How to grow LOTS of pumpkin in one remaining vegetable garden bed??? Construct ‘Pumpkin Palace’ to grow them UP instead of on the ground! So far, it is looking great, with pumpkin, okra, vegetable spaghetti, cucumber…..and probably more…..growing up the structure, with sweetcorn and beans growing underneath.
Pumpkin Palace
Life on a farm, no matter how small it is, does still have its setbacks.
We have recently had a ewe die. We are not sure why- it may have been a snake bite (they had just been moved into a different paddock that had been unused for a while). She was one of the 1 year old ewes that had surprisingly had lambs (usually they are two year olds), so perhaps it was related to the fact that she was too young. Now we have a 5 week old lamb orphan lamb…..fortunately the Wiltshires are a strong breed and graze very early in life, so it should be ok.
Our apricot and orange trees are far too big to cover with nets, so have been ravaged by fruit fly. They both produced an abundant crop, and we were able to use a lot before they were badly stung, but such a lot was wasted!
We have had good success with our turkey and poultry breeding….but not the ducks. Despite several different ducks sitting on eggs over the last few months, not one egg has hatched! There is one duck currently sitting, so fingers crossed………..
Yes…..we now have a bee hive! We decided to go for a new hive and bees, rather than second hand as we really wanted to avoid introducing any disease onto the property. We bought the hive components from Guilfoyle’s and put it all together ourselves. This was a great way of learning the parts and how it all worked. Introducing the ‘nuc’ (nucleus) of new bees was a very simple process- we put the small box they came in on the base we had made for our hive, and let the bees out for the day.
The nucleus of bees in place where the hive will be
Then, suited up, we gave it a couple of puffs of smoke from the new smoker, moved it to the side, and set up our hive on the stand.
Preparing for the transfer of frames
Then the four frames (covered in bees) were transferred from the nucleus box into our hive, and voila! we now have our own bee hive!
Transferring the frames
Transfer complete
Well, what a surprise we had yesterday….a new lamb! We weren’t expecting any more as the ewes who hadn’t given birth already are only 1 year old, plus Wiltshires supposedly have a once a year breeding period in February/March. Wiltshire lambs born in October is not usual!! Fortunately, the very young mum and her little boy lamb are doing fine….and the other 1 year old ewe is obviously pregnant too!
Late lamb
Spring is such a lovely time of the year! Not too hot, enough rain not to need to water the garden, births, and overall growth…….
The aquaponics system is going very well, and we have eaten our first trout from it.
Smoked trout
With the warmer weather coming, we have been monitoring the water temperature as the trout are not happy if it is over 20C. to help extend the season, and reduce the algae that was growing in the fish tank, we put up a gazebo to shade the fish tank. This also provided a structure to attach a support for the tomatoes that are growing like crazy!
Aquaponics October 2012
The orchard is also going very well in this gorgeous weather, with the peaches, nectarines, mulberry and citrus all fruiting. We have high hopes for the olive trees too, after only two olives last year!
Olive tree flowering
We have even preserved some of the lemons, and made jam with mulberries for later….
Preserved lemons
In fact, we have been able to spend a bit more time preserving some produce, and decided to convert a room to store it in! We will be able to use this room for butchering as well, instead of outside where we usually have done it.
Produce room
We also have our very first bee hive, and have ordered our bees….so this room will also be where we can extract the honey safely (away from the bees!).
Naturally, being spring, there have been numerous births (and unfortunately some deaths). Two bantams successfully hatched chicks, though four were killed/taken by something, perhaps a crow. We also lost a duck, we think to an eagle, as there was nothing left but feathers and a beak. Two ducks are sitting on eggs, and three turkeys….so hopefully more births will follow!
The sheep do a great job of tidying up the weeds! We have to watch them closely when they are in our ‘sanctuaries’ because once they have had enough of the weeds they discover the tasty natives…..this tidy up took three days, and then we moved them out!
The male turkeys are just gorgeous when they ‘strut their stuff’- they are our ‘garden galleons’!
The possum is becoming more and more comfortable around us and now resides in the workcoming emerging from its slumber at dusk to look for food!
You lookin' at me?
Our first lambs of this season were born on 7th August, and are looking good so far!
The aquaponics system is certainly continuing to excell! The growth is greater than that in the soil garden, to the extent that we are having to do some thinning out. The trout are growing very well too!
Growth 3 months from planting/sowing.
The aquaponics system is growing….and growing! We are giving away greens, and using them to feed the ducks, turkeys and rabbits because we have so much!
Growth up to 30 June, things are starting to get crowded!
The other veggies are growing well too, but not quite at the same rate as the aquaponics.
Winter has also brought the rain, and is filling up our small ‘dam’, which the ducks are enjoying very much!
Ducks enjoying a swim
A loud crash sent the men of the house checking the front door…..only to find a very cobwebby possum hanging on tight!
Possum gripping the door frame
A few cobwebs adorn it's ears!