How Does Your Garden Grow

Mary, Mary quite contrary
How does your garden grow?
All the flowers, all the colors
All in a perfect row
First the seeds
And then the water
Keeping a little space
Tomatoes here, broccoli there
Each one has their place

(Okay, okay, so the tomatoes and broccoli aren't really in this poem, but they so much more fitting for my garden)

It's been a glorious day here at the farm. It is a warm 84 degrees outside and promises to be about 90 tomorrow. Grass (and weeds) are growing like crazy right now and it is the season for flood irrigation around these parts. This year is the first year that my husband is going to be changing the water and making sure all the horticultural wildlife thrive. For years upon years the 40 acres behind our house has been used as a summer grazing spot for 30 pair of cows. They've done a splendid job of fertilizing the fields the natural way and so we've decided that this year the back 40 can have a rest and we'll be haying it instead. The grass is so beautiful and I am excited with this new venture. My dad used to hay our fields growing up so it's not necessarily 'new' to me, but this is the first time that I've been involved as an adult. And so it will remain a new venture.

The chickens are thriving and growing like weeds (pun intended). They've really grown into their feathers and are such a joy to watch. To be honest I am enjoying the chickens far beyond my expectations. They are such weird crazy silly creatures. I must admit, a lot of my enjoyment is from watching my little munchkins play with and hold them. These fowl are truly a livestock animal that is suited for children. There's almost nothing (barring cleaning the poop...that can wait) they can't help with and they are usually more than willing to help with the chores. I really like our Buff Orpingtons, Ameraucanas, and even the skiddish Welsummers but I am really not a fan yet of our Rhode Island Reds. I have heard from everyone how great they are and that they are amazing layers. They better be because they are rather ornery and have the personality of a well, chicken.

Our seedlings have taken off like you wouldn't believe. Our green house is doin' it's job and I couldn't be happier. It does get quite hot in there considering how warm our days have been getting and so to remedy this I just open up both of the doors and let the air flow through to cool it down. I learned the hard way a few weeks ago and scalded all my broccoli and my calendula. Such a disappointment, but thankfully I learned from my mistake and moved on.

Last week we thought our beloved walnut tree was dead. I was so sad and Seth was thinking about cutting it down and using it for firewood. I know that this is the best thing to do with a dead tree, but it was so hard for me to really think it was dead. The walnut tree right next to it is fully clothed in leaves and it just left me puzzled. Why would one tree live and the next one die? We couldn't see anything that looked like a fungus on it and we really have no explanation. Today however, I have a glimmer of hope! The supposedly 'dead' tree is starting to get some leaves and so we are going to wait and see what happens. I really hope that we don't lose this gem on our farm.

Tonight my hubby and I plan on mapping out our garden area and deciding where we want to put what. I am so excited for this and have been trying to wait patiently on this part of our gardening venture. We watched this video last summer and it has totally revolutionized our thinking when it comes to gardening, watering, AND weed control. The gentleman in the video talks about his journey to figuring out how nature works and replicated it himself. His garden is just amazing and he is truly a wise soul. I highly encourage you to take the time to watch it. If I was your mama I'd make you watch it. And if the video weren't just amazing in and of itself, Paul is a believer and his whole outlook and approach to gardening is biblically based. How much cooler could it get?!

We haven't had any rain in over a month and have been having very warm days. We've implemented some of Paul's techniques, mainly the tree chips and I'm amazed at the results thus far. I dug down to the soil and lo and behold, the soil was wet! If I squeezed it I bet I could have gotten a drop or two of water from it. I'm thrilled and I'm thinkin' this might work. Using Paul's technique you won't need to water, weed, or have to worry about soil quality. It takes sometime for the full effect of his technique to really work, but WATCH the video and you'll see that it is VERY worth the wait.

Watch the video, please.

Now with all this warm weather, growing seedlings, and just basic life on a farm, would you believe that I've been sicker than a dog? Oh yes, unfortunately it's true. It started coming on two nights ago and yesterday I couldn't stand without feeling like my head was going to throb off and I was so dizzy. My back, neck, and shoulders ached like nothing I've ever felt and I was freezing, but was warm to the touch. The never ending headache was terrible and my appetite...gone. If I wasn't a nursing mama right now I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have eaten a darn thing over these past two days, but my baby comes first and so I've choked down...everything. I love to eat and so I know I'm sick when food just doesn't sound good. My appetite still isn't great, but it's coming back. Today a feel a bit better, but I could do without all these symptoms. I still have them all, just not as bad as yesterday.

It was so great getting to get my hiney outside and enjoy the sunshine. Leah and I got some MUCH needed vitamin D and I got to look a a naked baby.

I hope you are enjoying Spring where you live. I'd love to hear about your garden ventures and what your going to be planting this year.

I just know that the first taste of produce from our garden is going to taste so good. Can't wait!