The growing season arrives

Well, from the frequency of posts lately, you can tell that the growing season is upon us here at Juniper Hill Farm. The long warm days find us preparing the gardens, tending to the early crops and beginning our haying as well.

In the last few years we have planted and tended several gardens, some here on our farm and some at the old homestead located just a half mile away. We have cleared several small fertile plots, but we have found our growing family needs more garden space, and I can't seem to clear the woods fast enough. With the help of our compost from the goats, hens and pigs, our gardens have been doing quite well. We have always found that a garden right near the house will get more attention than one off in the back field. If we get at the weeds at the right time, our crops will outgrow the weeds and they will control the garden and its nutrients. It seems that some part-time gardeners are proud of how many rows of corn they planted, with no comment on how much crop they gathered.

The hay field is growing slowly now, in need of a good rain. The fields are dry and ready for cutting, but we would like the hay to get a little more height before we go full speed ahead. I did cut a little patch last week and made 70 bales of nice early first crop. It is always nice to have a small run to check out all the haying equipment. Most everything went well, now we'll watch the weather.

The animals are all doing well and getting into their summer routine. I spent two days helping to finish the new pasture at the homestead, four strands of barbed wire and one electric. The old pasture was in need of repair and we have now enclosed the enlarged watering hole. No lugging water this year. We now have three beef animals in the pasture, enjoying the abundance of sweet grass. Our extended family seems to have a growing appetite. The fields at the old homestead are helping to grow our beef that feeds the whole clan.

In my spare time I've been cutting pine logs for a couple of upcoming building projects. We want a small roadside stand for selling some farm produce and I need some more lumber to finish the woodshed that I started last winter. We'll also be building a small camp in Aroostook County this summer. Whenever we feel like life is getting too hectic here in central Maine, we go "Up North". The laid back lifestyle and the "big sky" of potato country is such a joy for the whole family. The small camper is getting tight and it's time to build. We'll surely post pictures.

Well, I guess its time to get back to more productive work. I hope this rambling is interesting, if not to all, but to some. I've never kept a journal much, but maybe this counts. Keep in touch.