The Spring Rush

Spring can get kind of pesky around the farm, because not only is there loads of field work to do, but there is also a garden to get in. This year the weather has made things rather difficult. It was cold for the longest time and then it was seeming like the rain would never end. Eventually all the field work was done and Chris was able to move on to the garden. Yes, the garden and fields could be completed simultaneously if I were allowed to help. Alas, I'm not. The garden is his baby so I just let him have at it. To make things more interesting this spring we decided to get chickens! Needless to say, it's been hectic around here!

The garden is almost all in finally. The melons haven't been planted yet, but he doesn't seem too worried about that. I think he's planning on finishing up tomorrow. This year, for the first time we didn't purchase any transplants. Everything was started right here from heirloom seeds purchased through Seed Savers Exchange. What a money saver that was! It's also fun to see this through from start to finish. Some time in the future, maybe this year, we'd like to collect and save seeds for the following year.

Planting herbs next to the tomatoes. As you can see, he really isn't dressed for typical mid-June weather. It was COLD here today! Quite a contrast from the 102* we saw just a few days ago.

Our new little chickies are settling in quite nicely. They are now about a week and a half old and growing like crazy! I can't believe how much they change in such a short time. The chicks started out in a plastic bin in our mudroom so that I could keep an eye on them more closely. It's a good thing too. I had to clean out the waterer constantly! The little buggers thought it was a grand time filling it up with wood chips. After a week, the 26 birds were very much reaching the limits of the tote so Chris had a marathon building day yesterday and built a small room in the large existing chicken house here on the farm.

Then, it was time to move them to their new home!

They are all situated now, loving the room to run and exercise their little wings.  When I went in this afternoon to check on them it must have been nap time. They were all peacefully laying around. :)

How are things around your place this spring? Are you doing a garden this year?