Life in the Greenhouse

With clear, sunny days this last week, and lots of soil block making on our part, the greenhouse is quickly coming to life. We now have all our onions, leeks, and transplant brassicas started, along with solanums for the greenhouse, some lettuce, and various herbs and flowers. As the water table drops and the weather warms, we are looking forward to beginning outdoor planting.

Signs of Change

Preparing the future Frith Farm sign has occupied plenty of time this winter. After starting with a large round of hardwood, we now have a somewhat thinner piece of smoothed wood with the appropriate inscription carved and stained. We just recently harvested and debarked a small pine tree to serve as a post. Look for the newly erected sign as soon as the water table has gone down enough to install the post.

Greenhouse Mists

We have started trays of seeds that will be transplanted when the outdoor soil is warm enough. The front side of the greenhouse is now laid out with tables that are slowly and surely being filled with seed trays. The first seeds--onions and leeks--have germinated, and we now have the pleasant task of misting the seedlings once or twice daily. It is good to see splashes of green taking over the greenhouse!

All Aboard

One day the chickens found a strange structure in their back yard: the finished eggmobile. Some were quicker than others to take advantage of its fowl features, but it didn't take long for most of them to figure out the roosts and protection from the elements that the mobile structure provides. After a couple months moving about the field in their new abode they should start earning their keep with some fresh eggs.

Greener on the Other Side

In preparation for their permanent placement outdoors, and to motivate their more hesitant members to venture outside the greenhouse, we invited the chickens to snack on the tender grass shoots that were growing under the ground cover in the other section of the greenhouse. The success of this idea backfired, however, since from that time on any time we opened the door of the partition the hens tried to burst through to search for more tasty grass.

Fresh Air and Tender Shoots

The chickens continue to pack on weight, and in some ways seem to have outgrown their greenhouse space.  We shoveled snow in a section behind the greenhouse, and then made doors at the end of the greenhouse so that the chickens can venture forth into the great outdoors.

Meanwhile, Daniel is putting the finishing touches on the Eggmobile, and we hope to sneak it into the chicken yard one night so that the next morning the chickens will have a grand surprise.