Category Archives: Chickens

September and October Garden Harvests

Posted on November 25, 2014 by | Leave a comment

I present to you the last two month’s harvests–minus several gallons of honey that have yet to be tabulated!

We’re often a bit flummoxed trying to make sense of why certain crops do wonderfully one year and very poorly another year. This summer’s winners included cantaloupes and eggplant. The potatoes did horribly, as did the zucchini.

September

  • Apple ‘Golden Delicious’: 3.5 lbs.
  • Basil ‘Aroma 1’: 9.38 lbs.
  • Bean ‘Kentucky Blue’: 9.25 lbs.
  • Beet ‘Pacemaker III Hybrid’: 8.13 lbs.
  • Bell pepper ‘Big Red Beauty’: 1 lb.
  • Carrot ‘Nantaise’: 1.75 lbs.
  • Cucumber ‘Bushy Pickling’: 6.25 lbs.
  • Cucumber ‘Fountain’: 2 lbs.
  • Eggplant ‘Rosa Bianca’: 4.75 lbs.
  • Eggs: 71 (Barred Rock 19; Ameraucana 25; Welsummer 27)
  • Kale ‘Winterbor’: .25 lbs.
  • Cantaloupe ‘Minnesota Midget’: 5.38 lbs.
  • Onion ‘Red Amposta’: 2.75 lbs.
  • Parsley ‘Dark Green Italian Plain’: .38 lbs.
  • Pepper ‘Early Jalapeno’: 1.25 lbs.
  • Potato ‘Red Pontiac’: .25 lbs.
  • Potato ‘Yukon’: .75 lbs.
  • Thai Basil: .06 lbs.
  • Tomatillo ‘Variety?’: 1 lb.
  • Tomato ‘Early Girl’: 7.63 lbs.
  • Tomato ‘Pineapple’: 5.13 lbs.
  • Tomato ‘San Marzano’: 2 lbs.
  • Zucchini ‘Variety?’: 1.25 lbs.

Total: 74.09 lbs.

October

  • Beeswax: 5 lbs.
  • Cucumber ‘Bushy Pickling’: 1.25 lbs.
  • Eggplant ‘Nadia’: .63 lbs.
  • Eggplant ‘Rosa Bianca’: 3.13 lbs.
  • Eggs: 55 (Barred Rock 13; Ameraucana 19; Welsummer 23)
  • Navel orange: .13 lbs.
  • Onion ‘Red Amposta’: .25 lbs.
  • Parsley ‘Dark Green Italian Plain’: .125 lbs.
  • Pepper ‘Big Red Beauty’: 4.13 lbs.
  • Pepper ‘Early Jalapeno’: 4.13 lbs.
  • Persimmon ‘Fuyu’: 9.5 lbs.
  • Persimmon ‘Hachiya’: 94.45 lbs.
  • Pomegranate ‘Wonderful’: 1.5 lbs.
  • Tomatillo: 2.75 lbs.
  • Tomato ‘Early Girl’: 6 lbs.
  • Tomato ‘Orange Roma’: .75 lbs.
  • Tomato ‘Pineapple’: 2.5 lbs.
  • Tomato ‘San Marzano’: 1.88 lbs.

Total: 138.12 lbs.

2014 harvest total: 715.9 lbs.

2014 egg count: 385

 

The first two pomegranates from our little tree were absolutely delicious!

The first two pomegranates from our little tree were absolutely delicious!

Nightly raccoon family raids led us to harvest the Hachiyas early. They're ripening nicely in the kitchen, and Kelly will soon brew up a batch of persimmon beer.

Nightly raccoon family raids led us to harvest the Hachiyas early. They’re ripening nicely in the kitchen, and Kelly will soon brew up a batch of persimmon beer.

Late-season tomatoes and tomatillos.

Late-season tomatoes and tomatillos.

Pomegranates, 'Rosa Bianca' eggplants, and jalapeño peppers.

Pomegranates, ‘Rosa Bianca’ eggplants, and jalapeño peppers.

