Things are Growing

Things are growing fast at the farm.  With the warm, and often wet, weather growing conditions are ideal.

As you can see from the pictures below, the chicks are growing really fast too.  They're only three weeks old in this photo, probably at the toddler stage in human terms.  They're certainly acting like toddlers, exploring everything and climbing (or at least flying) wherever they can.  A favourite perch is the top of their house.

They're beginning to look like their mums.

Proud dad is growing too.  His crow is fully developed now.

John is building a fox proof, crow proof home for the chicks

We're trying something new.  Up until now we've pretty much sowed straight into the ground but the birds and ants and grasshoppers take their toll. So we're having a go at starting things in the nursery and then transplanting them.  Some things don't like being transplanted however, so Janet is making pots out of newspaper which can then be put straight in the ground.  As the plant grows the pot will disintegrate.  Neat.

Making pots from newspaper

Artichoke seeds.

Sweet potatoes were recently planted in the field.  These are cuttings from last year's crop.  They've taken well.

Sweet potatoes

Watermelon seeds after 1 week.

We're also harvesting tomatoes.  Small and juicy.  Some cucumbers have come up and we have wonderful purple beans.

The fruit fly has gotten into the zucchinis though, so our namesake isn't doing too well.

We've also had two garden forks donated.  In fact, if you'd like to see a list of things that have been donated go to the top of this page and have a look at the "Projects etc." page.  The farm is growing sponsors too!