Tag Archive | yard work

Landscape Timber Structures: Corrals

Feb18
Fenced In Fig Tree

She Ain't Goin' NOWHERE now!

It looks like I am trying to keep that fig tree from escaping. This creative structure is actually my way to corral the Laying Ladies as they work on the ground, weeding and tilling around my beautiful Fig Tree.

In keeping with my “NO EXCUSES” policy of maintaining my home and property- as well as dealing with what life hands me- I use these timbers in a non-destructive way- meaning I don’t nail them together but stack them carefully.

The Ladies can and sometimes do escape this sturdy corral. In general, they stay where I put them as long as the corral is at least 5 timbers high. Lower than that, they seem to think of it as a roost and hop on and then over it. At five high, they stay in place and work where I put them.

duck and chicken under fig tree

IchaBIRD Crane- the headless birds


In this next image, they seem to have lost their heads. In reality, they are just intent on their chores: removing pests and tilling up the compost around this fruit tree.

Working Women, Part Two

Feb4

Chickens Weeding Olive Tree

Chickens Weeding Olive Tree


The Laying Ladies have been doing more than laying this week. After finishing up the weeding around the peach tree, my helpful hens started around the olive tree. These girls never slack off. Wet or Dry, they are out there scratching out a living. My youngest daughter stands by with her shepherd’s staff to gently prod any ladies that try to move off in the wrong direction but these ladies are too intent on the job at hand, duh, at foot(?) to be bothered with running away. They are such a blessing to me.

Working Women

Feb1

Chickens scratching under a Peach tree

Working Women


The grass under this peach was knee deep when they started. I was worried about ground rattlers -like I found last year here. Not these girls. They made short work of any pests they found. Thanks, Ladies!

April Update: Chicks, Ducks, Bunnies, Oh My!

Apr6

The chicks have grown. Seven Chicks Growing
It will be so exciting when they start laying by grandson Kaiden’s birthday (August), as expected.

The ducks are laying every day and since the chicks have taken over the “duck” tractor, Hubby built me a new poultry pen. Poultry Pen
It’s quite a bit larger than the tractor. I put their former shelter (the top to an old dog carrier) in the new pen in case they wanted something familiar but they were quite happy to lay their eggs in the new couch coop. Couch Coop
The couch coop already needs a new top (we knew it would) but was providential so we aren’t complaining. It is filled with leaves (deep litter method) and the duck eggs are so clean now when we pick them up!

Now for the exciting news! We have Bunnies. The new additions were selected by the entire family on a trip to Tractor Supply for more Dumore poultry feed. Rabbit manure is exceptionally good for the garden and Spring Warren at Quarter Acre Farm says that two rabbits can produce as much poop as a steer. That will be a great addition for the worm farms, as well as the garden and compost heaps.

Meet Goldilocks and Peter Rabbit.

Some Bunny loves You

Don’t worry… like Duckling One and Duckling Two, and the seven ladies (chicks)– these bunnies are destined for a long and happy life- not the supper table!

Stuff we bought for fixing up my yard

Aug29

Found Fountain

Found Fountain

Bought groceries and a lot of stuff we had put off. A hand pruner ($4.97), a pair of gripping gloves ($3.97), 3 more small solar lights to match a first one I bought the other day (3@$2.50), some clear silcone ($3.77), and one 3″ chlorinating tablet ($2.27). This stuff is for my gardening, landscaping, yard work.

My yard is progressing. My neighbors, The Whitton family, have such a beautiful piece of property and they always inspire me to work to improve mine. I’ve had some successes and I’m in the process of getting the yard cleared so it doesn’t look like a graveyard for bicycles, lawnmowers and automobiles that no longer function. Two old trucks moved out and another to go soon. Continue reading →