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Twin fodder shocks heralding the way up the main porch steps of our farmhouse.
I love fodder shocks. They’re so country. They add tons of homey charm and they’re free. What’s not to love? Now’s the time to grab your corn stalks and start decorating! If you don’t have corn of your own, ask a neighbor or friend who has corn if they plan to use theirs. If they don’t have some for you, maybe they’ll know someone who does. Network a little and you might find someone who knows someone who would let you have their corn stalks. Some gardeners just plow over them (the travesty!), so you might get lucky and find someone happy to let you take them. Tie them on posts or poles, set pumpkins around them.
Or a chicken.

Fodder shocks are simple to make–just cut down the stalks, tie them in bundles, and you’re done!
About the only thing growing in my garden right now are wildflowers.

And plenty of ‘em.

Not to mention chickens. I’m growing a bunch of hens in there.

The corn that was still left wasn’t worth anything. It was too late.

So down the dying stalks came.

The scarecrow is looking a little the worse for wear…..and creepier than ever. He watches me whenever I’m in the garden. He makes scary threats under his breath. He made a grab for me as I was gathering the corn stalks. I fought him off! Gardening is very, very dangerous, but I try to be brave.

I barely escaped alive with my fodder shocks.

I hope you don’t have as much trouble getting yours!
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"It was a cold wintry day when I brought my children to live in rural West Virginia. The farmhouse was one hundred years old, there was already snow on the ground, and the heat was sparse-—as was the insulation. The floors weren’t even, either. My then-twelve-year-old son walked in the door and said, “You’ve brought us to this slanted little house to die." Keep reading our story....
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3:46
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4:41
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That wee kitty at the top of the stairs is a real cutie-pie!
4:48
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Love your site! Told my daughter-in-law (city girl gone country) about it. She wants to BE you! She now has two young female goats and they didn’t come with any directions. Now she’s in a quandry as to how to get them to the point of milk producing. I’m sure your site with help!
Great blog!!
4:53
am
People here don’t know what a fodder shock is. The look at me like I’m crazy when I say, “I want a fodder shock”.
5:44
am
Your buff hen looks just about like ours do–such a lovely copper!
6:37
am
I think it is funny that here, in suburbia, growing corn in a backyard is discouraged, but when tied up in bundles and placed in the FRONT yard, they become fall decor. Crazy suburbs!
County people have all the common sense. Love your fodder shocks and your self-sufficiency is an inspiration.
Go Fall!!
Kris7
Working hard at http://www.sccworlds.com
7:04
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Your chicken are so pretty…are they for eating also? We raised chicken growing up…as much as I hate the whole killing part of farming, they sure did taste good.
7:10
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9:49
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11:05
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And, alas, I am one of the citified people who did not know what a fodder shock was until I read this post. My Mom, a Pennsylvania farm girl, would be so ashamed of me!!! Now I’ll have to read her biography (she wrote it when she was in her 80s) again to see if she mentioned it. She was full of stories right up to the day she passed on at 101.5 years of age!!
12:17
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Bet you might find a kitten or two in amongst your stalks!
2:20
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Fall is my favorite!
Kimberly in NC
6:46
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6:56
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8:12
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Thanks for the great blog. I love all the pics of your hens and cats. My favorite animals
7:35
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