Yesterday the HH tried to move the chicken coop and it didn’t go so well. We thought it would be {somewhat} easy to move the coop down by the corn patch were there was a nice level spot, but it was a total no go. And so now, the HH has decided the chicken coop will remain where it is, and try to build a 16 foot chicken run off the side of the coop.
He made a trip to the hardware store for supplies. Now I don’t know anything about building chicken runs, but something tells me this won’t be the only trip to the hardware store for this project.
Because really, why on earth would you buy everything in one trip. How would that make sense?
La la la la la…. Let’s talk about sunflowers, shall we? I spent a WHOPPING $30 on sunflower seeds in hopes of selling cut sunflower bouquets at my little roadside vegetable stand this summer. But Mother Nature had different plans for me this year.
Earlier this spring I tilled up a nice 18″ bed on both sides of the split rail fence and planted several packets of sunflower seeds. I even weeded the garden bed 3 times but it didn’t seem to help. All those hours weeding really did was leave the little sunflower seedlings out in the open for the robins and cardinals to swoop down and snack on.
Finally I gave up and stopped weeding along the fence after figuring I’d only be able to harvest a few sunflowers this year. Next year, I’ll start my sunflowers in pots and wait until they are about 6″ before setting them out. That should give me a fighting chance, don’t you think?
And next year, I’ll have to work a nice layer of compost into the garden bed along the back of the house AND secure a few lines of fishing wire so the giant sunflowers won’t fall over every time we have a big rainstorm {which happens like every 3rd day around here for some reason}.
The sunflowers on the other end of the house though? Holy cow, they are lovely.
The vegetable stand has been up one week as of today and so far I’ve sold 2 out of the 3 flower bouquets I’ve set out and made $71.06. 🙂 🙂 🙂
At $3 a pint our backyard blueberries seem to be a hit with the neighbors.
And the tomatoes {especially the Sun Gold tomatoes} have been going pretty quick as well.
That tomato patch of mine though…. it is an absolute mess. I didn’t get my tomatoes staked early enough and before I knew it the whole area turned into a bit of a tomato jungle. I keep telling myself that there are only SO MANY hours in a day, and that next year things will be better. I’ll be more on top of things and that this fall we will be able to carve out a nice garden area so that next spring, we’ll be able to hit the ground running.
Gardens, they take time. And patience isn’t my best character trait.
But take a look at this. A sweet little sugar pie pumpkin for Lucy.
With a little luck, we will have 5 to set out on the front porch in a few weeks. Fall, it’s right around the corner, and thank goodness for that. 😉
The backyard vegetable garden tally of 2018:
Beets 19 pounds 1 ounces
Blueberries 21 pounds 15 ounces
Cucumbers 29 pounds 1 ounces
Green Beans 2 pound 4 ounces
Green Onion/Scallions 12 ounces
Lettuce 11 ounces
Onions 10 ounces
Peppers 15 ounces
Sugar Snap Peas 1 pound 2 ounces
Swiss Chard 2 pounds 9 ounces
Tomatoes 37 pounds 12 ounces
Turnips 9 pounds 3 ounces
Zucchini 2 pound 8 ounces
Herbs
- Basil 1 pound 7 ounces
- Chives 5 ounces
- Mint 2 ounce
- Oregano 13 ounces
Total Food Harvested in 2018 136 Pounds 11 Ounces
Total Eggs Collected in 2018 {with 7 hens} 0 {the ladies are just 16 weeks old}
Total spent growing 136 pounds 11 ounces of food this year $811.00 {about $5.96 a pound so far!} 😉 The goal is to get this down to $1.00 a pound or less by the end of the season. What did I spend my garden money on this year you ask? Well, $399 on Manny and the rest on seeds, compost, grow light bulbs and small garden tools/supplies.
Are you growing a vegetable garden this year? If so, what are harvesting these days? Curious minds want to know!
