Spring Fever

Yep, I got it.  We're planting our container garden today.  I'm also going crazy wanting to hatch out quail chicks.  I think I'll get this Brinsea Incubator

If you're working on Proactive and Diligence in your backyard farming too, I suggest a pop over to Becky's Homestead 
She's cool.  ;)
Here's her intro on her YouTube Channel -   https://www.youtube.com/user/scottpictures

The Victory Garden

Oh, how times have changed!

Seventy-five years ago, self-reliance was your patriotic duty.

Now...not so much.

But, you can hold on to the Vintage Value of Self-Sufficiency by planting your own Victory Garden.  Call it victory over whatever you want, I guess.  I still think it's cool to be patriotic though.  ;)

The history refresher lesson is this, during World War II there were food shortages which led to rationing.  Americans were encouraged to garden like never before, and, sadly, never since.  In Great Britain, it was literally a matter of life or death, as two-thirds of their food was imported before the war. 

Here is a World War II film on how to build a Victory Garden, along with modern comment on how to incorporate new, more productive methods-   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31hB5d__UT4

And here is a link to the first episode of Wartime Farm from across the pond-   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hou91pLDvDs

You can buy Wartime Farm from Amazon.com

If you've watched Colonial House, you may recognize the lady on the front as one of the historical advisors.  ;)

I've named my hobby farm, 'Westfarthing Homestead,' because, really, I'm a Hobbit at heart.

“It is no bad thing celebrating a simple life.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Historical Snippet:   J.R.R. Tolkien fought in World War I.

FREE RANGE CHICKEN GARDENS by Jessi Bloom

BLURB:  

Many gardeners fear chickens will peck away at their landscape, and chicken lovers often shy away from gardening for the same reason. But you can keep chickens and have a beautiful garden, too! Fresh eggs aren't the only benefit — chickens can actually help your garden grow and thrive, even as your garden does the same for your chickens.

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In this essential handbook, award-winning garden designer Jessi Bloom covers everything a gardener needs to know, including chicken-keeping basics, simple garden plans to get you started, tips on attractive fencing options, the best plants and plants to avoid, and step-by-step instructions for getting your chicken garden up and running.

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For anyone who wants a fabulous garden where colorful chickens happily roam, Free-Range Chicken Gardens is the guide that will bring the dream home to roost.

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I've read, but haven't used the ideas in this book.  When I first got into chickens a few years ago, I imagined doing it something like this.  But, I never imagined it so well or so beautiful!  This is a great book to learn from, but it's also a great book to push away the Winter Blues with Springtime Dreams.  Can't wait to order my chicks!
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Turns out, Jessi Bloom is a organic gardener extraordinaire.  Here is her company website-   http://nwbloom.com/