Author: Jesse

Jesse’s Instagram

My tomatoes are pearlescent! I don't know what variety this is but they are glittery and marbled! They also taste good.

My tomatoes are pearlescent! I don’t know what variety this is but they are glittery and marbled! They also taste good.
#harvest #zone7b #gardening #tomatoes #tinyfarm #gardensnacks #georgiagrown #gwinnettcounty

Jesse’s Instagram

I love these little #LunchboxPeppers! I would have said I only planted red ones this year but these orange ones would disagree. All of this is headed for the freezer today.

I love these little #LunchboxPeppers! I would have said I only planted red ones this year but these orange ones would disagree. All of this is headed for the freezer today.
#gardening #zone7b #bellpeppers #redlunchbox #orangelunchboxpepper

Jesse’s Instagram

Tonight we are featuring back-of-the-fridge kale, suspended from a piece of old twine, under a twisty branch. Expecting my any moment.

Tonight we are featuring back-of-the-fridge kale, suspended from a piece of old twine, under a twisty branch. Expecting my #michellinstar any moment.
#petchickens #chickenfeast #chickensnacks #kale #polishchicken #silkies

Jesse’s Instagram

Auditions for Cirque bee Soleil are happening on the cucumber vine today. She's hanging from a curlicue, suspended by just her fingertips! Such skill!

Auditions for Cirque bee Soleil are happening on the cucumber vine today. She’s hanging from a curlicue, suspended by just her fingertips! Such skill!
#acrobee #beeyoutiful #pollinators #zone7b #gardenfriends

Jesse’s Instagram

This guy has seen some things. I found him in a flooded hole. One of his back legs ends at the knee in a pretty gnarly stump. I gave him some and a leaf full of water. He did not accept my pity. I'll try again tomorrow.
@grubblyfarms

This guy has seen some things. I found him in a flooded hole. One of his back legs ends at the knee in a pretty gnarly stump. I gave him some #grubblies and a leaf full of water. He did not accept my pity. I’ll try again tomorrow.
#prideful #frog #zone7b #gardenfriends @grubblyfarms

Jesse’s Instagram

You know how sometimes, you're going to harvest that squash tomorrow but then you work late and forget and then two days later you come back to find it has graduated high school, started working out and got all swole? Now it wants to talk about protein powder and squat PRs? Oops.

You know how sometimes, you’re going to harvest that squash tomorrow but then you work late and forget and then two days later you come back to find it has graduated high school, started working out and got all swole? Now it wants to talk about protein powder and squat PRs? Oops.
#giantsquash #summersquash #zone7b #harvestbasket #tinyfarm #crossfitsquash #lunchboxpeppers

Jesse’s Instagram

The has been harvested! It was developing a split (uneven rainfall) so I decided it was time! It is almost a full gnome tall and weights 7 pounds, 14 ounces! Yeah squash!

The #SpaghettiSquash has been harvested! It was developing a split (uneven rainfall) so I decided it was time! It is almost a full gnome tall and weights 7 pounds, 14 ounces! Yeah squash!
#gardening #harvest #gardengnome #zone7b #gardeningingeorgia #myburpeegarden

Jesse’s Instagram

The Garden Inspectors seem fine with the knee high weeds but were very disappointed that the cucumbers are now producing only above the two foot mark. I heard grumbles of "elitist" and "bull..." from these two as they returned empty beaked.

The Garden Inspectors seem fine with the knee high weeds but were very disappointed that the cucumbers are now producing only above the two foot mark. I heard grumbles of “elitist” and “bull…” from these two as they returned empty beaked.
#gloriavanderbilt #Gretchen #sicilianbuttercup #petchickens #freerange #zone7b #gardeningwithchickens #gwinnettcounty #eatlocal

Jesse’s Instagram

This is not my prized It is from a little further down the vine and I hadn't realized it was being attacked. Those smug little worms headed straight for their holes when confronted. Cowards.

