Mandan Corn

I planted it just a few days ago... And it's beginning to sprout!  Yay!

Painted Indian Corn

My son created a small traditional garden space for me and fenced it in to keep our ducks out.  I originally thought that I'd plant potatoes in this new garden...

But then I started thinking about growing corn!

A few years ago, I purchased and planted some Indian Corn.  The ears are so pretty!  They're multi-colored or "painted".  I didn't have a large crop from my first planting but kept the ears and dried the corn.

I was trying to remember the specific name of this Indian Corn... so I went to google for help.  While searching I found Painted Mountain Corn!  It's a beautiful painted corn developed to grow in high altitudes, poor soil, thru harsh weather like wind, hail, and drought.  So... I ordered some!!!

As I continued reading about this Painted Mountain Corn, I came across the name of the Indian Corn!  It's called Mandan Indian Corn!

So... I'm getting this seed in the ground LATE!  It matures in 90 days, which translates into 9/20!  I'm hoping the weather stays nice thru the end of September!

I will consider this year's Painted Mountain Corn crop, an experiment!  

I have a large pasture south of the house and would consider planting a significant crop of Painted Mountain Corn (oh my gosh... I'm turning into a farmer!), if this experimental crop works out for me!

Goal: Grow my own corn feed for my Ducks!  

2013 Garden beginnings...

After a burst of warmth late May followed by a shocking cold, windy, stormy "with hail" beginning of June...

I finally got my tomato and pepper plants in the ground on June 8th!

Now... I'm working on getting my soaker hoses all spread out just right! :)

Only a few lettuce leaves left...

We had a fantastic crop of tomatoes!  I've been busy making tomato sauce and salsa... then canning it all up!

Last week our weather turned from the high 70s to low 40s... over night.  Followed by a killing frost of several nights in the low 20s.

Luckily, we were able to pick everything before the killing frost.

I have tons of tomatoes in various stages of ripening!!!!

And Green Beans to snap and can.

And oh so many Peppers...

Square Foot Garden & Duck Update 6/28/12

The garden is looking good!  I've been mulching with untreated grass clippings and that seems to help retain moisture.  It's so dry here in northern Wyoming!  I have to water often!!!

We bought a a dripline irrigation starter kit by Rain Bird recently, but haven't had a chance to install it.

My Khaki Campbell ducks are 2 months old now!  They're getting pretty big!  The 8 of them run around in a group.   Near the end of August, they should begin laying eggs!

My 2 Muscovy Hens are setting.  I expect little fluff balls in about 2 weeks!  This will be their 2nd clutch.  I understand that they lay about 3 clutches a year.  Here's a picture of Mama Black Hen on her first clutch.

Garden Update 6/9/12

Finally... finished topping off my boxes with soil!  Been working on it for the past couple weeks. 

Don't be alarmed!  The gardening season has just barely started here in northern Wyoming!

Growing in the garden now: bunches of tomato plants (must count them!),  a whole 4x8 bed filled with various Pepper plants, Kale, Celery (first time), Lettuce, Broccoli, Eggplant, Onions, Garlic... and in pots lots of herbs like cilantro, dill, oregano, lemon oregano (oh my gosh does this stuff smell good!). 

Seeded but not sprouted yet: Royal Burgundy Beans, Pinto Beans, Cucumbers, Dino Kale, Radishes, Chioggia Beets...

Flowering: My tomato plants have finally gotten over transplant shock and are now putting on flowers!   My Pepper plants are so tiny, and yet, they're flowering too!

Ducks:  Did I tell you that I added Khaki Campbell ducks to my flock?  I decided to get some of this breed because they lay a lot of eggs... it's the "chicken" duck!  I have 8 of them!  They are about 5 weeks old now and have just started quacking. 

This is what I want to do with my raised beds!!! 

It will protect my tender tomato and pepper plants from the spring winds and coolish temperatures!