tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20288905525841054152011-12-13T13:03:02.737-05:00Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.comBlogger281100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-19269795468857097802011-10-13T10:23:00.000-04:002011-10-13T10:23:46.617-04:00

A dear friend came down from Georgia and was smitten by this little rooster.  She named him D'Artagnan because he looks like he is wearing traditional Musketeer garb.  I found a brief biography of D'Artagnan at this site.  Reality was very different from the movies.  Of note, he was such a bad husband his wife left him and joined a convent.  Hope the hens don't make the same move.

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-6406673873188677522011-10-11T22:09:00.000-04:002011-10-11T22:09:04.420-04:00

One of the first things I did when I got my new wheels was to head to the library.  They had the new edition of Dave Holderread's book, Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks.  I highly recommend all of the Storey's Guides to raising animals, but there are so few books on raising waterfowl, I wanted to make sure all of you knew about this new edition.  If you raise ducks, this book needs to be on your

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-18716307252627493862011-10-10T18:18:00.000-04:002011-10-10T18:18:26.180-04:00

The last couple of days have been very stormy.  The high winds have blown the acorns out of the 100 year old oaks that surround the house.  They sounded like machine gun fire as they hit the metal roof of the house.  Today, all is quiet, but the yard is covered with a soft cushion of fallen Spanish moss.   This morning as I cleaned the duck house I found the first duck egg......in the nighttime

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-17211792707120575852011-05-26T16:32:00.000-04:002011-05-26T16:32:58.504-04:00

Yesterday afternoon the pump on the well stopped working.  My landlord brought by this huge jug of water and had a well repair person here at 7:30 this morning, so crisis was adverted, but it was a good reminder.  My animals went through the entire jug of water in just the evening water check.  Living in hurricane country, I need to have extra water stored in case we get hit.  This year I need to

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-14644155942557226072011-05-09T22:12:00.000-04:002011-05-09T22:12:28.348-04:00

My brother came to visit last week.  He lives in an apartment in a big city, so I wasn't sure how he would take to chickens.  He jumped right in, and much to my surprise, he seemed to really enjoy the older hens.  He was in charge of egg collection all during his visit.  I am not one to give chickens names, but my brother developed a special relationship with one of the hens, so she has been

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-38937595609925663942011-04-26T12:47:00.001-04:002011-04-26T13:08:22.631-04:00

I am starting to realize that free chickens can be addictive.  Yesterday I saw an ad on Craigslist for free chickens.  The guy just wanted to get rid of them, because he had more than he could handle.  When I got there, he had cochins and golden laced wyandottes left.  They were in terrible shape, and had no food or water on a 90 degree day.  I ended up with 10 more chickens.  They are about 3

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-16187048486900278502011-04-25T09:19:00.003-04:002011-04-26T14:16:12.706-04:00

I have been clicker training the ducks so that they will come into the coop at night without having to round them up.  I use a clicker that is usually used in dog training.  The ducks have been working for 4 days now, and have caught on quickly. Hope you enjoy the video. I am doing the same thing with the geese, but they prefer spinach to mealworms.

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-433563139456828052011-04-23T10:21:00.001-04:002011-04-23T10:22:46.600-04:00

I have been canning for years, and have always found labeling a problem.  When I started scrapbooking, I developed a new method for labeling jars and freezer containers. Tools you will need: Roll of white Contact paper Paper punch, whatever shape you prefer Permanent marker Punch out labels from the Contact paper. I have large circle and square punches that are perfect for daily use, but if

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-54747512517432410352011-04-22T21:50:00.002-04:002011-04-23T08:54:35.578-04:00

I was too busy last month to get to the blog, but I wanted you to see my near miss.  Last month we had a day of severe storms and tornadoes.  The projected path shown on the television went right over my house.  Now you need to know that I am scared to death of tornadoes.  I have no fear of hurricanes, but a tornado will send me running for a closet. I vigilantly watched the continuous weather

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-71591300968240996882011-04-22T08:44:00.000-04:002011-04-22T08:44:54.576-04:00

The Duck Brooder I have a love/hate relationship with my ducks.  They are my favorite of all the poultry, but they are time consuming.  Their brooder bin has to be cleaned several times a day because they are a total mess.  They like their water way too much.  I have a 1 gallon water container for them, but it has to be filled twice a day, because more goes on the floor than in their bills. I

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-83980934412215426182011-04-21T22:32:00.000-04:002011-04-21T22:32:41.488-04:00

3 Embden Geese I have found out that I have one female, the darkest gosling, and two males.   2 Rouen, 2 Khaki Campbell, 2 Pekin Ducks

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-81057972842294445492011-04-21T10:38:00.001-04:002011-04-21T21:16:51.992-04:00

6 Buff Orpington 12 Black Australorp 2 Frizzle/Cochin Mix 2 Maybe an Easter Egger

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-8243526457668164982011-04-17T13:37:00.001-04:002011-04-17T13:37:56.318-04:00

I came home to find a chirping, quacking and honking box on my back porch, with a note saying only that the giver hoped that the birds would help me feel better.  What a great surprise!  I have a flock.  For now, you only get to see their nursery.  What can I say...... I am too busy getting them settled to write a real post.

