Update on the farm
We are doing
quite well here on the farm and I have made some headway in some areas and of
course falling behind in others. My carving has taken a back seat to other
activities I have going on. I kind of have a problem with that, but still plan
on fulfilling my commitments to others. I still need to finish the carving for
the young lady who won the bear with fish at the open house. I have used this
bear as a learning tool using it to demonstrate to a prospective carver who is
coming along and enjoying the art of carving. In order to complete my
experience of carving I try to share my knowledge of what I do with others when
they show the interest. Still plan on finishing the bear but will be getting into
hay season feet first at first opportunity of dry days in a row.
I still have
baskets of flowers available for sale and plenty of tomatoes, just call first to
arrange for someone to show you what we have. My Better Boy tomatoes I have
selected for early tomatoes are already setting tomatoes I have one green
tomato that is quarter size. Most of the tomatoes are setting 6 tomatoes to a
cluster. Looking forward to some early tomatoes, as it always seems that first
homegrown tomato is always the best. I still have plenty of these plants to
offer. Though at this point they are climbing up the trellis and depend on its
support, and probably should be delivered in a vehicle capable of standing the
complete plant upright and with the trellis intact. So far the bamboo trellis
seems to be structural enough to hold the tomato plants. This is a green solution;
as well the pots are being reused, as long they are holding up. I would suggest
you find a low place in your yard this fall and dump the soil and save the pots
for me in the spring.
The bees seem to
be doing quite well without me. Haven’t had time to inspect the hives but
intend to do so as soon as I can to check and see if they have settled into building
their respective hives. It seems as if I have equally good activity in and out
of the hives when they are active. I know they have a lot of work to do this
year to get them prepared for winter, let alone be able to provide me with
anything. I would be grateful for any honey I receive, and I am looking forward
to sampling their wares. At least I know that I am doing something good for
nature and us humans by helping to sustain our native bee populations as best I
can. They are vital to our food supply for pollination first, then honey
second.
My buckwheat and
bee flower seed is planted and coming up. It seems it is feeding the birds
already, as I see numerous birds plucking freshly planted seeds out of soil is
thinning the future population of their food supply. By the looks of things
though it seems as if there will still be plenty and also it makes me glad to plant a dual purpose
plant that not only allows the bees to thrive but will also provide food for
the birds who visit our little place up here. Rarely a second goes by I don’t hear
a bird chirping somewhere here in the valley when the day is full. Having birds
around is great way to reduce insect populations naturally. I still feed the birds,
and in effect also feed the squirrels and all varieties of animals as well as
birds. The amount I provide is small compared to the total need of every animal
that visits my bird feeder. Chipmunks, my ducks , the chickens , squirrels all
eat around the feeder as well as a variety of birds who visit to get part of
their nourishment to help them along. They reward me with my constant smiles
and a greater appreciation for those things out there living in not quite as
nice conditions as myself. Or is their little nesting place all they need to go
on? I would only hope it is, and with the little I give them to be more than
enough to make their lives comfortable in our little piece of heaven. Judging by
the talk outside my door in terms of birds singing, it all seems to be pretty good.
Although it seems I am going to have to build a purple martin nest, it seems
the mosquitos are taking their toll on us this year and it is time to start using spray to allow yourself to be
outside at night any length of time without something on to repel them. A bat
house is another way of encouraging nature in an effective way to reduce
mosquito populations and is also on my to-do list.
Just hope I live long enough to finish even
half on that list. And if I ever get to the point I have finished all on that
list then I must be ready to go to that great beyond. Because it seems I am
always giving myself more to do knowing full well, some of what is on that list
will never get done. You can only do what you are able to get done. I guess the
rest isn’t worth worrying about till tomorrow.
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