We have had a garden here since the first year we moved in, 2008. It's quadrupled in size and has some success stories (as with failures of course), and has become quite fruitful (tempted to say vegetableful here, but won't). Last fall we had pumpkins growing, but they never seemed to reach full size, and just ended up sheep treats in October.
As a result, this year we decided not to grow any pumpkins in the garden; however the sheep had other plans.
July days were tearing off the calendar wall when we noticed some plants sprouting in the barn paddock. They were right outside the stalls where the sheep hang out all winter long. It was amusing, and interesting all at the same time. Just where did these plants come from? Could it be? Naw, really? The seeds... they passed right on through and sprouted in the overly-fertile soil despite getting trampled on by the sheep? Really? The pumpkins and zuchinni seeds they had eaten over the winter passed through their intestines, survived the winter and spring and germinated into this:
As a result, this year we decided not to grow any pumpkins in the garden; however the sheep had other plans.
July days were tearing off the calendar wall when we noticed some plants sprouting in the barn paddock. They were right outside the stalls where the sheep hang out all winter long. It was amusing, and interesting all at the same time. Just where did these plants come from? Could it be? Naw, really? The seeds... they passed right on through and sprouted in the overly-fertile soil despite getting trampled on by the sheep? Really? The pumpkins and zuchinni seeds they had eaten over the winter passed through their intestines, survived the winter and spring and germinated into this:
Indeed they did. Now fast foward to mid August (mere weeks away from returning to school) and the sheep's side garden project (no sprays, weeding or row planting mind you) has not only taken off, but well surpassed anything any human have growing on the farm. The zukes are giant! As if they are some rare breed of giant squash, and the pumpkins are plentiful (though small and a bit late... sheep, lets get with the program next year.
None the less, the sheep have shown me up this year with there "anything you can do, we can do better" garden. Now the moral dilemma, the products of their garden... do I get to eat them or the sheep?
