A FIELD of thistles needed hoeing yesterday so Wai and the dogs and the hoe and I got to work and hand hoed the whole area. I am going to learn how to sow seed myself as this weedy patch is the direct result of no cover crop in there for the winter. The pigs do a mighty job of clearing their plate but they tend to divide up the thistles rather than eat them.
I lose sunglasses every year. One pair I found in the calf pen last month – they were even still wearable – these ones not so much.
The seed is mixed and loaded into the hopper of the seed drill ready to go as soon as the tractor driver arises. This seed mix is cowpeas, Austrian winter peas, sunflowers, red clover, Indian corn, maize, pinto beans, oats, Monster oats (these get to 6 foot tall), and other assorted seed left over from last year. I call it the cocktail. Every pig pasture mix is different every year. This one I have tried for a ground cover, mid height peas and beans and tall corns and sunflowers.
The objective is for the plants to reach maturity before I let the pigs in. (Snort).
But I hate watching these guys wait and I know I will let them into one field too early. Then I will sow the field they leave behind. I have created EIGHT little pig pastures this year and already have the seed to back sow as they move around. The seed is expensive but I am determined not to leave any field bare this year so I collected it all through the winter wherever I found sales and free delivery. This is why I am going to talk Our John into teaching me the basics about the seed drill. I am the Impatient Farmer and march to a different drum. John’s drum is a much slower Midwest beat. I have a beach girl beat. Not a beach combers beat.
I think growing up on a beach taught me that every morning the beach would be washed clean, forgiven, ready for me to start again at full speed, ready to run on the cool packed sand just above the tide line. We used to erupt onto the morning beach as kids. That is my favorite speed.
I was photographing the Uglies (who are very friendly and getting more beautiful every day with the sun and fresh feeds) and as I was leaving their area I turned back to call Tima out and there I see her lecturing them a little something about territory. She walked all the way to their fence to tell them this. Horrible pig.
Even the chook looks shocked at her lack of manners.
Lets look at our little fat Wai – a much nicer image to finish with.
I know it is hard to tell but he is losing weight. Often I see him sleeping up against the fence they share with the calves. There is usually a calf asleep on the other side. He likes the calves.
I hope you have a lovely day.
I hope to get the seeds sown today and get a start on cleaning out the West Barn.
Love celi
WEATHER: Tonight we bring all the tomato plants back inside. They have been out in their pots hardening off – but tonight’s frost might be a bit TOO HARD!
Saturday 04/28 0% / 0 in
Sunny to partly cloudy. Cooler. High 54F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph.
Saturday Night 04/28 0% / 0 in
A clear sky. Widespread frost likely. Low 31F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.
Sun
5:55 AM 7:46 PM
Moon
Waxing Gibbous, 97% visible 6:27 PM 5:32 AM
c
The Kitchen's Garden 
48 responses to “HOW RUDE”
Look at Wai Wai! He’s a miracle. I remember dreading reading the blog for fear that he had died. What a happy character he is. And Tima makes me laugh!!
I remember that feeling too but there was always a calmness about him that got him through. No human would have survived it. I suspect he is still blind though. He follows sounds and often bumps into things – probably from this fatness that we have never beaten.
Wai friends with the calves makes so much sense to me.
Though I am afraid to let him in with them – if they take fright they may stomp him. Maybe I should put them together .
Maybe before they get bigger while you watch a bit. Just an introduction to start.
Those Uglies are adorable! They look like they have a good sense of humor. Tima is definitely a piece of work! Good lu k with the pig pastures, the seed looks amazing.
Fingers crossed – as usual!!!
Guess that’s where the expression “Piss off!!” comes from… LMAO! Such a pissy bitch, isn’t she? Snort! Sorry, I’ll stop right now, before it gets any worse; )
I never even thought of that!! Brilliant!
Made my heart happy to read Wai likes the cslves ♡
Very very rude indeed
Hopefully last night was the last of the cold. I’m going to plant vegetable boxes on the roof of the garage this year, it’s the sunniest place I have!
What a gorgeous idea!
Loved seeing your seed mix.. beautiful! just beautiful.. eight little pastures.. I must cross fence more, I must cross fence more! Have a great day
I use electric fence a lot but it is such a chore – as I get more hog panels I just build new fences- often with string!
Loved this post Celi! Seeing those glasses made me laugh out loud! Oh good I’m not the only one that does that, I’m a shocker ..Those pigs will love those pastures .. lucky them! Hugs
Thistles are such a scourge! I made the mistake once of letting one grow in my yard. Oh the war than ensued getting them all out again. Never again.
Celi, I’ve been wanting to bring in pigs to improve our cattle pastures (planted 10 years ago and just sad and sick-looking now) and I’m hesitating for two reasons … First, I know I’m going to get fond of them and kill day will be just horrible, but mainly I don’t know how to go about it. Your talk of “pig pastures” has me intrigued. Can you explain what you do? How do you prevent the pigs from breaking out and causing havoc? How big are your pig pastures? If you’d rather recommend good resources (books, websites, YouTube videos) that would also be a huge help.
Background – we’re in Eastern WA, and our farmlet is smaller than yours – a total of about 5 acres. But a neighbor has started lending us an 8-acre pasture; we don’t know how long that’ll last (they keep talking of selling up) but it does give us a bit of extra capacity while we improve our own land. When we started out our pasture was rich and wonderful, but it’s tired out now. We’ve learned a lot in the 10 years we’ve been doing this, but there’s always something new to learn!