Getting eggsited

The decision has been made to keep chickens (by me really). Only a few mind. This is something i know Julie has always wanted to do, and now its become one of my pet projects. The idea of having my own fresh eggs, and nice busy chickos in the garden is what appeals to me, and they can fertilise the vegatables. Not rushing straight out though, we have ordered a book on the subject and im getting advise and henhouse plans of the 'net. I want to build the house cheeply using reclaimed wood.

Julie says they can go at the bottom of the garden, near the veg plot. Theres gooseberry bushes there now, but neither of us like goosegogs, so these are coming out. Probably be re planted in the hedgerows.

The veg is not doing well this year. I was late digging the plot anyway and the soil is just not good. The onions did ok, but the carrots and parsnips were pointless. Mostly my fault, as i firmed them down 'well' too well in fact and its like there concreted in. The potatoes suffered badly from scab, but we did get a few. Sam enjoyed the peas, which did quite well. For a couple of days he ate loads of them.

Im hoping the caulies and broccoli will do ok, and the sprouts. Im having a heck of a job controlling the caterpillers, i tried a natural method using a type of nematode, which worked but was too expensive to keep using. Derris did a good job so they will get some more of that soon. Now im just picking them off by hand, the furry little pests. I cant get Sam to do it, he prefers digging the soil with a stick.

The onions are coming out this weekend, before they go bad, so long as i have time. University study has priority this week though. At least the water butts are full again now.