Sunday Walkabout 9-11

lambs grazing in September

Labor Day marks the “end” of the summer season to a lot of folks. One last chance for picnics and beach trips…

Here on the hill, it’s just another day. As a Monday holiday, it does indeed cause a little wrinkle in our week. But, that’s nothing new. Here’s a post from ’14 about  Labor Day.

While our schedule has changed slightly over the years, things remain pretty constant around here. Although, instead of digging potatoes, we processed broilers.

It was an uneventful morning, no escapee chickens, no scalder fires… We were all finished, cleaned up and had the meat bagged and chilling before lunchtime. Oh, I do love when jobs go smoothly!

ready to process

bagging the last bird
a little less than four hours later

Blondie and Mr. B stopped by to visit and help me can off the last batch of squash. While I don’t know that we really need the squash for winter eating, I hate to see it go to waste. By canning it, it will be there when and if I need it, and it will taste better than if I put it in the freezer.

In checking the gardens for more squash and anything else that might need my attention, I discovered that the groundhog had apparently moved to the middle garden after his/her efforts to obliterate the winter squash had been thwarted. This time the zucchini had come under attack.

Now, say what you will about zucchini…you know all those jokes about submarines and locking your car doors to avoiding “gifting” … but, it is truly delicious and quite versatile. And, since it is a cash crop, I’m not about to allow the groundhog eat it all! I set a trap, baited it with a pear and waited…(I’m still waiting...guess they don't like pears) Groundhogs may look fat and silly, but they’re actually quite wily. …and horribly destructive. They are considered a noxious pest. Did you read the "Battle of the  Whistle-pig"?

Despite the groundhog attack on the winter squash, harvest time had finally arrived. The Boss had fenced around the entire planting and we didn’t see evidence of any more damage. But, we had our doubts about the harvest. So many of the fruits had been gnawed on, and once damaged, the heat and moisture would cause the squashes to rot or allow small rodents to eat them.  Either way, they would be useless to us. When the Boss went to pick up the first squash, this appeared to be the case, as its seeds were all spilled onto the ground and the squash was rotting around the edges.

what a waste!

However, there were indeed more edible squash than those that were destroyed. And, you wouldn’t believe the size of some of them!  A good number are pushing ten pounds. While these will be far too big for our customers to use whole, we will be able to cut them in chunks and sell them that way. (you wouldn’t believe how many butternut chunks we have sold over the years!)  

Now, that's a BIG squash!

…and I’m pretty sure that all the spilled seeds mean that we will have “volunteer” butternut squash coming up in the garden forever. While we can’t claim a real big success on the crop, at least it wasn’t the total loss that we first feared.

broilers checking out the field pen

With the big broilers processed, it was time to move the smaller ones outdoors. Actually, it was a little early since the whole rat attack incident impacted our carefully planned schedule. But, the last batch of broilers for the year was scheduled to arrive on Friday, this batch looks large and healthy, and it’s still incredibly warm, so it was decided that we’d go ahead and move them outside even though they’re young.  Again, an uneventful job. (yay)

last batch of broilers for 2016 arrived on 9-9

harvesting 'taters

Then the Boss worked at getting the Spring potatoes out of the ground. I know, I know, we had hoped to complete this job months ago, but between the weather and other more pressing jobs, it just didn’t happen. Thankfully, potatoes do well staying in the ground. However, the longer the potatoes are left in the ground, the better the chances for rodent damage, and damaged tubers don’t store or sell well. And, they will sprout again if left in the garden too long. So, they can’t stay there indefinitely.

The potato crop is so prolific this year that he didn’t come close to finishing before it was time to move on to another job.  So, digging potatoes will be at the top of the upcoming week’s “to-do” list.

hopefully these strawberries will provide a Spring harvest

While he dug potatoes, I worked on planting some strawberry plants and working in the hoophouses. Although the heat curtailed that job before completion as well. The heat makes it hard to work, but can also damage the tiny plants. So, I'll wait for a cooler day to finish up.

tilling for lettuce

ready to plant

planting completed

This September heatwave is really beginning to wear on us. Last week’s rains are but a memory as the continued heat is causing the grass to wither. Even with near-continual irrigation, garden production has dropped off considerably. Some of that is normal “end of the season” slow down, but the lack of rain is the biggest factor.

