Raised beds - the beauty of recycling!

I have just created raised beds for next years growing. They cost me nothing as the wood came from kind neighbours.  Just got to put the corner posts in and all sorted. Next job black plastic down over winter and hopefully next year a delivery of compost and jobs a good one.

This years herb bed looking good will be able to expand it next year.

Strawberries doing well in their new home. Got to taste the wild strawberries in their today delicious.

The animals are all doing well.

wrong side of the fence

baby chicks and mum growing well

The truffle waiting for her grub no sign of brother ninja

Tagging sheep

spent today tagging sheep. my tame sheep ok with this only took an hour. the lambs not a chance however have help before their tagging due

Defra Visit - all very positive

Defra do a yearly random survey to prove the uk is Brucellosis free in sheep. Guess what they choose my smallholding. They came today with blood sample kits at the ready.

Got this sheep rounding up to a fine art with my lot! Well today anyway. They were very well behaved defra did the samples. Checked all the paperwork and sheep movement documents as accurate and legal.

A welcomed lesson in tagging sheep and an equally welcomed present of a holding register (which appears easy to use and I can use as a reminder of what I got when and where etc) later and job done

.

It really did feel good to be told by defra Animal health team I am doing a good job with my animals.
Its been hard work and a learning curve and still learning but that was great creditable confirmation.

The new chicks venture out with mum

Pictures on the three new arrivals

Chick number three born today

Got home to the birth of chick number three. Other two had managed to escape and where chirping away outside chicken house with mum chirping didn't sound good. Managed to move mums nest with chicks and eggs to the nursery enclosure give mum a better chance of keeping an eye on the older two whilst hatching the rest. All seem alot happier xx

New birth today

Today two chicks hatched with mum. Took these whilst mum nipped off nest to eat. She's back on top of them keeping them warm. 

Blackberry and Nettle Revenge

Its that time of year when you will probably find my head in a blackberry bush with pink fingers that resemble a pin cushion. This year I am sure the blackberries and Nettles have teamed up in retaliation for cutting them both down at the start of the year oh and yes not to mention turning them into jam and Chutney and not only eating but selling them!! That said its going to be a great crop 4kg from the first harvest!!

Unfortunately I have run out of jars and bottles (what can I say its been a busier week then expected for preserve sales!! ) so what a shame part of the first batch will just have to be turned into wine and the second part Blackberry and Apple crumbles and other blackberry related products for me to enjoy! If you are reading this and enjoy my produce don't worry the first harvest was from only a 1/4 of my bushes. There will be plenty for Jams, Jellies and Sauces for my lovely customers to enjoy.

The kittens enjoyed supervising the blackberry picking proceedings. Um wonder if I can train them to pick em. I doubt it too busy playing!!.

Chicks are doing well but sad to say mother hen has gone!! Not sure how or when so its up to Dad to protect the chicks. No way in or way out of the enclose for foxes. Praying its not the dam Pole cat! Cant do honesty box for eggs this year as the pole cat keeps stealing the eggs and eating them!!

Pigs are growing well and sheep and lambs doing fine. Bees are very busy cant wait for honey. So all in all typical smallholding life!!

had a sudden thought will have to start making xmas puddings to sell!! That time already!!