Petunias / Paths / Supercorgis - The Accidental Smallholder

Posted: Sunday 21 April, 2024

by Rosemary at 2:54pm in Smallholding 1 comment Add your own

Monday 15^th April

Sunny but cold breeze this morning. Gary here just after 8am so hoping for good progress today.

Work progressing.

Starting to get a bit antsy about calving. The cows were jagged on 24^th July last year, if they were served on 25^th (which they weren’t) they’d be due on 3^rd May, based on 283 day gestation period. I noted Bronte with Grey on 27^th July and Rora on the 29^th then we were in Orkney from 30th July, so couldn’t watch them. Both Blizzard and Rora calved earlier than 283 days last year. The reason I’m so antsy is that Dan is going off to Portugal for six days from 1^st May. Although he’s never really been involved with calving, he’s my support and I’m a bit anxious that he won’t be here. I’m kind of hoping they get a shift on and calve before he goes, but I doubt I’ll be that lucky.

Hmm, just scanning through old diary posts and found one of Blizzard and Grey “loved up” on 14^th August last year, which would make her due 23^rd May. Result.

Tuesday 16^th April

The strawberries in the polytunnel are starting to flower and the petunias seem to be fine.

Petunias.

Strawberries in the polytunnel.

Wednesday 17^th April

And we have a diagnosis for Dot. She has a Giardia infection. It didn’t show in the first faecal test but has shown up in the three-day one. This is good news. It’s treatable. She has Metronidazole for 10 days, twice a day and Panacur once a day for five days. Five day break and test again. Cooper is also to be treated. Litter trays bleached and treated with boiling water. Treatment will start tomorrow morning.

In the front garden, one of the four paths is in plus the centre circle and bird bath. We’re very pleased with how it’s looking so far.

Paths going in.

I received a text message from D, who bought Baby and Bronte, late on. Baby has bagged up and he wondered if she might be close to calving. That set me thinking. The cows ran with the bull May, June and until 12^th July. Then the bull was isolated, the cows jagged on 24^th July and the bull turned out. The jag should have stopped any pregnancy and brought them back into season. I saw Bronte with the bull almost straight away, and Rora a day or two later. As I said above, Blizzard on 14^th August. I didn’t see Baby with the bull and assumed it had happened while we were in Orkney 30^th July to 5^th August. But maybe it didn’t. Maybe the jag didn’t work. If so, Baby will be due about now. OMG.

Thursday 18^th April

We had a light frost this morning at 6am.

Wee touch of frost.

The first kitten drug session didn’t go well. The Metranidazole was fine, the Panacur not so much. I think most went on the floor, walls and possibly the ceiling. Must do better tomorrow.

The paths are progressing but we are short of 20 granite setts; they won’t be delivered until Monday or Tuesday, so a Friday finish is now out. All the pointing still needs to be done, too.

Lunchtime.

Paths almose complete; edges to go in.

Now that Cooper has mastered the cat flap, he bangs it mercilessly if it’s locked. Dan erected a barricade.

Cooper-proof barrier.

Friday 19^th April

Lovely spring day. More fun with medicines. Dot’s not too difficult, but Cooper is impossible.

I brought a load of stuff from Lorna’s house for sorting out, while her bedroom is being decorated. Dot found the best spot.

Dot's spot.

Dan made the best bread he’s made or ages. Thanks to new yeast from Lidl, I think.

Braw bread.

I popped through to Perth to pick up 12 day-old meat chicks and two POL pullets – a Sussex and a Bluebelle. We popped the pullets in the big house in the summer pen and moved the four Princesses up after dark. Hopefully, they’ll all settle in.

Saturday 20^th April

In Glasgow all day; I’m slightly sunburned, would you believe.  Several boxes of Calibrachoa plug plants were delivered – don’t remember ordering these, but they’ll get used. The two Blush Noisette roses have also arrived. We’ll heel them in until the ground is prepared.

The new pullets found their beds successfully.

Gwenna channelled her inner Superman.

SuperGwenna.

 

Sunday 21^st April

It’s Bertie’s 15^th birthday tomorrow. He has prawns, but not gift wrapped. He was allowed some today. Dot came for a snuggle.

Sound asleep.

I am so tired after yesterday’s outing, I’m doing Monday’s office jobs today, with a view to spending tomorrow outside. It’s drizzling rain anyway.

Dan was weeding in the fruit garden and found the label from the blackberry there – it’s “Asperina”. Noting this for future reference. And I am noting the names of the ferns for the stumpery; Polystichum polyblepharum; Asplenium scolopendrium; Athyrium filix-femina and Matteuccia struthleptoris. Fair trip of the tongue. Not.