jtai.rmt

Panic working and Panic buying

The fire put me in a panic. Upon returning home, I knew we weren’t out of danger. The alert was still on. I was on a mission to reduce the fire risk. We had brush fuel everywhere and my water canons were not set up. The first thing on my mind was to clear theContinue reading “Panic working and Panic buying”

Turning up the heat

Aug 17th was suppose to be a easy weekend of horse vaulting clinic for our older daughter. The summer had been pretty uneventful until now. I had many plans for fire safety but these were left by the way side. I always feel overwhelmed by the to do list and ended up in disputes withContinue reading “Turning up the heat”

Cleaning after chickens

The idea and fantasy of growing/raising your own food is very romantic, but like many romance there is a lengthy process to establish a healthy relationship and much work in maintain it. The most challenging and lease glamorous bit is in the clean up. Our chicken fairy tale began in Vancouver where we had 4Continue reading “Cleaning after chickens”

Weeds and Edibles

This has been a crazy few weeks of scrambling between renovations and garden works. The renovations have mostly been done by myself to establish our friend and primary support staff. The plumbing and electrical is in and the finishing is sufficient for her to start settling into her new home. There was also a wholeContinue reading “Weeds and Edibles”

Hoary Alyssum

Hoary Alyssum has been the bane of Alli’s existence as it is an invasion, prolific plant that is poisonous to horses. We had imagined a large property where we can freely, and inexpensively graze our horses. This was not the case. The poison weeds kept the horses in their paddock and left us hand weedingContinue reading “Hoary Alyssum”

Lamb’s Quarter

Lambs Quarter has been part of our war against weeds for over 4 years but I am now rethinking our attack on this plant. It’s considered a nutritious edible we have not yet tried. The biggest problem is that It grows so profusely, it smothers other crops

Red Root Amaranth

Red root amaranth grows abundantly on our property. They can be as tall as 5 feet and smother other crops. It has been war for over 4 years with red root amaranth, lambs quarter and hoary alyssum.

Another Birthday

Right after Father’s Day was my birthday; those years are passing quickly. As time ticks by it feels I should hurry up and work and get it done before there is no time left. This has been good year for rain. It has been wet and despite sowing seeds late, many of them are thriving.Continue reading “Another Birthday”

Father’s Day

The day was fast approaching and I knew the girls wanted to celebrate me, to have me relax. But there is still so much on the to do list. The way I was raised, being a good father was to work, work and work; to make sure all the bills are paid, food is onContinue reading “Father’s Day”

Creambush

AKA Ocean Spray, Ironwood, Oceanspray A species of Oceansprays (Holodiscus Discolor) USDA factsheet found June 20th 2023 indicate it is “browsed by cattle, deer, elk, snowshoe hares and dusky-footed wood rats but not moose. As a commonunderstory species, oceanspray provides cover fornumerous birds and small mammals and alsotreefrogs. Seeds were eaten by Native Americanswho alsoContinue reading “Creambush”