In spite of the rain, the new garage at the Chicken Ranch is taking shape. The foundation and floor was poured a week or so ago; but we had a few days of rain delay. The framing is going quite quickly — walls late last week, trusses today. The roof sheeting will go down tomorrow and by week’s end we should have a finished roof!
This progress is especially pleasing to me in regard to gardening season. I just might be able to get tomatoes in the ground without losing any time. The contractor says the garage may be complete by June 1st. Last year on June 1st I was still planting tomatoes! Our last average day of frost is Friday — and Mother Nature is taking that to the wire this year…there is a freeze warning for tomorrow night! So I’ll be hauling in the Fuschia and Petunia hanging baskets, and the couple of tomato plants that I couldn’t resist at Farmer’s Market last Saturday.
I really had to temper myself since I’m not sure where the tomatoes are going. I bought four plants – two cherry types for pots; a Sugar Sweetie and a Honey Bunch grape. Both are early and claim to do well in pots. Let me know if you have any experience with these — they are both new to me.
The other two are a Juliet (a cherry roma type) and a Heinz (sauce/paste). We love the roma types – perfect for grilling and freezing. I’ve had great success with Juliet in past years; but the Heinz is a new variety for me. I put the cherry’s in pots over the weekend (and I’ll be hauling those in the house tomorrow too!); and am waiting to plant the others. I still want a couple Orange Blossoms, and an Early Girl or two, but I need to see what develops for garden space!
Finally, we are celebrating a Happy Hatchday this Friday for our Girls. They will be 1 year old. We’re having a little party — champagne of course and a few appetizers (chicken wings and deviled eggs); plus Chicken Kitchen is whipping up a special Hatchday Cake for the Girls –creamy Italian polenta with a cottage cheese icing and cracked corn sprinkles on top — they are going to love it!
I love the Hatchday Party, Candace! (But chicken wings–how could you?!! Still, the cake makes up for the lapse in, ahem, taste.) Wish i could get motivated to make a cake like that for our girls! I’ve also planted a ‘Juliet’ this year and love them. But you need a ‘Sungold’! They’re the best cherry tomatoes ever, even beating out my former favorite, ‘Yellow Pear’!
Very fun to watch your progress! I love it when things seem to move quickly. Wish my chicken house project would!
Oh I love the chicken ‘Cake’! Great idea. The garage is looking great. I can imagine how happy you’ll be when it’s completed.
Hey Candace, how are things? Being rained upon like we are in Boise?
We're having a little Idaho Garden Bloggers tour (unofficial) starting next weekend. Wish you could be here.
How lovely to have a Happy Hatch Day – I like that idea.
what a great chicken coop. i enjoy chickens in the backyard and hope to have some soon.