It’s really hot for this time of year.

…and it seems like it’s been hot, too hot, for a long time.

grazing at sunset

The heat isn’t helping the animals, either. The sheep and lambs head to the pines after early morning grazing and stay there until late afternoon, coming out only for water (and when called for feed). Egg production is down as the hens just hang out in the shade or take dustbaths to beat the heat. The dogs have taken to sleeping underneath the reefer during the daylight and patrolling in the late evening and early morning. The only group that doesn’t seem to be too affected is the broilers. It doesn’t seem like much affects their appetite and ability to grow!

With the growing season winding down around us, it’s time to think toward next year. Besides putting up food for winter and checking on the progress of the 2017 lambchop crop, we’re already making notes and preparations for next year.

tomato seeds for 2017

I finally got around to processing the tomato seeds. This is a stinky, gross job that I generally put off far too long that is not made any nicer for the delay. While I realize it is possible to simply buy new seeds each year, by saving our own we are able to preserve the traits unique to the tomatoes grown here on the hill.  You can read about the process in its entirety  here.

freshly processed tomato seed

And, just like that…it was time for Market once more. The Market went off without disaster or drama (like last week’s food truck saga). As a matter of fact, the Market seemed rather “off”. The week following Labor Day seems to be historically slow. I guess everyone has a difficult time getting back in the groove after a holiday. But, all in all it was a good day. Unbelievably, we’re more than 2/3 way through the Market season. Which puts us that much closer to Winter.

Yes, the thoughts of Winter are never far from our thoughts…despite the heat and humidity that we are currently experiencing, it is obvious that it’s coming, and a lot of our activities focus on preparation for the cold, dark days ahead.

a sign of the changing seasons
Monarch butterfly

with a little assistance
it flew out of the hoophouse and off to the wild blue yonder

But, for right now it’s time to renew and recharge (and do some laundry and bake a few loaves of bread) in order to be ready for the week ahead.

Hope you’re having a Happy Sunday!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you’ll come “visit” us again soon.

 

sunset on the hill

Sunday Walkabout 9-4

Can you believe it’s already September?

The first of September marks the beginning of meteorological fall. And, the start of “pumpkin spice season” which is simply a precursor to all the Christmas displays. Christmas... Seriously?  HalloweenThankgivingChristmas is apparently just one long decorating event in the retail world.

But, my personal opinion about marketing aside…and just in case you’re wondering about meteorological fall…here’s the best explanation I have seen.

“Meteorological fall is different from astronomical fall which begins Sept. 22.

What is the difference? Astronomical seasons are based on the position of the Earth in relation to the sun. They are most commonly used and known. The seasons are defined by two solstices and two equinoxes.

Meteorological seasons are based on the annual temperature cycle and the calendar.

• Winter is typically the coldest months of the year and summer the hottest. Spring and fall are transition months
• Spring- March, April, May
• Summer- June, July, August
• Fall- September, October, November
• Winter- December, January, February

Since the Meteorological seasons fall on the same date every year, it is easier to compare seasonal and monthly statistics.”

– Samantha Davies, NBC5 Meteorlogist, Dallas-Fort Worth

even the backyard looks like fall

There is also a change in the light about this time of year as the days get shorter and the nights get longer on our trip around the sun. And, this is evident in the gardens as warm-weather crop production slows and the fall crops begin to mature.

So, for a couple of weeks, we’re generally in a weird state of limbo picking the last of the tomatoes while we wait for the Brussels sprouts (and other fall crops) to begin to ripen. We tidy up the gardens outside and work at getting the hoophouses planted and ready for the cooler days.

