Spring is upon us already and it is a busy time of the year! We are still trying to clean up our property and prepare for the growing season. Just this past week’s agenda included pigs, getting a pole barn built, putting up a small greenhouse, putting out the first of our orchard, and getting in our first batch of broiler chicks. I need a nap!
Pigs
Our pigs are growing fast. We still have them on our late winter/early spring paddock. They have really done a number on the area but it really needed the disturbance. Disturbance of the ground promotes new growth. Plus, the pigs naturally add a great fertilizer to the area for a second garden spot to plant extra corn and okra. Soon we will start rotating them around our South West pasture. This year we will be rotating two groups: one of our feeder pigs (which will be ready to market this summer) and one of our sow and boar.
Pole Barn
This year we plan to cut and put up our own hay in order to avoid herbicidal contaminants and eventually reduce the high winter cost of buying hay. With that said we are purchasing hay equipment and more equipment means a need for more dry space to store and work on the equipment. Since time is sparse we made a decision to have a 24×24 pole barn built by a guy we found on Craigslist. It worked out great. The guys came out and built it in one day. Now we have our tractor and equipment in the dry. Plus we have extra space for our bulk non-gmo feed to be stored – which is especially important since we started buying two tons at a time!
Green House
This year we set a goal to have a greenhouse up and running. We were a little late but we now have it up and useable. We still have some finishing touches to do but we made our goal. Now we are getting plants started and ready for the garden.
Orchard
This year we have started our first orchard. This year we have 7 raised beds so far and more will be added. So far we have apple, pear, and paw paw trees, 5 blackberries, 5 raspberries, and a juneberry planted. Soon we will be adding blueberries, fig trees, and kiwi. The weather almost kept us from getting the orchard put out but the weather broke and we made it happen.
Chicks
Our first batch of broilers arrived this week as well. They came in a day early so we had to temporarily brood them in our kitchen. It was a loud time with all those chicks plus the kids. We are using a non-gmo feed from Tucker Milling which should do great. We are waiting till the birds are moved into the pasture before taking orders due to the feed issues of last year.
It is amazing how quick the year is flying by so be sure to stay up to date on order/pickup dates via Facebook, our website, or our email list.
