Growing and Harvesting.....Sprouted Grains, Fodder, and Timber

One of the projects we started this past Fall was a five gallon bucket sprouted grain/fodder system for the poultry.  I found the idea online for The Dead Simple Fodder System and thought it would be a great addition for the flock especially during the Winter months when the grasses aren't very plentiful and they often spend more time in the chicken run than out free ranging because of bad weather. 

It was a very inexpensive, easy to set up and use system.  We set it outside the greenhouse for easy access to water and when the weather became too cold for the seeds to germinate I placed the buckets in the greenhouse. Once it warmed up again in Spring, I placed the buckets back outside once again. The only problem we had with the system was once the heat and humidity started the sprouts started to mold very quickly.  We stopped using the system and stacked the buckets up until Fall when we could start again.

This got me thinking!  I know there are massive, expensive sprouting/fodder systems that large farms use, but it was not possible because of space or expense to have one of those systems.  I just needed something that would be small enough to fit inside our kennel room, but make enough sprouted grains/fodder to help supplement our flock.  I went to searching online and found this picture.

It looked like a doable project so I talked to my Farmer Man. Of course he could do it!  We took a trip to Lowe's and Walmart and picked up the wood and bins and set out to make our own version of this indoor sprouted grain/fodder system.

Here is our system!

I punched holes...a lot of holes!..... in all the bins except the bottom one.  The bottom one is used for soaking the grains.  I think now I should have kept two bins without holes though.  It would make it easier to swap bins, drain the grains and still have one solid bin at the bottom.....that's why there is a towel on the floor. I'll be picking up another bin on my way to town next trip.

It has taken some tweaking to figure out how much oats and wheat per bin, how long to soak and how long to allow it to grow out, but I think I am figuring it out.  The first couple of batches, however, fermented....phew...due to too much grain. We now have it figured that one quart jar of grain seems to be the right amount for the size bins we have and we are adding a couple of caps full of hydrogen peroxide.

This bin isn't the greatest, but once I cut the green s a bit, to keep the poultry from having an impacted crop, it works.  I think our seed is a little old and our sprouting percentages aren't the greatest, but we will use up what we have on hand and purchase some new seed soon.  All a learning process!

There has been a lot of commotion and noise right next to The Old Five Notch Farm lately.  The property owners next to us are clear cutting the timber to replant in pine trees for a timber harvest crop in about 20 years.  The neighbors own half of the pond so the cutting and clearing will be very close to the animals. I would love to own the whole pond one day where we could fence in all around the pond and pasture to make it harder for predators.

My biggest concern has been the geese and ducks on the pond.  These geese and ducks are rehabbed at Izzie's Pond  and then released here on our farm.  This years releases are now all old enough to fly and can leave if they choose to....I just don't want them to leave because of all the noise.  It is one thing if they leave because they are ready and choose to move on, but I worry about them when they leave because of being scared off.

We had four of this years babies fly off with "Hissy and Prissy", a pair of wild geese that have helped raise each years releases.  I didn't worry too much since they were all together.  Saturday morning "Hissy and Prissy" were back without the four babies.  Later in the day, one baby WALKED up from across the field.  We think she must have been at a pond on the adjoining property and heard the other geese and returned.

As of this morning, we are still missing three of the babies, and the logging has resumed at 6:30 this morning.  I know these are "wild" geese and ducks, but since they were brought here to be released we have cared and feed these little ones and have become quite attached to them all.  I am praying for all to return safely....and soon.

I'd like to introduce you to "Angel" <3 on this years releases.  She is named for her rescuer Angel Durham from Izzie's Pond and because she has what is known as angel wing.  She is spoiled rotten, very friendly and very insistent when she wants fed!

It was feeding time and "Angel" was saying...."Feed me...I see the food...it is right here in the feeder!"

These birds are so very interesting!  They are very family oriented, very intelligent and each has his/her own personality.  We are blessed to be a release site for Izzie's Pond and have the wonderful pleasure of helping these amazing animals.  Thanks Angel and Izzie's Pond!

Please say a prayer for all the animals and for me too....we are all a bit stressed!!

The "Mighty Zucchini", Squash Vine Borers and Growing Where You Are Planted....

I am amazed at how tenacious living things can be!  We all have the desire to grow and be the best we can.  I often find inspiration and peace while working in the garden. Whether it is the peace of just being quiet while watering and noticing all the life in the garden, marveling at the miracle of growing food for me and my farmer man or being grateful for all that we have been blessed with I often find myself much more peaceful, relaxed and focused when I finish my work in the garden. Recently, I found inspiration, in all things.....a cocozelle squash....yes a zucchini inspired me!

