Sunday, November 18, 2012

FINALLY, PECANS!!!!

It has been a dry spell for pecans for the past several years, and now a bumper crop. Good thing, as  requests for pecan pralines,  pecan patties,  pecan pies and tarts, not to mention mouthwatering Turtles are adding up. The Farmers Son and I are scouring the countryside for maverick pecan trees. Ours are loaded, the neighbors are sharing, and we are not above knocking on the doors of complete strangers, that have stately, heavy laden pecan trees in  their yards. Surprisingly we have gathered plenty on the shares. The holidays will be complete with plenty of pecan treats! Winter is creeping in, with hints of colder nights and shorter days. Everyone is hunkering down for the next few weeks, enjoying light duty. The chickens have all but completely halted production, the bees are preparing for hibernation, the goats and cows are growing their wooly, winter coats. The goat milk production is slowly waning..... soon to be over for the year. It will resume the middle of February. The cow milk production is taking up the slack, with the cows loving the cooler weather.  The winter vegetable harvest will begin the end of November, with broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, greens. This week is Thanksgiving week, the market will be closed Thursday and Friday, but we will be open Saturday from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM. From our farmstead to your table, thank you for all of your support!!!

Sunday, November 4, 2012

PLANTING GARLIC WHILE SNOOZING!!!

Who said farming was hard!!! The Farmers Son has found a way to work and snooze at the same time. The only glitch is making  arms and feet work while asleep and not running into the fence at the end of a row. Next year we should have a whopping crop of garlic, the rows will probably be a little zig zaggy, but it is in the ground. The weather has been so cooperative, minus the need for rain, but it has not been much of a chore irrigating the fall crops, as it has cooled off considerably. The tomatoes in the greenhouse are finally starting to blush, so the market will have tomatoes before Thanksgiving. The strawberry plants have taken hold, and are starting to grow. We are expecting a superb crop next year, barring any unforseen catastrophes. We have picked most of the winter squash/pumpkins. We will have just what you need for your pumpkin pies and squash casseroles. Just a note to Ms. Hidalgo, who presented us with the precious portuguese pepper seeds to grow. THEY GREW!!! The goat milk supply is pitiful. The does are almost all bred for the Spring, we have turned many dry,  but those that are still giving some milk, are slowly shutting us off. All of their energy is going into the growth of their unborn kids. We are limiting purchases and trying to make sure the infants get what they need. The egg supply is more dismal than the goat milk supply. I think my hens are too fat. With some things more is not always better. The Farmer shakes is head as I keep taking food to them because they "look a little lank". He claims they are all so fat, they can't even wiggle.  By Christmas, all will be turned dry until the middle of February. Now the cow milk is another story. We have been able to provide what is needed with the new additions to the dairy herd. It is still a good idea to call ahead to check availability, as the demand for the milk has increased. As for Thanksgiving, just a heads up, we will be closed the Friday after, but will be open the following Saturday. MARKET HOURS: Friday from noon until 4:00 PM, Saturday from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM. Dairy pickups can be made throughout the week, call for an appointment. From our farmstead to your table, thank you for all of your support!!!