, and run power. 

WOF of the week. I need to get more pictures of the new WOF here on the farm. But this will do for now. 

I took the pups to the dog park Sunday and Benjamin had a good time. Tilly too. She loves flowers. 

Until next time.