Chickens- Week 18

Since the chickens have been eating like crazy and aren’t producing a bunch of eggs yet, we figured we’d put them to work.  Luckily they really enjoy their job of roto-tilling and composting the garden.  I figure they will have the entire area cleared in just a few weeks.

To get them safely into the garden without having to watch them constantly we put up a temporary fence that created a little isle for them. 

 

 They slowly made their way down the aisle.  The fresh green grass was a distraction prior to their arrival into the garden.

 

With a little help ( Puppy) we moved them along and into their new playground.  Once they got to the garden, they went crazy pecking and scratching.  It was fun to watch them explore the new area and find left over veggies and bugs! 

In the background you can see the little, make-shift fence we put up around our peppers.  They were doing so well in the cool weather and we have hope that they will produce more soon.  The chickens would have surely noticed this too so we needed a little help to keep the peppers intact.

Because this area isn’t covered like their run is, and I’m slightly over protective of the chickens, we’ve decided to only let them in the garden when we are home.  The speed limit on our road is 55 mph and these chickens wouldn’t stand a chance if they wandered into the road (this only increases my desire to buy a farm, soon!!).

 

The rooster has definitely found his voice and feels the need to let everyone know it…every two minutes!  I have to say I love the sound though.  It sounds like home  

Harvest- Spinach (June 10)

We planted the spinach from seed on April 25th.  It was just starting to bolt on June 10th when we harvested it.  From what I have learned you have to pick it before it goes to seed or you will be stuck with tough spinach. 

We have had a rather warm spring so I think the crop could have been better.  I plan to replant at the beginning of August for a fall crop.  Hopefully that crop will do better with the cooler fall temperatures in New York.

 

 This is what 8-10 plants produced. 

 

Due to all the recent rain, we had A LOT of dirt on this spinach.  To clean it, I divided the spinach into three large bowls and rinsed/ drained the bowls numerous times.  Then I filled the bowl with ice cold salt water and made sure all the leaves were submerged.  I let the spinach soak for about two hours and then drained the water and rinsed the spinach again.  After everything was cleaned, I layered the spinach between towels on a cookie sheet and placed it in the fridge to dry.  Now, I will blanch and freeze it for the winter.

Canning Preparation- The Jars

We acquired many of the canning jars that my parents had simply because they left them in the attic when they moved out.  We are the fourth generation to use some of these jars.  My parent aquired the jars from family and friends.  Some of these jars are the same ones my great grandparent used.  That’s recycling at its best!  The jars are in desperate needs of a good wash but other than that they are in great shape. 

Before the wash-

Ball:

Mason:

Kerr:

We started the washing process by soaking the jars outside in vinegar and Dawn dish soap.  I love vinegar.  It has so many uses! 

Now the jars are all sitting on my kitchen counters ready to be washed…by hand…I don’t have a dish washer (unless you count Jon ).  We have 146 quart jars and 43 pint jars along with a few odd sizes.  I am also aquiring 3 or 4 dozen more jars that a family friend is looking to give away.  If the garden does well this year we will have good eats all winter!