Blackberry Land

Don’t Drown the Bees!

Did you ever stop to think that bees need water? I certainly never did, that is, until I began setting up our apiary. Yes, it does seem obvious in retrospect (they need it to make honey, after all), but…

On the farmDianneApril 15, 2019bees, Bees, beekeepingComment

How to Keep a Chicken Coop & Run Dry

So you’ve built your Chicken Coop and Run “Shangri-La,” and come the rainy season, discover that more than a bit of water is entering in. What to do?

On the farmDianneApril 5, 2019Hacks, coop, run, chicken run, chickens, chicken coop, weather protection, ChickensComment

How to Build a Chicken Run Part 2: What I Wish I Had Done the First Time

I did a lot of research before setting up my little yolk factory. My goal was to make chicken-keeping here in Blackberry Land as positive an experience as possible. Safe for the birds, easy to maintain, and not an eyesore. For the most part, I’ve succeeded, but looking back there are things that could’ve been done way better.

On the farm, PopularDianneMarch 31, 2019chickens, chicken run, Chickens, chunnel, the chunnelComment

How to Build a Chicken Run - Part 1

It’s a little extra work to make a Fort Knox chicken run, but trust me, it’s worth it.

On the farmDianneMarch 29, 2019ChickensComment

All Beekeeping is Local (Which is Why We Should Feed Supplemental Sugar Syrup in Blackberry Land)

One of the first things I learned in a beekeeping class here in Seattle is that what works in, say, Ohio or California can’t be counted on to work in the drizzly PNW.