In yesterday's post I mentioned some used lumber we picked up at a local lumber yard for making the new garden beds. Here is Alan, unloading the boards yesterday morning. There was a bit of a chilly breeze, so he was wearing what he calls his "bald head hat". *grin* There are various lengths of 2x8 and 2x10s, and a couple of LONG 2x6s, so we'll be doing some cutting while we assemble the new garden beds. It's exciting to have the lumber actually on the property - it feels like progress! Now if the dirt would arrive, we'd really be in business!
After unloading the lumber, Alan did some yard work and I got busy on THE CURRENT MESS of the garden.
By the end of the day, I had the three small raised beds and the big aluminum wash tub all prepped for planting, and the flowerbed along the front of the coop is ready for planting as well. I had to cover the freshly dug beds with all kinds of fencing, wire cages and garden decor (pretty much anything I could find to lay down) to keep the roosters from kicking out all of the freshly turned dirt! Sometimes, they're just TOO helpful.
In the flowerbed in front of the chicken house, I plan to plant tall flowers to the left of the door (below the window), and SHORT plants in the section of the bed where the door needs to swing shut. Last year I planted too tall of plants in front of the door and it was nearly impossible to get the door shut during late summer storms. Oops! *grin* The soil got forked, turned, and composted chicken house cleanings mixed in for LOTS of growing power!
Most of the large baskets I used last year for growing various plants won't make it another season. But they worked GREAT for 1 season in the garden, and were affordable at about $2 each (on sale). Actually, many of them were nest baskets in the chicken coop before I installed the vintage aluminum nest boxes, so they really have served double-duty here on the farm. They were well worth the price even if most of them are being retired this year. (Some of them are just fine and will be used this year, maybe for potted flowers!) The baskets are being replaced by the new larger raised beds we'll be assembling with the lumber we picked up.
The soil that's in them now will be added to raised beds, once built, if the roosters don't kick it all out first!
This area at the side of the chicken house is where I planted pumpkin, some squash, tomatoes and peppers last year. We will put new 4'x8' beds here. The roosters have been busy scratching around in this area too, hunting for bugs.
It was so nice to have normal "spring" weather to work in, instead of more "summer" heat like we had Saturday. It was actually chilly when the breeze picked up!
Oh, and if you're wondering why all of these roosters are running about .... it's because there were TOO MANY roosters in with the hens, and it was starting to get a little brutal for the ladies. So when they can't be NICE, out they go! When they're not kicking things around in the garden, they make laps around the chicken yard talking to the ladies. Much better than the alternative, and I think they'd agree. *grin*
Yup, you got my car trailer, a guy with a bald head, some of my best fly tying material, even lots more talent, but where in the world did you get all the motivation??? It's still snowing and raining....ya right, it's the northwest it rains 9 months a year here...it does? But you an forget about fire danger this year.....Love, Dad
Posted by: DK Wight | March 30, 2011 at 10:33 AM
Things are coming along great! You're inspiring me to start something I'll never be able to keep up with! :) What does your chicken coop look like inside? (the lay-out) we're upgrading our current chicken situation this spring, and you are the princes of poultry! (actually you're the queen, but it didn't flow as well!) ;)
Posted by: Yvonne | March 30, 2011 at 09:01 AM
I like your pestiferous poultry . . . they're very busy "helping." It's fun to see/hear about your plans for the garden and flower beds this season. You and Alan are so ambitious, you put the rest of us to shame.
Posted by: Shellie Daniel | March 29, 2011 at 11:48 AM
Looking like Spring on the Lauhoff Farm! Those roosters are too funny, well, except when they're agravating the ladies, of course:) Looking forward to seeing your garden, Anna. tfs
Posted by: Cindy H. | March 29, 2011 at 09:33 AM
I can't get over how green your grass is already. Spring in Texas comes so early and you are so lucky ... but maybe not so much when it comes to the Texas spiders and creepy critters you have down there!
Posted by: bonnie weiss | March 29, 2011 at 04:58 AM
I visit your blog every day and always enjoy the pictures of the farm! Always so busy and productive. Can't wait to see plants coming up out of the soil!
Posted by: Glenda | March 29, 2011 at 02:57 AM
Lookin' good! Our garden is still under feet of snow. Can't wait to see the snow melt!
Posted by: Dee in N.H. | March 29, 2011 at 02:37 AM
It's looking well on it's way, Anna! A lot of hard work has already gone into it!!!
Posted by: Sherri D. | March 28, 2011 at 06:00 PM
Wow, I'm tired just reading about all y'all have been up to! Am so ready to plant some flowers. Been seeing bluebonnets every now and then here around Arlington---yay!
Posted by: Renee | March 28, 2011 at 05:57 PM
Anna, looks like you are well on your way to having a great garden this year. As I gaze out the kitchen window all I see is more falling snow. It's supposed to snow all night. More March snow. Yea!!
Have a great spring day.
Posted by: Nebraska Dave | March 28, 2011 at 05:18 PM
Silly Roosters. Poor Ladies with all that attention :) Your new garden is going to be amazing. Anxious for yard working weather to come here. Hugs...
Posted by: Carol Dee | March 28, 2011 at 02:49 PM
I love the bald head cap.....my hubby wears one too!! He calls it his skull cap!! The planters look great! Wish I had a spot for a garden!!
Posted by: Mististamps4fun | March 28, 2011 at 02:40 PM
Wow, have you been busy. I've just been dreaming of what to do in the garden this year. Our weather has not been very cooperative, but hopefully by the end of the week we will warm up. What a great deal you got on the lumber. And, hey, it must be great to have all that free fertilizer! Love that Annika - so cute. Happy Monday!
Posted by: Troy Louise | March 28, 2011 at 11:39 AM