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-49011121983781643802011-04-13T13:11:00.000-04:002011-04-13T13:11:36.703-04:00

My father died last night.  I had taken care of him for the last 11 years as his body suffered the ravages of strokes and Parkinsons Disease.  I am glad that he is no longer suffering and is now with my mother, to whom he was married over 60 years before her death several years ago. He was a Naval Aviator (a Navy pilot) for 30 years so we moved frequently when I was a child, but he always

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-76296698340739858952011-03-24T23:03:00.001-04:002011-04-14T09:34:05.146-04:00

Today I had to say goodbye to my beautiful Scamper.  He lived nearly 15 years as a spoiled and much loved cat..  He was definitely the alpha of my pets.  He had two 60 pound dogs totally under his control.  He will be missed. As I was walking out of the vet's office I noticed many other cats and dogs waiting their turn and one of the vet techs cleaning up a mess on the floor.  One of the

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-5751461353256034782011-01-15T12:38:00.000-05:002011-01-15T12:38:39.921-05:00

I love compost.  In all my years of gardening, I have found nothing else that comes close to increasing the productivity of a garden.  Unfortunately, every time I have moved, I have had to leave my compost pile behind.  The soil on this property is nothing but sand.  It will take tons of organic matter to get the soil enriched enough to grow vegetables.  Last weekend I was lucky enough to find

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-57499082255954877872010-12-29T08:57:00.001-05:002011-01-03T15:05:53.939-05:00

Grace is modeling the latest in cold doggy wear.  It is cold enough she actually kept the coat and sweater on this morning.  Even though we are in Florida, there was ice in the outside water bucket this morning.  Grace is really feeling the cold this winter, but she loves being outside, no matter what the weather.  She has a cozy dog house, but she always finds a little bit of sun to be the best

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-72649632254535484252010-12-24T11:12:00.000-05:002010-12-24T11:12:31.591-05:00

This year I had a Christmas miracle.  God moved those who love me to provide the money to move.  I will be able to be in the new house for the new year!  I am so thankful for their gifts. Merry Christmas to one and all.

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-91040525421775266942010-12-16T20:04:00.003-05:002010-12-16T21:55:54.730-05:00

Does this cat look like she would be trouble?  No, she looks like a sweet, fat cat that would rather curl up on the bed than run like a demon from room to room in a house.  But beneath the fur lies the heart of an evil kitty, at least if her owner is trying to get her into a crate to move to the new house.  This is Emma, the cat who did not want to move. All my cats have been feral cats who

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-75463873371099873692010-12-11T10:16:00.000-05:002010-12-11T10:16:50.317-05:00

This is the time of the year when Florida provides produce for the rest of the country.  Oranges and strawberries are leaving the groves and fields and making their way to your kitchen tables.  Yesterday there must have been 50 workers in the strawberry field behind my house.  There is great urgency to get produce to market now.  We are expecting another freeze Monday.  It looks like it is

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-43382155418033742022010-12-08T20:45:00.000-05:002010-12-08T20:45:04.121-05:00

It has been cold here lately.  Last night it was in the upper 20's.  It is unusual for temperatures to dip that low this early in the season here in central Florida.  I came over to the house hoping for a respite from the cold, but found that the heat was out in the house.  I called my landlord this morning, and was able to spend some time talking with him while he worked on the system.  His

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-76854521895966142292010-11-23T14:07:00.003-05:002010-11-23T14:48:20.889-05:00

Nearly six months ago I posted that I was getting ready to move.  I had great plans for gardening, canning and poultry, but God had other plans.  The only chick I have seen is this cute washcloth chick from the hospital, and most of my stuff is still at the other house. My father has been in the hospital so many times that I have lost count, and I have nearly lost him twice.  His trust did not

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-26882957941337918102010-06-11T23:12:00.006-04:002010-06-13T07:20:56.757-04:00

Sunflower at sunset. The weeds behind the house are 5 feet tall.  I couldn't see the farm behind the house until they got a trim. The weeds were too much for the tractor.  It died after a few passes. Bees trying to cool off in our June heat. The old girls keeping an eye on the teenagers.

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-38763118905003684982010-06-05T23:48:00.007-04:002010-06-07T23:29:36.059-04:00

Melons always signal the end of the spring growing season here in central Florida.  I have been so busy with moving, spring has slipped away from me.  I realized today that I would get no canning or freezing done unless I went to the farmer's market now, so I spent the afternoon at the market, and at roadside stands. The farmer's market is north of town, near the interstate highway.  Farmers

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-74529125616193315812010-05-19T10:19:00.006-04:002010-06-07T23:30:40.163-04:00

IPickled Okra I have been canning since I was a child (thanks, Mom), so I went to the canning class at the county extension service not expecting to learn anything.   I just wanted to have a good time. I left the class with lots of new information and a new canning book.  If you learned to can years ago, or are using old canning books, it will be worth the money to invest in a new canning book.

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-37718929514322331142010-05-17T20:51:00.016-04:002011-04-26T14:12:48.122-04:00

Although it will be quite some time before I will be able to build a chicken coop, I have spent my free time researching which chickens I would like to have.  These are the front runners: Andalusian Appenzeller Spitzhauben  Barnevelder  Brahma Catalana Delaware Dominique Dorking Easter Egger Egyptian Fayoumi Faverolles Java  Jersey Giant Holland Lakenvelder Langshan Minorca  Orpington

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-61516727426389207582010-05-16T22:01:00.001-04:002010-05-16T22:59:51.635-04:00

I have very little income, so I am always watching for freebies.  Here are a couple of contests with great prizes. Mother Earth News is having a contest for a beautiful chicken coop. Enter here. GRIT has a big contest going, a bunch of great garden stuff. Enter here.

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028890552584105415.post-42084043067817107442010-05-16T06:40:00.004-04:002010-05-18T10:02:02.631-04:00

I am moving.  I have spent the last 7 years living at my parents' home while taking care of them.  Dad has moved into a nursing home and my mother has died, so we are selling the house.  The house across the street from my best friend was vacant, so I asked around in the neighborhood, found the owner, and now I am renting. The house is an old farmhouse built in the 1920's on several acres off a

Plant City Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00748181596082379416noreply@blogger.com2