Friday, March 19, 2010

Pineapples

I have to gush about my man for a moment! On Monday (very delayed post) he had his first day of school, so he got off early. He decided to be sweet and stopped by at the nursery to get me a present. He looked at the cut flowers, and decided that they were a lost cause since I can kill any plant he gives me anyways. So he moved on to the live plants.

He looked at the lemon and lime trees, but they were small, and very expensive. That, and they couldn't tell him if they would grow outside, if they needed transplanting, etc etc. He's so thorough! He wandered around the nursery and up on the top shelf, he found... PINEAPPLES! My favorite!

Its so tiny, the whole plant is the size of my Sisko! AND! It had a baby pineapple on it!

I read up about them, and they need temps between 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit, so inside works, but they need full, direct sunlight, so during the day, Mr. Prickles goes outside. We are still getting frosts at night, so I have to bring him in at night. I also learned that it takes two years before they fruit, then it takes 6 months for the fruit to mature, and then they skip a year. My goodness they are a lot of work!

Also, I transplanted it that night. It was in a 6 inch pot, and everything I read said it needed a minimum of 8 inches, and I just so happened to have a pot! So far, its looking good, except for the yellow spots it had when it arrived.

Well, fingers crossed that it lives!


Such a bad picture.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Book Review

I finished "How to Build Animal Housing..." by Carol Ekarius last week. It was a really good reference that dug deep into the nuts and bolts, so to speak, of how to go about building different style of buildings such as pole barns, lean-to's, and portable shelters, to name but a few.

The book covers everything from pouring concrete to shingling roofs. It covers the best way to finish off buildings and gave many drawing on features you can add, such as brooders for pigs, calves, and foals, and even a milking stand for goats. It stressed safety on every page and really emphasized the importance of planning.

Unfortunately, it is an American publication, so all the regulations are not Canadian, but still the thought is there. As well, I found the drawings and the more technical portions were difficult to understand at times, but my Mr. Selinger had no problem translating them to me.

Overall, I found the book to be valuable and will definitely purchase it, but I wouldn't consider my collection lacking if I didn't.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Dogs in the Street

Luckily, my computer is up and running again!

Nothing has really happened, but on Thursday, while on route to take the dogs to the park, I almost hit a Jack Russel terrier who was just standing in the center of my lane as I rolled down the hill. The dog was terrified and wouldn't budge when I agave her a little honk, and when she did decide to move, it was towards more traffic.

Me, along with another woman, got out of our cars and convinced the dog to come to the side of the road, and onto the sidewalk. She was very nervous, but after a short while, I was able to coax her to my side, where she let me scratch behind her ear and hook my fingers through her collar. She was comfortable with me picking her up, so it was decided I would take her to the SPCA to see if she had a tattoo or microchip.

However, just as I was hopping into the car (much to the delight of my two), I heard a woman screaming at the top of the hill behind me. The woman was running down the hill, yelling for my attention, in her very cute bathrobe. I ran up and met her halfway, and the tears started. She gave me the biggest bear hug, her little Bella squished between us. The woman thanked me repeatedly and gave me an open invitation for coffee anytime! It was a great feeling as I drove off!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

The Grind

Things have come to a screeching halt at the "Farm". I'm desperately searching for a job, so my thoughts have strayed and I don't think I could concentrate on anything else. Its frustrating looking for a job I know I won't stay with long term, and hopefully enjoy to some degree, while I build my future over the next several years. The ideal choice would be to go back to school, but financially, I can't. Also, I would go to school for so many years, then while just starting out in my career, I would eventually leave it for my farm. Its a sticky situation I'm in, and the only thing keeping me going is the support I get from my family!

Monday, March 8, 2010

New books!

Well, not really.

Today, on the way to the park, I stopped at the library. I picked up two books I've been interested in.



I got "How to Build Animal housing: 60 Plans for Coops, Hutches, Barns, Sheds, Pens, Nest Boxes, Feeders, Stanchions, and Much More" and "Small-Scale Livestock Farming: A Grass-Based Approach for Health, Sustainability, and Profit", both by Carol Ekarius. I haven't been able to read much of "How to Build...", but so far, I like it. When I'm finished, I will update on how it was!

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Soggy Puppies


Today I finished leveling the area where I will put the raised beds. I measured the plot, and wasn't surprised to see one side was about 2 feet narrower than the other. Still, I measured out how much room I had, and how much I wanted for the beds. They are much smaller than I had originally planned for, but when I consider the fact that I'm only going to grow a few different vegetables, I think it will all even out in the end.

