Kick up the Behind

Trampled carrot

My carrots bear an uncanny resemblance to me at the moment. Not orange and green, no. But a bit harrassed and worse for wear, and not looking particularly pretty.

I raise my hands – I have been a crap smallholder lately. EVERYTHING has gone on the backburner whilst I try and focus my attentions on the gazillion other things and issues going on at the moment. Gah! I’m hoping to get back on track – today was a beautiful day and I really missed an opportunity to get out there and do something constructive rather than following Yoko around.

She’s sort of up and down. The main problem seems to be that she’s not eating properly. I can’t work out whether it’s because she’s been ill or whether she’s just really picky and fussy. She did go to the hopper this afternoon after I changed her layers mash, and actually ate of her own accord rather than being reminded that there is actually loads of food around for her. I think the worming stuff we’ve been putting in the food might have put her off…goodness only knows. This is the thing with animals, you’re having to second guess them all the time.

I keep feeling daunted by the sheer amount of work that has to be done over the autumn and winter. Plus I have this very irritating ‘laissez faire’ attitude to most things in my life at the moment. I go and stand outside with gloves, seccateurs (my weapon of choice) , rake and wheelbarrow and then glibly look around for a good while wondering what on earth I can do. Then I usually get sidetracked into doing something utterly useless. The veg plots have got to be dug out, I’m just going to do a bit of digging (ho ho!) and see if I can find one that can be leant out for free. My motto in life lately seems to be “don’t ask, don’t get”.

Also, my Chatennay and Autumn King carrots have continued to receive some rather severe hair cuts from the hens. The ones under the fleece tunnels should be ok, but I’m thinking it’s only a matter of time until one of the hens works out that with a bit of careful manouvering, access to some more juicy carrot tops is actually quite an easy task.

Comments

  1. I have the same issue at the moment… a bit to lackadasical in all areas of my work! Do you think it’s the changes in weather (a bit more cold and gloomy in the mornings)?! I also think it may be that a week on vacation here and there really threw me off track, and the idea of having to make up for lost time is a bit overwhelming… there’s so much to do, I keep getting off track and never quite finishing one task before moving to the next!

    Anyway, just discovered your blog. It’s nice to know we’re all human – I’ll add a link to it on my site! Thanks!