Have a great day everyone,
~Mavis
If you are new to gardening or just want to learn more about organic gardening, my #1 favorite garden book is The Gardener’s A-Z Guide to Growing Organic Food
Sue R. says
A grandson received a free package of mammoth sunflowers–at a soccer game! I did start the seeds inside before transplanting. The deer ate some but there are several about 10 feet tall with big heads. Fun, fun! And, right–gardens do take time. This year I tried tomatoes in a new spot and they are not one bit happy with that soil. I’ll definitely need to improve it before next year!
Emily E says
Hi Mavis, what is the evergreen to the right in the picture of you standing by the sunflowers by the house? It looks beautiful! I love seeing your garden pictures!
Mavis Butterfield says
Picea abies ‘ Gold Drift ‘ Dwarf Weeping Golden Norway Spruce
Kristina says
Oh, how I love a little hullabaloo in a garden! A little overgrown patch here and there just seems so joyful and abundant. Your garden looks lush and productive and beautiful. Those sunflowers? Swooon.
Heidi says
You look like some sort of crazy bride in your jeans, jacket and bug veil! LOL
Helen in Meridian says
It looks like a nude burka with down jacket.
Margo Miller says
I live in southern California. My garden is done except for a few tomatoes and some shaded herbs. I’ll start prepping my winter garden ( I can garden most of the year, but Aug and Sept are a bit too hot ) . Planning for lots of green leafy veggies and garlic, a.ong with carrots and bunching onions or scallions. Should have lots of Mandarin oranges this year. Love your sunflowers. Didn’t plant any this year, but think I will next t year. So pretty!
Robin says
Love your garden photos. Congrats on the veggie stand. It looks beautiful! Where did you get the cute little baskets you have the blueberries and tomatoes in? They are the perfect size.
Mavis Butterfield says
They sell them in the hardware stores here {and it’s what all the local fruit stands use, no plastic!}. But I bought a bunch of basket years ago from Texas basket company.
LaToya says
The fam got me – and planted – 2 peach trees last year from D&B Supply (Idaho). They said it would be a few years before they produce. My pupper was gnawing on something the other day – it was a peach! One of the two trees was suddenly FULL OF PEACHES. Like 20+ of them. Medium. I snagged it away from my pup (the seeds are poisonous for dogs, I hear) and sliced a piece for me. GLORIOUS. Sweet and delicious. I have a peach tree!! – and I can’t even handle how happy it makes me!!
Mavis Butterfield says
I need a peach tree too! Glad you are getting peaches this early.
Paulline in Upstate NY says
Everytime I read your update on what you’ve spent to date on growing food and the new “cost per pound” I have meant to send this thought to you, so here it is! IMHO, you should *not* count Manny’s $399 cost in the total price of this year’s harvest, because that is a capital investment that you will use for many years to come. Take out that $399, and all of a sudden, your cost per pound drops to about $3.00 at this point (rounding just a tad)! Doesn’t that feel great??
Lissa says
Great post!! Such a learning curve summer you’ve had. Now that you’re all moved in you’ll have a lovely winter of making plans for next spring. I had no idea sunflowers could grow to such heights. You look tiny.
Pauline in Upstate NY says
(Forgive me if this posts twice. I already sent it once, and it didn’t appear.)
Everytime I read your year-to-date numbers on pounds of food produced and the price per pound, I have meant to send along this thought — so here it is…
You should *not* include the price of Manny in your costs for this year; that is a capital investment that you will use for years to come. If you take out that $399, your cost per pound of food produced drops to just about $3.00 at this point! Doesn’t that feel great??
Jennifer Meyer says
I was going to post the same thing! Or divide out the price of Manny over several years.
Deborah says
The old watering cans on the fence by your pumpkins are so cute!
Susan Webster says
I’m still believing for 500 pounds of delicious produce. If anybody can do it you can, Mavis! No one I know works harder!
Love the mesh scarf!
