Everyone was talking about the weather this week. It was up in the eighties with humidity and sunshine for days.
…but, when Saturday dawned, it was with clear, cool temperatures in the forties. Wow! What a change. That sense that fall is just around the corner can no longer be denied.
The change in the weather signals that it is time to get
serious about cleaning up the garden.
With the incredible weed growth this year, it is a relief to have the
Boss put the bush hog on the tractor and take the first step. Weeds of any size are no match for the bush
hog…and all those spent green bean plants…they’re transformed into “organic”
matter in just a few minutes. While it’s not perfect…at least it doesn’t
look quite so much like a jungle out there!
More clean-up is coming after the PTO on the bush hog is repaired.
What a mess! |
bush hog in beans spent bean crop in background, current crop in foreground |
after running the bush hog through the beans |
step one of fall clean-up complete not perfect but not so quite so messy looking |
Hoophouse work slowed down a little. We’re waiting for some seedlings to get some
growth before planting and then the tiny tiller needs some repair. Who knew that ethanol gasoline wasn’t good
for tiny tillers? Well, I didn’t. Parts were ordered and a repair job starts
tomorrow.
On Wednesday, we took a road trip. And, I mean a road trip. It took nearly
the whole day. Gus, the new guardian puppy, is from Gretna, VA. That’s on the
other side of the state, past Lynchburg.
the ONLY building in Forks of Buffalo (it's for sale!) |
I'd never seen tobacco growing before |
What's a trip through the mountains without following a log truck for miles? |
Sugarloaf in September |
Gus made the trip in fine fashion. He didn’t get sick, have any accidents, or even cry (very much). When we arrived at the farm, he just made himself right at home, although it remains to be seen how all the other creatures will adapt to him.
Gus heading for the hill |
what a face! |
Gus meets Ellie Mae |
the pic is blurry, but TOO funny not to share Sissie took one look, climbed a tree and howled! |
For Market this week, we may have had the most vegetable
variety of the year. I really like when
the vegetable stand is full of beautiful, fresh vegetables! The customers were in a buying mood
(something about that fall nip in the air…) and we had a very good day.
facebook collage of our offerings |
But, actually, what makes a good day at the Market is not
necessarily lots of sales…no, it’s that human interaction that makes the Market
so very special.
The particular week, one of our youngest customers brought
me a gift. Last week, her mother bought
this enormous pepper and the little customer saved the seeds and brought them
to me to plant for next year. It's so cool that she gets the whole seed planting/growing/harvest thing. She also brought me an autographed picture. Later she came back to show me that she wore
her “vegetable-y” shirt…since she was going to the Farmers’ Market. That just
made my morning!
Later, one of our grown-up customers brought me another
gift. The owners of the toy store
downtown brought me this...
All in all…a good week on the hill.
the cool weather will probably curtail the okra harvest |
With 43* on the thermometer this morning, I’m off to find
the blankets…and the winter clothes…it's time to think ahead toward cooler days and frosty nights. That means we're rapidly approaching "preparation season" (getting ready for winter). It certainly wasn't much of a summer season.
Guess that means Boss will be organizing his annual “wood-stacking
party” soon. The woodstove keeps us warm throughout the cold winter months. I hope y'all got that hint, kids. (Papa's birthday request is the same for this year...lol)
Finally, I just have to share this picture. The other night when the UPS man delivered a package up at the lane, all the lambs walked up to look at him. They just stood there, waiting...maybe one of them ordered something...I just don't know. They eventually gave up their vigil and went back to grazing.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hope you’ll come again.
Happy
Sunday!
Of course I shall come again Barbara, I love hearing about your way of life on the farm. Our wood pile grows daily and it needs to because once the colder weather sets in it disappears quickly on the wood burner doesn't it? Such a cuddly pup - love it. Hope all the other animals do too.
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