Figs...glorious figs!

Looking forward to my next crop of figs.  This was my first time growing them. I now cannot live without them!  They taste just like honey to me...I believe these are Celeste.  There is a trick, though.  You have to beat the birds to them.  They wait until they are perfectly ripe and drooping on the twig and then use their beaks to peck out a chunk and give the ants an open invitation.  There is a curious thing about figs.  They will not ripen off the tree.  So, it is a race to see if the early bird will always get the fig. Not this year, if I can help it!

My most favorite picture of my parents...

Both of my parents have passed away.  Recently, we said goodbye to my father and went through all the old photos of our lives.  This is my most favorite (there were many) photo of my parents as they started their lives together.  My father was my inspiration for Le Farm...he was born in Hyeres, France in 1927 and arrived in the USA in 1948 at age 21.  I cherish his French ways and hope to continue his legacy on Le Farm.

A dog's life on Le Farm...

I wanted to share a few snapshots of Gus and BlackDog enjoying farm life...it is so much fun watching them romp, run and play...and enjoy a fresh carrot every now and then!



A winter carrot...



BlackDog enjoys carrots!







Gus coaxing BlackDog to play...



Fun times on Le Farm!



Serendipity

I had a wonderful discovery today as I began a winter chore that I have planned to do this weekend. There is such little time during the growing season for these kinds of projects.

I have a place that was lined with black mesh fabric near my composte bin next to my newly planned out raspberry row.  This area was 40' x 12'.  I always wondered why the previous owner put it there because it seemed to have no purpose.  It was there so long that it was overgrown and unsightly.  I decided to pull it up this weekend and use that area to mow as part of the yard.

The discovery was better than anything I could have dreamed of...underneath was beautiful black, sandy soil with two irrigation lines running the whole length, 4' apart.  All I have to do is tap in several irrigation nozzles to have this area become a beautifully irrigated garden bed!  There was so much dirt I was able to make raised rows! 

My lettuce seed from the fall, which didn't do much, has sprouted early lettuce plants, already with several leaves, in some nearby beds and are over crowded.  They have lasted throughout the winter! I decided to move them to these new rows, since there are 7 more days of moderate weather forecasted.  They have been really taking off early this year and starting to grow some beautiful compact heads of heirloom lettuce. On Feb 1, I am planting my spinach seeds at the far end of this new bed.

This year, I decided to follow the farmer's almanac guide on best planting times according to the moon phases.  I am trying to appease Mother Nature...lest she get angry at me for making bad farming decisions!

Yay for Serendipity!

Winter progress and projects...



There is so much to do on a farm in winter months!  Pruning, clearing, weeding...did I mention pruning? I have pruned so many shrubs, trees and bushes this winter that I need to sharpen my clippers. My place had so many overgrown camellias, branches of trees hanging over the edge of the blueberry field and old canes to remove from the hundreds of blueberries and blackberries.  These are really starting to look managed and good.  Feb 1, I can start pruninng the muscadines.  All grapevines need to be cut back and I discovered that if I take a little extra time to make wreaths out of the vines instead of piling them up to burn, I can add revenue from the waste and refuse.  This place just keeps giving back.  All it takes is some thought and alot of hard work!  Here are a few pictures...





Before prunning...lovely but overgrown

 

My 3 helpers









 

After prunning



 

After prunning...can see clear through now to the other side of the yard







Pruning was well worth it!