Are We Moving Off the Grid

I feel like that was a legitimate question from Blake the other weekend as I sat on the ground with 20 seed packs scattered around me. The answer is, we most definitely are not moving off the grid, but I am really finding enjoyment in my new plant and mini farm hobbies. If you can’t already tell from my social media, Blake and I love to cook. So why not try our hand at our own fresh produce and eggs, right? It has definitely been an undertaking so far, and we are only getting started, but it by far has been so much fun and worth it to get started and let our boys help.

We are having a full fledge garden on my parent’s land, a few potted plants on my patio, and of course our chickens who are moving to my parent’s land once they get a little older. We are so blessed that my family has over 45 acres for us to grow, farm, and explore. I think that is honestly what has inspired me to do all of this because before we just did not have the room to make it happen.

I will keep you all updated as we go along this summer and provide more tips and learning experiences. Below is more information on what we have planted so far, our sweet baby chicks, and what it took us to get started on this small venture. All products are linked below, but I am not affiliated with any of the links. It’s just where I could get the supplies the easiest and/or cheapest. Baby Chicks Who Am I?? This was the question I asked myself once I got home with the newest additions to the Martin clan. There I was with baby chicks, a book, and a starter kit on how to raise chickens. Don’t get me wrong. I did TONS of research before jumping into the poultry world. I can’t begin to count the number of articles and blog posts that I read through trying to prepare myself. At the end of the day, and with encouragement from Blake that I could actually do it, I jumped all in and bought them at Rural King. I went from not nature loving to full on bird cuddling in 24 hours. One make shift tub with a heat lamp later, we were a full-blown chicken family.

Below are my very beginner tips on getting started if you would like to add a few chicks to your home.

1. Check your local city ordinances if you are in city limits before bringing your chicks home. Most cities have changed their rules to allowing chickens in your backyard, but some are not as friendly. Make sure you research before getting started so you are not stuck having to get rid of your chicks as soon as you get them.

2. Get all supplies together before bringing your chicks home.

You will need the following to get started with your chicks.

1. Some sort of box with plenty of room to keep them contained in. I used a plastic storage tote that was pretty big to start out with.

2. Bedding (Pine, Cedar, any type of bedding at your local co-op)

3. Heat Lamp or Pad

4. Chick Feed (medicated or non-medicated depending on your preference)

5. Watering Bowl (make sure it is one that they cannot fall in to or is very shallow)

6. Feed Bowl (several different types, just make sure they can reach it)

That is literally all you need to get started. Now as they get older you will need more, but I will blog about our chicken coop and run later as we get it built. Starting the Garden Gardening is a new hobby of mine, and I can 100% tell why other people enjoy it so much. There is just something about that satisfaction of working the dirt, planting the seeds, and watching as something grows that brings so much inner peace. Seriously, if you haven’t tried it, just try planting something. So therapeutic.

This is my first go at starting from seeds. Normally I buy my plants already sprouted and mature to put in the ground. I thought this would be a fun spring project for me and the boys, though, so this year we bought seeds and starter kits to see if we could make it work. Below is what we planted and the supplies I bought to get us started. What we planted:

• Rosemary

• Lavender

• Basil

• Thyme

• Marigolds

• Hummingbird Flower Variety Pack

• Pumpkins

• Watermelon

• Spaghetti Squash

• Butternut Squash

• Grey Squash

• Green Squash

• Radishes

• Tomatoes

• Bell Peppers

• Cucumbers

What I bought to get started:

• Seed Starter Kit (Pictured Below)

• Seeds

• Potting and/or Garden Soil

• Planting Pots (I had some, but you can get cheap ones at your local Dollar Tree)

• Garden Shovel

• Garden Gloves

I will keep you all updated on how it goes this spring and summer. Hopefully we will have a bountiful harvest and plenty of eggs by the end of summer. Now after all of that work, go pour you a glass of red and relax, friend. -Paige