This is not my prized #spagettisquash. It is from a little further down the vine and I hadn’t realized it was being attacked. Those smug little worms headed straight for their holes when confronted. Cowards.
#gardenpests #gardenfail #youwinsomeyoulosesome #zone7b

Jesse’s Instagram

I think it is almost time to harvest my giant #spagettisquash! It has turned golden yellow and my fingernail does not easily penetrate the skin. I am now just waiting for the stem to turn a little brown. If I harvest too early it won't noodle well and that would be a major

I think it is almost time to harvest my giant #spagettisquash! It has turned golden yellow and my fingernail does not easily penetrate the skin. I am now just waiting for the stem to turn a little brown. If I harvest too early it won’t noodle well and that would be a major #gardeningfail.
#zone7b #wintersquash #opinionswelcome #Gwinnett #homegrown #yardtotable

Jesse’s Instagram

Made some quickles. I seem to have added ALL the salt. They are now resoaking in water to draw out the salt. Tomorrow will have to be quick enough.

Made some quickles. I seem to have added ALL the salt. They are now resoaking in water to draw out the salt. Tomorrow will have to be quick enough.
#quickles #pickles #homemadepickles #readarecipe #followdirections #wingit

Jesse’s Instagram

Recipes that call for one cup of zucchini are a joke. I'm going to quadruple whatever it says and then probably toss in the remainder.

Recipes that call for one cup of zucchini are a joke. I’m going to quadruple whatever it says and then probably toss in the remainder.
#squashmath #zucchini #zone7b #gardening #recipes #gwinnettcounty

Jesse’s Instagram

The Thing I Did Not Plant is having another fantastic year! Transplanted for the fifth time in as many years, to some poor soil with not nearly enough sunshine, then shredded by hail, it has produced the best flowers yet! Meanwhile, the I've been doting on inside seems to throw more leaves on the floor every time I look at it.

The Thing I Did Not Plant is having another fantastic year! Transplanted for the fifth time in as many years, to some poor soil with not nearly enough sunshine, then shredded by hail, it has produced the best flowers yet! Meanwhile, the #FiddleleafFig I’ve been doting on inside seems to throw more leaves on the floor every time I look at it.
#sentientbeings #cannalilly #zone7b #gwinnettcounty #gardeningfail #cantwinthemall

Jesse’s Instagram

This is what is happening with my Spaghetti Squash / Leyland Cypress hybrid plant. Swipe for the telestrated image. Next step: world domination.

This is what is happening with my Spaghetti Squash / Leyland Cypress hybrid plant. Swipe for the telestrated image. Next step: world domination.
#gardening #spagettisquash #leylandcypress #zone7b #vining #trellis #outofcontrol #zone7b

Jesse’s Instagram

The garden inspectors have reviewed the work that I did extracting melon for human consumption and ruled that I was slightly too thorough. Next time I will do a worse job so more is left for the pre-compost cleaning crew.

The garden inspectors have reviewed the work that I did extracting melon for human consumption and ruled that I was slightly too thorough. Next time I will do a worse job so more is left for the pre-compost cleaning crew.
#watermelon #gardeningwithchickens #zone7b #polishchicken #silkie #petchickens #crazythingschickenpeopledo #freeranging #spoiledchickens

Jesse’s Instagram

Thank you for the beautiful flowers @shadygrovefarmstead! If you live in the #Gwinnett, Georgia area they are now hosting a small market at @slowpourbrewing in downtown on Tuesdays from 5-8. Flowers, berries, veggies, goat cheese from @cattywampus.acres47, what else could you need?

Thank you for the beautiful flowers @shadygrovefarmstead! If you live in the #Gwinnett, Georgia area they are now hosting a small market at @slowpourbrewing in downtown #Lawrenceville on Tuesdays from 5-8. Flowers, berries, veggies, goat cheese from @cattywampus.acres47, what else could you need?
#eatlocal #supportsmallbusiness #gwinnettcounty #lovelawrenceville #hydrangea #zone7b

Jesse’s Instagram

I eat okra raw. That's how I like it. Young, tender pods, dipped in a little ranch. They taste like crunchy green beans and have excellent texture. I would also slice them for salads. The infamous slime appears when they are cooked so this avoids that entirely.

I eat okra raw. That’s how I like it. Young, tender pods, dipped in a little ranch. They taste like crunchy green beans and have excellent texture. I would also slice them for salads. The infamous slime appears when they are cooked so this avoids that entirely.
#okra #zone7b #gardening #gwinnettcounty #tinyfarm #newvegetables

Jesse’s Instagram

Kahlo and I would like to announce that we are at 0% broody. It took 6 days of being locked out of the nesting areas but everyone is now back in circulation. Kay does not want to hear anything about her food boob. It was a heavy snack day.

