Our first dexter calf of the 2013, Hero. And a few days later, his half-sister, Heidi. … [Read more...]
rocket powered chooks
Here's Betty enjoying some rocket that had gone to seed. The chooks get to free range in the afternoon but I like to remind them that laying at home is what they're here to do, so keeping them somewhat contained in the morning helps in that regard. I give them any treats I have to hand to enjoy whilst at home in their run. I took the idea of … [Read more...]
native pigeons
Two kereru were sitting outside my bathroom window this morning in a mahoe tree. Zealandia has helped boost their numbers and the native tree planting I've done has attracted them here. I used to be rather dismissive of mahoe or whiteywood (melicytus ramiflorus) but I've grown to love it. Stock, including rabbits, enjoy eating it, it's … [Read more...]
seeking compost perfection
Do you create great compost? Have you got some trusted, tried and tested methods for compost making? Is your recipe something special? Do you tumble, turn or layer? I'm doing some investigation into how to make the best compost with the minimum of effort and in the shortest possible time and in a real garden with typical ingredients. If you're … [Read more...]
bunny treats and books
Jim bunny loves carrots, including the tops, but possibly not more than apple cores. Dr. Harry, the guinea pig, has stronger tastes – parsley, fennel and lemon balm. He has very sweet breath and a large tummy. They both enjoy the bitter greens of sorrel, dandelion, puha, plantain, minutina, silverbeet and chicory. Rabbits need sticks on which to … [Read more...]
seven tips for getting more eggs from your chickens
a very fine plymouth barred rock hen on a sunny winter's day So you think your chooks aren’t laying well? Maybe they’re not. If it’s winter, hens have got better things to do, like planning their summer holidays and catching up on some reading. It’s no time to be raising chicks. Laying eggs is a daylight sensitive business. Commercial egg … [Read more...]
around the world in twenty female singer-songwriters
When we no longer lie on our friends' bedroom floors on a wet Saturday afternoon, mining their tape and record collections for interesting stuff, how do we find new things to which to listen? I used to sneer at people who bought compilations for relying on someone else's taste to choose their music. Now I recognise the potential of a collection of … [Read more...]
rabbits can dance
Jim bunny does a little dance when I feed him carrot peelings. That's a good enough reason for me to make spicy carrot dip. Appropriate to keep your rabbit as happy as possible coming up to Easter. You could make the dip with pumpkin but it wouldn't have the same effect on your bunny. If you love proscuitto I recommend you try home curing a … [Read more...]
dealing with roosters
If you've raised some chicks and have a rooster or two beginning to find his voice, I'll be running the workshop on Sunday 13 March 2011 at 10am at The Kitchen Garden for you to learn how to slaughter and prepare your birds for the table. You can also deal with older laying hens at the same time. I've currently got a waiting list for this workshop. … [Read more...]
healthy little sucker
Gorgeous George arrived this week and he's working out the important things in life like drinking and eating and being with his Mum. If you want some food in your garden to keep you through winter, sow the seeds now before it gets too cold. Rocket, kale, silverbeet, cabbage, brocolli, cavalo nero and lettuce. I recommend you start them off in … [Read more...]