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Posted in Bees, Chickens, Fruits and Veggies, In the Garden

Introducing Spoon Farm

Posted on September 14, 2014 by | 6 Comments

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Is it a garden, or a farm? Who cares either way?

We used to think of what we have here as a garden, because it’s tiny—less than a quarter acre—and decidedly suburban. But lately, our thinking has begun to change. It’s not just the fact that so much of what we eat comes from this scrap of land we cultivate, or that we’ve moved beyond veggies, to include chickens and bees. There’s also power in naming, and in the identities we choose.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn recently that the USDA defines a farm as ‘any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the year.’ Whether or not we sell it, we are certainly producing (and consuming!) well over $1,000 in agricultural products every year. More on this next year, when I hope to finally buckle down and track the dollar value of our production.

Other definitions of ‘farm’ are even more inclusive, ranging from ‘a tract of land devoted to agricultural purposes,’ to ‘a plot of land devoted to the raising of animals, especially domestic livestock.’

Check, check, and check.

So it’s a farm, this place where we sweat and grumble and search for moments to pause and enjoy the literal and figurative fruits of our labor, and the unselfconscious beauty of flora and fauna minding their own business. It’s pleasing to stand looking out at what right now is the ramshackle, top-heavy, last burst of summer crops and to say, this is Spoon Farm.

We sold honey for the first time a few months ago at the San Mateo County Fair and came up with our name then. Kelly made a first round of labels, and on a whim recently, I made a farm website. Check it out at www.spoonfarm.com!

Late summer veggies.

Late summer veggies.

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Winter babies ready in the greenhouse.

Winter babies ready in the greenhouse.

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Posted in Bees, Chickens, Fruits and Veggies, In the Garden, Worms

August Garden Harvest

Posted on August 31, 2014 by | Leave a comment

August Harvest Totals

  • Basil ‘Aroma 1’: negligible by the sprig
  • Bean ‘Kentucky Blue’: 4.25 lbs.
  • Beet ‘Pacemaker III Hybrid’: 1.63 lbs.
  • Beet greens ‘Pacemaker III Hybrid’: .38 lbs.
  • Bell pepper ‘Big Red Beauty’: 1.25 lbs.
  • Carrot ‘Nantaise’: 1.5 lbs.
  • Cucumber ‘Bushy Pickling’: 27.75 lbs.
  • Cucumber ‘Fountain’: 13.89 lbs.
  • Dill ‘Fernleaf’: 10 heads
  • Eggs: 66 (Barred Rock 23; Ameraucana 24; Welsummer 19)
  • Eggplant ‘Nadia’: 5.5 lbs.
  • Eggplant ‘Rosa Bianca’: 2 lbs.
  • Kale ‘Winterbor’: .25 lbs.
  • Lime ‘Bearrs’: .25 lbs.
  • Tomato ‘Early Girl’: 7.31 lbs.
  • Tomato ‘Orange Roma’: .38 lbs.
  • Tomato ‘San Marzano’: 1.38 lbs.
  • Lettuce ‘Magenta’: 2 lbs.
  • Okra ‘Star of David’: 3.75 lbs.
  • Onion ‘Red Amposta’: 1.25 lbs.
  • Parsley ‘Dark Green Italian Plain’: .25 lbs.
  • Spearmint: negligible by the sprig
  • Zucchini ‘Variety?’: 1.63 lbs.

Total: 76.59 lbs.

2014 harvest total: 503.69 lbs.

2014 egg count: 259

There aren't many things as lovely as an okra blossom. Who knew?

There aren’t many things as lovely as an okra blossom. Who knew?

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Rosa Bianca, Nadia, Star of David, and an underripe red pepper.

Rosa Bianca, Nadia, Star of David, and an underripe red pepper.