Kahlo and I would like to announce that we are at 0% broody. It took 6 days of being locked out of the nesting areas but everyone is now back in circulation. Kay does not want to hear anything about her food boob. It was a heavy snack day.
#petchickens #polishchicken #whitecrestedblackpolish #Kahlo #foodboob #gardeningwithchickens #zone7b #freeranging

Jesse’s Instagram

I planted some flowers in my vegetable garden to encourage pollinators. This one says "deer resistant" but did not mention bunnies, squirrels, chipmunks or other visitors. Let's see!

I planted some flowers in my vegetable garden to encourage pollinators. This one says “deer resistant” but did not mention bunnies, squirrels, chipmunks or other visitors. Let’s see!
#zone7b #rudbeckia #blackeyedsusan #vegetablegarden #tinyfarm #pollinatorgarden

Jesse’s Instagram

I cannot overstate the giantness of this #spagettisquash! It's starting to turn yellow and harden up. I hope it makes it to harvest!

I cannot overstate the giantness of this #spagettisquash! It’s starting to turn yellow and harden up. I hope it makes it to harvest!
#zone7b #squash #trellis #vegetablegarden #tinyfarm #tinyfarmer #eatlocal #gwinnettcounty

Jesse’s Instagram

Look! I grew an okra! I don't particularly like okra but the plants looked really cute at the nursery so now I have two. I find it hilarious that they grow up into the air. I expected they would hang down like peppers.

Look! I grew an okra! I don’t particularly like okra but the plants looked really cute at the nursery so now I have two. I find it hilarious that they grow up into the air. I expected they would hang down like peppers.
#experimentalgarden #experimentalgardening #zone7b #okra #growyourownfood #greenokra

Jesse’s Instagram

Garden progress photos! The are out of control! The vines are climbing the and I think they are a good 20 feet in the air! Deer ate the cucumbers so we're working on some regrowth there. The and are doing very well. Most of my are very over-watered with all the thunderstorms we've had so I had to pull a few rotten plants and started a few new plants on higher ground. The forest is busy storing energy for next year and there is probably just a week of blueberries left.

Garden progress photos! The #spagettisquash are out of control! The vines are climbing the #leylandcypress and I think they are a good 20 feet in the air! Deer ate the cucumbers so we’re working on some regrowth there. The #eggplant and #zucchini are doing very well. Most of my #tomatoes are very over-watered with all the thunderstorms we’ve had so I had to pull a few rotten plants and started a few new plants on higher ground. The #asparagus forest is busy storing energy for next year and there is probably just a week of blueberries left.
#zone7b #gardener #growyourownfood #eatlocal #vegetablegarden #gardeningwithchickens

Jesse’s Instagram

This is one broody idiot sitting on another broody idiot. Bryce always sits on Ruth when she's broody and Ruth is nearly always broody so that works out. They are currently locked out of the coop with Violet, queen of the broodies. I bet it takes 4 days to break them. They seem extra determined this go around.

This is one broody idiot sitting on another broody idiot. Bryce always sits on Ruth when she’s broody and Ruth is nearly always broody so that works out. They are currently locked out of the coop with Violet, queen of the broodies. I bet it takes 4 days to break them. They seem extra determined this go around.
#broodyhen #broody #brycedallashoward #ruthbaderginsburg #silkie #cornishhen #teenmom #angrybird

Jesse’s Instagram

I'm standing in my garden. We've had a little rain. Will rice or cranberries grow in #zone7b? They like it boggy, right?

I’m standing in my garden. We’ve had a little rain. Will rice or cranberries grow in #zone7b? They like it boggy, right?
#gwinnettcounty #floodzone #Lawrenceville #gardeningfail #pond #standingwater #puddle #itsnotasfunasitlooks #chickenboots #Crocs #waders

Jesse’s Instagram

An interview with a Moody Broody. Violet is a champion brooder, dedicating weeks at a time to hatching nothing, and becoming frighteningly thin. When forced out for exercise she complains loudly while pacing back and forth in front of the door to her coop. Here she tells the story of how she was given her favorite foods, fresh water and hugs, aka Tortured!

