Composter

After all was said and done with the idea of starting a farm, I needed to figure out a way to supply self with fresh, organic, and cheap soil and get rid of the chicken litter. Rather than spend $15 on a bag of topsoil, I looked into starting a compost pile. The problem with the compost pile, is that A: Once it's built, it can't be moved, and B: it's unattractive to look at. I started looking into ways to get a portable 55gal composter. Home depot sold them for $80 and it looked cheap. So after a few simple design thought, I came up with a way to build my own for free. I can send the exact dimensions or where to obtain the stuff from if anyone is interested.

I started with a 55gal blue plastic barrel that I obtained from a local bakery shop.

I spray painted it black to absorb the sunlight.

The frame is made up of old wooden pallets I found behind some stores, as well as an old 2X4X8 that I found. The center pivot is a 1" round PVC pipe.

I cut a square hole in the top and fastened some 1X3 around the edges so the lid would sit on it nicely. The lid is attached by 2 door hinges and a clasp. 

My truck on a scavenging excursion. You never know what you may find. My cost... $4.00 spray paint

Garden

I wanted to start a vegetable garden. I was lucky enough to acquire some indoor grow lights. When starting this idea, I wanted to see if I could be as resourceful as possible and recycle as much stuff that I could. I also wanted to keep my plants and animals as organic as I possibly could. I have a room in my basement that is under the front porch. It does get a little water in it from time to time so I don't use if for anything. Why not turn it into an indoor green house.

Indoor garden lights set up.

Table with plants under the lights.

 That's Jiffy Organic starter soil. I only planted certified organic seeds. 

Don't use Martha Stewart Brand! They rot!

The Purple sled is being used to catch any run off water and condensation, as well as the white plastic shelf.

 Week Old Cucumber seedlings.

 Red and Yellow Onions week old seedlings.

The smaller tray is Carrots. I only planted them on the 22nd.

 Back to the recycling idea. I saved my coffee K-cups and asked my friends to do the same. I purchased the Jiffy organic seed pellets and they fit perfectly inside them. Then I also used square cake tins with lids as my own form of green house.

 Here they are with Basil and Oregano starting to grow in only 3 days.

Radishes I started in the cake tray.Perfect for root vegetables!



Ducklings 1st swim

Yesterday I decided to try and let the Ducklings do some swimming. Using a 13X10 cake pan I had, I filled it with warm water and placed it in the duck coop. It only took a few minutes for them to realize what it was, and once accustomed to the water, they all had fun. But now that they know what they can do, I'm watching them attempt to get in their water dish, which isn't working, only creating a wet mess. I'm going to try and built them a separate swimming area and maybe attach it to the existing brooder.

Day Old Chicks

I decided to try my hand a a little back yard farming. Having 4 acres of mainly grass, I hate mowing. I decided to turn my little side yard into a mini-farm. I ordered 15 Buff Orpington Chicks and purchased 4 Rouen ducklings. They are currently residing in my basement. I'll post more info on how the brooders were built and set up, as well as my other adventures. Here they are at 2 days old.

This is Bruiser. She's the curious one of the flock.

Rouen Ducks. Doug, Marge, Ethel, and Lucy

I used a 1 gallon water jug, and a 7lb feed jar with 15 spots to eat from.