I've mentioned before that I have a deep yearning to raise chickens. (And I have since I was a child! Right, Mom?) Friendly, egg-producing, pet chickens. There are many just a few reasons why this hasn't happened yet: In the spring, for days and weeks and practically months on end, our yard turns into a muddy mucky mess. Not a nice place for animals to live.Tricky rules... our community and county allows them, but we may or may not have the required amount of land.Vacations. I haven't quite figured out what happens if when we leave for several days at a time. Cat sitters? No problem. Chicken sitters? Um... more of a challenge.Reluctance on the side of the husband. He'll deal with it, if I realllllly want them... but he'd prefer I wait until we live in a place that makes a little more sense for raising various farm animals. So, why does he, the unwilling chicken owner, send me an email about ? Maybe he secretly wants chickens too? How cute is this?
() Ok, so at over $600, it should be. And I do still love the . And, look! They made a new model! The Eglu Go:
() And, half as expensive at the Eglu Classic!! And... what's that? Hello Beehaus!
() Not only is it outrageously expensive, it seems like it's ... but is it wrong that I still want it?
I have worm eggs in my fridge. That's normal, right? Seeds in my crisper. Herbs growing in my dining room. Worms living in my shed. 1,000 worms, though maybe more. Lunch planned to exchange perennials. Gardening gloves in my car. Heirloom and organic bulbs on their way. Associations with 4 farms: a CSA, a community 'garden', a source for milk and eggs, and a source for sustainably raised meats.
I was talking to a coworker today about the chicken plan, and another coworker overheard. She said, "Oh, that's cool... do you live on a farm?" Nope. Not a farm. A pretty standard suburban neighborhood. But my use of it isn't so standard. And, really, I'm OK with a new version of normal.
I have been a busy bee! Although tonight was supposed to be devoted to bees...
I had to get the worm factory ready for the eminent arrival of the red wiggler worms last night! Jay had agreed to place them in their home, should they arrive while I was at bee class. He's been such a good sport. Last night he watched part of the worm house prep process and decided that I'm "a weird girl" and that it's "yucky." Well, yeah.
But, that's ok! I'm strangely excited to have worms as "pets" and even more excited to see how much of our current trash and recycling I can reduce though this venture. Since I decided to skip bee class (too much to do, too little energy), I was able to welcome the worms myself. They were waiting in the mailbox. My mail person must be confused. They were wrapped in a cloth bag about the size of a grapefruit. I dropped gently placed them into the worm factory, using a flashlight for light. Daylight savings, where are you? I got myself all freaked out while doing it, thinking I was hearing random noises and being a little weirded out by the sight of 1,000 worms. They're supposed to take up to a week to adjust. I'll check them in a few days and see how they're adjusting.
Last night, the aerogarden lit up a little more like a Christmas tree than usual, demanding some attention. Turns out I didn't read fully through the instructions, so thank god they have warning lights when I'm supposed to be doing something to it. I needed to change out the water and add new nutrients. All the pods have sprouted now, sans parsley... and that looks like it might be getting ready to pop any moment now.
It's a small set of "farm" chores, for sure, especially compared to what it will be in a few short months and nowhere near what I hope for eventually. Considering the extremely limited amount of daylight I have after returning from my long trek to and from work, it's pretty decent.
My raised bed setup arrived a couple nights ago, if the weather cooperates, I'm going to try to get them set up this weekend. Definitely going to be researching delivery options this year - I lost count of the number of trips back and forth from the nursery for compost, mulch, soil, etc. Let's simplify and save more time for playing in the yard!
I'm still very interested in the beekeeping thing, but with class going until 10 on a school work night, I just can't hang. Turns out there are a couple other options. There's one hosted by the Anne Arundel beekeepers group I could take, I could try again on this one next year, and I need to learn more about mason bees. Might be a decent for-now option. (Note for the husband: They do not sting.)
I have one of two fence quotes back, hoping to get that project moving soon. Lots more research to do on the chicken plan, but it's the non-chicken related steps that are holding the project back so far!
