The Modern Victory Garden

Each Monday, Daphne’s Dandelions hosts “Harvest Monday” where everyone submits links to their blog posts summarizing their harvest for the week.   It’s fun to see what people are producing from gardens from so many different regions, and how they are using it.   Check it out and join in too!                        

I have not been blogging or spending much time reading my favorite blogs lately because I have been quite busy preparing for and then enjoying having my daughter home on a visit from Pennsylvania.   She flew in on the 22nd and will be here approximately a week, so my time is understandably devoted to being with her rather than the garden or my blog.    All should return to normal after the first of the year, but for now I am totally enjoying having her home and spending as much time as possible with her.

I did harvest some kale from the tree kale/collard on Friday.                 

I had intended to use it for that evening’s meal preparation but ended up using it for a treat for our hens instead – to calm them down after a harrowing experience.   You see, we had a coyote attack our flock on Friday morning while they were out free ranging.   I happened to be looking outside just when it happened and yelled so loud the coyote actually heard me and dropped the hen he had grabbed.   After chasing the coyote off the premises, we found the hen alive but she had all the feathers tore off of her back and a bad bite wound.   We immediately cleaned the wound, and have since been irrigating it with a 10% Povidine – Iodine solution and giving her Amoxicillin twice daily.   We set up an isolation area in the coop for her, which gives her the company of the other hens while keeping her safe from them as well.   She is eating and drinking well and getting around, but there is a high potential for infection so only time will tell if she makes it through this.                              

On Saturday I harvested a nice variety of greens for a mixed green salad - lettuce, spinach, mache, swiss chard, and some green onions.                  

They were part of our Christmas eve dinner menu which was prime rib, baked potato, fresh baked rolls, and a fresh mixed green salad.           

Harvest totals for the week of December 19th through 25th (rounded to the nearest ¼ pound).

• Kale 0.50 lbs
• Lettuce & Greens 0.25 lbs
• Onions (green) 0.00 lbs (not enough to make harvest tally weight)

Total For Week 0.75 lbs

Total Year to Date 367.25 lbs                                    

Eggs collected this week – 12                                     

Our Christmas was particularly merry this year because our daughter was able to be home with us.   I hope all of you also enjoyed the pleasure of family and friends and the warmth of the season.                      

Laura

kitsapfreedomgardener