I am, however, sharply aware that I am falling behind in my planting schedule. I'm not overly concerned since I don't have a green house to get my plants started in, and we are still experiencing frosty nights. I just hope the delay won't be too detrimental or cause too much frustration.

Oh, and are you wondering about the title? It was bath day.

Buddy...










... and Sisko.

Friday, March 5, 2010

A Day of Roses



Today is so bright and sunny. I took advantage of not having to wear a bulky jacket, and brought the dogs to the park and enjoyed the warmth. Spring feels early this year!

After a pleasant walk and a few pictures, I headed home to try and prune the roses. I was told it would be ok to prune them in the spring, so I looked up some information, but it was vague. All it said was to remove suckers, dead portions, anything thinner than a pencil, and to thin the inside so light could reach all parts of the plants.

So, with a huge lack of information, I went out and I will admit, I was overwhelmed. I have 6 rose plants in the front, and they haven't been touched in years. The beds they sit in are overrun with weeds and some sort of lily, I think. That's not including the garbage thrown on our lawn everyday.

I didn't end up removing much off most the plants since they were budding. I did remove large portions if it looked like it was struggling, and one plant was so weighted down, I ended up removing a whole, heavily budded branch. The rest of the plant sprang up and smacked me in the face. Not very thankful!

Here is one before and after of my favorite bush under the kitchen window.

Before.
















After.






Not bad in my mind. I love the red growth on this one! I'll try again in the fall, which is the right time to do it. I'm hoping to do some weeding after the raised beds are put in, and plant out some flowers. We'll see if time permits!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Farm Girl

Since putting my plans into action by creating my own little farm in the back, I have had to do some backbreaking work. Even though I don't work in the rain (yet) I have had to work in muggy weather and moderatly hot sun, and I must say, it is very unpleasant! Generally, after an hour of hard work on the weekends, I drag my feet very dramatically over to Mr. Selinger, put on my best pout, and complain that my hand hurts, or its hot, or any thing else I can think of at the time to get sympathy.

His response is to laugh, put his hand on my head, and say, "Its tough being a farm girl, isn't it?"

Even though I don't get the response I want, it does leave me with no excuse. And a small feeling of happiness, especailly when I find out that at work, when some one tells him he needs to find a 'nice girl', his reponse is, "I did even better. I found me a nice farm girl." Its kinda nice knowing that even at work, he describes me as his farm girl.

Hopfully before long, I can be a real farm girl!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

(Limited) Tools of the Trade

Didn't do anything exciting today, so I thought I would post the tools I get to use while digging my plot.




Starting from the very bottom left are my little shears resting on my pruning shears, which prove useful for the large stalks that you find in the middle of the blackberry growth, then my ads, a double sided blunt ax used to tear up earth and chop stubborn roots up. The actual head of the ads is old, the original handle having splintered long ago. My spade is next then my rake.

That's all I've got! And really, that's all I need right now. As time goes on, I might collect more, but for the time being, they serve my purpose well!

Monday, March 1, 2010

Slow Progress

Yesterday turned into a work day. Well, between periods of the mens hockey game, Canada vs USA. The Olympics closed last night with Canada winning more golds than any conuntry ever has in any Olympic Winter Game! Congrats to our athletes!

....

Pride aside...

This was the view of backyard last Monday. This is looking South-North (ish), with the compost in the back corner.








This was the after math of a full day of work. I cleared out most of the blackberries over the area I want my beds. There are plenty more to the right, in the sun, and I'm standing next to massive pile of the fallen. Its hard to see, but I have used the ads to break up the soil, and then raked it somewhat level. This view is looking South-North.



Yesterday, not much happened. I continued to clear out, then used the ads to break up more soil, then raked it level again. Still, I think its mighty impressive!


This is looking East-West. There are more of those thorny devils off camera, but its still looking mighty nice! Well worth the blood, sweat, and tears! But I assure you, the tears where from the hockey game...

Sisko enjoyed his new hideout behind the compost... He's trying to get into the neighbours yard... He's not too bright considering he keeps hitting his head on the barbed wire. Oh Sisko... At least mommy loves you.

You might be wondering what was so exciting that he would purposefully (and eventually successfully) try to barge through sharp, rusty barbed wire?

Mew.