Happy to have requested the day off tomorrow! Yay for relaxation.
I woke up this morning really excited about all the progress I've made this week. I'm really, really excited about the backyard chicken plan... several fairly large things need to happen before I can have them clucking around the yard, but it's feeling very real. A couple of calls for fence estimates went out yesterday, we need to close in the fence for privacy and safety for the girls.
Random worry this morning... what in the heck do we do with them when we're on vacation??
I'm excited to get move involved with Clagett Farm this year... though I haven't quite managed to get that worked out yet. I'm also really looking forward to getting involved in a new community garden. That one is also eluding me so far as well, their welcome meeting is today and I can't make it. I'm particularly interested in the beekeeping that they're already doing at the garden... maybe I can use my new-found knowledge there?! Oh, that and the asparagus patch! Yes, please!
All of this excitement really put into perspective the one thing I am not excited for today... My horse lessons. I'm probably the last one to this party, but I'm not really enjoying it. Anyone else figure that out already? I still really want to learn, to be involved with horses... I just don't think this place is a good fit. I'll be canceling today (before my lesson!) because there are too many projects that I could be working on instead of something I'm not totally enjoying. I get enough of that during the week, thanks.
Oh, and if I'm not paying for lessons anymore... maybe that means more heritage bulbs will find their way here... (I'll tell ya more about that project soon...)
So instead of my horse plan for today, I'll be doing some much needed catch up on housework and then researching chicken breeds and housing. (I thought I had already figured out the breed, but turns out different breeds do well on different types of soil... I need the clay-friendly ones!) Then, I'll be hanging out with one of my favorite people. Another beautiful day on tap as well...
Wowie! What an interesting week! Not only is today the most beautiful day we've had in months, I've gotten into some interesting things over the last couple of days...
First of all, the Aerogarden is up and running. I got it all set up about a week and a half ago, and we're starting to see signs of life!
A couple pods haven't quite emerged yet, but I'm excited to see growth in what has felt like the dead of winter lately!
On Thursday, I started my BUMBA (Bowie, Upper Marlboro Beekeeper's Association) Beekeeping class held at Watkins Park. I was amazed to see over 50 people show up - people of all ages. Our first class was focused on going over the basic materials needed and bee behavior. I'm looking forward to the rest of the classes, where we'll get into more specifics on what's required to maintain a hive. (Quick PSA - the bees are in trouble! Learn more about that .)
The highlight of the night? No question - one of the instructors demonstrating the bee dance. I was too caught up in trying to catch it on video to get all the details, but I'm pretty sure she was showing us how bees communicate when they find good food (maple, in this case.) Pardon the quality, but I just had to share...
Today held some definite excitement! My Backyard Chicken Keeping class!! The class was run by Lee Kelly, a jack of all trades farmer who works for the . He started the class by asking each of the 8 woman attending (one also brought her young son) what we hoped to get from the class. The rest of the class was informal - the first half an in-depth Q&A and the second half discussing his prepared handouts. An awesome bargain, I walked out with a bunch of materials including what seems like a really great instructional book. Half the class drove over to the staff area to get a special treat! Lee allowed us to hold and pet one of his chickens. At least half of the women in the class plan to get chickens, but had never even touched one. (Me included...) I was over the moon to be surrounded by other crazy like-minded people!
One of their heritage breeds, Dominique:
Yes, she's giving me the stink eye...
Turns out the foundation runs an large and varied farm; in addition to the chickens, they have the Oxen, Rocky and Bullwinkle:
Some cattle, including a baby calf!
They also had a large flock of sheep, turkeys, pigs and a variety of wild geese and ducks easily spotted. They run an organic farm and I believe host a CSA. They've got quite a fantastic view too, right on the Potomac.
Really, I can't believe after living in Maryland for somewhere around 20 years, I've never been to either Watkins Park or the Accokeek Foundation! Never even heard of them. What gems!
