Whiteley Creek Homestead

field tree planting

A farmer planted our field for many years. But he got old. He decided it was time to retire. Dick and I knew, that when that day came, we would plant trees where once buckwheat, triticale, clover, and winter wheat had grown.

To give us a jump start, we started with three burr oak trees that were maybe 4-5 years old. For the remainder of the field, I ordered 50 tree seedlings from the Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District, during their January 1-February 28, 2018 tree sale. They were available for pickup at the Northland Arboretum in Brainerd (Minnesota) on May 11 and 12. 

Contained in a garbage bag to keep the roots wet, we immediately began digging the 25 red oak and 25 balsam fir tree seedlings into the ground. The organic farmer's rotation of carefully selected crops had transformed our sandy soil into rich loam making digging a cinch with the aid of a planting bar I borrowed from the DNR's forestry department.

making newspaper pots

Throughout the year, I save newspaper pages so that I can make newspaper pots for spring planting. I discard pages with colored ink which leaves basically the crossword puzzle/cartoons, obits, and employment/want ads. Sometimes the rolling and tucking results in sweet, unexpected surprises like these two pots printed with "Lakes Area Growers Market" and Plant Sale" imprinted upon the page.

With a quarter sheet of newspaper and a simple metal can emptied of such contents as diced tomatoes, pinto beans, or pumpkin, a seed pot is formed.

Generally, the pot will hold together on its own, but, if necessary, a paper clip can be used to secure it then removed after filling with soil. For instructions, Renee over at "Hip Chick Digs" provides precise video instruction.

http://www.hipchickdigs.com/2009/03/video-newspaper-seed-pots/#more-1031

 

wild turkeys

A fence surrounds our coop to keep the chickens safe at night. It provides extra security from invaders like raccoon, skunk, fox, and hawks. Fence door latched. Coop door locked. In the daytime, as our chickens roam freely about the yard, they are not bothered. But, at dusk and beyond, the stalkers prowl. The fence needs repair, but winter preparations last fall left no time. Now, spring planting has taken priority. Sadly, there will be no chickens this year. But, look!

 

We have wild turkeys that come to visit each morning just outside our living room window! Nine of them! The surrounding woods is their home the remainder of the day. They also stroll into our field to dine on spoils leftover from last autumn's grain harvest.