I had a great morning ripping and tearing in the little greenhouse. Cucumbers are officially done.
Beets, onions, sage, tatsoi, spinach, chard, kale, broccoli and some straggler tomatoes are still keeping it full, undercover and green.
Which is more than I can say for the high tunnel. A long dry summer made for rotting plastic, and high winds ripped through it pretty good leaving the crops exposed. Chard, Onions, lettuce broccoli and cabbage are okay exposed to the elements but will need some row cover and sand bags to make it through winter. My good friend Matthew is lending me some hoops. I would love to replace it now but not sure it’s in the cards.
The rain has put on some growth in the outdoor crops of leeks, onions, beets, parsnips, broccoli, kale, chard, storage turnips and carrots. I’m here for it after such a long dry summer. I’m almost thankful for the mud. Almost.
The garlic will go in next weekend. I’m amending all empty beds with lime, topping beds with compost and straw where needed. It’s nice to do it at more leisurely pace. There is lots of time for dreaming of next year’s garden. I’m working on a special field crop for next year and that’s keeping me busy doing research.
Pigs are still growing and look amazing. Pig season got off to a rocky start this year with some piglet trouble but is finishing strong. Anyone who has raised pigs though knows when you are done you are done. It’s so time.
Our ram is due back on the farm soon to do some breeding. The sheep were fed hay early as the pastures were pretty unusable. Their nutrition was hopefully sufficient to ensure healthy lambs for next year. I know the effects of the drought will be felt for years to come.
Egg production has been down to two dozen a day and that’s made for tricky egg sales right now. But production will go up again soon when all the new summer hens and ready to lays start in. It’s hard being patient for good food sometime.
We’ve got some beef cows on the ground right now to feed out over the winter. What a rough year for beef! The drought has everyone downsizing and cattle prices are through the roof right now. Beef will be scarce for a while this winter I think.
This week looks busy with a load of hay arriving, new hens coming, planting garlic, canning cranberry sauce, a preserving presentation, and a Christmas concert. And these library books aren’t going to read themselves.
Never boring here at YBRF.
Love Jenn xx