An interview with a Moody Broody. Violet is a champion brooder, dedicating weeks at a time to hatching nothing, and becoming frighteningly thin. When forced out for exercise she complains loudly while pacing back and forth in front of the door to her coop. Here she tells the story of how she was given her favorite foods, fresh water and hugs, aka Tortured!
#PoorVi #VioletZindars #petchickens #broodyhen #broodychicken #darkbrahma #backyardchickens #hugyourchickens #chickensofinstagram #chickenvideo

Jesse’s Instagram

I wanted to eat dinner while supervising the chickens free range time. What I got was the chickens supervising me while I ate dinner. How do they know?

I wanted to eat dinner while supervising the chickens free range time. What I got was the chickens supervising me while I ate dinner. How do they know?
#petchickens #needy #hungry #wilgefortis #gloriavanderbilt #freeranging #supervised #chickensofinstagram

Jesse’s Instagram

This is the perfectly clean (and giant) foot of my dedicated broody. She sits the box all day and perches on a branch shouting angrily when forced out. No digging, no mud, only brooding. Also, she seems to have lost a toenail.

This is the perfectly clean (and giant) foot of my dedicated broody. She sits the box all day and perches on a branch shouting angrily when forced out. No digging, no mud, only brooding. Also, she seems to have lost a toenail.
#petchickens #VioletZindars #darkbrahma #furfeet #bigchicken

Jesse’s Instagram

Oh my god! The tiny twin under her chest is too much! I didn't see it when I was talking it but it is by far the best part of the picture. That is a sister photobomber! Sorry Glo, you've been seriously upstaged by Bryce.

Oh my god! The tiny twin under her chest is too much! I didn’t see it when I was talking it but it is by far the best part of the picture. That is a sister photobomber! Sorry Glo, you’ve been seriously upstaged by Bryce.
#petchickens #gloriavanderbilt #brycedallashoward #whitelacedredcornish #oliveegger #myflock #photobomber #sisters #gardeningwithchickens #gwinnettcounty

Jesse’s Instagram

The apple tree  is trying much harder than usual this year. It must have heard me say I wanted it cut down. It can stay if I get to eat an apple this year and it is good, not gross.

The apple tree is trying much harder than usual this year. It must have heard me say I wanted it cut down. It can stay if I get to eat an apple this year and it is good, not gross.
#appletree #zone7b #orchard #tinyfarm #eatlocal #growyourown #gwinnettcounty

Jesse’s Instagram

Side shoots and some early ripeners. I also picked a gallon of blueberries today.

Side shoots and some early ripeners. I also picked a gallon of blueberries today.
#gardening #zone7b #gwinnettcounty #vegetablegarden #broccoli #cucumbers #harvestbasket #gardenjournal #eatlocal #growyourown #growyourownfood

Jesse’s Instagram

This is by far the biggest I've ever grown! I usually grow the individual size ones but I couldn't find the seeds. Let's see if we can make it to maturity without disaster!

This is by far the biggest #spagettisquash I’ve ever grown! I usually grow the individual size ones but I couldn’t find the seeds. Let’s see if we can make it to maturity without disaster!
#zone7b #squash #gardening #tinyfarm #georgiagrown #eatlocal

Jesse’s Instagram

Can I prune a vine? Yesterday I decided that since eggplants and tomatoes are in the same family I should prune the suckers from the eggplants. They looked just like tomato suckers so it made sense. However, the squash vines are so different. First, I worry about them being hollow and allowing disease inside. Second, should I prune the main stem or the offshoots? They've run off the hog panel in both ends and are currently climbing the Leyland cypress trees! Thoughts?

Can I prune a #spagettisquash vine? Yesterday I decided that since eggplants and tomatoes are in the same family I should prune the suckers from the eggplants. They looked just like tomato suckers so it made sense. However, the squash vines are so different. First, I worry about them being hollow and allowing disease inside. Second, should I prune the main stem or the offshoots? They’ve run off the hog panel in both ends and are currently climbing the Leyland cypress trees! Thoughts?
#pruning #squash #zone7b #gardening #gardeningwithchickens #petchickens #vegetablegarden #tinyfarm #trellis #hogpanel

Jesse’s Instagram

My first big blueberry harvest using my custom blueberry apron! I find it is much faster to harvest with two hands and it is too time consuming to walk back to the bowl with each handful. This is my solution. I think it needs one small modification and it will be perfect!

