Studio chicks turned 4 months old today. To celebrate, I let them out to 'free range' in the back yard for the first time.
They were hesitant to start with -
- initially, they stayed in a tight little group as they tentatively explored.
Gradually, they began to spread out a teeny bit -
- never far from their coop or the back fence.
They enjoyed their little outing. Now if we can get Toby-the-terror to leave them in peace, they'll be able to stay out at some length throughout the winter - helping to keep my weed and bug population down. Good chickens!
Happy July! Here's a smattering of what's blooming now -
The borage is tall and lush and breaking out all over in blue stars (the bees are very happy about this)
The ornamental mullien is towering with spires of tiny blooms (which I must cut down before they go to seed - else there will be gazillions of babies everywhere).
The beebalm looks like shaggy red star-bursts.
The rue is fading, and the feverfew is coming on strong -
- coming on strong, and blooming *everywhere!*
The dainty fairy-rose is covered with pink clusters.
The full-size roses are winding down (David Austen cabbage roses) -
These are sterling-lavender - heavily-scented blooms.
Some of the early veggies are bolting and blooming (some of which I allow - since their flowers are sweet and delicious. These are radish - which will turn into succulent, crunchy seedpods. Delicious in salads!)
Calendula is opening everywhere.
Volunteer foxglove comes up all over the yard.
As do poppies. Hot pink or lavender or some cross of the two.
We are picking fruit daily - strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, gooseberries... The figs and arguta kiwis are growing quickly - SO many clusters. It will be a good crop this fall.
For all its neglect, the garden is doing remarkably well. :-)
In other news, the studio chicks are also growing like weeds. I've had to move them into a larger box. We'll see how long I can bear to keep them indoors. (The larger they get, the safer they'll be from raccoons and other dangers when they get moved outdoors).
Happy summer - happy July!