It’s hard to imagine it will ever be cool or cold again, because it’s been hot. Very hot. Weeds and pests seem to thrive on hot weather. The gardens look overgrown and tired.  Combined with the slowing of the growing season, it’s tempting to just bush-hog everything and call it quits. The fact that we hadn’t seen a drop of rain in what was beginning to feel like forever and you could almost watch the grass shriveling in the blazing sun in the late afternoon didn’t help anything. The entire farm seemed to be suffering from heat fatigue.

But, oddly, before I could write a “praying for rain” post, we woke up to over an inch of rain AND cooler temperatures. And, while the moisture caused even more weeds to sprout and bugs to hatch…it was amazing to be cool and comfortable as we did chores. The change of the weather (no matter how short-lived) did wonders for my outlook.

I think the broccoli grew overnight

Which is a good thing, because for the most part, this time of year is a test of our endurance and perseverance as we soldier on through to the end of Market season. And, it is imperative that we always be thinking ahead toward the possibilities and potentials of the upcoming season.

It can be a real challenge to remain positive and upbeat...and hopeful on a near-constant routine. 

and then we got another storm

even had a rainbow

watching it rain

inside kitty meets outside kitty

This week we had the added challenge of farm-truck repair. Since it wasn’t the kind of repair the Boss could do himself, we had to take it to the repair shop. That in itself requires we both take a roadtrip, well actually two, one to drop it off and one to pick it up. And, then there’s the whole farm without a farm-truck thing. That meant more than one trip to town for supplies. This particular repair wasn’t particularly cheap, either. But, that’s to be expected with a geriatric truck (it’s nearly twenty years old). And, a repair certainly was a WHOLE lot cheaper than a new truck!

However, it needs to go back to the shop for some fine-tuning…and that will affect this week as well…but, “whatcha gonna do?”

For the most part, the farm seems to be on auto-pilot this time of year. The gardens are doing their garden-thing, albeit a little slower and not quite so pretty.

super secure brooder

The broiler chicks are growing. After the securing of the brooder and the capture of the rat, we have suffered no more losses! The big broilers in the field pen will meet their destiny in the upcoming week and the last batch of chicks for the season should arrive on Friday.

the "big broilers"
this is tomorrow's "job du jour"

The lamb flock is growing well, although it is set to diminish somewhat next week as we deliver another batch to the processor’s. At that time, the ewe lambs will join the big girls to work on the “lamb chop crop of 2017”.

Speaking of the sheep...there is no news from the ewe flock. That fact alone is worthy of celebration. If we make it through next week with no new marks, it will be safe to assume that we can go ahead and note potential dates in anticipation of lambing season.

And, just like that…it was Market time once more.

market collage
9-3

We had a little added excitement this week and it became evident to everyone just what a great bunch of folks gather downtown on Saturday mornings.

The first thing I noted on my arrival was the absence of the big yellow foodtruck for Gloria's Pupuseria. Not only does it hold an anchor position at the Market, everyone loves JK and Gloria.

But, their somewhat aged, somewhat needy truck had failed them on their trip to town. They were stranded just blocks from the Market.

In true community fashion, one of the vendors went to help. When it became evident that despite his mechanical skills, the truck couldn’t be repaired without parts, a tow truck was called.

Shortly after I arrived at the Market, a wrecker truck swung into the Market, hauling the food truck.

A cheer and a round of applause went up as a group of vendors pushed it into place.

 They were back in business!

Everyone headed back to their own stands for an amazing day of Market sales.

Then, the mechanic-husband of another vendor made a parts run. After the Market, the repair was made.

And, to the best of my knowledge, the food truck is back on the road just in time for the local “battle of the food trucks”! More about that here.

That’s community. That’s our Market. 

Want to visit? Check out the Market's website. or visit Staunton Farmers' Market on Facebook.

Here's the link to the Boss' Market photos.

…and that was the week on the hill.

Hope you’re having a Happy Sunday! 

Thanks for dropping by! Come back and “visit” again real soon.

Sunday Walkabout 3-6

I think I see a hint of green!

With the start of March---the beginning of meteorological Spring---that countdown I mentioned in last week’s walkabout starts to get serious. There is so much to do and so little time.

