Saturday, September 26, 2015

Surprise!

After declaring the green beans in the garden "done" for about the 3rd time, De and I spent some time today picking green beans.  I'd like to say the beans are now really done, but since we're leaving quite a few on to dry, I suppose I can't even say that until they are done producing, all dry, and the pods have been harvested for shelling.

De and I have been talking about how the hens seemed to be slowing down on egg laying this week, and whether or not we needed to start thinking about working in some replacement hens.  It seems a little early for this, but we knew when we picked them out that the Red Stars would lay like the dickens for a couple of years and then taper off very quickly.  Ours a few months short of two, so it's probably time to make plans either way.

As we were picking beans, De noticed something under one of the trellises.
So what's that under the trellis?



Is that what I think it is?

You gotta be kidding me!



So that why we haven't been getting all the we eggs we should be!!
Sure enough - six eggs in all hidden under the trellis.  All of them tested good, so we suspect they are less than a week old. We checked the other three trellises with no results, but we have growing suspicions there is a similar surprise awaiting us in the barn.  We looked twice with no 'finds' but the barn is currently in a bit of an 'overstocked' state with lots of nooks and crannies.  There may still be a surprise awaiting us.

We also picked banana peppers, jalapeno peppers, and tomatoes.  That leaves green beans, a few more peppers, beets, and a boatload of brussel sprouts, and horse radish  to finish out this year.  We did declare the tomatoes 'done', and to seal the deal we opened the gate that had been keeping the birds out.  It didn't take long for them to start taking care of the 'left-overs'.



We are at the point in the growing season where it will be OK when the garden is done.  We want to be faithful with all the produce that God has granted us, but when the season is finally finished there will be no regrets on our part.

Hopefully your gardens are both doing well and finishing up.

Col. 1:9-12,

Mark


4 comments:

  1. It hasn't happened too often but we, too, have been surprised to find a clutch of eggs in a nest in the woods when we were wondering why our production had slacked off. Wonder why they do that when they have such nice nest boxes that are high and dry and protected in the hen house?

    I worked in the garden today pulling plants. Some I could have left longer but I know how hard cleaning things up can be when the ground is half frozen. Not gonna let that happen this year. And like you, I'm thankful for our bountiful harvest . . . but ready for some non-gardening months!

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    1. Mama Pea - I think the hard part is going to be breaking the habit. I also still think there may be a stash in the barn because, if the door is closed, there's always a couple of hens walking back and forth along the door wanting in.

      I've got a little more time to get my garden clean-up done. But there is some I can be doing now. Now that vacation is over, I need to start spending a little time after work everyday getting it done.

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  2. Chickens! They love to hide those egg stashes. Dan found one in the bushes recently; we'd wondered where the eggs had gone to! Happily, all were good.

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    1. Leigh - Yep. This our first "hidden stash", but we had them all the time when we were growing up. As kids it was like a game to find them. As a "Papa", I'm far less amused by the whole thing.

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