Growing up, we had a pet goose, a pet duck, and they never did anything except nip at a ripe tomato now and then. We did, however, have NO PROBLEMS EVER with slugs, as they gobbled them up. Also, where a goose goes, a goose poops, which is a free nitrogen bonus for you. Gross to us but the plants love it. Also, my pastor has a huge garden and about 12 visiting Canada geese (and babies) to their pond every summer, and they leave his veggies alone too. As far as our birds went, we did feed them, as they were pets, so that might be why they left out huge garden (and large strawberry patch) alone. If they didn't eat the veggies because they had their feed grain, here's an idea-- If you put out some cracked corn (away from your garden area), they will prefer to eat that over your green growing things, and they will still munch on the slugs.

Must be the time of the year!!! I have also ordered geese, due to arrive May 4th. This is my first order of geese, although I do have a grown pair of Toulese that I bought 5 years ago. Eleanor is a wonderful, sweet girl. However, she has developed a problem that is worrying me, and I would appreciate advice from someone more experienced than myself. Eleanor constantly lowers her head and then shakes it from side to side. I talked with our vet and he gave me worm medicine for her. SHe is a lot better, but the problem is still there. The vet said maybe she needs an antibiotic as there may be an infection. He did not sound very sure of his diagnosis, so I can forsee multiple visits to the vet. I will load up this huge goose and take her to the vet Thursday, which should be a hoot. Has anyone had any experience with this? I want to get this cleared up before my goslings arrive in four weeks.

I just came across this thread, if you haven't found out what it is already it's a bur cucumber, sicyos angulatus. They do grow incredibly far out and I've seen them climb to the very top of trees that are atleast 80 feet tall. Leaves can be enormous also.

My mom cooked dinners for the extended family every night (matriarch of a large PA Dutch family). She usually fed 14+ people every evening. My aunts came over and they canned fruits and vegetables, made jam and jellies, canned sauerkraut and pickles. I can't imagine people making much more food than was prepared in that kitchen. She managed this with a double sink that was larger than many - one side could fit a full size cookie sheet laying in the bottom (a full size cookie sheet is 26x18). The other side was smaller - I would guess about 18x18 or 19x19 and not as deep. I am going to guess that the two together were probably 48 inches wide. I can and make jams and jellies, but don't put up near the amount of food my mom put up. I can work just fine with a 33" 2/3rd 1/3rd double sink. I do need a double sink vs a single sink so I can do multiple tasks at the same time. Can't imagine a need for anything larger than 48" and that is only for the truly active cooks prepping tons of food.