Hello from North Carolina

[dreams_in_color]

I just found this web site tonight while looking for plans to build a chicken coop. My husband and I moved on to 8 acres last year. We are slowly trying to make the place our own. We have built a raised bed and I have seedlings started indoors and a few spring veggies. Have plans for a chicken coop and larger garden.

I have basic garden knowledge from my father but having lived without a garden for most of the 31 years I have been married I am quite rusty.

I am going to have tons of questions.

Susan

[bee_pipes]

Welcome! What part of NC are you in? I spent a few years in Onslow County. Loved living there, lots of good seafood, great beaches, good living. That was back in '78, and I'm sure the cat's out of the bag now, and the place is getting crowded. Shame. Good fishing out there. Too bad the land is so flat.

I moved around a lot, living in towns outside of big cities. Had to get the work done and get to the point of retiring before escaping to the country. Don't sweat being rusty about gardening - you've got nothing but time to relearn it all and get better at it. We've only been at it a few years, but each year gets better. I'd never had chickens before, now we're going on our third year with them. Last year we used an incubator to increase the flock and had tremendous success. You'll do fine. Might make a few mistakes along the way, but best to get them out of the way early.

Regards,
Pat

[dreams_in_color]

Pat,

I am about 40 miles north of downtown Charlotte. I drive 31 miles each way to my job in North Charlotte.

I see you are in TN I lived in Murfreesboro, Camden and Nashville. Last lived in TN in '78. But my brothers are still in Nashville and Camden.

I can not wait to get the garden started and may not wait until next year for the chickens. Now the big thing is figuring a way out of a very stressful job.

Thank you for your words of support.

Susan

[bee_pipes]

Beautiful part of the state. 40 miles ought to be far enough out - that's a good sized town. If you start with the chicks by the beginning of July, you should be eating your own eggs by January. Don't know what hatcheries you have in your neck of the woods, but the local co-ops and feed stores should be running chicks soon.

Best of luck with the job. I missed some of the folks I worked with, and still keep in touch with a few, but found most of what we had in common was the job. When I walked out of that place, I never looked back. Life is pretty good now - can't imagine living with that kind of stress anymore.

Regards,
Pat