If you are experienced with pigs, please consider reading through our speculations and how we might solve our pig issues: oakandolive.substack.com/p/our-pig-problems
Sorry about the pigs. It is really sad to lose an animal. It seems you have some tough predators and environmental challenges to struggle with. Take heart, don't blame yourself, you're doing the absolute best you can. Stay strong! You'll figure it out and things will improve.
It's very unfortunate the death of your pig and chicken. And also the disappearance of your dog. My wishes of success for your plantations. Spring is coming and will be a reborn of nature.
I read about the sad events in your newsletter, it must make it doubly hard to focus on starting your garden, especially if you had a bad season last year. I just noticed something as you were sowing the pumpkin/courgette seeds: you put them upside down! They may not germinate at all. The rounded end should be at the top. I always sow big seeds on their side when I'm not sure which is the right way. I wish you a really successful growing season!
You do learn the hard way with animals. Our friends have also lost almost all of their chickens or keep them permanently locked in a coop right now because the predators are that bad.
Sorry to hear about the loss of your animals. You will figure out with time. I think when we are interacting with nature and animals we need patience and learning. The same think applies to gardening and growing food. It took me years to grow food and there are still many things i've never got to control 100%. Good luck and carry on.
Just wondering how come your English is so good? First I thought you are English before you said that you're actually German. Also #suggestion: This might be a lot to ask in your homestead situation, but you need more lighting for your records. All videos that I've seen so far are rather dim.
Our current theory is that they died from bracken fern intoxication. It causes a deficiency of vitamin B1 and B6 and can result in a very sudden death. The vet saw no signs of poisoning during the post mortem but bracken toxicity is tricky. More info in the newsletter.
Lamento a morte dos porcos, das galinhas e o pouco êxito que tiveram nalgumas plantações. Se tiverem vizinhos próximos que tenham porcos, procurem saber o estado de saúde deles. Para que as raposas não ataquem as galinhas, é preciso construir um pequeno muro enterrado no chão de forma a que elas não consigam escavar. Se vão às feiras da vossa zona, comprem as plantas já prontas a serem cultivadas, porque já são de espécies adaptadas ao clima e podem ter mais êxito. Nas Beiras, Alta e Baixa, cultivam-se várias variedades de legumes, feijões, além de abóboras, milho, tomate, etc. Há uma variedade de hortaliça, em que se vão tirando as folhas que necessitamos e que que está sempre em crescimento. Outra variedade que se come muito no Natal, que quanto mais geada apanhar, mais tenra fica.
Sweetheart I feel for you very much, you'll get there don't give up just one tip no two tips! Study the typ of predators you got that gives you idea what will protect your chickens/ animals etc. and in regards to your pigs, hmm sounds maybe strange but do not vaccinate them......God bless xxx
If you are experienced with pigs, please consider reading through our speculations and how we might solve our pig issues: oakandolive.substack.com/p/our-pig-problems
Wise couple, good stuff.
Sorry about the pigs. It is really sad to lose an animal. It seems you have some tough predators and environmental challenges to struggle with. Take heart, don't blame yourself, you're doing the absolute best you can. Stay strong! You'll figure it out and things will improve.
Stinging nettle (dried) makes fantastic tea. Really yummy and good for you.
Yes, I love it in tea! Though I don't drink it as often as I should, it's easier somehow to sneak it into food...
@@oakolive Yeah, makes sense. My homeopath prescribes nettle tea a lot. First time, I was so surprised how pleasant it is.
Nettles in water are a brilliant good for tomatoes etc. X
Oh, yes! We have a few batches fermenting as we speak to feed our cabbages with
So sorry for your animals but they had a good life
Good idea to focus on a specific set of crops to get really good at.
Last year was slightly overwhelming, trying to grow everything. We're learning, slowly but surely!
It's very unfortunate the death of your pig and chicken. And also the disappearance of your dog. My wishes of success for your plantations. Spring is coming and will be a reborn of nature.
Thankyou Teresa ❤️
I read about the sad events in your newsletter, it must make it doubly hard to focus on starting your garden, especially if you had a bad season last year. I just noticed something as you were sowing the pumpkin/courgette seeds: you put them upside down! They may not germinate at all. The rounded end should be at the top. I always sow big seeds on their side when I'm not sure which is the right way. I wish you a really successful growing season!
Oh my oh my! Will go back and redo them! Thank you for pointing that out!
I'm so sorry about your animals. 😢
You do learn the hard way with animals. Our friends have also lost almost all of their chickens or keep them permanently locked in a coop right now because the predators are that bad.
Sorry to hear about the loss of your animals. You will figure out with time.
I think when we are interacting with nature and animals we need patience and learning. The same think applies to gardening and growing food. It took me years to grow food and there are still many things i've never got to control 100%. Good luck and carry on.
Very true, were learning so much already but there will never be enough time to figure everything out... Thank you for your condolences.
Take a pair of tongs when your picking the nettle leaves.
Yeah, we still need to buy them, since we’re not into bbq we’ve never had them in our kitchen!
Just wondering how come your English is so good? First I thought you are English before you said that you're actually German.
Also #suggestion: This might be a lot to ask in your homestead situation, but you need more lighting for your records. All videos that I've seen so far are rather dim.
Do you live it in Portugal? Looks very beautiful. Ty
We love living in Portugal! Thanks for watching 🙂
@@oakolive you are welcome. Sorry about your animals. May our heavenly father Jehovah bless you abundantly
Much love
Are the pigs being poisoned?
Our current theory is that they died from bracken fern intoxication. It causes a deficiency of vitamin B1 and B6 and can result in a very sudden death. The vet saw no signs of poisoning during the post mortem but bracken toxicity is tricky. More info in the newsletter.
Lamento a morte dos porcos, das galinhas e o pouco êxito que tiveram nalgumas plantações. Se tiverem vizinhos próximos que tenham porcos, procurem saber o estado de saúde deles. Para que as raposas não ataquem as galinhas, é preciso construir um pequeno muro enterrado no chão de forma a que elas não consigam escavar. Se vão às feiras da vossa zona, comprem as plantas já prontas a serem cultivadas, porque já são de espécies adaptadas ao clima e podem ter mais êxito. Nas Beiras, Alta e Baixa, cultivam-se várias variedades de legumes, feijões, além de abóboras, milho, tomate, etc. Há uma variedade de hortaliça, em que se vão tirando as folhas que necessitamos e que que está sempre em crescimento. Outra variedade que se come muito no Natal, que quanto mais geada apanhar, mais tenra fica.
Obrigado pelo conselho. Eventualmente, voltaremos a construir tudo e a fazer melhor. 🙏
@@oakolive I can see your Portuguese is improving!
@@jackportugge5647 slowly but steadily ;P
Sweetheart I feel for you very much, you'll get there don't give up just one tip no two tips! Study the typ of predators you got that gives you idea what will protect your chickens/ animals etc. and in regards to your pigs, hmm sounds maybe strange but do not vaccinate them......God bless xxx