Notes from the Garden

Springtime brings with it lots of activity to the farm.

And lots of beauty.

And lots of work.

Longer days mean more sunlight for getting things done.

A Farm Weekend: {Potato Planting & Spring Calves}

What a gorgeous weekend full of springtime weather, family, friends, good food, and worship!   

The Weather Man™  helped get the weekend started off on the right foot by sending me this lovely Easter bouquet last Thursday.  

The potatoes were planted in the garden.

For those of you who don't know...to grow a potato, you plant a potato.

How To Plant Potatoes

For the Love of {Eggs}

Earlier this week, I shared a tutorial for making your own natural egg dyes.

I received several inquiries about the eggs I used.

I'll admit that I love having my own egg supply.

And, knowing...

Knowing that the chickens haven't received any antibiotics or hormones...

Knowing what they eat...

Knowing that they are free to roam in the fresh air and sunshine...

Knowing their names.

Why would I go through so much trouble to have healthy, sustainable, natural, eggs, only to dunk them in a cup of poison?

That is why I explored how to make natural egg dyes.

Friday at the Farm: {Early Spring Heirlooms}

"The deep roots never doubt that Spring will come."

                                                                                                   -Marty Rubin

These flowers are always the first sign of Spring at the farm.

The sunny yellow hue an appropriate harbinger of the sunny days to come.

Monday Musings: Guard Donkeys

Meet Stella.

Guardian Donkey.

Donkeys and coyotes are natural enemies.

I have realized that this little law of nature is not widely known outside of cattlemen and farming circles.

A LITTLE PEEK

Things are generally quiet around the farm this time of year.

So I thought it would be a good time to share a few bits of the farm.   

It has been unseasonably warm here during the past few weeks.  Everyone (and everything) has been enjoying the sunshine.  

This beautiful boy seemed to savor his lazy Sunday afternoon stroll...

Heirloom Flower Bulbs

These little guys are confused...

My grandmother called this type of flower a jonquil.  I have heard others refer to them by other names.  

 I transplanted these bulbs to their current location a few years ago.  The original "home place" on this farm is long gone.  However, in the Spring, it is possible to see where the flower beds and gardens and walkways were located, thanks to the old flower bulbs.  

One Spring while they were still in bloom, I journeyed to hilltop where the old home place once stood, and flagged the flowers I liked.  I returned in the Fall, dug around the staked flags, located bulbs, dug them up, and transplanted them to my flower beds. (Perhaps I'll do a tutorial on transplanting bulbs in the Fall...)

The flower bulbs were originally planted over 100 years ago.  

Return to winter

The jonquil photo was taken two days ago, when it was 60 degrees.  Today is a different story.  According to the local weather expert, winter is here to stay. 

 I don't know about you, but I'm secretly hoping it snows.