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Posted in Chickens, Fruits and Veggies, In the Garden

The Kids Are Alright

Posted on August 11, 2014 by | 2 Comments

Seems I fall off the blogging wagon every summer. But the excitement never stops around here. There’s been plenty of chicken drama to keep us on our toes. Think months of diarrhea, sibling rivalry, and raging hormones for starters.

Bell and Fifi finally joined the big girls outside in July, and they’ve both laid their adorable first eggs. Luma (aka ‘Baby Tiny’) marches around kicking butt and guzzling food, with a crop the size of a tennis ball, even as she remains convinced of impending famine. Our sweet Petunia is now on chicken birth control to mellow out her raging hormones–the result of having been bred for short term mega-egg production. She’s a little quieter than she used to be, but she can still subdue Luma with one ominous warning cackle.

At the end of a rough day of egg-laying and jockeying for food, everyone enjoys taking dust baths. Except for Luma, who seldom takes time from her perpetual foraging.

We humans continue to be amazed by the complexity of chicken social structure and rely on ‘chicken therapy’ (i.e. watching the chickens be chickens) regularly to cope with our own stressful lives.

Bell--Welsummer extraordinaire.

Bell–Welsummer extraordinaire. She has the spirit of a leader, but she’ll have to wait her turn. In the meantime, she busies herself with being an incredibly picky eater and unskilled forager and with hollering louder and longer than anyone else.

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Enjoying a therapeutic dust bath at the end of a hard day.

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Promise she’s not dead.

Fifi, in a state of bliss.

Fifi, in a state of bliss. Fifi is a very gentle soul and astute reader of dominant chickens. She is utterly terrified of Luma and relies on daily dust baths under the tomatoes to decompress.

Fifi's first little green Ameraucana egg.

Fifi’s first egg–laid July 28th at 18.5 weeks old.

Bell's first egg.

Bell’s first egg–laid August 10th at 20.5 weeks old.

From left, full-sized Barred Rock egg, Welsummer pullet egg, and Ameraucana pullet egg.

From left, full-sized Barred Rock egg, Welsummer pullet egg, and Ameraucana pullet egg.

Still not sure if Petunia's recent 'birth control' injection brought on an early molt.

Still not sure if Petunia’s recent ‘birth control’ injection brought on an early molt. She is a very fair and gentle but no-nonsense leader of the flock.

At 2.5 years old, Luma (aka 'Baby Tiny') is the meanest kid on the block and lays six eggs a week.

At 2.5 years old, Luma (aka ‘Baby Tiny’) is the meanest kid on the block and lays six eggs a week.

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Posted in Chickens, In the Garden

June and July Garden Harvests

Posted on August 9, 2014 by | Leave a comment
Strawberry Free!

Strawberry Free!

June harvest totals

  • Basil ‘Aroma 1’: .13 lbs.
  • Beans ‘Kentucky Blue’: .13 lbs.
  • Cabbage ‘Parel’: 7.75 lbs.
  • Cauliflower ‘Snow Crown’: 3 lbs.
  • Eggs: 28 (Barred Rock 19; Barred Leghorn 9)
  • Fig ‘Variety?’: .13 lbs
  • Kale ‘Winterbore’: .13 lbs.
  • Mulberry ‘Pakistan Fruiting’: .16 lbs.
  • Navel Orange: 1.06 lbs.
  • Nectarine ‘Double Delight’: 2.13 lbs.
  • Onion ‘Red Amposta’: .5 lbs.
  • Peach ‘Strawberry Free’: 14 lbs.
  • Plum ‘Santa Rosa’: 3.13 lbs.
  • Raspberry ‘Autumn Bliss’, ‘Autumn Britten’, and ‘Tulameen’: 1.44 lbs.
  • Rosemary ‘Variety?’: .13 lbs.
  • Serviceberry: .47 lbs.
  • Spearmint: .06 lbs.
  • Strawberry ‘Seascape’ and ‘Albion’: .56 lbs.

Harvest total: 34.91 lbs.

