March catchup

Henrietta the chicken did indeed get better.

Thats a big thanks to the person who suggested bread soacked in olive oil. She loved it!

We've done lots of planting and the Orchard trees are all in and looking good.

Yesterday was glorious weather for the wylam first school car boot sale. The Orchard had a presence as the pitch fee was paid for by Wylam Nurseries. We managed to make 44.70 by selling items donated from the group. Anything left went off to the local charity shops so we're feeling very happy about that.

edible garden:
rhubarb is looking a bit chewed
courgette has completely gone
salad leaves have sprouted might plant a second wave ready for when i eat this first lot in a few days
chives and mint are doing amazing
Tomato plants are ready to harden off outside
I've planted some strawberries

Things to consider buying:
Watering can
Portable coop so the chickens can help out with weeding (ie get the things so my dad can help build one)
Another courgette plant
Sweetcorn
Sunflower seeds

Poorly chicken!

Henrietta is feeling a bit poorly! She has tonic in her water and chicken spice in her food. I've foolishly moved her into the kitchen to keep warm. Apparently this is helping as I can hear her pecking the food as I write this. Fingers crossed she gets better soon. I already lost Gertie earlier this year I'm hoping she pulls through.

It looks amazing!

The Orchard is a site to behold. Well the trees are finally planted 58 apple and soft fruit trees plus 6 trees planted for the wildlife.

February update

Wylam community Orchard is finally off the ground. So far we planted about 32 trees and theres another planting weekend in march.

I've joined in with the 12 for 11 on http://www.thereallygoodlife.com/ and am trying to buy only twelve items of clothes this year. Not doing well so far bought 3 items and its only February!!! Maybe having it on here will help me achieve? hmmmm

Spring into Action

Sadly I lost Gertie the chicken. Molly and Henrietta appear to be coping fine. In the hopes of keeping them dry in the rain and shaded in the sun I have added a cover/shade to the chicken coop and the girls appear to like it.

And now that the snow has gone i'm starting to think about what to do / grow in the rest of the garden.

Edible garden
The last of the Summer Jam has now gone as gifts apart from the jar I have on the go.
I'm starting to use up my supplies of dried mint leaves. Theres something about minted new potatoes!
Theres not much left from the 2010 harvest so I think its time to start reading the edible garden again and start making plans.

Chickens like snow

They seem to be coping quite well and are not at all bothered. Unlike me! I can't get the carout so have been getting the train to work which gets me there an hour later than I would normally arrive. And is getting quite expensive!

However this blog is mostly about the cjickens. they have surrvived their first molt and seem to have nearly all their featehr. I have happy little chickens.

Hoodlum chickens you might say as they keep trying to escape!

Eggs three days in a row

Wow as the title says 3 eggs I'm quite impressed. The girls are getting used to my habits now and seem to follow me about while not trying to escape of course!

Molly has developed the irritating habit of trying to peck the egg as soon as I go to get it from the nest box. I have to wear a glove at the moment as she pecks me the whole time.

Not to mention the three tinkers were trying to jump out of the nest box tonight. Possibly because they thought I was distracted because I was on the phone. I'm sure my friend thinks I'm mad! Nothing new there then!

Oh and they loved the Acorns  :0) So i might look for more windfall on Saturday when its light. They were not so keen on apple must have been a cooking apple :-(