Step one: Compost
Step two: Chickens
Step three: Garden
Step Four: Bees
I realized we live in the sub-tropics and have excellent growing weather, all we eat are raw fruit and veggies, we have the space, and we have the coop...why not be as self sufficient as possible.
So the plan was set in motion: The compost heap was easy and therefore started immediately. It's doing exceptionally great and I can tell it's eager to do its job. It won't have to wait much longer before being put to use, as last week Donovan and I spent time planting some tomato and pepper seeds so they can germinate and be ready for planting when we get our raised beds built. I've got my shopping list prepared for those beds and hopefully within the next few days a stop at Home Depot will help complete step 3. I also have the seeds for the remaining ingredients for a wonderful summer blend of fruits and veggies. I'm starting off small though, I am a newbie. Today was the most exciting part though. I've been going back and forth about chickens for quite some time. I wanted to get young hens that were ready to lay, but didn't want to spend $20 each- just in case it turns out Kiya isn't so friendly with chickens. I also wasn't sure I wanted to get chicks either since it would be a while before they began to lay and I wasn't sure I could raise the little gals only to be eaten by a raccoon, snake, bobcat or Kiya. So for months I've been dragging my feet, but today when I went to the Tack and Supply store to check the board for laying hens we passed a cage of the cutest week old chicks I've ever seen. Decision made. Our new "Friends" came home with us: Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, and Joey (sorry Phoebe, there were only 5 left). So hopefully I'll be a good little mama to our new family members and soon we'll enjoy backyard fresh eggs for breaky each morning. Yum, yum. Here are some pictures of our progressing homestead.
Don't worry. It'll be a while before I feel prepare to take on a swarm of bees.
