The Binker Files

Common Ground Fair 2016

For the first time ever, we spent three solid days at the Common Ground Fair. We loaded the van with our camping gear, stroller, 4 chickens and two turkey poults and headed to the Fair Thursday night. On the way, a car crashed into us in Winthrop.

We camped at Friends Camp and spent the first night in a cabin, which the boys were very excited about.

Silas entered some chickens, Dwight & Daisy, Patridge Cochin Rooster & Hen and Parsley & Marigold, the Buff-Laced Wyandotte and Brown Cochin Hens and the two turkey poults they hatched.

He won four ribbons!

His co-parenting hens & poults were a big hit. 

We spent a lot of time in the poultry barn exhibit (Silas had to say good morning & good night to his birds everyday), but did get to see almost everything else.

 

Levi came home with a new bunny - a French Angora rabbit, yet to be named.

 

2016 Gardens

We made some new garden beds this year, here are some before & after shots.

Blueberry, strawberry & herb garden:

In June, after tilling the grass and planting 6 blueberry bushes, 3 rhubarb plants and 50 strawberry plants:

End of summer:

Slugs ate about 30 strawberry plants, so we stuck in tomatos and herbs and will plant more berries next year.

Veggie garden before:

After:

Silas planted the three sisters - corn, beans & squash:

So many squashes & pumpkins! Most of them volunteers from the compost. 

We also planted 2 elderberry bushes, 3 plums, two pears, a peach and a cherry tree this year!