Your cheerleader,
Susan
Mavis Butterfield says
Thank you Susan!
Stephanie says
Hi Mavis,
Every now and then, you show a glimpse of your kitchen counter top. Is this a soapstone counter top? Do you like it? Pros/cons?
Many thanks!
Mavis Butterfield says
Soapstone and I love the color. I haven’t had to “clean” it yet though. The previous owners left a bottle of counter cleaner for us though so I guess we’ll do it this fall. I’ll write up a post about it when we do.
Lace Faerie says
I saw soapstone counters on an episode of This Old House quite a while ago. They said all that needs to be done to them is to polish with mineral oil a couple of times a year. Is that true? Since then, they’ve been a component of my dream kitchen, along with white cupboards.
Jen says
That’s true. We’ve had soapstone counters for 4 years and I love them. They look great after you oil them. They do scratch easily but you can buff out minor scratches with steel wool.
Kaia says
That price per pound seems to be dropping fast!! And HOW do you only have 2 lbs of zucchini, of all things?! I harvested nearly 8# today. Hubby says we’ll only have one plant next year (4 this year), but what fun would that be?
Mavis Butterfield says
The zucchini! Seriously, I don’t know what I did wrong because so far I have only picked 3! There’s a first time for everything I guess.
Carrie Council says
I am having a horrible zucchini and squash year. The vine borers came and killed my 6 plants. I planted more seeds and then the squash bugs made an appearance. The plants will gain some size, have flower buds and then shrivel up and die. I kill any squash bug I find, squash their eggs and spray the nymphs with soapy water. I don’t know what else to do! And it’s probably too late now to plant a third set of seeds. I am in zone 7b.
I only harvested two zucchinis early this summer. Zero patty pans and zero yellow squash. Cucumbers have been acting up too. I can’t believe I am paying for zucchini this year. It’s a horrible thing to go through!
Jennifer Meyer says
I have never had success growing zucchini on the east coast (Virginia). Mine do the same… grow big, flowers, baby zucchini, and then they shrivel up and fall off. It is so devastating and yet I just keep trying every year lol! Cucumber, though, produce like mad!
Marcia says
If I were there instead of California, I’d be hitting those blueberries and tomatoes SO hard.
I do buy limes from my neighbor down the street!
lynne says
okay…I know the skeeters are bad. here too. and if i’m not mistaken, you’ve been reporting how hot it’s been out there. here too. but seriously…a DOWN jacket??? ugh!!! oh dear mavis…I broke out in a sweat looking at those pics!! LynneinWI
p.s….jealous of your blueberries. we have blackberries, which are okay, but blueberries are my absolute fave!
Tracy says
Hi Mavis, if it’s any consolation to you, the incredible amount of rain we’re having is very atypical. Hang in there…hopefully next year will be better. A quick tip on sunflowers: they’re surprisingly thirsty and hungry plants. I start mine indoors, but be sure to plant them out a5 about 6” as they throw down a tap root and if it hits the bottom of your seedling pots, they won’t thrive once planted out. I use quite tall plastic seedling pots. I learned a long time ago to water them very often and never let them dry out, and I make sure their soil is manure rich. I also tie mine to wires strung on the side of a building to give them support during the crazy summer storms.
Pam Kaufman says
I hate to be a Debbie Downer but I learned the hard way that deer will also eat sunflowers. We live in an area with a lot of deer traffic and I have learned that it pretty much has to be fenced in if the deer like it. It limits what I can plant in the open which is a bummer. For a first year garden, and a late start at that if I remember right, you have an amazing garden!
C says
The sunflowers are small because they’re too close together. They’re heavy feeders that don’t like to fight each other’s roots. Space at least 2 feet apart, in well prepared soil.
Marie says
Mavis,
Did the HH try to lift the chicken coop from the other side? The nesting boxes add a lot more weight. If he is able to position the tractor on the opposite side, it might just work. Good luck.