 July harvest totals

  • Basil ‘Aroma 1’: 2.5 lbs.
  • Bell pepper ‘Big Red Beauty’ .25 lbs.
  • Cucumber ‘Bushy Pickling’: 10.88 lbs.
  • Cucumber ‘Fountain’: 5.5 lbs.
  • Dill ‘Fernleaf’: 4 heads
  • Eggs: 21 ( Barred Rock 17; Barred Leghorn 3; Ameraucana 1)
  • Grapes ‘Thompson’: .25 lbs.
  • Lettuce ‘Magenta’ 3 lbs.
  • Lime ‘Bearrs’: .38 lbs.
  • Spearmint: .13 lbs.
  • Navel Orange: 1.25 lbs.
  • Okra ‘Star of David’: 1.13 lbs.
  • Onion ‘Purplette’: .13 lbs.
  • Onion ‘Red Amposta’: .5 lbs.
  • Strawberry ‘Seascape’ and ‘Albion’: .13 lbs.
  • Thai basil: .38 lbs.
  • Tomato ‘Early Girl’: 1.13 lbs.
  • Tomato ‘Orange Roma’: .13 lbs.
  • Zucchini ‘Variety?’: 3.88 lbs.

Total: 31.55 lbs.

2014 harvest total: 427.1 lbs.

Fifi's first little green egg

Fifi’s first little green egg

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Posted in Chickens, Fruits and Veggies, In the Garden

May Garden Harvest

Posted on June 1, 2014 by | 2 Comments
May Harvest totals
  • Beeswax: 1 lb.
  • Beet ‘Pacemaker III Hybrid’: 2.75 lbs.
  • Blueberry ‘Misty’ and ‘Sunshine Blue’: .19 lbs.
  • Broccoli ‘Umpqua’: 1.88 lbs.
  • Cabbage ‘Parel’: 1.5 lbs.
  • Carrot ‘Mokum’: 4.63 lbs. (root)
  • Carrot ‘Mokum’: 2 lbs. (tops)
  • Carrot ‘Nantaise’: .63 lbs. (root)
  • Carrot ‘Nantaise’: .25 lbs. tops)
  • Carrot ‘Napa’: 6.5 lbs. (root)
  • Carrot ‘Napa’: 3.5 lbs. (tops)
  • Cauliflower ‘Snow Crown’: 7.75 lbs.
  • Chard ‘Rainbow’: .75 lbs.
  • Eggs: 37 (Barred Rock 23; Barred Leghorn 14)
  • Elephant garlic: 3.75 lbs.
  • Fava ‘Broad Windsor’: .25 lbs.
  • Garlic ‘Duganski’: 1.25 lbs.
  • Garlic ‘Spanish Roja’: 2 lbs.
  • Garlic ‘Susanville’: 1.38 lbs.
  • Honey (comb): 9.25 lbs.
  • Honey (extracted): 34 lbs.
  • Kale ‘Fordham Hook’: .5 lbs.
  • Kale ‘Winterbore’: .38 lbs.
  • Lemon ‘Meyer’: .75 lbs.
  • Lime ‘Bearrs’: .25 lbs.
  • Loquat: 8 lbs.
  • Mulberry ‘Pakistan Fruiting’: 3.25 lbs.
  • Navel orange: 3.31 lbs.
  • Onion ‘Red Amposta’: .88 lbs.
  • Onion ‘Yellow Granex’: 24.5
  • Raspberry ‘Autumn Bliss’, ‘Autumn Britten’, and ‘Tulameen’: 4.75 lbs.
  • Snap pea ‘Sugar Snap’: 1.13 lbs.
  • Strawberry ‘Seascape’ and ‘Albion’: .75 lbs.

Harvest total: 133.66 lbs.

2014 harvest total: 360.64 lbs.

