Hungry, Hungry Earthworms

My poor earthworms were hungry. Or, as I'd rather consider, I timed feeding them exactly perfect to prevent food waste. Either way, they got fed this morning (after the Guinea-alarm clock snooze button refused to work. Grrr). Chopped up some fennel, broccoli, kale, and collard greens. They also each got a cup of water. I'm not being picky as to their "likes and dislikes" other than I won't feed them onions or citrus at this point. I'm still learning how to take care of them. AC noted upon me opening them up: "I don't think I like worms much." Heh.

After the earthworms I got the scraps from the weekend prepped for the chickens. They, too, were hungry. But they're always hungry. As I watched them pick at the wilted collards and stale baguette, the grackle in the tree above me sounded out an alarm KEEKEEKEEKEEKEE. I think he might have been the "food put out!" guy so I hung out for a bit. I really can't stand grackles, and I can't stand them eating the organic chicken scratch I buy even more. That's expensive stuff ... and they're grackles! It's bad enough the squirrels eat it. But grackles. That's an affront to my sense of all that is proper in the world. They must be migrating through right now because the parking lot at one of the local grocery stores is a minefield at night. Loud and disgusting. I may start carrying an umbrella just to navigate car-to-door safely.

Sunny day in the garden

Sunny day on the garden
Originally uploaded by carabou.

It's nice to know I have such diligent helpers.

I tried to post this on the 6th from my phone, but no luck, and I put off dealing with it until today. It's been too cold to be in the garden, although my worms seem happy enough. I have two happy worm bins going, and they're noshing on cilantro and yam skins right now under the sink (CM had organic yams and I love yams and sweet potatoes).

I've Got Worms!

I'd live to upload a picture but haven't figured out how to do so from my phone yet. No app called "blogger" that I could find. Guess I get to start using my flick account again. Anyway. Soaking the coir (DANG it expands). AC drilled hikes in a plastic shoe box and I silicone glued a tea strainer. The worms are chilling out under the sink while everything sets up. Yay! Insta Nutrients and Safe From the Evil Chickens (tm).

Move Along, Citizen Gardener

I've been taking a class through a local non-profit organization called "Citizen Gardener" and it's a basic class, but I've actually learned a lot. It's inspiring and I'm looking forward to getting my garden growing. Too bad we're in the middle of a winter freeze. I get to take boiling water out to the chickens to keep them hydrated, but I'm sure the rest of birdlife is drinking it. The primary thing I've learned is that the coastal hay I've been throwing hap-hazard all over my chicken yard is pretty much pure broadleaf herbicide. With a little research I'm going to figure out how bad it is. I may have the joy of replacing all the soil in the raised beds.

Shredding Top Soil

I love my shredder. If you view shredded paper as tree pulp, then it's instant leaves. I found a couple of resources regarding using shredded paper in the garden, and I have to do further research on some of the concerns I have. Compost N:C ratio calculator is a really neat tool that allows you to determine how much of each to get a perfectly "hot" compost mix. I dream about a hot compost pile. Right now I have chickens. They scratch. I have access to free horse manure via craigslist (I just need to figure out how to transport it) and keep it away from the chickens (they scratch) and I have some lovely ideas but haven't acted on them yet. I'm slightly worried about fly control and would like to purchase more of the parasitic wasps. There are more sites selling them now. They're about the size of tiny gnats but they seem to work somewhat. I'd like to get them acclimated so I don't have to keep buying them. I dream. I'm still slightly concerned about the controversy regarding the clay-like aspect of coated paper. I should put in an automatic irrigation system (and a moisture level monitor to keep it at an optimal rate). And I'd like to order more earthworms. One thing at a time. If you don't have top soil ... make it!

Citizen Gardener

So maybe I don't have time to be a "Master Gardener". Eh. Who has times to master anything these days? ;-p Instead, I get to be Citizen Gardener. Or at least I will once I complete the requirements for the SFC class for which I registered. Woo. This sounds much more 21st century. "Nothing to seed here ... move along." Didn't spend any time in the garden, but did order seeds from Seeds of Change including the Beet Berry. Hopefully I won't kill it.

Keeters and Rain

The keeters are in fine form today (and yesterday). Hester's been working out her lungs. It wouldn't be so bad except she's insanely loud and very ocd about the whole thing. They visited the renter's next door in the morning, and then spent the rest of the day buWHEE and AKAKAKing about it. Rain today, 55 degrees. Looking at seed catalogs wondering what I should get. Found an amazing concept yesterday related to the garden posse and now I lost it. Thinking about ordering beet berries since I've never had them.