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| A winter carrot... |
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| BlackDog enjoys carrots! |
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| Gus coaxing BlackDog to play... |
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| Fun times on Le Farm! |
Monday, January 21, 2013
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!
Saturday, January 12, 2013
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!
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!
Sunday, January 6, 2013
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...
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| Before prunning...lovely but overgrown |
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| My 3 helpers |
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| After prunning |
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| After prunning...can see clear through now to the other side of the yard |
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| Pruning was well worth it! |
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Monday, December 24, 2012
Joyeux Noel!
Merry Christmas to each and every one! (My country French kitchen would not be the same without a silver magnolia wreath!)
...may the company of family and friends leave you well loved this holiday season.
Joyeux Noel mes amis...!
Suzanne
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
The last farmer's market on Saturday, Nov 17th
Saturday is the last market of the season. It's sad in a way. I have missed having fresh blueberries to offer. (Never thought I'd say I missed picking blueberries!) Now, I only have grapevine wreaths and magnolia wreaths. Not everyone embraces getting ready for the holidays early, but I sure do...I have grapevine wreaths on all my doors and my front iron gate. My barn has a gigantic one on the door...it makes it look even more country French and rustic.
I will take the next few months to get ready to sprout seeds, getting an early spring garden of radishes, spinach, lettuce, carrots in to have something at the first market in April. My blueberries are early and will have some by May, for sure.
How will you spend the winter? I love making soup, reading seed catalogs and planning my gardens and goals for the new year. I am a planner...I make lists and put my goals to paper. This coming year I will be looking for a farm truck to take to the markets. I want a cool sign made for the truck. I plan on adding 8 new raised beds. (They make it so much easier to weed and control pests). I have a long term goal to be farming fulltime by 2017. Planning for the future is exciting and keeps me in check.
I am looking forward to Thanksgiving next week. I have a few days off to put a new floor in my kitchen and laundry room, just in time for Christmas guests! Oh, and I am cooking a turkey, pecan stuffing and a pear tart with fresh whipped cream. The smells filling the house and the joy of cooking is magical at Thanksgiving. I hope you enjoy the day and all the days preparing for it.
I will take the next few months to get ready to sprout seeds, getting an early spring garden of radishes, spinach, lettuce, carrots in to have something at the first market in April. My blueberries are early and will have some by May, for sure.
How will you spend the winter? I love making soup, reading seed catalogs and planning my gardens and goals for the new year. I am a planner...I make lists and put my goals to paper. This coming year I will be looking for a farm truck to take to the markets. I want a cool sign made for the truck. I plan on adding 8 new raised beds. (They make it so much easier to weed and control pests). I have a long term goal to be farming fulltime by 2017. Planning for the future is exciting and keeps me in check.
I am looking forward to Thanksgiving next week. I have a few days off to put a new floor in my kitchen and laundry room, just in time for Christmas guests! Oh, and I am cooking a turkey, pecan stuffing and a pear tart with fresh whipped cream. The smells filling the house and the joy of cooking is magical at Thanksgiving. I hope you enjoy the day and all the days preparing for it.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Farm updates...fall is here!
Morning here is particularly beautiful so I had to post a few pictures of the sun streaming through the branches. These are the last few grapes on the vine framing the field of cotton in the distance. And lastly, this is a magnolia wreath that is heading to the Pecan festival with me this weekend!
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