Birdwatching in the yard....

Western tanagers are here!
We've been watching them for a few weeks. This is a great yard for birdwatching.
The diversity of plants/trees and shrubs really brings them in!
Towhee's are a regular here as well as Varied Thrush (year-round here)

I was taken by surprise by an Anna's hummingbird-it  literally scared me to a screeching, ducking bird fearing human! Almost took my eyes out...
but then once I realized I was not the target and the fuchsia basket next to my head was...I was restored to a peaceful, calm gardener....whew!
Rapture?

Honeybees arrive and in they go!

 Happy bee keeper! I am trying Carniolan bee's this year. I have not had good luck with Italian bees.
By the way-we have Local honey for sale

 This is how they arrive- in a crate with the queen in her own small crate inside-so they can adapt to her pheromone, and feed her.

 Literally 'shaking' the bees into the hive

 Watching all the bees load into the hive (see the box tilted)

 Checking to see if the Queen went down into the box-Success!!!  She did!
The blanket is to keep her from flying up and away -if we lose the queen-the whole colony will leave.

Baby chicks

Americauna 

 We've had chickens for 7 years, and raised them form 2 days old...
so I'm no beginner,
HOWEVER... the current collection of baby chicks we are raising are so cute they make me squeel!
 Our chicken population has declined over the years...
old age, natural causes, very few predator problems...so we needed a new clutch to up the egg production. Have you ever tasted FRESH EGGS?
Seriously- there is no way to know until you KNOW the difference.
 We plan to keep 14 of the chicks. A mix, including Americaunas, Gold laced Wyandotte, Silver laced Wyandotte, Australorp, Barred Rock, Rhode Island red and Buff Orpington.

           For me, keeping chickens has been a natural addition to the garden. Whenever we weed the garden or nursery, practically all the weeds go to the chickens. They get so excited to see us walking towards the run. They know we have some exciting new treat for them to peck and scratch at- they are a busy bunch- they need fresh material.
    During the spring growing season I do not let them roam free-No No No! they will scratch up all my plants, eat the seedlings, and make a mess of things. I allow them to free range during the fall and winter and forage to their hearts content, but come spring...sorry gals, weeds and scraps for you till things are growing and well established...UNLESS I plan to watch them close, and then I let them out only for the last hour of sunlight. They will naturally go back to the coop to roost.
 Chickens are so amusing to watch. They have the funniest personalities, and can truly become a family pet. They will follow you if you around like a dog -we start them young, calling out to them when we approach them in the coop (I use the same sing song voice and repeat a phrase- like 'Hi Girls'), feeding them favorite treats, and sitting with them in the yard, resting.
 Isabella was one of those chickens- she was like a puppy. She follwed me everywhere-especially if i had food, or was digging in the soil-WORMS!

Isabella- family pet

We have 16 chicks to sell as pullets (3-6 month old chicks). Mixed breeds, as well as small moveable Coops and runs that house 5 hens, including laying boxes.

Stop in an ask us about chicken care- we are happy to share the knowledge.

Permaculture

Sat April 23rd 1pm  

Permaculture

Join Laura Sweany here at Village Green as she discusses ways for home gardeners to easily implement Permaculture design to your yard and garden!

The word Permaculture comes from permanent agriculture, and is a form of no-dig, no-till gardening or farming. Permaculture gardening replenishes the soil as nature does in forests and lands not used by man... decomposing (rotting) organic substances. This creates new soil and feeds the old stuff. It builds a new layer each year as last years weeds, manure, mulch all rot down and become rich new soil.

$35 for this information packed class

Leave with lots of inspiration and ideas! Be here 15 mins. early to get familiar, and look around.

Apple trees, figs, blueberries, raspberries, huckleberries and more to choose from. Plus a huge selection of Organic vegetable starts!