Homestead Update

It's high time for a homestead update!  We finally finished the chicken coop and run last weekend, but still have details such as trim and paint to finish up.  Our chickens had out grown their indoor box, so we had to get them moved into their permanent residence asap.  The coop project took much longer than anticipated, mainly due to all of the rain we've been having, so if you're planning to build a substantial coop/run be sure you give yourself a good two months of time!  But, I must say it's totally worth it in the end!  We love the almost finished result, and the chickens are clucking with delight out there.  Here is a re-cap of what's going and happening around here:

Here she is, pretty much done!  The chicken's door is pulled by a string from the outside of the coop, and closed shut by a board.  When they finally figure out that going inside of the coop at night is a good idea we won't have to go into the coop every night.  Just a push of the board and they're shut in for the night!

All six ladies:  Henrietta, (Ameraucana), Ophelia, Penelope, (Buff Orpingtons), Jacquelin, Peepers and Snowflake (Coo Coo Marans.)

The starts are coming up like crazy!  I just took pics of a few of them, but there are lots more coming up including spinach, chard, onions, kale, broccoli, bush beans, and carrots.  Thanks to the advice on Take Back Urban Home-steading(s) page we've put screens over them so the cats aren't using the beds for a litter box.

Lettuce (Above), Peas (Below)

One of our apple trees, (the Dwarf Gala), is putting out gorgeous little blooms.  This is the first year we've had apple blossoms!

We have four ornamental trees and they're full of beautiful pink blooms this time of year.  This one is the flowering cherry.  We have another one of these and two flowering plums.  Sure wish whoever put these in had put in fruit trees instead...ah well! 

What's going on over at your homestead?  What's growing, both animal and plant life?