My first big blueberry harvest using my custom blueberry apron! I find it is much faster to harvest with two hands and it is too time consuming to walk back to the bowl with each handful. This is my solution. I think it needs one small modification and it will be perfect!
#blueberries #blueberrybush #zone7b #harvest #pickingblueberries #gardening #icansew #gwinnettcounty #mastergardener

Jesse’s Instagram

I battled several voracious velociraptors to harvest these cucumbers! (Smallest, but mighty, raptor pictured.)

I battled several voracious velociraptors to harvest these cucumbers! (Smallest, but mighty, raptor pictured.)
#ruthbaderginsburg #silkie #petchickens #gardeningwithchickens #zone7b #freeranging #cucumbers #gwinnettcounty

Jesse’s Instagram

Clean up crew! There were a lot of blueberries on the ground today after a hard rain so I brought a couple of inspectors in to sample the bounty.

Clean up crew! There were a lot of blueberries on the ground today after a hard rain so I brought a couple of inspectors in to sample the bounty.
#petchickens #gardeningwithchickens #VioletZindars #beckywiththegoodhair #polishchicken #darkbrahma #myflock #zone7b

Jesse’s Instagram

Turn it up! I took Vi to the other end of the garden so she had to walk back for exercise. Not a #walkofshame, but a walk of rage! She yelled the whole way! Broody rage is serious! She's 8 years old! I tried to tell her that she was more suited to being a grandmother than a mother but that did not go over well. I think she has been sitting on zero eggs for 3 weeks now.

Turn it up! I took Vi to the other end of the garden so she had to walk back for exercise. Not a #walkofshame, but a walk of rage! She yelled the whole way! Broody rage is serious! She’s 8 years old! I tried to tell her that she was more suited to being a grandmother than a mother but that did not go over well. I think she has been sitting on zero eggs for 3 weeks now.
#broody #broodyhen #darkbrahma #Violet #VioletZindars #petchickens #broodyrage #gardenwalk

Jesse’s Instagram

Was this a dahlia? I'm using past tense because someone ate it and dug up the roots overnight. I was pretty excited to see what it was going to be. I don't specifically remember planting it last year but the disappointment of seeing it destroyed actually rings a bell. This may be a pattern.

Was this a dahlia? I’m using past tense because someone ate it and dug up the roots overnight. I was pretty excited to see what it was going to be. I don’t specifically remember planting it last year but the disappointment of seeing it destroyed actually rings a bell. This may be a pattern.
#dahlia #zone7b #gardening #squirrel #tubers #gardenpests

Jesse’s Instagram

The garden inspectors noticed a few low hanging fruits on the cucumber vines and took samples. They were ruled unfit for human consumption and, as a safety measure, destroyed. This service was provided by The Worst Chicken and her colleague, Second Worst Chicken. I've filed a complaint (but I'm their supervisor).

The garden inspectors noticed a few low hanging fruits on the cucumber vines and took samples. They were ruled unfit for human consumption and, as a safety measure, destroyed. This service was provided by The Worst Chicken and her colleague, Second Worst Chicken. I’ve filed a complaint (but I’m their supervisor). #gardeningwithchickens #freeranging #Gretchen #Gloria #Kahlo #sicilianbuttercup #zone7b #growingcucumbers #tinyfarm #badchickens

Jesse’s Instagram

These are the most delicious black raspberries. I wish I could get them to produce better! They only set fruit on the second year growth so they need constant pruning and training. They are harboring a bumper crop of so I can't really get in there to work on them. Also, the basketball hoop is adjacent so they often get beat up. They aren't really primed for success.

These are the most delicious black raspberries. I wish I could get them to produce better! They only set fruit on the second year growth so they need constant pruning and training. They are harboring a bumper crop of #poisonivy so I can’t really get in there to work on them. Also, the basketball hoop is adjacent so they often get beat up. They aren’t really primed for success.
#blackraspberry #blackraspberries #zone7b #berries #harvest #tinyfarm #homegrown #eatlocal

Jesse’s Instagram

Donna Martin is silkie perfection. Doesn't this look a little Senior Portrait? Next pose will be sporty.

Donna Martin is silkie perfection. Doesn’t this look a little Senior Portrait? Next pose will be sporty.
#petchicken #silkie #donnamartin #donnamartingraduates #silkiesofinstagram #chickensofinstagram