Around the black elderberry and some of the hazelnuts. This will be covered with wood chips as time and morning workouts permit.
Category: Gardening and Homesteading
Lamb and Quince
Last Tuesday (Michaelmas) we noticed there was a windfall quince under our smaller of the two quince trees. It had a big rotten spot on the bottom, so it would not keep but rather than waste it we incorporated it into supper. Did a light sear on a rack of bone-in lamb loin, then braised… Continue reading Lamb and Quince
The New Ram
We like to have the ram in the pasture with the ewes by Michaelmas, (Sept 29). This means that with a heat cycle on average about 17 days, they should hit their first breeding window of the autumn by October 17. This means we should start lambing no earlier than February 22, with first week… Continue reading The New Ram
Log Fest
As construction begins and CiderFest approach, and a camper is now parked next to the shop, driveway space is at a premium. We can't afford a giant log pile taking up space near the barn. So, last Wednesday... no, the other last Wednesday. The 16th... Daddy and the two middlest children tackled the remaining logs.… Continue reading Log Fest
Last of the Cabbages
We planted out the last of the cabbage starts for the year early last week. Winnie didn't want to, because she wanted to go with Mommy in the car, not with Daddy in the truck. Fortunately, a ride in the wheelbarrow can still make her feel better. The cabbages now cover about 2/3 of the… Continue reading Last of the Cabbages
Widening the Driveway
This was last week. I don't remember what day, but with the remodel getting ready to get underway and CiderFest coming up in a month, we need to widen out the driveway and free up some driving/parking space. We got that big load of logs this summer, which still hadn't split and stacked itself. Now… Continue reading Widening the Driveway
Making Friendly Friendly
Evie wants to take a sheep to fair next year, so she has started working with one of this year's lambs. She chose "Friendly" (so named because she didn't run away as fast as her sister when the kids tried to pet her as a baby) because Snow is too small and doesn't have good… Continue reading Making Friendly Friendly
Rolling Stones
At the farm there is a really big rock. It has been there since we bought the farm, just kind of sitting beside the barn. I rolled it a couple of times a few years ago, just to get it out of the way, so I could back the trailer up, but it has more… Continue reading Rolling Stones
First Big Tomato Harvest
Monday the 31st was our first big tomato harvest, and our last big bean harvest. Winnie helps pick beans, and conversates the whole time. "Daddy, why are you so tall?" "Because I started growing before you." "Daddy, what number are you old?" "I am 41." "Daddy, you are going to die." Pauses thoughtfully. "You are… Continue reading First Big Tomato Harvest
Buckwheat, Triangles and Homeschool
Late August, the garden is gathering for its final burst of activity before the dark period. This is the most massive and vigorous stand of buckwheat we have ever grown. And the bees seem to be doing their job. I just hope we can get it ripened and harvested before the rains comes on hard… Continue reading Buckwheat, Triangles and Homeschool
