Tuesday, June 11, 2019

June Update From Our Farm


Hi there blogging friends. How are you all doing? Things are busy here at the farm. Most of the sheep have moved from the barns out to pastures. There are still some lambs being born and because the ewes are lambing on pasture, the little lambs are wild as heck. So far so good on that front.


Spring has sprung. The apple orchard bloomed. We are at least a week behind the normal growth cycle because this spring it has been so rainy and wet and cold. Everything is late to get going. 



My garden was just tilled and over the past couple days I got half of it in with plant starts from Walker Farm in Dummerston, VT. 

I have ordered my sunflower seeds and they should be here in a week or so. I will stagger the planting over a few weeks. I find that here I can plant as late as the middle of July and still have sunflowers. It all depends on the weather but I like my sunflowers to start blooming in September and end in October. I get my seeds from Johnny's and Sunflower Selections. I always order new seeds because I haven't had luck with germination with planting year old seeds. 



Here are some other photos of what it looks like here at our farm. I haven't been using my big camera nearly as much as I have done in the past. It's too bad because it really does take good photos. Guess not enough time to lug it around and then download photos to the computer, tweak them and upload them here. 




This little garden is just outside my studio. I am really excited that tiny little hollyhock seedlings made it through the winter and it looks like I am going to have gorgeous hollyhocks just outside my window. I have no idea what color they will be. Can't wait to see. 


This is one of my favorite combinations - lambs ears and lady's mantle. I have grown it together in every garden I have ever tended. It is looking lovely today. 


Tomorrow The Farmer goes in for his second hip replacement surgery. Fingers crossed the recovery goes better than last year's trials and tribulations. Please keep us in your thoughts. 
 
So that is what is going on here. What is new with you? Do you have summer plans that you are looking forward to? I am going to miss having students come to the house for the retreats that I have hosted for the past ten years but I will be busy making lots of things, helping with the sheep, and hoping The Farmer's healing process moves along better than last year. 

8 comments:

Robin said...

Best wishes to you and the Farmer. I hope this surgery goes smoothly and his recovery time goes quickly. Hopefully, the timing of the surgery will make it easier for all of you. You will be in my thoughts!!

Robin

Kimberly said...

Thinking of you. Quick healing vibes being sent.
The kitten pile up was adorable. My daughter and grands arrive today. �� My next few days will be blissed out. Other than that I’m creating a new body of work for my big August fine art show ❤️ We do what we love, hugs to you.

Cat said...

Lovely photos! Your place is wonderful! I hope to have hollyhocks in my garden area next year... Among other things. Sunflowers in the garden, too, this year. I hope...

Cat

Helen said...

Hope this surgery goes smoothly. Love seeing what is up and growing in your 'neck of the woods'. I love lamb's ear. Mine's up and flowering. Here the heat will force it into survival for most of the summer. And I adore hollyhocks, but have not had any success at getting them to grow and flower (I know they flower the second year - biannual). Enjoy the season.

Marlynne said...

I was thinking about you and the hard time you both had last year. Hope it is a much better experience this time. Your Hollyhocks sound delightful!!

Joan said...

I have loved hollyhocks since I was a child when they were so tall and colorful in my grandmother’s garden.
Hope your family and your garden have a very good year.

fracksmom said...

Prayers for healing. Please let us know on Facebook that all is well.

tjf said...

I am hoping the surgery went well and recovery is fast! Thank you for sharing your pictures of your farm. It is beautiful with everything so green and growing! One of MY summer plans is to work on the Circles Sampler. . . And to keep the bunnies from eating my garden. :) Hope your summer is good.

Take care,
Tricia

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