The Slow Season

This has been quite the slow growing summer. Thanks to a very mild winter that lasted until the end of June, the garden has been just sluggish (in more ways than one) this year.

The tomatoes look good with lots of green fruit; but this time last year we had been picking tomatoes for at least two weeks. The squash and cucumbers are just now starting to blossom. If we are fortunate enough to have a somewhat "normal" September, the Second Street Chicken Ranch should have an abundance of tomatoes.

We have had excellent success with our lettuce and sugar snap peas.  The Tom Thumb variety of butter head lettuce is my favorite this year.  These "single serving" heads are about the size of your fist with a delicate, creamy flavor.  I wasn't sure if the snap peas were going to make it through the very cold and very wet spring; and was certain that the seeds had rotted in the ground. But, they pulled through and even though it took a while for them to get going, they have been fantastic! Large, meaty peas that are sugar sweet!  These are even sweeter when a bag of 15 or so, sell for $4 a pound in the grocery store. 

Here's a pano-view of our raised beds -- it's the first full year of using this form of bed.  Hal says I'd have more room if I took them out and used this entire area for garden, much like I did in previous years.  But, I think I'll give the raised beds another year.  I am limited in my space due to the giant maple (Max) and walnut (Wally) trees in the backyard.  This corner is the only sunny spot I have.

Speaking of Max, a few years ago I placed a single Hen-n-Chick plant in one of his crooks.  Look what I have now...a hen, pullets and chicks! These things will grow anywhere.  My super creative friend, Julene, recently posted a bit on hens and chicks on her blog, Present By Design . You can also find a link to her website in my Groovy Links section.

Below are a few recent images from the flower garden.  I'm glad to see the bees back in action.

Vote for CdA Community Roots

I need your help.  The CdA Community Roots Local Food Share program has the potential to win a $10,000 community grant through Capella University's Public Service Challenge.  My friend, Laura Sankovich is a volunteer with Community Roots and is a faculty member with Capella University.  She has submitted the Community Roots video as her Public Service Challenge entry.

Community Roots is a Coeur d'Alene volunteer-based program that collects excess produce from local farmers, markets and community gardens to distribute to local food banks and other assistance facilities. A $10,000 grant would go a long way in helping this program.

So, all I need you do to is vote for Laura's video here!  The top 3 videos will all receive a $10,000 grant.  Take a minute and vote for the video and help this great community service! 

Chicken Unlimited

The Coeur d'Alene City Council voted Monday night to amend its chicken laws from three hens to an unlimited number of hens (no roosters and no other types of fowl).  This of course makes the Second Street Chicken Ranch very happy since we were breaking the law under the former ordinance! 

I would like to again thank Mike Kennedy and the City Council members for taking the time to review the issue and for revising the ordinance.  I would also like to thank the community of CdA Urban Chicken Ranchers for speaking out and educating our City Council on this issue.

Outdoor Idaho Features Eating Local

Don't miss this Idaho Public TV program on Eating Local!  Click here to see the video promo on Facebook:

http://bit.ly/9IVGXk

"Do you know where your food comes from? "Eating Local," our new OUTDOOR IDAHO show, explains why it matters. Airs Thursday, followed immediately by our DIALOGUE show, on the same topic, where you can call in with questions and comments."

This airs Thursday and Sunday - check local listings for times!

Chick Limits May Rise!

It appears that CdA City Chickers may end up with a full hen house if yesterday's meeting of the City of Coeur d'Alene's General Services Committee is any indication.  According to a story in today's CdA Press ( http://bit.ly/95GVdI ), the Committee is going to recommend to the City Council to reinstate the unlimited rule regarding the number of chickens one can own within city limits. Eggscellent.

The City Council will decide next Tuesday, July 20th, 6 pm in the Community Room of the CdA Library.  Let's do our best to fill the room in support of this.  Who knows - maybe spontaneous chicken dancing will break out!

This really is good news for those of us who are currently over the "three chick limit."  I know my girls will rest easier now that two of them may be getting a stay of execution.  I am a little disappointed that Mike Kennedy didn't visit our coop - I really wanted to ask him which Council Member was going to come over and do the "dirty work" if the limit remained in place. 

As long as we chicken owners are responsible, keep our birds healthy and sanitary, there should be no issues.  And we appear to be doing just that as Ron Edinger stated that there were no complaints on file about chickens within the city limits.

I am planning to be at the City Council meeting next week - hope to see you there as well - since birds of a feather... well, you get the idea.