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On My Oasis – Sorting Seeds
Winter’s set in. Though it’s not terribly cold, its cool and wet enough to have pushed things into dormancy. Unfortunately for us gardeners, we can’t go off and hibernate until spring arrives. Instead, we have to busy ourselves with other horticultural tasks – most of which involves planning. On those mild days, it’s easy to believe the warmer weather is just around the corner. But any good British stalwart knows; the worst of the cold often arrives in February or March, so we’re not clear yet.
Sorting Seeds
I just can’t seem to throw seeds away!
If you’re anything like me, you’re not only a plant hoarder, but a seed hoarder too. I just can’t seem to throw out those old packets, even though they’re well past their best. I mean, I have some that suggest sowing before 2010. Oops!
I took it upon myself to go through the seed collection and throw out anything over a couple of years old. How did I do? NOT GOOD. So many seeds, so many little tiny plant embryos calling out ‘let me live. Give me a chance to grow’. Don’t call the men in white coats yet, that’s what they would say, not what I actually heard. 😉
So, with a complete lack of discipline, and having only thinned out a few ancient veggie seeds, I’ve decided – I’ll sow EVERY packet of ornamental flowers and plants I have. That way, I can not only get rid of the packets but, hopefully, grow lots of new plants too. The Farmers Market near me accept home-grown plant stalls as well as vegetables and other produce, so I may as well develop a small nursery. Of course, now that’s what I’ve decided I need spring so I can get sowing!
Brimwood Farm
If you hadn’t noticed before, you’ll see a new tab has appeared in the menu – Welcome to Brimwood Farm! Yes, I know I live in a 3-bed terrace in a suburban area. Yes, I know the garden’s far from being a farm…but we all have to start somewhere, right?
I’ve started the Brimwood Farm brand to get things on the go for when we finally move to Suffolk. Of course, it’ll be a little restricted for the time-being; there’s only so much you can do in a suburban oasis. The chicken flocks have been growing, and I’m in a position to start selling eggs, hatching eggs and even chickens in 2016. Also – all those seeds I mentioned? They’ll be sold under the Brimwood Farm brand too. And, of course, hopefully there’ll be a glut of vegetables this year. Speaking of which, I’m debated digging up some more garden for vegetable production – there just isn’t enough space.
Chickens a-plenty
The chicken obsession continues to grow. Last year, it was all about hatching eggs I bought on eBay. Fertility rates are pretty awful; you pay for six eggs, two hatch. Not great. So, wanting to get a full incubator of eggs, I stuffed 16 poland and poland/silkie hybrids in from my own birds. And – you’ve guessed it – 15 were fertile! One quit early on, but I’ve got 14 chicks expected to hatch this coming weekend. That’ll grow the chicken total 29!! Gotta keep it under 50 otherwise I’ll have to tell Defra.
There’s some cute pics if you follow on Facebook or Instagram, and I’m updating the Brimwood Farm channel with videos too.
For 2016, I’m going to try and start showing some of the exhibition birds and breed some nice stock from them. In addition, I want to hatch some naked necks for meat which involves a big project converting the large metal shed at the bottom of the garden into a new coop. It’ll be easier to secure properly and has loads of space. We had been contemplating getting a pair of goats too as it’s an ideal goat-shed. BUT, that’s a bit more responsibility than we can take on right now!
I’m sure that will keep me busy for the moment. I’ve got LOTS of books to read, veggie magazines to pore over and chicks to raise! What are you up to in your garden?
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