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes, he tried lifting it from the other side. I think the forks need to be longer… But I don’t know for sure.
KT says
Maybe your chicken coop is suffering from the four support posts posing too much friction with the ground when the coop is being pulled. Maybe your husband can try to slide under and tack into place some thinner metal sheeting which might make enough difference to allow the tractor to pull the coop to it’s new location. Kind of like those furniture movers that are sold.
Candice C says
I cannot imagine working in the gardens wearing a puffy coat and netting hat. What a bummer! Is it that cold? Or you are trying to ward off bugs? As you may have heard we have entered a solar minimum..so ….winters will be colder than usual and summers will be hotter..for, as I understand it..the next 7 years. Instead of growing for a small stand next year..why not grow for yourselves and what you can easily take of and put up the excess because the years ahead may be tough. Or, you could bake a couple pies, or muffins with your excess fruit, or make and sell jam but I don’t know that I would leave those items unmanned..maybe have certain days and hours posted you will be open but then be there working on some other craft project you do..or read a book and take a break. That way you will not only meet your customers and have regulars and maybe have people sign up as regulars for your extra eggs. Anyway, it’s a thought. Drink lots of water when wearing that puffy coat so you don’t sweat away to nothing. Does everyone up there have to don winter clothing when they work in their gardens?
Mavis Butterfield says
I like to wear the puffy coat outside early in the morning because the skeeters can’t bite through it. It’s been a cool 65-68 in the early mornings here lately.
Cass says
It must have been the exact right growing conditions for tomatoes this year…mine were caged at the exact right moment, and the bugs kept off them. That’s it. And they have tipped their cages over on their sides. We took 2×2 stakes and put them inside some of the cages to stand them back up. No joy. That lasted exactly 2 weeks. Over they went again.
On a brighter note I will be canning sauce for the first time in 3 years. Lucky me. 😉
Mavis Butterfield says
Homemade sauce is the best. If this how the tomatoes grow here {out of control!} I am going to need to research a better trellis system, that’s for sure.
Heather says
I had to laugh at how low your zucchini weight has been. We pick that almost every time. We have been picking zucchini, peppers and many blackberries.
Emily says
My most successful sunflowers have been the ones that self seeded from where the prior owners of our home kept their bird feeder. Those formed a beautiful clump of flowers. This year I bought a packet of dwarf sunflower seeds and planted the whole thing in two rows. The deer have systematically eaten them one by one. I will be lucky if I get one bloom.
Donna says
If the size of the berry box is a pint, I don’t think you’re charging enough. We live in rural central Kentucky and have a small (1,000 plants) blueberry farm. We get $3.50 per pint. In urban areas (Bowling Green), they get $5.00 per pint. If I remember correctly, prices are much higher in your area. I know you probably want to give your neighbors good value, but I also know how hard those little blueberries are to pick.
For your first year, your garden and everything looks wonderful. You’ve made such great progress on your projects!! Congratulations!!
Love following your blog!
Torry says
We have never had much luck with gardens; however, the people on your site are so helpful that I sometimes start to dream of trying again!
Mavis Butterfield says
They are! Have you tried container gardening?
Stephanie says
Did your husband have a 3point attachment of some sort (brush hog etc) to add some counter weight on the back of your tractor when you tried to move the chicken coop? My husband always has a brush hog or bale spike w a large hay bale on th back of his tractor when moving heavy objects. If this works be sure to carry the load low to the ground and stay on level ground as much as possible.
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes, there was something on the back for weight. Not sure what it’s called though.
Valérie says
All of this is fantastic! Don’t be so hard on yourself, there is always next year and you’ll know what you are up against.
chickengrandma says
In central Wisconsin we are having a hard time growing zucchini, too. The neighbor who always has tons, has only a few. Mine just aren’t growing. And the peppers have taken the year off !! For the sunflowers you want to sell, why don’t you grow some of the shorter varieties -like Velvet Queen, Evening Sun, Autumn Beauty. And in the fall when you go to pull out the stems the small ones are much easier.