And then there's ... I haven't seen it in the daytime yet, but I'm already impressed. 850 acres a stone's throw from the beltway in PG county, with a Nature Center hosting live animal exhibits. I felt so fortunate to have arrived early for my class so I could take a stroll around the center. Apparently they put on a Christmas light show during the winter, and have an antique carousel, picnic areas and mini golf for the warmer months. It's only 30 minutes from our house, so I have a feeling I'll be visiting again even after my class has finished!
Finally, I'm not the only one enjoying the return of the sun! Max is also soaking in some rays!
Yesterday I dropped by the mall at lunchtime with a coworker. The food court has become an almost regular workday lunchtime choice, something I don't like but don't seem to be doing anything about. It's counter to almost everything I'm trying to do in my outside work life with sustainable food... But yet, I found myself there yesterday regardless. She wanted to run into Sephora for something quickly. I avoid the mall for the most part. I'm a reformed shopper, I try to only buy things that I need... and being in the mall, I usually buy something on a whim. Lo and behold, I had my eye on some perfume. I don't remember the last time I wore it or that I bought it for myself. Oh, but it was so lovely. And, it just so happened that I had realized my lack of perfume a couple days ago, and thought I should probably buy some at some point. This usually results in the perfect storm of spendy behavior... but I managed to resist. Yes, I can afford a $60 bottle of perfume, but there are usually much, much better things to do with our money. I figured I'd try to find it online for cheaper this weekend.
So, instead, I was reading through some of my blogs this morning, and stumbled upon a recent post discussing composting. Worm composting. I happened to have an Amazon gift certificate (my love of Amazon cannot be contained) and ordered one up! . I'll have to start the shed reorganization project to make room for it. Even though they say you can store these units in your house because there's no smell, I can't quite get Jay on board, and I do need a place that's a little insulated from the elements. (Our backyard is still quite cold and snow-covered.) I haven't researched or ordered my worm friends yet, that will be the next step. I'd like to get the unit here and set up first.
And then I accidentally stumbled upon Amazon's . Seriously, it was an accident! They had something I've never seen before - a significant discount on the . I've wanted one of these babies for YEARS. I've actually had a catalog that's sitting within arm's reach on my desk for months. But I couldn't justify the cost for something that's usually very easy to either grow yourself or buy. But at a 60% discount? Yeah, baby. Bring it on!
One last thing? One that I didn't buy and maybe never will... but would completely fit the bill for the backyard chicken project? Let me present the eglu:
It's a little hard to do, considering this area is still covered with much of the 40" of snow we got a little over a week ago (Biggest Storm in Recorded History!), but it does seem like that time of year. I'm seeing people breaking out the seed catalogs and making their gardening plans. I will give it another shot this year, despite my lack of space and the bigger challenge, full sunlight... but my main focus will be working over at my farm. They put a call out for volunteers, starting in the greenhouse, and I'm planning to join them. It should be a really fun way to learn more about sustainable, organic gardening. Even if it is on a scale much larger than I would ever want!
In the meantime, I am still dreaming about having chickens. I'm know it's not not sure if it's legal, but I'm considering giving it a shot this year. I got a great book about raising backyard chickens for Christmas (thanks, mom!) and I'm thinking about plunging in. There's so much to consider - do I start them from chicks? what if I end up with a rooster? where will they live? But, really, it sounds like a pretty fun adventure to me. (It does not, however, to Jay... but he's reluctantly willing to play along.)
I'm also planning to get our composting plan set up. It's funny, these two projects... If I manage the backyard chicken plan, I won't need much in the way of composting - my flock will be happy for any scraps. But, I think I'll give it a go. And just to make sure I'm not doing anything in a 'normal' way, I'm thinking about worm composting!
Another plan to keep my county-life seeking brain busy, I've started horseback riding lessons. I'm trying to drink up as much of the outside, natural life as possible! My first horse was a serious jerk challenge though, so I'm looking forward to meeting my new horse this weekend.
It's not quite the small farm I'd like, but it's certainly making the most of what I can do now!
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