March is also the time of year when I realize that all those rather grandiose plans I had back at the end of the Market, those plans that had me finally getting “caught up” and “organized” are not happening for at least another year. It always takes me a while to resign myself to this fact. Honestly, after all these years, you would think I would just stop making the plans. Because, as the Boss has pointed out...”ain’t never gonna happen!”

new field pen construction

On the other hand, the Boss is rapidly completing his own “off season” list. After more than a few trips to Lowe’s, the new field pen is nearing completion.  While he was working hard to finish the pen, I had exciting chores like cleaning the utility room floor and balancing the checkbook. (someone has to do the glamorous stuff)

nearly finished

The completion of the field pen is crucial to the success of the broiler operation...which requires a certain succession of events as we progress through the season. Chicks arrive, they live in the brooder for three weeks, they move to the field pen, they live and grow as pastured poultry for four or five weeks and then they are harvested. In the meantime, another batch has arrived and is living in the brooder...before moving to the pen...and…you get the picture. This will go on until October when the last batch of broilers for the season moves outside and layer chicks arrive to live in the brooder overwinter. By the time the layer chicks become pullets and are old enough to begin laying eggs and move in with the hen flock, it will be time for broiler chicks again...and we will continue the cycle, keeping us in eggs and chicken throughout the year.  Check this one out.  Just another example of the cycle of life…farm style.

March in Mbrk

As we get closer to the Spring equinox, you can begin to feel the shift in the intensity of the sun’s rays. That warmth feels SO good and everyone begins to suffer from Spring fever. Even though the winter weather wasn’t severe, EVERYONE I talk to is SO ready for Spring. I even saw a man in Lowe’s yesterday purchasing a large number of garden plants! (Personally, I think that was more than a little too optimistic...but, then, it really isn’t my concern)

baby cabbage plants

The wonderful warming rays of the sun aid in rapid growth in the greenhouses. But, they can also spell disaster. Much of my time is spent watering the tiny plants and assuring that the temperatures are remaining at a warming level and not cooking temperatures. It only takes one momentary lapse of attention and we will have to start all over again. (yep...learned that one the hard way...more than once)

pretty seedlings

Just about the time we started feeling excited about the warm weather...it snowed.

snowy choretime

No kidding.

We had four or five inches Thursday afternoon/evening.

morning in Mbrk

 It made for a pretty beginning to the day. 

9am

3pm

But, it was mostly gone by afternoon. That’s one nice thing about snows in March. They don’t stick around too long. And, the March winds keep the mud at a manageable level.

It made for some great photos!

The upcoming week promises to be warm...incredibly warm. I am hoping that means that we can get the hoophouses cleaned up and fully planted, although again, that might be just a little too optimistic. But, a girl can dream.

At some point soon, we will need to pick up the seed potatoes, (we are waiting for the supplier to call) and that will require a road-trip of sorts. Despite the tradition of planting potatoes on Saint Patrick’s day, we generally wait until the first of April. Whenever we try to plant too early, we end of with frozen plants. That weakens the plants, setting them up for disease and insect infestation and ultimately affects the size of the harvest. So, we will wait.  Even though patience is definitely NOT one of my virtues.  I will just be glad to know the ‘taters are indeed here on the hill, even though they might not get in the ground right away.

For right now, we are in somewhat of a “holding” pattern.

The chicks are growing.

getting big

The lambs are growing.

soon they won't fit in the feeder

All the seedlings are growing.

Just have to remember to keep them watered!

dewy cabbage leaf

As the countdown to the Market continues, we will inventory supplies and make preparations. After all these years, the anticipation of Opening Day doesn’t have the frantic feel that it did in the early days. (but, then, I don’t have to figure out how to purchase 500+ pounds of flour or where to store it. Sure don’t miss baking for the Market!)

Thanks for stopping by!

Hope you have a Happy Sunday! 

 

a passing rain shower provided an unexpected rainbow to start the week!

Come back and “visit” again real soon!