Monday, March 02, 2015

Pigs, Seeds, Soil and Autumn




So, it's March. I have welcomed this first month of Autumn with open arms. The temperature doesn't really cool off until April or May here, but I love March all the same.

My potting table is alive and running again, with baby tomatoes, chards and tomatillos sprouting to life. I'm hoping the lettuce, capsicum and zucchini shoots in the next few days too. I've got to put in some more seeds this afternoon, too, after discovering squash lurking in the seed box.

The weather in March here is usually still unpredictable, but by the time these seedlings are ready to plant out the weather should be a little milder and the heavy rain should have subsided - here's hoping we do receive some rain in March!

(I do realise I've been prattling about rain for the last few posts, but it is something that occupies my mind at this time of year; I am surrounded by green paddocks that are growing but the grass is still short in most of them, and these beautiful warm days of sunshine are doing them a world of good, so long as the rain continues to rotate with them).


My veggie patch plans for the entire year start to come alive in March. I've just placed a seed order to top up on some things we're low on, carrots for one, and in it I popped a new to me variety of pumpkin and some broad beans. I've never grown broad beans but after seeing several people over on Instagram and in the blogging world enjoying them, I've decided to give them a try this year too.
For anyone wondering, the majority of our seeds come from Green Harvest, I've found them fantastic.


I'm toying with the idea of raising a pair of piglets over winter this year. With so much already going on around here, I'm not sure it'll happen but we'll see. At the moment we are lucky enough to have access to beautiful, top quality free range pork that is grown only half an hour away from here, so it's not really a lack of pork that makes me want to raise pigs.
 It's after seeing and hearing about all the wonderful things pigs can do for your soil, when pasture raised and rotated correctly. There are several areas of this property that my mind now sees as potential stop overs for a pair of rotating piglets. To me, at the moment, the pork is a bonus, a by-product. What I want is their snouts and their desire to root around and that lovely manure they deposit on their way. I was already thinking of pigs, and had seen and heard wonderful pig-raising stories, but after attending a Joel Salatin workshop/talk late last week, and seeing more photos of wonderful, well-managed pig implemented property restoration, I'm even more keen.


But with plans on bringing home a Ram in Autumn, once I locate one; calves to wean and break in, grand vegetable growing plans, chicken hatching schemes under way and whispers of a puppy arriving in a few months, I'm not sure I have time for a pair of piglets.
As I said, we'll see.



It's exciting to plot and plan, dream and scheme, don't you think?
Hope you have an inspiring and fulfilling week,

Sarah x


10 comments

  1. Hi Sarah, Your blog talking about raising piglets make me think of growing up on the farm. We always had small baby animals in the house in the winter months because that was always when most of the baby pigs and calves were born. It is getting closer to Spring for us and I can't wait. I want to get rid of the snow and cold. Have a great day. Hugs and Prayers from Your Missouri Friend
    Shirley

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    1. I hope Spring arrives for you soon Shirley x

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  2. Hi Sarah .. Oh I am envious, I would love to see Joel Salatin .. I think he is fabulous. You have so much planned .. Fun times. Love your pics as lovely as ever :)

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    1. It was a great day! If you ever get the chance I recommend you go, that sort of thing hardly ever comes to our area so it was great to be able to go :-)

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  3. My son has been volunteering at a farm where there is a massive pig "Wilbur". He's as big as the bull, and probably outsizes your lovely black lowlines. He doesn't know the breed though. You always collect such interesting farm animals, so I can't wait to see the ram you choose and the pigs if that comes to fruition. March is an unsettled month here too as we step into spring. Usually by the end of it the snow is gone, but not always ... and we have a ton to get rid of this year. Have a great week!
    Wendy

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    1. Pigs can get very large when they're grown up and up!

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  4. sure with all that's going on Sarah, why don't you throw some new piglets into the mix! It'll be water off a ducks back to you.. I know you can handle it! Our "Spring" brought us minus temperatures and snow today.. it's March.. it should be warming up! It's crazy! Hazel x

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    1. Hope Spring comes soon! March here has been a bit wacky too :-)

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  5. Your animals are just beautiful Sarah, and you have captured them perfectly! x

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