The Chickens' Good Day

The weather forecast for the next several days is cloudy but NO rain. We are giddy here. It’s blustery, chilly and windy, yet we’re all smiling and saying, “isn’t it lovely?”

I am hoping that the green tomatoes still clinging to the plants will ripen. To help them along, I decided to cut off all the excess foliage and clear away the rotting pieces. Let the sun in to dry out those plants! Most of my garden is done for the winter though, I’ve got a good patch of rutabagas and I’m slowly harvesting carrots – none of which will be harmed by chickens, so I invited the girls into the garden.

They’ve been eyeing this fenced off area and were eager to see what I’ve kept from them. They scratched. They explored. They tasted a bit of the remaining lettuce. Then they left me to my work. They fanned out over the yard, gleeful at being out and about. I’d let them out the other day, but their forays were cut short by a hawk that swooped low over the yard and around the big barn. I think it was looking for a bantam to pick up. Luckily, my husband saw it and chased it away and hustled the girls back into the safety of their yards.

In any event, today the chickens had a nice long outing. I was still working when they decided to go back to their coops. The hens that live in the big barn (Eleanor, Edwina, Maizie, Alma, Twinkydink and Blackie) all meandered back inside that building. The rest of the girls all found their way back to the smaller coop.

Isn’t it something how the hens, even with their freedom, stay in their own social groups and go each to their own homes for nap time? I’m anthropomorphizing, but, it sure is sweet.

Too Wet

My lawn is usually parched and bare because it is in full sun and I don’t water. But what’s growing there this year? These:

mushroom

Yes, it’s been so wet (and dreary and soggy… and, okay… I’ll stop whining) that mushrooms are growing in my lawn.

We justifiably brag about Fall color in New England. Depending on the weather (and the species you’re looking at) the leaves change to reds, oranges and yellow. One year, due to perfect conditions, the wetlands in my neighborhood were purple! This year I see this in the maple tree outside my office window:

fall maple leaves

and this in the border between my yard and my neighbor’s.fall leaves

I think it’s clethra. I can’t tell you exactly the variety. I do label all of my plants. I’ve got a nifty label maker that makes waterproof, long-lasting signs. I have copper stakes. So, why don’t I know what my plants are? One word – chickens. The girls pick up the stakes and toss them. I no longer know which rubedekia is which. My named peonies go unnamed. It’s not entirely their fault. I’m not a plantsman – I’m not one of those gardeners who know latin names, or have an unfailing memory for a plant. I just like getting my hands dirty. I thought that labeling my plants would help. The chickens say that the signs get in the way of their business. The chickens, as usual, won out by their sheer persistence and industry.