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Posted in Bees, Chickens, Fruits and Veggies, In the Garden

April Garden Harvest

Posted on May 13, 2014 by | 4 Comments
April harvest totals
  • Asparagus ‘Farmer’s Favorite’: .25 lbs
  • Beet ‘Pacemaker III Hybrid’: 1.13 lbs
  • Carrot ‘Nantes’: .63 lbs
  • Cauliflower ‘Snow Crown’: 1.5 lbs
  • Chives: .09 lbs
  • Cilantro: .28 lbs
  • Eggs: 32 (Barred Rock 17; Barred Leghorn 15)
  • Fava bean ‘Superaguadulce Morocco’: 2.89 lbs
  • Fennel ‘Perfection’: 3.5 lbs
  • Lime ‘Bearrs’: 2.13 lbs
  • Mulberry ‘Pakistan Fruiting’: .5 lbs
  • Navel orange: 2.63 lbs
  • Onion ‘Red Amposta’: .38 lbs
  • Onion ‘Yellow Granex’: 1.5 lbs
  • Orange mint: 1/32 lbs
  • Parsley ‘Dark Green Italian Plain’: .03 lbs
  • Snap pea ‘Sugar Snap’: 1.25 lbs
  • Snow pea ‘’Oregon Sugar Pod II’: .125 lbs
  • Spinach ‘Donkey’: 2.31 lbs
  • Spring onion: ‘Purplette’: 3.56 lbs
  • Strawberry ‘Albion’ and ‘Seascape’: 1.25 lbs
  • Sweet Marjoram: 1 sprig
  • Tarragon: 1 sprig

Harvest total: 25.97 lbs

2014 harvest total: 226.98 lbs

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Posted in Chickens, Fruits and Veggies, In the Garden

Meet the Babies

Posted on April 10, 2014 by | 8 Comments

After one brief mention at the beginning of March, I’ve failed to revisit the current baby chicken saga, or introduce you to the new newcomers.

With increasing fears that the Ameraucana chick might be the bossiest baby rooster we’d ever encountered (and unfortunately, we’ve had past experience with baby roosters), I decided to buy “back-up” chickens.

On March 8th, I brought home two baby Rhode Island Reds and a baby Gold Sexlink. Sadly, one of the Reds died mysteriously a few days later.

So now, a month later, we have four rambunctious chicks in various stages of development. They don’t get along, so we have twice the work of cleaning cardboard-box-brooders. Egad.

Aside from their chronic intestinal problems (the vet says they have yeast overgrowths–rabbit yeast, no less), they’re an awfully cute and lovable bunch. So far, the prescribed daily dose of apple cider vinegar in their drinking water does not seem to be making things better.

But, without further complaints, allow me to introduce…

Then... Fife, the Ameraucana, in the foreground and Bell, the Wellsummer, behind.

Then… Fifi, the Ameraucana, in the foreground and Bell, the Wellsummer, behind.

Now... Bell on the left and Fifi (no roosters around here!) on the right.

Now… Bell on the left and Fifi (no roosters around here!) on the right.

Then... Mavis, the Gold Sexlink, on the left and Matilda, the Rhode Island Red, on the right.

Then… Mavis, the Gold Sexlink, on the left and Matilda, the Rhode Island Red, on the right.

Now...Mavis on the left and Matilda on the right.

Now…Mavis on the left and Matilda on the right.

Though of course it’s not fair to make grand statements about chicken breeds’ personalities based on a few individuals. It’s really striking how different these girls are from each other and from the older outside chickens. Bell and Fifi are the snuggliest chickens I’ve ever seen, and seem almost more like dogs in many ways. Mavis and Mattie, for their part, remind me more of our Barred Rock. They are thoroughly indignant and affronted by snuggles or neck scratches of any kind.

