It's week 25 for my Smallholding Diaries - I can't believe I've been doing this almost half a year now!
Just as the seasons are changing, so too is life on little urban homestead. Every day has much more focus on cleaning and clearing, as well as concentrating on the animals. Flowerbeds are beginning to fade, crop options for winter are limited and the animals need extra care to ensure they stay in top health during the colder, darker months.
So here's Smallholding Diaries Week 25.
Microgreens and Peppers
This year has been my best ever year for peppers, yet there's still so much to learn. The one huge take away from this year and growing both sweet peppers and aubergine (egg plant) in containers is I need fewer plants and larger containers. My yields weren't great, and that was because they simply weren't given enough room to thrive.
Meanwhile the first ever microgreens trial is coming to an end and the first crops are almost ready!
Chickens
It's the season for chicken illness so I've been diligently paying close attention to all the coops. I've got a couple of sneezy hens that I have in quarantine - they're not particularly ill but I'm not taking any risks. The main layers are down to just 3 or 4 eggs per day so it's hard keeping up with egg orders but that's an ongoing issue with autumn, the moult and low daylight hours. Also, Stumpy is finally getting pin feathers; I'm happy to see this girl start to look well again.
Also, Bruce is developing in to a fine young cockerel! He's one of my remaining roosters from YouTube series 'Chick Check' and I was convinced to keep him by viewers. He's a Silkie cross but I aim to breed him back to a white silkie hen next year to try and retain some of his colours.
Propagation
My propagation of plants continues, especially now I've a new idea (oh dear, not another one). I'm already planning a buddleia hedge at the boundary of the nuttery but in front of it I've decided to plant an ornamental meadow - instead of wildflowers I'll be using herbaceous perennials like astrantia, geums and alpine asters to grow amongst the grass. This week I picked up some pheasant grass from a friend's garden that I can use to make a little all-around structural interest to the patch.
And that's it! It's been a busy and fun week. I wonder what's in store for week 26...
Wow, those peppers really look like chocolate! I would love to try one.
Congratulations on your first half-year. Keep it up--you'll be passing that 1-year milestone before you know it!
Thanks! Those peppers certainly make a statement - can't wait to grow more next year. :D
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i love chocolate peppers ..they are always so meaty! they seem thicker than the reds and oranges...get them in my co-op sometimes when in season. YUM
Happy Day
Melissa