HOW TO GROW RUTABAGAS

Step 1: Purchase the Seeds
Rutabagas are often confused with turnips because both are root vegetables, but rutabagas are larger, sweeter and have a less intense flavor. The most popular variety grown in this country is the American purple top.

Step 2: Prepare the Soil
Rutabagas like soil that is loose, fertile and slightly alkaline. If the soil is more acidic, work some lime into the bed a few months before planting. Enrich the soil with compost, turning it into the bed with a rake. Remove any large rocks that might impede the growth of the roots. Finally, add a half cup of 5-10-10 fertilizer for every 20 square feet of garden space.

Step 3: Prepare the Bed
Rutabagas mature into large, round softball-size roots, so they need some room to grow. Use a hoe to create rows of small raised hills, spacing the rows 10" apart. Once formed, be sure not to compact the soil in the hills. Lay down a thick layer of mulch between the rows to hinder the growth of weeds.

Step 4: Plant the Seeds
Time the planting so that the harvest comes at or around the region’s fall frost date. Rutabagas mature in about 80 to 100 days, so use those figures when deciding when to plant. Sow the seeds 1/2" deep in the rows and 2" to 4" apart. Gently press the seeds into the dirt and cover them with soil. Carefully water the seeds and place a garden marker to indicate the crop.

Step 5: Care for Plants
Maintain constant moisture until the seeds germinate. Rutabagas sprout in about a week. A couple of weeks after the plants have sprouted, thin the seedlings down to just one every 8". Add a thick layer of pine mulch around the base of the plants, but do not let the mulch come in contact with the stems. Rutabagas need a steady supply of water to encourage steady growth of the roots. For an added boost, apply a dose of liquid fertilizer to the young plants.

Step 6: Harvest the Rutabagas
Harvest rutabagas when they get slightly larger than a tennis ball. Like most vegetables, they are more tender the smaller they are. Rutabagas are very hardy and will easily survive frosts, especially when well mulched. Many gardeners leave the roots in the ground well into winter, pulling only the plants they want to eat. Others store them buried in sand in a cool, dry and dark place.

How to raise EMU chicks

Raising emus can be a profitable enterprise but should not be undertaken without careful research and consideration. Even though these birds are considered friendly, in certain circumstances they can be quite dangerous due to their large size and considerable strength. Make provisions to successfully raise emu chicks by following some basic procedures, which will ensure an optimal chance for maturity and good health.

Instructions

1. Visit other emu farms. Ask for handling demonstrations and request a hands-on experience with the birds. Many emu farmers share a sense of camaraderie and will be very helpful, however, they may decline your request for physical contact with the birds due to safety and insurance concerns. Make certain you are comfortable with your knowledge of the handling procedures. There is a risk of being injured by these large ratites. Take time to feel at ease in the presence of these birds before undertaking the responsibility of raising this breed.

2. Check with your local farm bureau or local governing board to determine if there are any restrictions or certain requirements in your area for raising emus. Draw up your individual farm plan. Construct an adequate shelter for your emus before purchasing them. Build a fenced area 25 feet wide by 100 feet long for a single pair of emus. Make this out of no-climb horse fencing 5 feet tall or higher. Chain link fencing is more expensive but works very well for the enclosure if your budget allows. Keep in mind that the adult birds are very strong, so the enclosure should be sturdy. The curious nature of these birds may cause them to become injured or entrapped. Check your enclosure for any areas that may create a potential hazard for the emu chicks. Provide a shelter for the birds. Make this shelter adequate for the climate you live in. It should be able to provide warmth in the winter and protection from the elements.

3.Take your new emu chicks to a veterinarian for a complete health check. A doctor that specialises in exotic animals is a good choice. Many farm veterinarians are becoming familiar with these ratites due to the increasing popularity of emu farms. The price of these birds ranges greatly depending on the location they were purchased from, but the cost for a pair is often more than £3,250, so make sure you have a healthy pair to start with. Your veterinarian will also give you a schedule of necessary inoculations and list of possible health concerns. Ask questions regarding symptoms you should watch for in observing the continual health of your chicks.

4. Introduce your young chicks to their new environment. The chicks are normally very curious but may be overwhelmed and exhausted from their trip. Reassure the pair by staying with them until they are comfortable in their new surroundings. Show them to their food and water. Allow them to stay inside the shelter if they want. They will explore their new enclosure when they are ready.

5. Begin handling your baby chicks as soon as you get them. Set up a schedule to physically interact with your birds on a regular basis. Show all family members the correct way to approach and handle them. Spend as much time with them as possible when they are young to create tame adult birds. You can handle emus fairly easily for the first two months of their lives. Be aware of the strength in their legs and make it a practice to stay clear if they begin kicking. Aggression is rare in emus and they will try to avoid hurting you. Most accidents occur when the birds become scared or stressed.

6. Provide plenty of food for the growing chicks. Many emu farmers use a packaged mix made specifically for emus. They will eat between one and three pounds per day, depending on the quality of the mix. Contact your local farm supplier or feed store. They can special order the feed for you if they do not normally stock it. You can supplement the diet with some fruit, berries and vegetables. Emus also graze on grass and ingest bugs and worms. They will also eat up your flower beds and gardens if allowed to do so. Provide adequate water at all times. They can drink up to four gallons on a warm day. Continue to handle the birds as they grow. They enjoy being talked to and handled. It is common for these birds to live to be more than 25 years old.