 

 

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Posted in Chickens

March Garden Harvest

Posted on March 31, 2014 by | 2 Comments
If only orange season lasted longer. The tree is bare, save for a last few remaining oranges.  We feasted on orange juice for the first half of March and sipped sparingly in the second half. Spinach parsley pesto was a huge hit this month, and I made three batches. The loquats are in full swing, but we have yet to get our loquat liqueur started. The chickens’ egg production picked up, while the asparagus yield remained disappointingly low.
Onward to more carrots, beets, and peas in April. We also have a second round of cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli in the ground.
March harvest totals
  • Asparagus ‘Farmer’s Favorite’: 1.69 lbs
  • Beets ‘Pacemaker III Hybrid’: 3.25 lbs
  • Broccoli ‘Rudolph’: .5 lbs
  • Broccoli ‘Umpqua’: .25 lbs
  • Cabbage ‘Copenhagen’: 4 lbs
  • Cabbage ‘Parel’: 2.5 lbs
  • Carrot ‘Nantes’: 2.13 lbs
  • Cauliflower ‘Snow Crown’: 1.5 lbs
  • Chard ‘Fordham Hook’: 2 lbs
  • Chard ‘Rainbow’: 2.5 lbs
  • Chives: .06 lbs
  • Cilantro: .5 lbs
  • Dinosaur Kale ‘Niro di Toscano’: .31 lbs
  • Eggs: 42 (Barred Rock 24; Barred Leghorn 18)
  • Fava bean ‘Superaguadulce Morocco’: 4 lbs
  • Fennel ‘Perfection’: 3.13 lbs
  • Kale ‘Winterbor’: 1.75 lbs
  • Kale ‘Wild Kale Blend’: .75 lbs
  • Lettuce ‘Heirloom Blend’: .88 lbs
  • Lime ‘Bearrs’: 5.75 lbs
  • Loquat: 5.75 lbs
  • Mustard ‘Ruby Streaks’: .06 lbs
  • Navel oranges: 48.88 lbs
  • Parsley ‘Dark Green Italian Plain’: 1.16 lbs
  • Spinach ‘Donkey’: 2.28 lbs
  • Snow pea ‘Oregon Sugar Pod II’: 4.88 lbs
  • Snap pea  ‘Sugar Snap’: 3.5 lbs
  • Spring onion ‘Purplette’: 3.25 lbs
  • Thyme: 1 sprig
  • White sage: 1.5 lbs

March harvest total: 108.71

2014 harvest total: 201.01 lbs

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Posted in Chickens, Fruits and Veggies, In the Garden, In the Kitchen

February Garden Harvest

Posted on March 2, 2014 by | Leave a comment

We kept up our garden record keeping, but slacked off somewhat on our harvesting in February. It was a month of  orange wedges, orange juice, and canning orange marmalade. We neglected our greens, and the garden is overrun with spinach, lettuce, broccoli, mustard, and kale. Peas, beets, carrots, fennel, and asparagus are on their way in for March!

February harvest totals

  • Asparagus ‘Farmer’s Favorite’: .25 lbs
  • Broccoli ‘Rudolph’: 1 lb
  • Broccoli ‘Umpqua’: .56 lbs
  • Cauliflower ‘Snow Crown’: 5.63 lbs
  • Chard ‘Fordham Hook’: 1.25 lbs
  • Chard ‘Rainbow’: .63 lbs
  • Cilantro: .72 lbs
  • Eggs: 27 (Barred Rock 14; Barred Leghorn 13)
  • Kale ‘Dinosaur’: .38 lbs
  • Kale ‘Wild Kale Blend’: 1.13 lbs
  • Leek ‘King Lear’: 1 lb.
  • Lettuce ‘Heirloom Blend’: 1 lb
  • Limes ‘Bearrs’: 5.5 lbs
  • Mustard ‘Ruby Streaks’: .25 lbs
  • Mustard ‘Tah Tsoi’: .125 lbs
  • Navel oranges: 45 lbs
  • Parsley: .19 lbs
  • Spinach ‘Donkey’: .63 lbs
  • Spring onion ‘Purplette’: .88 lbs

February harvest total: 66.13 lbs

2014 harvest total: 92.3 lbs

We've begun letting some of the brassicas go to flower, and the bees are loving it.

We’ve begun letting some of the brassicas go to flower, and the bees are loving it.

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Posted in Chickens, Fruits and Veggies, In the Garden