As new farmers, we have much to learn. We also went about this whole adventure by jumping in with both feet. I knew generally that certain plants were harvested into the fall, like squash. I didn't know how long squash would stay fresh for cooking after it was cut from the vine. For Thanksgiving, we stuffed butternut squash, acorn squash and a pumkin. All three had been cut and sitting in the dry warmth of our house for the past 4 weeks as decor. They cooked up wonderfully!
We also have a persimmon tree which though small has had a bountiful harvest. Our meals regularly include eggs from the chickens, persimmons and squash. The peppers and eggplant held on until the frosts this past week though I think if I'd not been so busy, I'd have had them covered for protection. In that case, I think they would have survived. Either way, its December, and we have delicious fruit, some vegetables and our eggs to give us steady food into the start of winter.
And our oranges look like they'll be ready to harvest in a few weeks! I'm simply amazed. Further, as I type this I'm munching on seeds we roasted out of our home grown squashes. Winter gardening can be just as productive. This weekend, I'm looking forward to getting the garden ready for a winter season of composting and preparing for spring--at least for those areas not still in some type of production mode.
Pumpkin Seed Roasting Recipe (I mixed the acorn and butternut squash seeds in too):
This is my mother's "old fashioned" way of serving up natural pumpking seeds.
1. Thoroughly clean off all the pulp from the seeds then rinse them under cold water in a strainer to be sure they are good and clean.
2. Boil them in salt water for 10 minutes.
3. Pre-heat the oven to 275 degrees F.
4. Spread the seeds out on a cookie or baking sheet.
5. Roast them for 10-25 minutes. Depending on the heat of the oven this may take a little longer. You really have to watch the seeds to be sure they don't burn. Use a spatula to turn them occasionally so that each side just barely begins to turn a golden brown.
6. Remove and allow to cool.
7. Enjoy!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Chickens!
In July we took home two adorable young chicks. After doing a lot of research on various breeds, and looking up laws and ordinances for our city, we decided what chickens would be best for us.
Enter two Silkie Bantams.
They were appropriately adorable to call pets and known for docility. Also, being a bantam breed are smaller in size. Since we are allowed two hens per city ordinance, the two small chickens would be a perfect addition. It turned out that one of our "female" chicks was a male. By October, our young rooster was crowing and carrying on pre-dawn. I was very worried that we'd have difficulty finding him a new home, but it turned out an ad on Craigslist found him a home the same day with a local breeder, happy for a new rooster while we got an egg laying hen.
Our original chick just started laying this week, and with production at roughly one small egg per day, we are enjoying just enough eggs to satisfy our appetites. "R" built them a fabulous coop that adds to the charm of our urban homestead back yard. I'll post pictures soon.
Tips on getting your first chickens:
~ Check your local laws first to be sure they are legal. Many cities allow hens only or restrict numbers and housing in relation to property lines.
~ Select a breed based on how much you want to handle the chicken as well as how much egg production you are looking for.
~ Be sure you have enough space. Consider if you have other pets that may harrass or even injure chickens.
~ Search online for local breeders rather than having young chicks shipped. This process is very stressful and in some cases deadly to the chicks. Support your local economy and stay "green."
~ Make sure you have the space and time to incubate young chicks indoors if you want to buy them as hatchlings. They require several weeks inside before going out to a coop.
Links:
http://www.mypetchicken.com/
http://urbanchickens.org/
http://www.backyardchickens.com/
Enter two Silkie Bantams.
They were appropriately adorable to call pets and known for docility. Also, being a bantam breed are smaller in size. Since we are allowed two hens per city ordinance, the two small chickens would be a perfect addition. It turned out that one of our "female" chicks was a male. By October, our young rooster was crowing and carrying on pre-dawn. I was very worried that we'd have difficulty finding him a new home, but it turned out an ad on Craigslist found him a home the same day with a local breeder, happy for a new rooster while we got an egg laying hen.
Our original chick just started laying this week, and with production at roughly one small egg per day, we are enjoying just enough eggs to satisfy our appetites. "R" built them a fabulous coop that adds to the charm of our urban homestead back yard. I'll post pictures soon.
Tips on getting your first chickens:
~ Check your local laws first to be sure they are legal. Many cities allow hens only or restrict numbers and housing in relation to property lines.
~ Select a breed based on how much you want to handle the chicken as well as how much egg production you are looking for.
~ Be sure you have enough space. Consider if you have other pets that may harrass or even injure chickens.
~ Search online for local breeders rather than having young chicks shipped. This process is very stressful and in some cases deadly to the chicks. Support your local economy and stay "green."
~ Make sure you have the space and time to incubate young chicks indoors if you want to buy them as hatchlings. They require several weeks inside before going out to a coop.
Links:
http://www.mypetchicken.com/
http://urbanchickens.org/
http://www.backyardchickens.com/
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