Fall has arrived on the farm once again. We are lucky to live in the South were our first frost date is usually at the end of October, as was true this year. I was picking tomatoes and peppers up until then, but following the frost last week, everything but the winter hardy greens and a few herbs are toast. I still have a good amount of spinach, collards, and kale going, which I raise for the pigs in winter to supplement their lack of fresh grass.
I spent the weekend pulling my garden and putting it to bed. For the raised beds, I add 1inch of compost and then cover in straw. For the big garden, I’m planning to cover it in a thick layer of wood chips (if we can get the chipper we’ve lined up). Whatever doesn’t compost into the ground, I can rake back next spring and throw in the compost pile. Fingers crossed this will help me keep a jump on those nasty spring weeds.
I am always thankful this time of year, even though it is somewhat bitter-sweet. I enjoy the slight break from the frantic pace of everything now that the garden is mostly done, but I also miss digging in the soil and being able to just walk outside and pick something to eat. I hope that everyone is taking time to count their blessings and enjoying the changing colors of fall.
On a side note, Liam is growing like a weed and starting to learn to alert to predators. So far, he has kept the family of grey foxes at bay and we haven’t lost a chicken since he arrived on the farm. He has lengthy evening conversations with the large pack of coyotes that roams our area and they have been steering clear of the property as a result. He has also learned that momma pig is the unequivocal boss and when it’s feeding time, steer clear!
I spent the weekend pulling my garden and putting it to bed. For the raised beds, I add 1inch of compost and then cover in straw. For the big garden, I’m planning to cover it in a thick layer of wood chips (if we can get the chipper we’ve lined up). Whatever doesn’t compost into the ground, I can rake back next spring and throw in the compost pile. Fingers crossed this will help me keep a jump on those nasty spring weeds.
I am always thankful this time of year, even though it is somewhat bitter-sweet. I enjoy the slight break from the frantic pace of everything now that the garden is mostly done, but I also miss digging in the soil and being able to just walk outside and pick something to eat. I hope that everyone is taking time to count their blessings and enjoying the changing colors of fall.
On a side note, Liam is growing like a weed and starting to learn to alert to predators. So far, he has kept the family of grey foxes at bay and we haven’t lost a chicken since he arrived on the farm. He has lengthy evening conversations with the large pack of coyotes that roams our area and they have been steering clear of the property as a result. He has also learned that momma pig is the unequivocal boss and when it’s feeding time, steer clear!
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