Spring Projects

Spring is teasing us and briefly stepping aside so that Old Man Winter
can have his last stand.
Brrrrrrrrrrrrr......
Cold winds blew across the farm yesterday.


Undaunted, I forged ahead with Spring projects and chores.
Happily, I dug my hands in potting soil most of yesterday...


planting seeds for broccoli, Romanesco cauliflower, cucumbers, 
red kale, blue kale, rainbow chard, herbs, and several varieties of flowers.


The tiny pots of seeds will stay warm on electric seedling mats while they germinate.

Self appointed supervisors, the turkeys gobbled orders at me
through the greenhouse door.


In spite of the cold, everyone seemed tired yesterday...


TomTom lounged in the greenhouse...


while Sammy and Moll kept an eye on me from the doorway into the barn.


Even the horses spent a lazy day.


Horses nap while standing, but only get REM sleep while lying down.


I wonder what Ollie is dreaming about!

The bunny fence is finished.


And for those who wanted to know how I made it...
here is what I did:

Materials:

Cedar 1X4X12 cut into 4 foot lengths for the pickets
One pine 2X4X8 cut in half.
Electric drill with screwdriver bit
Electric scroll saw or jigsaw
1 5/8 or 2" wood screws

Whatever shape you wish to cut on the top of your picket can be found online if
you search for "silhouettes".  I searched for "rabbit silhouettes" for mine.
I traced the outline on a piece of plastic (or cardboard) to use as a pattern.
Traced on the top of each 1X4.  Cut out the shape with the scroll saw.
Sanded the edges.


Lined up the 2 (each is 4 ft. long) 2X4's and placed the pickets across them, evenly spaced.
I spaced them about 1 1/2 inches apart or so.


Carefully measure the height of the picket in whatever formation you wish to make.
Screw pickets onto 2X4's.

Trim bottom of pickets so that fence is even across the bottom.
I used the jigsaw.


Treat fence to protect from the weather.
(I used outdoor polyurethane.. the kind used to treat wooden boats)


I will screw 4X4 fence posts on each end (attached by metal "L" brackets) 
to put into the ground to hold it up.

Simple as that!
If you make a fence, I would love to see it!!
This would also make a great gate for a plain picket fence.

Comments

Candice said…
I love this picket fence / gate idea. I've already pinned it and will save for a future outdoor project as a gate or yard art in my flower beds.

Hope the cold weather moves on through and you get to enjoy more Spring-like weather this weekend.
Anonymous said…
the bunny fence is adorable! Where will you be placing it?
Gone Country said…
Love that bunny fence! You are so talented and creative.

I also enjoyed seeing everyone lounging around the farm but the photo of the two turkeys at the screen door cracked my up! Too cute!

I'm having to adjust to NOT having my hands in the dirt this year since we're not at home right now. I did, however, plant some tomato seeds in a kitty litter bucket that I can take with us if we move on. I had to do something so that I could play in the dirt and have a fresh veggie here and there, lol!
Cindy said…
I love that fence! I am going to try my hand at making one, with my carpenter husband at m side:)
jaz@octoberfarm said…
this fence is just too perfect! i am still trying to figure out where i could put one!
Junebug said…
Now isn't that bunny fence cute, cute!! I'm in need of a new gate so thanks for a great idea. My old one isn't quite tall enough so my girls can fly out. I wonder if I can find a chicken silhouette, hummm!!!

Have a great day, yes, Spring is in the air!
Kris said…
That picture of the kitty was hysterical!!!
I planted some of my garden yesterday. Here, it was 90 degrees!!!
Ugh.
xo Kris
Country Gal said…
I to love your bunny picket fence awesome job ! Everyone there looks like they do here today . It is windy and down right cold but the snow that is flying around is light and melts as soon as it hits the ground . Lovely photos ! Have a good day !
Mary Ann said…
My gosh, LOVE the bunny fence.

Do you use grow lights in your greenhouse? Very curious about it.
Bee Haven Bev said…
Hi Mary Ann...

I do not use grow lights in the green house...it gets sunlight from sun-up to sun-down and that seems to be enough to start our plants. I use heat mats to keep the soil warm for germination....and if it gets really cold, will put a little hot oil heater in overnight. Otherwise it is usually toasty warm from all the sunlight.
Bee Haven Bev said…
Hi Mary Ann...

I do not use grow lights in the green house...it gets sunlight from sun-up to sun-down and that seems to be enough to start our plants. I use heat mats to keep the soil warm for germination....and if it gets really cold, will put a little hot oil heater in overnight. Otherwise it is usually toasty warm from all the sunlight.
I'm going to buy my pickets tomorrow. Working full time, I won't get these done quickly but they should be done by late spring. Thanks for the inspiration.
This N That said…
The fence turned out great..So adorable and what a great idea to use it for a gate..
I love the little sparkle on TomTom's bottom lip! He just looks so relaxed!

The fence, it's just stunning! I can't wait to see it installed! I can't wait to make one!