Smallholding
Dahlias / Peas / Ostara
Tuesday 22 March, 2022
Monday 14th March
My new dahlia tubers have arrived. One variety of leeks is sprouting, as is the cabbage. Bought some tomato seeds at the supermarket today - the ones I bought previously had only two seeds in the packets. I should complain but I can’t be bothered.
Leeks, sprouts and cabbage.
Tuesday 15thMarch
Lovely day! Started Spring cleaning, such as it is – stripped our bed and will do the dogs’ beds tomorrow.
Seed sowing / Thief / Booms
Tuesday 15 March, 2022
Monday 7th March
Finally got round to sowing seeds – tomatoes, cucumber, leeks, sprouts and one variety of cabbage plus parsley and basil. And lots of sweet peas. Also set the peas on damp kitchen paper to germinate, before potting on. Planted out more shallots too.
Wednesday 9th March
A couple of mornings I’ve looked at Smokey’s breakfast hay net and thought it looked emptier than the night before. Now I know why.
Primroses / Crocus / Sunflowers
Monday 7 March, 2022
Monday 28th February
Quite spring-like today – light showers, light cloud, some sunshine. We have snowdrops, crocus and primroses out now.
Primroses.
A crocus. Which is weird, beacsue I only planted narcisii.
Toad / Smokey / Gate
Wednesday 2 March, 2022
Monday 21st February
Dry, cold and windy – lightened by some sunshine.
The farrier was here to do Smokey’s feet. And Dan and I took hay to East Pitkerro, along with some Spot-on, so hopefully the itching will stop. Most of the bare bits now have hair on them so fingers crossed.
Regular readers will know that Monday is my office day, but it was so cold, I had to move back to the dining room table. We have a small electric heater in the office and Dan, rightly, decided to put it on the timer – except he turned it off instead. Hopefully, it will be better tomorrow – for him. I’ll be doing something else.
Dudley / Eunice / Franklin
Monday 21 February, 2022
This week has seemed to be mainly about storms – Dudley, Eunice and now Franklin. Thankfully, we missed the worst of it. It’s been wet and windy but we haven’t lost any more trees or had any damage (that we’ve noticed, so far).
Monday 14th February
Poor Euro had the trauma of a poultry crate falling on him this morning. No idea how it happened but the poultry crate is broken beyond repair. Thankfully, Euro is fine.
Started feeding the inlamb ewes today.
Fence / Secret Eggs / Buster
Monday 14 February, 2022
Monday 7th February
Bit of a drama in Sheepfold this morning. As I took hay out to the sheep, passing the gate to Sheepfold, I could see Gracie was through the track’s electric fence and in the middle (no grass though). Smokey was at the far side of the field, on the track. Euro was at the gate. Shouted Smokey and he didn’t move. Walked over and he had the rope of the electric fence wound fast round his near hind, just below the hock. His tail and feathers were also stuck in it. Phoned Dan to bring over the Jakoti shears – forgot to ask him to bring a halter. I stood at Smokey’s head, while Dan loosened the rope enough to get the blade of the shears down the side of his leg and cut the rope. Smokey never moved a muscle. The fence wasn’t on btw. Sometimes I forget how much I love my old boy.
Buster / Landscaping / Wildlife area
Monday 7 February, 2022
Monday 31st January
Can’t believe it’s the end of January already. Winter has been remarkably kind this year so far – let’s hope we don’t pay for it later.
Slipped a halter on Buster this morning while he was eating his breakfast. Baby steps.
.jpg)
Buster with his halter on.
Tuesday 1st February
Today is the festival of Imbolc and St Brigid’s Day – the first day of spring, as winter releases its grip on the land.
Malik / Corrie / Woodstore
Monday 31 January, 2022
Monday 24th January
Weather holding – dry and sunny, but a cold wind. Busy, busy today – Dan away for two loads of hay; Lorna’s car to the garage; bills and paperwork done (including three attempts at putting last week’s diary on the website); hay to the steers at East Pitkerro. If I mend Dan’s trousers and make ginger nuts before bedtime, I’ll have done everything on my list for today.
Five years since Meggy died. Still miss her; she was one of a kind and the dog of a lifetime.
Teapot / TB / Rhubarb
Monday 24 January, 2022
Monday 17th January
Lovely day again – full sun! It made office work a bit challenging because the sun was in my eyes but no way was I shutting it out.
Vet was here early doors to do Grey’s TB test. Back on Thursday for the results. He’s from a TB4 area and a herd with no breakdowns, but can’t help being a wee bit anxious.
Finished updating our cattle website. I’m a bit of a technodullard and a technopanicker, so across the day, I’m both relieved and happy.
Weeds / Carrots / Nestboxes
Monday 17 January, 2022
Monday 10th January
Why does it feel colder when it’s dull, even though it’s not?
Tuesday 11th January
Had to shut Tom in the office tonight, to starve him for his vet visit tomorrow. Not a happy cat.
We should have been husky sledding today but the ground is too hard. Took Smokey out for a walk instead.
Wednesday 12th January
It’s been a day of beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
Sunset.
