Monday, April 14, 2025

SPRINGTIME AT THE FARM


Mike and I (and Bess, of course) made a trip to the farm on Saturday (April 12). Mike had loaded the 4-wheeler into the bed of the pick-up, and we trailered the lawnmower. It always makes me nervous to travel like that, but hopefully it’s over now until fall.


The trip along the Clearwater was spectacular. The serviceberry bushes were beautiful on the hillsides, dressed in their feathery white spring blossoms. Occasional trees wearing pink finery added a nice contrast. At the farm, it was wonderful to see the daffodils and the fritillaria in bloom, and the violets added a purple touch. The lilacs, now in bloom in the Valley, are just leafing out in the upper country. The fruit trees and rhubarb are making their comeback.

We de-winterized the farmhouse plumbing, and that went fairly well except that the faucet on the water tank leaked. We had to empty the tank so that Mike could apply sealant to the faucet and then refill it.


As always, the work beckons, and it’s easier to talk about it than to do it. A thorough housecleaning is in order, and once again, I hope to grow wonderful vegetables in the raised beds. I’m thinking of expanding my growing capabilities with containers. We’ll see. The original raised bed needs to be reworked and repaired before I can plant in it. One thing is certain, it’s of absolutely no use to plant anything unless it’s fenced.

We had no mice in traps, but I did find a random deceased mouse under the dining room table.




2 comments:

Hallie said...

There are lots of good options for easy container beds. I’d get rid of the railroad ties and do something else.

Kathy said...

But Hallie -- that would be hard work! I suggested taking the gate off and just wrapping wire fencing around the posts, but your dad thinks he can fix it, and that might be the simplest solution and easiest on our backs.

I'm still toying with containers, though. Murray gave me some bags, and I have several pots. I've thought of placing containers on the sun porch. I would need a pallet (or something).