Ever notice how Nature never procrastinates? Other than a siesta during the heat of August, and a short breather in winter, Nature is in an explosive sprint to eat or be eaten, to reproduce or die out, and to otherwise keep farmers and gardeners scrambling to keep up. It’s the last week in May atContinue reading “Another Typical Spring week on the Farm”
Tag Archives: Big Branch Apiary
Update on turkeys
If you read the recent post “Fragile…” you’ll be happy to know that the combined chicken & poult family is doing great. The chickens went to bed thinking they were chickens and woke up thinking they were turkeys. They all ended up with one hen. They had been divided so one hen had the twoContinue reading “Update on turkeys”
Fragile, but determined
Our turkey hens, usually excellent mothers, had to deal with a move in the middle of nesting season. As a result, they were forced to leave nests half full of their clutch–usually around 10 eggs for these hens–and start fresh in an unfamiliar coop. As a result they frequently changed nests, laying their eggs randomlyContinue reading “Fragile, but determined”
A rare bee siting
While enjoying the blooms of a buddleia I noticed this lovely bee on one of the flower clusters. The bright green of the bee and soft lavender of the flowers were a beautiful compliment to each other. And for once nature cooperated, the green bee sitting still while I fished out my phone to getContinue reading “A rare bee siting”
Coming soon to a U-Pick near you
First crop year for these blueberry bushes, and for this blueberry farmer! It shouldn’t be much longer before there’s berries to be picked. It’ll be a no frills adventure this season. We do have a Port-o-Let but any other amenities, like pavilions and picnic tables, are for next season. To compensate we’ll be selling blueberriesContinue reading “Coming soon to a U-Pick near you”
Slender Ladie’s Tresses
Every day there’s a new discovery at Big Branch Apiary. Today it was a delicate, white flower found while planting Redbud saplings. This is Spiranthes lacera, also called Slender Ladie’s Tresses. There were quite a few of them dappling the forrest floor. Other abundant wildflowers now blooming are Widow’s Tears, Blue Eyed Grass, and Jack-in-the-pulpitContinue reading “Slender Ladie’s Tresses”
Fifteen seconds of free range happines
The flock at Big Branch Apiary has settled in and can finally be released to free range forage during the day. Makes for better eggs and happier hens (& cuts way down on the feed bill!)
Big Daddy goes to Big Branch
The flock is slowly migrating from River Ridge to Big Branch. This week Big Daddy, by far the biggest rooster in the flock, got moved along with his hens. Big Daddy is a Pearl Orpington. Orpingtons tend to be docile which is why he’s a lover, not a fighter. He was happy to find himselfContinue reading “Big Daddy goes to Big Branch”
Thanksgiving reprieve
These young toms are always eager to parade. Luck was on the side of these Royal Palm turkeys. They may have been destined for Thanksgiving dinner, but then they found a home on Jacob King’s Donaldsonville farm. Jacob has a menagerie that includes goats, sheep, some pigs, chickens and even a pair of peacocks. HeContinue reading “Thanksgiving reprieve”
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