A Mother Hen's Wisdom
You don’t have to be perfect to be good. You are more than good enough just as you are. — Mama Chicken, who got off to a rough start with her babies but is doing just wonderfully now.
Here’s What’s Happening At Good Spirits Farm
It’s officially “all-out assault on the garden from every front” season. The rabbits chewed down my green bean seedlings. The flea beetles (not actually fleas, but just as annoying) are nibbling holes in my eggplant starts. The cabbage worms are fast mowing down my brassicas, and the slugs are helping themselves to the strawberry buffet. Everything has gotta eat—but my goodness, it’s a lot!
Organic gardening is definitely an exercise in learning to be okay with taking some losses, but I’m trying to salvage what I can. I’m using row covers to save what I can of the bean patch, and neem oil to dissuade the flea beetles. I personally thank every ladybug I pass among the tomato plants, and I’m considering trying out bread dough as a slug trap. I’ve always got extra sourdough starter around, so why not? Mostly, though, I’m trying to just be grateful for every bite that makes it through the onslaught of pests and onto my dinner plate.
Meanwhile, the chicks are growing and thriving. It’s so fun to watch them figure out that they have wings. Can you imagine what that must feel like?
Hi!
We’re growing so fast!
Here’s What I Loved This Week
This rhubarb crisp recipe, which my mom made for Sunday dinner with garden rhubarb. Note the comments, which point out that weighing out your rhubarb is a wiser bet, since how finely you chop it will really determine how much fits in 5-6 cups. Rhubarb is so tart; you really do need to get the right sugar-to-fruit ratio!