Bird brains...

So I think I have finally decided what kind of ducks we are going to get :) Next month we are going to get 2 male ducklings (1 Blue Swedish & 1 Welsh Harlequin) delivered to the farm from a duck farm in Gonzales, California. I learned alot raising Peepers so I think this time it will go alot smoother...I hope. Next on the decision making agenda is deciding what kind or kinds of chickens to get. I think we have decided to raise them from chicks as well and I know we want about 8 of them but have not decided what breeds yet. More to come...

The perimeter is secure...

Put the temporary fence up yesterday after work. I think it will work quite nicely.
Today when I get home I will go ahead and spray the vinegar and lay down the straw and then let nature do its job on those weeds. Need to start thinking about the install of the permanent fence and who will help me on that one and then the building the bed boxes which I can do on my own. As part of our co-op I need someone who will do the work in exchange for goods :)

Don't fence me in...

Was able to get just about everything yesterday that I need for the temporary fence and weed killing project - 1 gallon pressure sprayer for $7 at OSH, 1 gallon of vinegar for $2 at Smart & Final, temporary plastic fencing for $26 at OSH, wood for posts FREE from the garage and I am getting a bale of straw for $8 at the feed store today. Have some other chores to do today so I will begin this project tomorrow after work. Having the temporary fence up will serve a couple purposes...it will get Terra used to the fact that she will not have access to that half of the yard anymore and it will keep her from digging and rolling around in the straw and vinegar :)

A different approach...

Had a revelation this morning on how to clear out the weeds/grass in the backyard. Did some quick research on natural ways to kill weeds and it seems to be vinegar. So my plan is to erect a temporary fence around the area, spray copious amounts of vinegar on the weeds and then cover the entire area with straw. An all natural way to kill them without killing my back :) Off to Home Depot I go!!!!

Final tally for today...

Found 2 praying mantises out back today so I now have 4 (that I know of) living on my plants.

- Manto on the apple tree

- Patience on the nectarine tree

- Wally on the rose bush

- Guacamole in the avocado tree :)

We will see if they all stick around...I hope so!

Well today was not just for bug hunting, I did some moving and rearranging of some of my container plants. In an attempt to regain some of my concrete space back I relocated the Hope rose bush, apple tree, one veggie pot and the nectarine tree up against the West wall. After clearing out the weeds from the area I used some of the recycled border pieces to create a nice surface for the pots to sit on.

I also laid out some pieces of wood where one side of the garden fence will be so that I have a visual of Phase 1 - Clearing out the grass/weeds and started seriously pulling stuff up. So here it is...the future site of McFuller Organic Farm, well that is the working name so far...need to come up with a better name :)

I am wiped out so that is about it for today. To be continued tomorrow...

Just found this guy in the backyard! He is bigger than both Manto and Patience. Have not figured out a name for him or what plant I will try to get him to live in but isn't he cool? OK...back to work I go!!!!!

Garden Update...

This weekend I will be working on the backyard ALOT...it is time to get this ball rolling to hopefully get the winter veggies planted in time. Anyone who is interested in getting a good workout, sometime in the sun and share of the future harvest is welcomed to come help :)
*BUG UPDATE: Manto is still living in the apple tree and he is almost 2 inches long now AND he has a praying mantis friend in the nectarine tree, her name is Patience and she is over 2 inches long and is a very pretty green. She is not part of the batch that I let loose in the yard, she came on her own but we are happy to have her :D I will post pictures as soon as I can get them to pose for me!