Frustratedearthmother's Journaling Journey

[Mini Horses]

Sprouting....seems I long ago read about a coconut shredded base for sprouting. Like a mat...?? You could do some cut & come again mixed lettuces on your porch. Those are good.

I penned 7 roos tonight -- with intentions of less mouths to feed shortly! That's 1/2 of what I need to butcher & can. Been warm for last couple weeks and they say 30's all next week. So, hope they hold until Monday....with fighting. I don't think I will want to do more than that at one time. It's a mess. but, must get it done. I have considered chopping block and fox food in the woods. LOL But don't want to attract them.

I'm so wanting to till the garden!!! Muddy right now.

How are the quail? There were some really nice ones -- large -- at the auction Sat. Thought of you. Beautiful pheasant, too. I'm having some vino....thinking of you again -- enjoy!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I've read about using coconut coir for micro greens - but if they continue to do well with soil - I probably won't go for the added expense. I actually looked up the pricing on some today...and found out they were single use so I nixed the idea. This is all still very new to me so there may be the opportunity to refine the process as I get more comfortable with it. Or, when I can garden for "real" this might be relegated to a winter time only project.


Quail are doing well. I've got eggs in the incubator and hoping for a hatch in a few more days. Not expecting much, but haven't given up hope!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Went to "work" for a little while this morning to help my replacement with a few things. He's going to do well with just a little fine tuning.

Came home and checked on the baby greens. Moved them outside while we do some re-arranging of the breezeway. I uncovered the corn and pea shoots so they can start to green up too.

Decided to give it a real taste test and cut a little batch of broccoli to go ona sammich...it’s a nice touch! I’m thinking I should go ahead and start a new batch.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

We're supposed to get rain today... I Don't Want It! But, since I don't have any control over it.... sigh... I'll just pretend that it's ok.

Did some fine tuning on some electric fence this morning because there's nothing else I'd rather do in the mud and humidity. Missy is jumping the fence and she's clearing things that Cowboy never did. So, we went up higher and I hope her agile, high-jumping self gets all of the "correction" that this fence can deliver, lol. (and I secretly hope I get to see it happen) Shame on me....

Moved a round bale yesterday. The last one only lasted 16 days! But, it was one of the free ones I got from my friend and the goats L.O.V.E her hay. Unfortunately, the guy who bales it for them doesn't roll it really tight so technically even though the bale is the same size as other - there's less hay in it. Not complaining - I'm thrilled to get it!

I'm having tractor troubles. It has a diesel leak - that's fun. The front end loader has a bucket problem. I can raise the whole mechanism, but the bucket itself will slowly roll down releasing whatever load is in it.... AND...I think the clutch is about gone. My son said that maybe the diesel is leaking on the clutch plate(?) and causing it to slip - OR - it's just worn out. Glad to have gotten that bale moved - oh - and we sheared a pin while moving it. That was an easy fix though. I really don't want to put it in the shop right now cuz I'm still going to have to move bales for the rest of the winter. Tractor works just fine in low gear - but geeze, I could knit a sweater in the time it takes to go 50 yards, lol. It's s....l....o....w! I'm gonna have DH call around and see who can do it the fastest and hopefully for not much more than ransom on my first born. ARGH! DH is like - let's just buy a new tractor.... ARE YOU CRAZY!? I'm not about to take on a pmt on anything having just retired. I could - but I don't want to. I intend to be debt free for the rest of my life. Of course - not all my intentions work out the way I want them to.

Microgreens have been outside for a couple of days now. They love it! They radishes have totally overtaken the broccoli and are a lot taller. The peas are just starting to green p. The corn is sparse. It didn't do as well as the other seeds.

Today:

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Quail chicks in the incubator!! Looks like maybe 6 or so. Not surprised there isn't more - just glad to have these!

 

[Chic Rustler]

I have to admit ive been thinking about quail. they look fun

 

[frustratedearthmother]

@Chic Rustler They are so much fun. They are quick and easy and the turn around from egg to meat - or egg to egg laying isn't much more than 6 weeks. Depending on the time of year they may start laying a little later than that - but they are almost an instant gratification farm bird.

 

[Chic Rustler]

incubation period the same

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Incubation for Coturnix quail is 16-17 days. These hatched exactly at 17 days.

 

[Chic Rustler]

wow that's pretty quick. so lockdown is day 14?