Sunday Walkabout 10-26

Let’s hear it for productivity!

We finally got a couple of jobs checked off the “to-do” list and feel like we’re making some progress in our winterizing preparations.

YES!

First, we got the garlic planted. The biggest, fattest cloves are selected and pushed into the soft earth.  They will form a strong root system over the winter and sprout forth in early spring, growing strong and tall for harvest in late June or early July. (well, that’s the plan) 

I must admit, once the garlic is in the ground, it certainly doesn’t look like much!

Then we got to the potatoes...

First it was too dry to harvest the fall potatoes…then it was TOO wet to harvest potatoes. Sounds like Goldilocks.  With a break in the weather, we could finally get to that job. We spent part of two days harvesting potatoes.  First the potato plow is run through, then we pick through the dirt to locate the spuds.  They are left to "cure" for a couple of hours.  Then, each potato is picked up, sorted and hauled to the reefer for winter storage.

The potatoes cannot be left in the ground.  They will sprout and start to form new plants. And, since the potato is a tropical plant, these would never make it through our cold winter weather.

tiny tater sprout

While the harvest wasn’t the most spectacular ever, it was sizeable and we’re happy.  Actually, considering the lack of rain during the peak growing season, the harvest is wonderful.  Potatoes are considered a dryland crop and can grow without much added moisture.  That’s a good thing, since we had little to no rain during September.

storing potatoes in the reefer
there are lots of potatoes behind the door!

Once the potatoes were harvested and tucked into the reefer for winter storage, the Boss worked on tilling the gardens and getting them ready for a cover crop.  I will pick up some rye seed while I am in town this week and we can check off another winterizing job. Yay!

tilling the potato garden

In between the planting and the harvesting, there was the usual hoophouse/greenhouse work to do…pulling old plants, planting new ones and harvesting.  Pictures of those activities are getting a little old, but the change in light makes for some beautiful salad greens!

The rest of the week passed like weeks always do around here.  But, our lunchbreak after one of our all too frequent trips to the dump resulted in two FREE meals!  Yay, Subway!

Oh, we did take a little walk out Mish Barn Road one day since it was pretty.  The Boss generally complains that it’s a boring walk with few photo opportunities.  He’s right, of course.  But, the mountains were pretty and we saw a few of the neighbors. And, we could feel virtuous about getting a little cardio workout.

one of the neighbors

the "Mish" farm

Mish Barn Road

On a sad note, we received word of the sudden, unexpected passing of one of the Boss’ cyber-friends. It was astounding how many folks were affected by this loss. Personally, I will miss his cheery icon and his little notes of friendly encouragement. This led to a number of conversations (here and online) about how close you can feel to folks you’ve never met. We never reached a conclusion as to why or how these folks are so dear when “real” relationships tend to be fraught with the frailties of humanity. But, I guess this is a reminder to cherish your relationships (real and cyber) because everything can change forever in an instant.  Rest in peace, Ray.  You will be missed.

To those folks out there in cyberspace…thank you for being my friends!

Moving on to other things…

As the weather changes and the shadows lengthen, there is a sense of urgency in working the “to-do” list.  It won’t be too long before it’s too cold to do anything in the gardens and we’ll have to focus our attention elsewhere (this year it will be new flooring in the house...can you say about time?).  As we prioritize the jobs, it becomes obvious that some just aren’t getting done this season. 

Case in point…There is a stack of fenceposts at the top of the driveway where the Boss fully intended to put up a new fence.  However, with the lack of rain, the chances of getting a posthole dug, or a post pounded into the ground was virtually nonexistent.  So, they sat.  And, continue to sit.

On one of my walks to the mailbox, I noticed that one of the posts was out of the stack.  Figuring it just fell out of the stack, I put it back.  But, it looked like it had teeth marks in it. And, could that be dog drool? Hmmmm

the evidence

Upon my return, the dogs were accompanying me back to the house when Gus stopped at the fencepost pile. He looked over the posts, put his mouth on one and picked it up. Now these are six foot four by four posts, so they are not light.  He got a better grip and pulled it out of the stack and into the grass. (I was glad I had my camera...the Boss never would have believed THIS one!)

And, this is what happened when I fussed at him!

yes, he IS sticking out his tongue!

I’m not sure what his plan is this time.  But, you can be sure I’ll keep you “posted”. (I know, that one was awful…sorry)

Gus…he’s somethin’.  I haven’t quite figured out what that might be…but, he’s somethin’!

Just four more weeks of Market...

The week ended with a very cold (dark) start to the Market.  But, the sun came out, there was great music again, all the tiny trick-or-treaters paraded around town (bringing their parents through the Market) and it turned out to be a great day!

This week we are supposed to have some much welcomed warmer weather.  Hopefully, tomorrow will be warm and relatively “wind-free” so we can get the new skin on hoophouse #2.  Yet again, a fairly big job has been delayed by the weather.  Putting plastic on a hoophouse here on the hill (well, anywhere) can be an “iffy” proposition at best.  So, fingers crossed!

Thanks for stopping by for a little visit.

We hope you’re having a Happy Sunday!

The sheep managed to break the fence and get into the wrong paddock.
But, they looked so pretty against the alpenglow of the sunset, I couldn't be too mad

We’ll look forward to visiting with you again real soon.

Oh, don’t forget…the Ag Blogging challenge starts at the end of the week.(my first post will be Friday) I hope you’ll read along with me as I share 

http://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2014/10/30-days-lessons-from-farm-challenge.html

Have a great week!