Spring-boarding into Spring ( Farmgirl Style)

IMG_9914

Dear Sisters,

I hope this note finds you all a little warmer than the last time we visited. The sun has finally decided to come out ( and stay ) here on the northern seacoast. After such a long, cool period of planning and plotting for this precious season of all things new, I’m spring-boarding into action with energy to burn! Come on in and meet the newest additions to the farm and be sure to read to the bottom to see who the lucky farmgirl is who won the Wild Bread Giveaway!

Allow me to introduce you to three of our newest members of the farm family.

IMG_9784(1)

Baby chicks!

Poppy, Daisy and Blossom. Aren’t they the sweetest? We’re going with a flower theme ( surprise) for names this time around. We haven’t had Buff Orpington’s since our very first flock and I was missing their sweet nature. Plus, did you know they’re MaryJane’s favorite breed of chicken? They are the friendliest birds. We’ve all been handling them quite a bit and they seem to love to run into our hands. Of course, a little chick starter in the palm to entice never hurts.

IMG_9900

Now that the weather is cooperating we can let them out into the warm sunshine where they can practice their scratching and pecking skills while my handsome Yankee and I get to work.

IMG_9925

I’ve shared my raised flower beds with you many times over the years, usually when they’re brimming with beautiful blooms. They’re finally showing some wear and tear after almost 6 years and needed some repairs this season. They are lined with 12×12 stone tiles and a handful of them cracked over the winter so my hubby replaced them with extra’s from our stash and now they’re stable again and ready for planting.

IMG_9886

Well, almost. I had to do some raking to clear the last of the leaves out and prepare the beds for a layer of new soil. Notice the photo bomb behind me. That’s the frame from the greenhouse that used to be but is no longer. It’s coming down and getting hauled off! Ah… Don’t you just love spring cleaning outside?

IMG_9895

 

IMG_9927

The older gals are starting to lay and we’re enjoying fresh eggs again.

IMG_9919

I did a quick clean on the inside of the coop and hung a spring wreath for a burst of color, but those windows need to be washed badly. All in good time.

 

IMG_9923

The rhubarb is growing fast. It won’t be long before we’re tasting the first Strawberry Rhubarb Pie of the season. Click here for my recipe ( and a good laugh) about a little baking disaster I had while baking our favorite pie.

IMG_9913

Guess what these little sprouts are? If you guessed Sweet Peas, you’re right! I finally figured out how to grow them. After 5 seasons of failure, I finally got it! Sweet Peas like it cold and dark and long and slow to germinate properly. Would you believe I sowed these seeds in late February? I studied up on how to grow hardy annuals or, Cool Flowers this winter and I’m amazed how it works. These were planted in late February right into the raised beds and they broke through the soil about April 15th. Needless to say, I’m over the moon about this spring miracle. Lisa Mason Ziegler’s’ book, Cool Flowers, How to Grow and Enjoy Long-Blooming Hardy Annual Flowers Using Cool Weather Techniques is a fabulous resource if you’re wanting to grow early blooming old-fashioned favorites like sweet peas, delphinium, snapdragon, Iceland poppy’s and more. I can’t wait to share these with you when they’re all grown up!

IMG_9935(1)

The more we dug in to every little corner of the yard the more sore spots we found. The shed is over stuffed and in need of repairs and some organization. One of our wheel barrow’s is missing a handle and the chicken run fencing needs securing. But that’s okay.

IMG_9899IMG_9897 IMG_9896Now that the sun’s out I’m ready to flex my farmgirl muscles again! How about you?

IMG_9920

Congratulations to Mary of Windy Meadows Farm! She won the Wild Bread book giveaway!

Until our next shoreline visit~ Let’s do this! Farmgirl Style!

Beach Blessings and Much Love,

The Beach Farmgirl

Deb #1199

 

  1. Donna Kozak says:

    Love your sweet little Orpington chicks. I have three Lavender Orpingtons…they’re so beautiful and fluffy, like puffy grey clouds in the yard ! Now I’m off spring-cleaning my gardens also, which right now seems overwhelming, but it is a beautiful sunny day here in British Columbia and a perfect time to get outside and do some serious work!

  2. Marilyn says:

    Those chicks are adorable. Happy gardening.
    Marilyn

  3. Carol says:

    I love baby chicks! I am glad it is getting warmer there and we finally have had a couple of decent days. Of course, the weekend is not looking pretty, but it will have to do. I managed to work on the cleaning the porch today and cleaned the yard a little bit.

  4. Joan says:

    I too love Orpingtons, they sometimes teach the other chicks how to be somewhat friendlier, the names are precious. We have had a couple warm days but might get some rainy snow in the next few days. We are a little above 7,000 feet so we stay cool to colder later. I have a lot of fixing up outside, we had a very WINDY winter. Thanks for the Sweet Pea etc. planting ideas, I have now made plans for planting this next winter, have just the place, along an old iron headboard. Congrats to Mary on being the winner. It’s always nice to get your message. God bless.

  5. Sandi from the Cape says:

    OMG, I could have helped you out on the pea thing. The New England saying is “peas planted by St. Paddy’s day will be eaten by the 4th of July!” Cute chicks!

  6. Oh my, what a wonderful surprise at the end of a long day! Thanks so much for sharing MaryJane’s bread book…I can’t wait to see what’s inside and to bake some of her bread recipes to sell at the Farmers’ Market. There’s nothing like warm slices of homemade bread topped with real butter…what diet?!

  7. Vivian Monroe says:

    Hey Deb…yay its finally warm…I finally figured out before I left La. when to plant my sweet peas…had to plant in Nov there…crazy…cant wait to see your beautiful flowers, and congrats on the three new girls…love buff orpingtons,, I miss my chickens..Be Blessed.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *