Spring Planning

I know I may be crazy already thinking about Spring but I feel like I have so much stuff to do before Spring gets here. Between the garden, meat chickens, and a possible pig I have lots of planning to do.

Last year we tried a few new plants in the garden. Some worked and some didn't. So the task now is to start planning for this year. We always draw the garden dimensions on a spreadsheet and make rows. That way we know exactly how much planting space we have. Last year we left enough room between the rows to get the tiller down each row...who knows what we will do this year? Once the spread sheet is set up we start deciding which plant will go in each row. Sounds easy right!? You have to figure out how much you want to grow, then determine how much space between each plant depending on the variety. It is a fun process figuring out what is going in the garden each year. After the chart is done we make sure we have a enough seed and determine when the seed needs to be started. Some plants we start inside because of Ohio's temperatures.  Needless to say the mud/laundry room is a bit messy during April and May.

Meanwhile, we have to also figure out when we want to raise our meat chickens. We actually have to figure out when, how many, what breed and how to house them.  Last year was our first year to raise meat chickens and boy did we learn a lot.  Nicky made a chicken tractor out of pallets, plywood, and chicken wire.  Then I painted it with reject paint from the hardware store.

We ordered Cornish Cx birds and said our prayers.

We did manage to freeze about 10 birds last year but as we found out (or better RAN out) we realized we needed to raise more. This year I think we will do things a little different so we do not lose as many birds before harvest time as we did last year. It is definitely a fine art.

So not that we do not have enough to think about we want a PIG?!? We had a pig last year briefly that someone had given to us.  We knew nothing about raising a pig on the day it arrived. Again...thank goodness for the internet and FREE pallets.  It was not doing very good when we received the pig which is one reason why we took it. It needed some TLC.  After being hand fed with lots of goodies added to the feed like garlic, and ACV (unfiltered apple cider vinegar) to help ward off any infection she really began to perk up and thrive.

But unfortunately I guess some pigs get certain diseases for unknown reasons and she passed away.  We were offered a replacement but decided to wait till Spring. Mainly because I am much happier hauling water/feed when it is warm than when it is COLD!!! So perhaps we will try it again this year.

So if you are wondering what is going on here... PLANNING, PLANNING, PLANNING!!

I challenge you to grow something this year.  Just one thing.  You may be surprised at how rewarding it really is.  If you have room for a flower or plant you have room to grow food.  Some vegetables and herbs can grow right in a pot. Let your kids grow something too.  My nephew always uses a flower bed on the side of the house and plants a couple pumpkin seeds.  Try a tomato plant or pepper plant in a pot or cucumbers with a trellis. Just pick something you usually buy at the store and try to grow it yourself.

Happy Planning!!