A cocozelle squash is a multi-purpose, stripped zucchini squash.  As everyone knows, zucchini squash are very hardy, very productive and often bless not only the gardener with an abundance, but also all neighbors and family who come to visit!  Zucchini plants are one of those plants that just keep giving!

I noticed several weeks ago that our cocozelle squash had been attacked by a squash vine borer.  A squash vine borer,  according Clemson Extention....

"The squash vine borer (Melittia cucurbitae) ranges from Canada to Argentina and is the most serious enemy of squashes and gourds. It causes much trouble where only a few plants are grown in gardens. It rarely attacks cucumbers and melons. Great variations exist in the susceptibility of squash and pumpkin varieties. Butternut and Green-Striped Cushaw varieties are practically immune to attack, but Hubbard squash is highly susceptible.


Squash vine borer larva (Melittia cucurbitae) and damage.
Alton N. Sparks, Jr., University of Georgia, www.insectimages.org


Damage is caused by larvae (immature forms) tunneling into stems. This tunneling often kills plants, especially when the larvae feed in the basal portions of vines. Sometimes fruits are also attacked. Sudden wilting of a vine and sawdust-like insect waste coming from holes in the stem are evidence of attack.


Close-up of squash vine borer larva (Melittia cucurbitae).
Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org

The adult is one of the moths known as “clear wings” because the hind wings are almost without scales. It is 1½ inches (3.8 cm) in wing expanse and metallic greenish black in color. Hind legs are fringed with black and orange hairs, and markings of similar color occur over much of the abdomen.
The moths are day fliers and are often mistaken for wasps. Larvae are white, heavy-bodied and considerably over 1 inch (2.54 cm) long when fully grown.

The insect overwinters in the soil as a larva or pupa (a non-feeding stage where the larva changes to an adult) enclosed in a cocoon. Moths emerge in early summer and lay eggs on the stems of the plants, usually late May in the South. Upon hatching, larvae bore into vines and complete their development in four or more weeks. Then they leave the plant, crawl into the soil, spin a cocoon and transform to a pupa. There are two generations in South Carolina.

In a vegetable garden, various measures can be taken to control this pest. Till the soil in late winter to expose overwintering insects. Rotate squash to another location in the garden each season. Destroy vines that have been killed to break the life cycle. You can slit the infested vine lengthwise and remove borers or kill them with a long pin or needle. Place soil over slit stem after removing the borer to encourage root development, and keep plants well watered. Plant as early as the weather allows since borers do not emerge until early summer."

In layman's terms,  they are nasty little larva that will kill a young squash plant!

My farmer man and I performed surgery on the squash, but were not successful in finding and removing the larva.  We did, however, mound up soil around the damaged stem in hopes that the plant was strong enough to continue to produce roots along the stem where it was in touch with the ground.

Weeks went by and the squash continued to grow, flower and even produce some impressive squash....but the squash vine borers continued to do more and more damage.  This is what the squash looked like a week or two ago...

 As you can see the stem of the vine looks pretty much like Swiss cheese, BUT this amazing plant is continuing to grow and produce. That's what got me thinking....

How often are we like the "Mighty Zucchini"?  Stick with me....

We start out with all the intentions, determination and goals only to have life, circumstances and just plain old stuff burrow its way into us....like the squash vine borer.

Well....we have a choice....just like the squash....we can continue to grow, move forward, be productive and fight the nasty little bugs that try to invade our lives or we can wither, shivel up and allow out dreams to die.

I mean, look at this plant....it has more holes and hurt spots than it has stem and it is STILL growing and producing!

Folks, as we go through life, there are going to those little bugs that can puncture our dreams, those big bugs that can come and produce so much damage and chaos, there might even be a disease that attacks us, but we have to remember the "mighty zucchini".  We must continue to look up towards the light, water our souls with goodness, fertilizer our hearts with positive words, mulch ourselves with people who love us, move forward and grow and most of all.....be grateful that we are still alive!   This plant has a purpose...to grow, flower and produce zucchini....and my friend God has a purpose for you and your life too.


Here is our cocozelle zucchini today....still producing...still growing...and I am grateful for this wonderful vegetable not only for the nourishment it will provide, but even more for the lesson, reminder and inspiration it has provided.

 Once again I have been rejuvenated by the time I have spent with God's wonderful creation and reminded that I am His most prized creation...and like the "Mighty Zucchini"...I have a purpose to fulfill.


(For more information on gardening, lawn care, flowers, etc. check out the Clemson Extention Home and Garden Information Center )