Potatoes in a box!

I've planted some of my potatoes in the ground as always, but I've also tucked some into two deep containers. I've read that adding straw or dirt as they grow can increase yield. We'll see how it goes, but the plants are already outgrowing the ones in the ground!

All in a mornings work...

Spent the morning digging grass and weeds out of this little plot then planting peas, carrots, and beets here. that wheelbarrow went to the chickens (twice!) full of weeds and a few grub worms I found while digging. Needless to say, they are quite happy it's gardening time! We've also put in potatoes and onions in the past few weeks.

Spring has sprung...

Just a few photos of spring here at the One Acre Homestead.

Hugelkulture plan activated!

Have you ever heard of Hugelkulture? It's basically burying logs then planting over the log/dirt mound. (Google it & you'll get tons more info.) The biggest advantage for our area is that it is supposed to cut down on watering as the wood soaks up moisture and releases it slowly.

Here's a pic of our first HC bed being built. I dug a hole about a foot deep then gathered up wood to stack in the hole. Next I'll pull dirt on top of the wood and we'll be good to go! Have you heard of Hugelkulture? Have you tried it? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this technique.

Is that all?

HEAVY rains were in the forecast...there was much anticipation. All the clouds are gone and this is all they left. :( Praying for LOTS more rain before summer.

Decorating graves...

The 9 year old took some time this week to decorate the grave of her dear bunny that died this past summer. This is a part of welcoming so many pets into our lives, it can be so painful to loose them, but was such a blessing to share a time together. Rest in peace, little Stormy.

Everything but the kitchen sink...

My parents live at my granny & grandpa's old homestead. They've built a new home there and they use granny's old house as storage. Years ago, after my grandparents had both passed on, vandals broke into their home and stole many things, even the wood stove. We were so sad to loose all those family heirlooms, but I was thrilled when I discovered that granny's enameled cast iron kitchen sink was still in the house!

My dad & hubby got the sink out so that I could build a garden sink & resurrect granny's beloved farm sink. Have you seen any amazing garden sinks? Outdoor kitchen sinks? I'd love to see some links!

The best wheat pasture in town...

I do believe that I accidentally discovered a great way to cultivate a wheat pasture! My girls had a little sunflower house in this spot so I scattered some wheat hay for them to make it more cozy. As temperatures cooled, beautiful dark green wheat began growing.

The hens just love this little patch of green and nibbling in it keeps their yolks dark orange and tasty (unlike those sad pale store eggs). Maybe we need to plan an accidental wheat pasture every year!

Hens...

We bought these two ladies full grown and laying...don't think I'll ever try chicks again! It was so nice to bring them home and have two gorgeous eggs the very next day! I'm not sure of the breeds, but I'd love to hear your input about that. The black one has a beautiful green shimmer to her feathers so the 9 year old named her "Beetle". The white one was named "Feathered Friend" by the 7 year old. They have been champion layers all winter, unlike winters past when we've gone to the nesting box each day to find it empty. They are also very quiet, no loud announcements of new eggs or anything, just those sweet soft clucks of happy hens.