Longing for Spring

The backyard is still covered in snow, but it's time to order some seeds from Greta. This is what we're going to plant this spring. Look good? As you can see, we'll have way too many seeds for our backyard garden, even accounting for seeds that don't germinate. We'll be splitting our order with friends, but even then we'll have a whole lot left. If you're interested in getting in on some seeds, let us know in the comment section. It will be cheap and a good investment; these are heirlooms so you can take the seeds from the fruit and replant next year! Yes?

Buck buck

The question:

I'm hoping to start a small flock and I have a number of questions which I hope you might be able to answer for me before I place my order:

1. How does a chantecler compare to a Rhode Island Red or Leghorn in terms of laying? I'm interested in the breed for its ability to withstand the cold and its heritage, but want to gauge its efficiency in laying vs. feed.
2. How do bantams compare to their standard counterparts in terms of efficiency of feed vs. laying? I understand that their eggs are slightly smaller, but do they consume the same amount of feed as would a standard bird to do so?

Any help on these questions would be greatly appreciated.

Best regards,

The answer:

Hello Brian, The Chantecler is a good dual purpose breed which lays quite well. The Rhode Island Red would win out in most cases against the Chantecler in laying ability.The Leghorn would come out on top as the most efficient and highest number of eggs layed. Housing, feeding and environmental conditions will also dictate ultimate laying abilities amongst the different breeds. Bantams do not consume the same amount of feed as standards; however, they lay a smaller egg.

Performance Poultry

Seed catalog time!

This year, we're going to go with heirlooms, as there is a place that sells seeds, just down the road.

For most things: Greta. Here's the catalog.

For tomatoes: Upper Canada Seeds

And, an organic seedfest in Ottawa!

Seedy Saturday

Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre

Saturday March 7, 2009

10:00-3:00

How to transplant a rose

Nicole and I will be redesigning our garden this spring. One thing we're planning on doing is moving one of our tall climbing rose bushes between our two composters (thanks to Graham for the second one, courtesy of someone in Hamilton!). The idea is to use a climbing rose to go over the two composters and a smaller white rose to hide the one side of the composter from view out of our back window. In addition to hiding the black composters, the roses' proximity to the compost will likely mean healthy plants. I'm slightly concerned about airflow on the one between the composters, but we'll have to see. Instructions on moving roses can be found here. The synopsis?

• DO one rose bush at a time only.
• DO Be Organized
• DO have the new bed or location ready before digging the plant
• DO have all tools and equipment ready.
• DO have water at hand.
• DO work quickly.
• DO ask for help if you have many bushes to be moved.
• DO prune the plants by 1/3 to 2/3; remember, the bush will be shocked when dug up and will be unable to sustain its original amount of leaves.
• DO cover or hill up all transplanted roses for several days.
• DO NOT try to transplant more than one bush at a time.
• DO NOT transplant on a cold, windy, or hot day.
• DO NOT expose the roots for a long time to air, sun, wind or cold and certainly not to freezing rain.
• DO NOT leave newly transplanted bushes uncovered.
• DO NOT fertilize during transplanting (except bone meal).

And, a breakdown of rose terms.

Best looking garden centre website I've come across to date: Knippels. Very helpful, very knowledgeable. I emailed them last night seeking advice on what type of fruit tree to get to replace our snowball flower tree that died this summer (not sure why), and they recommended a five-in-one apple tree (in less than 12 hours: excellent service!). Apparently five different types of apples are grafted onto the stem.

We were looking for a small fruit tree, and were originally leaning towards a small cherry or prune tree. Those are still preferable, but if we can't find one, we'll go with the apple.

Okay, so...I've decided

The bird: Chantecler,

Will be housed in a miniature version of this: Dutch Barn

Must. Build. Something like this.

But with more beauty and less width.