Animals
And so the farm began its magical transformation. Each month brought new additions. We added a horse (Briggs) and a pony (Donny Brasco) to the herd. Donny, being an intact male, spent a few months "mocking" Mike - escaping every chance he got and generally constantly trying to establish dominance over three horses that were easily twice his size. No one escaped without a few kicks and bites. Something had to be done....and that something was castration. Imagine the sight of poor pony succumbing to the anesthetics Becky had given him; eventually dropping to his knees in the middle of the field. Well, in the end, pony was castrated and the farm was a much happier place for all. Over the coming months, the pony became sweet and oh so docile. Eventually all aggression was replaced by playful antics.
By the beginning of summer we had planted a dozen or so blackberry and raspberry bushes, 75 strawberry plants and a large vegetable garden. Our harvest for the year was enough to feed us thru the summer, but we quickly realized that if we were to freeze and can our summer's bounty, we would have homegrown organic food for the entire year to come. And so the garden was enlarged by three times it size in preparation for the next year. Our blueberry bushed had a wonderful yield and gave us the idea to enlarge our blueberry patch also. (How about 100 more bushes?) As you can see, things have a way of snowballing around here.
Well, the first year was generally a successful one. We had some trials and tribulations dealing with lameness in our horses. Perhaps adjusting from Reno to Pennsylvania was difficult for Duffy and Fagner. With time, they adjusted, however. Briggs' woes were cured with horseshoes. In spite of the other horses' troubles, pony came thru winter unscathed.
- Starting At The Beginning
Before I say anything else....I have to say...you guys are the BEST! So many questions....so many ideas....so much to say.And although the rest of gray winter looms ahead of me...my mind is full of ideas to share with you.I cannot thank you enough! I...
- New Raspberries
This week has been perfect for planting fruit trees and bushes. We have added 4 apples trees, 2 pear trees, 11 blackberry and golden raspberry bushes and 2 more grape plants. Oh, how wonderful it will be to have a bowl of homegrown fruit on our table!...
- Ava's Excellent Adventure
Ava, Fagner, Duffy This morning was like most. The sun was nearly up. The mist hung above the trees. A neighboring rooster was crowing and the local birds were beginning their morning choir practice. I was feeding Moonbeam and the pony (who stay in the...
- Blueberry Bliss
Finally! Thursday's mail brought the arrival of 100 blueberry plants that we had ordered months ago. Mike had spent weeks preparing the soil so that when these gems arrived, we could immediately get them into the ground. I quickly opened the cartons,...
- Farm History
Let me begin with a little background information. Our farm was originally bought by my husband Jack and his close friends Mel and Liz. The original property,called Bethlehem Downs by its previous owner, was 37 acres of farmland and woodland that included...
Animals
Year #1
And so the farm began its magical transformation. Each month brought new additions. We added a horse (Briggs) and a pony (Donny Brasco) to the herd. Donny, being an intact male, spent a few months "mocking" Mike - escaping every chance he got and generally constantly trying to establish dominance over three horses that were easily twice his size. No one escaped without a few kicks and bites. Something had to be done....and that something was castration. Imagine the sight of poor pony succumbing to the anesthetics Becky had given him; eventually dropping to his knees in the middle of the field. Well, in the end, pony was castrated and the farm was a much happier place for all. Over the coming months, the pony became sweet and oh so docile. Eventually all aggression was replaced by playful antics.
By the beginning of summer we had planted a dozen or so blackberry and raspberry bushes, 75 strawberry plants and a large vegetable garden. Our harvest for the year was enough to feed us thru the summer, but we quickly realized that if we were to freeze and can our summer's bounty, we would have homegrown organic food for the entire year to come. And so the garden was enlarged by three times it size in preparation for the next year. Our blueberry bushed had a wonderful yield and gave us the idea to enlarge our blueberry patch also. (How about 100 more bushes?) As you can see, things have a way of snowballing around here.
Well, the first year was generally a successful one. We had some trials and tribulations dealing with lameness in our horses. Perhaps adjusting from Reno to Pennsylvania was difficult for Duffy and Fagner. With time, they adjusted, however. Briggs' woes were cured with horseshoes. In spite of the other horses' troubles, pony came thru winter unscathed.
- Starting At The Beginning
Before I say anything else....I have to say...you guys are the BEST! So many questions....so many ideas....so much to say.And although the rest of gray winter looms ahead of me...my mind is full of ideas to share with you.I cannot thank you enough! I...
- New Raspberries
This week has been perfect for planting fruit trees and bushes. We have added 4 apples trees, 2 pear trees, 11 blackberry and golden raspberry bushes and 2 more grape plants. Oh, how wonderful it will be to have a bowl of homegrown fruit on our table!...
- Ava's Excellent Adventure
Ava, Fagner, Duffy This morning was like most. The sun was nearly up. The mist hung above the trees. A neighboring rooster was crowing and the local birds were beginning their morning choir practice. I was feeding Moonbeam and the pony (who stay in the...
- Blueberry Bliss
Finally! Thursday's mail brought the arrival of 100 blueberry plants that we had ordered months ago. Mike had spent weeks preparing the soil so that when these gems arrived, we could immediately get them into the ground. I quickly opened the cartons,...
- Farm History
Let me begin with a little background information. Our farm was originally bought by my husband Jack and his close friends Mel and Liz. The original property,called Bethlehem Downs by its previous owner, was 37 acres of farmland and woodland that included...