Instant Trellis

Here is a great idea for an instant trellis that is actually used in England on large estate gardens. Chains and ropes make wonderful supports for vines, especially vines that twine, such as grape and Virginia Creeper. The chains are inexpensive to buy, cheap to install, can be clipped anywhere and hang with a graceful drape.
We had grape and Virginia Creeper vines growing under our deck, and they were always trailing and twining their way up the railing, the stairs, etc. So instead of fighting them, I got some medium weight chain and attached it to the house on one end, and the upright support of the deck on the other end. Then, I bought 3 shorter lengths of the same chain, and some clips to attach them, and hung the smaller pieces of chain down off the one hung horizontally over the deck, sort of like a chain curtain. The bottoms of the vertical chains didn't need to be attached to anything, as they hung down slightly past the deck framing, plenty close to where the vines could be brought up to get them started up the chains.
Since we needed a little privacy behind our deck bench, this severed as a soft, light-filtering curtain as the vines grew up the chains. Some vines we allowed to cross to the chain next to it, creating a slight , woven curtain of green. The morning light illuminated the living curtain from behind, giving the whole deck area not only the privacy we desired, but the lush freshness of a living, softly swaying privacy curtain of green.
Check out these pictures, and see if there is somewhere around your house you can turn those twining vines into shade or a privacy screen for you to enjoy.
The possibilities are endless, and a whole patio or deck could be shaded this way.
In England, they use ropes and chains as swag supports for climbing roses. Honeysuckle would work nicely as well. We went with what was growing naturally, and next year I may plant a lovely Clematis to join the "curtain club" of climbers.
The best thing about this is no lumber, no nails, screws, sawing. Just measure your distances, go to the hardware store, get some chain, clips, and you are good to go!
Just one little thing; make sure your chain is attached to something secure so your beautiful living trellis doesn't pull your siding off, or break a too light chain. My chain had a 220# load rating, so it should hold grape vine with ease.

Yes, they do eat pumpkins

So we have this pile of composting manure out back behind the neighbors fence (I did say composting, which means no odor) and that is also where we buried the little calf that we lost this spring, and buried our pumpkins from last Halloween there as well. Of course everyone knows the best stuff grows when you don't pay any mind to what is going on; meaning, I have seen the best pumpkins growing out of waste piles in many a field.
So our pumpkins were incredible as you can imagine; huge leaves, long vines, and the beginnings of some pretty good sized pumpkins! This is where we also take our kitchen scraps to compost away through the winter. The pumpkins were coming along beautifully, and I was wondering if we may have too many for just our family alone.
Well, wonder no more! When I went to take the scraps to the pile, it looked a little barren as I approached. As I swung one leg and then the other over the single electric wire fence, I realized that the entire pumpkin "pile" was missing. Gone. Zip, zilch, nadda, MIA. Simply not there. Your kidding, right? No. All that was left was a few shriveled traces of vine, a couple of thick pumpkin top stems, a piece of forgotten yellowed pumpkin, a scattering of seeds. Bees had taken up in a hole in the center of the pile. My beautiful lush wild pile of pumpkins was gone forever!!!
Moral of this story: don't count your pumpkins before you actually get them out of the field. Apparently others had been eyeing them as well.
And here I was, wondering "what the heck are those cattle doing back there by the fence for so long?", and "gosh don't the animals look good for this time of year!"
Yes they do, yes,.. they do.

Beautiful baby bull

Little babys first day on earth.

Here they are....

Yes, here they are. My very first and definitely the best mature miniature Hereford cows I own. I simply do not have the room (or help) to keep all these guys, so I have decided to part with my three foundation cows, along with the herd sire if anyone wants him as part of the package. I am willing to do a very good deal on these cattle, as stated before, there is simply no room in the barn. All the cows have had 3 calves so far, no health problems, no calving problems, and no personality issues. Each one is from a distinctly different bloodline, some which have almost vanished. These are the cattle I chose to start my herd with, and have never regretted the decision. Out of these animals I have had 8 healthy calves born, so they have more than paid for themselves. They have many more productive years ahead of them with proper care.
I would hope that who ever buys them takes really good care of them.
They are registered with the AHA, and would produce small, correct registered breeding or show / 4-H animals, or grass fed beef stock, or excellent cross-breeding stock with a smaller, more efficient frame size.
They each have a calf at their side, which may be included if desired. At least one of the them has been bred to our registered polled bull, and the other two are currently pastured with him as well.
This package could be
*** just 3 (bred) cows, or,
*** 3 (bred) cows with calves, or,
*** 3 cows with bull.
I would prefer to sell them together, as that way I can offer the best price. I really have no room for them this winter, otherwise I would not be selling them.
Please take a look, see if its time for you to take control over your investments and begin living with the security of owning and growing your own food as well.
Please contact me directly for more information.
These will be listed on the sale barn as soon as I get the info sent over to my web-site manager, and will have AHA pedigree links, etc included.
Thanks for looking !
585-314-6620

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Well, here it is. I have decided to place my beloved cattle up for sale as two separate packages for anyone looking to start their own herd of exceptional registered Texas miniature Herefords.
In tough economic times such as these, there is no better investment than livestock that reproduces yearly with minimal upkeep and produces a very basic human necessity; food.
It is difficult to be the sole caretaker for a herd of cattle, no matter how small they may be; but with my additional other obligations, choices have to be made.
So here for anyones consideration is what I have available, and I have packaged them by price and age groups. Please contact me directly if anyone is interested. Again, these are the pick of the herd; there are no cull cows here, and the oldest cow I own is just 5. All are grass fed, handled daily, no chemicals, hormones, etc.
Keep in mind, these are registered cattle, please, if you are not familiar with registered purebred cattle sales and pricing, I do encourage you to check out other web-sites and sales to compare pricing. The animals will be offered at very fair prices, but will not sell to simply "move them out."

3 cows, frames 000-0, two are 4, one is 5. All excellent mothers, all have had 3 beautiful calves each so far. Would be a great start at the best price. All hand tame. Can be combined with their 2009 summer calves at side. Could include our herd sire if interested if still available

5 young animals, consists of one 2 year old, the rest yearling 2008 heifers (3) of exceptional quality... I expect them to be frame 00-000 or smaller. They are with a fine registered polled bull presently who would go with them as a package.


Lots of pictures available , please contact me for pricing.....serious interested parties only, please.
I will continue to write the cattle corner as long as there are cattle in my world!!