I really don't know where the summer went. o.O
I hear the Farmer's Almanac was calling for a short summer and a heavy winter, and it sounds like they're right: we got our first minor frost a couple of weeks ago. We're able to leave the garden uncovered most nights, but there's been a night or two where it's gotten down to the 30s. The days have been pretty hot last week, and the grasshoppers have been going mad. I've decided that the early-flowering broccoli will be my sacrificial plant this year. Not that I had much of a choice in the matter. The tomatillos are going apeshit, but the quinoa never came up this year.
Turkey coop still not built yet, although we've hired a guy to work on it. I did end up converting the wood trailer into a coop, which has been amusing--I keep referring to our "white trash turkeys." They're getting big, and we have at least 2-3 toms. One has a crooked toe on his foot.
The goats have started roaming, so we've pretty much had to keep them penned and resort to hay. They've also scrunched down the back fence in the lower pasture to the point where they can climb over and get out, so no more keeping them down there. *sigh* I think I just need to rip out the wire and the weak post, put in a stronger one with cement, and build a wooden fence. It'll definitely prevent the goats from getting their heads stuck--Brandie sent me a couple of lulus this year. Two or three of them are dumb as rocks and keep getting their heads stuck. Usually as I'm heading off to work and short on time. *sigh*
Ben is still friendly, but has gotten a little weird about his neck again. We need some serious grooming sessions after we pick up a rake for his undercoat. Greg says he has a massive tick on his side, too. Eww. >.< He's been wandering pretty seriously, too, and we've had our first barking complaint from the neighbors. To Ben's credit, it was a full moon and the coyotes have been singing like mad, but time to put the electric collar on him. *sigh*
Rabbits are doing well, although we're having a little trouble with the large hutch. The large door has come undone a few times, resulting in "chase the rabbit" excursions. One got away and made it under the stairs a few days ago, so we're pretty sure it's gone for good. *sigh* Sucks, because we've found a couple of restaurants in town interested in carrying rabbit as a special. Definitely time to switch breeds, although Hatasu has proved to be a very good mother. We keep having to pull Nefertari's babies off of her and put them with Hatasu. Nefertari is definitely not going to make it through winter.
Seriously, the end of August already? GAH.
I hear the Farmer's Almanac was calling for a short summer and a heavy winter, and it sounds like they're right: we got our first minor frost a couple of weeks ago. We're able to leave the garden uncovered most nights, but there's been a night or two where it's gotten down to the 30s. The days have been pretty hot last week, and the grasshoppers have been going mad. I've decided that the early-flowering broccoli will be my sacrificial plant this year. Not that I had much of a choice in the matter. The tomatillos are going apeshit, but the quinoa never came up this year.
Turkey coop still not built yet, although we've hired a guy to work on it. I did end up converting the wood trailer into a coop, which has been amusing--I keep referring to our "white trash turkeys." They're getting big, and we have at least 2-3 toms. One has a crooked toe on his foot.
The goats have started roaming, so we've pretty much had to keep them penned and resort to hay. They've also scrunched down the back fence in the lower pasture to the point where they can climb over and get out, so no more keeping them down there. *sigh* I think I just need to rip out the wire and the weak post, put in a stronger one with cement, and build a wooden fence. It'll definitely prevent the goats from getting their heads stuck--Brandie sent me a couple of lulus this year. Two or three of them are dumb as rocks and keep getting their heads stuck. Usually as I'm heading off to work and short on time. *sigh*
Ben is still friendly, but has gotten a little weird about his neck again. We need some serious grooming sessions after we pick up a rake for his undercoat. Greg says he has a massive tick on his side, too. Eww. >.< He's been wandering pretty seriously, too, and we've had our first barking complaint from the neighbors. To Ben's credit, it was a full moon and the coyotes have been singing like mad, but time to put the electric collar on him. *sigh*
Rabbits are doing well, although we're having a little trouble with the large hutch. The large door has come undone a few times, resulting in "chase the rabbit" excursions. One got away and made it under the stairs a few days ago, so we're pretty sure it's gone for good. *sigh* Sucks, because we've found a couple of restaurants in town interested in carrying rabbit as a special. Definitely time to switch breeds, although Hatasu has proved to be a very good mother. We keep having to pull Nefertari's babies off of her and put them with Hatasu. Nefertari is definitely not going to make it through winter.
Seriously, the end of August already? GAH.
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