Linda, Wisconsin says
It looks like you are growing some heirloom tomatoes (purple cherokee) and sun sugar cherry tomatoes. Heirlooms and hybrid cherry grow really tall and heirloom branches are heavy with the weight of growing large tomatoes. You need heavy weight ,tall cages with extra tall stakes to keep them upright. The standard round tomatoes cages will never hold those type tomatoes up. (heirlooms grow much taller-“indeterminate” ,than hybrids-“determinate “) With the addition of compost and amended soil they will grow ever larger next year, so you might want to consider getting “hog panel” fencing with 4″x4″ squares and heavier gauge wire bent to make cages. We only grow a few heirlooms and are getting this type fencing bent as our large square colapsible current cages are not heavy duty enough to hold them upright and off the ground, where the chipmunks feast on them. We saw type fencing on a gardening show on PBS. Sorry I don’t remember name of show.
Linda, wisconsin says
The name of the PBS gardening show is “Growing a Greener World”. search for tomatoe cages on his website and the panels come up.
Julie says
This year, my garden is in a community garden rather than a backyard garden, which is a whole story unto itself. But I planted 5 tomato plants, 7 pickling cucumber plants, a couple pepper plants, herbs and sunflowers (by seed). I made about 18 jars of kosher dill pickles. The tomatoes are just starting to turn red (even with the heat in WA this year, they have been a bit slower) and my sunflowers are starting to bloom (3 feet tall, not the giant ones). It has been glorious though to have this little 20 x 4 patch that’s all mine!
Suzanne says
Sounds like Lucy’s Ladies should be nice and safe in their coop! Thanks for sharing and the pics!
Mama Cook says
We didn’t stake our tomatoes soon enough either! Perused your blog for advice and found a comment on the Florida Weave. After a small head injury to my son while driving the stakes (followed by a visit and evaluation by the local paramedics) …we at least have walls of tomatoes instead of them sprawled all over the ground. We already had the green metal stakes from our temporary chicken run, but I believe they were roughly $3/stake at Home Depot. They are stronger and notched to hold as much tomato weight as we have.
Debbie - MountainMama says
I have tried sunflowers every single year here…I’ve tried starting them in pots, I’ve tried direct sow, and I’ve tried transplanting seedlings. Doesn’t matter, they all get eaten to the ground. I tried planting a bunch inside the fenced veggie garden this year…..and they were eaten, too. I give up!
Lace Faerie says
The year we put in our white picket fence along the front property line, I planted sunflower seedling along the whole line of fence, anticipating a glorious show. Having forgotten that sunflowers are named so because the flowers turn toward the sun. Our neighbors enjoyed a glorious show as the sun shines on the front of the house, we got to see the back of the flowers when looking from the house. Luckily our neighbor across the street was very appreciative and blessed us with beautiful photographs of them! Oddly enough, the gladiolus we planted the length of the side yard fence did the same thing! Turning toward the sun, which sets along that side, the other neighbor thanked us for the glorious floral display!
Jude DeWitt says
I’m encouraged by your blog so much, Mavis, that I just bought some “short time to harvest” seeds for the small garden terrace space my sweet hubby just finished walling in. I have spinach, lettuce, radishes, peas, and green beans to try to grow for a small harvest. I’ll plan better for next spring. The only thing I “harvested” this year was about two-three gallons of elderberries off the bushes in the side yard. Oh, and I found two winter squashes that were volunteers in the back yard — but they still need a few more weeks. I look forward to reading your accounts every evening after work, and delighting in your successes! I feel so blessed by your blog I just had to say “Thanks!”
Mavis Butterfield says
How kind! Thank you Jude.
Reg says
Make skis for the chicken coop. Makes heavy loads easier to move. Google it.