The flowers bloom as the farm work continues

The nice thing about mowing acres of lawn is that it gives one time to think and observe. The swallows have not shown up to accompany my mowing activities yet as they are sitting tightly on their nests. I'm sure I will write about them when they do show up because they are a favorite part of lawn mowing. Sunday's lawn mowing brought an inventory of what is currently blooming in and around the lawn. The yarrow pictured to the left is a favorite. I love their delicate fern-like leaves. Their white flower clusters are similar to the more familiar Queen Anne's Lace which has not started to bloom yet. Oxeye Daisies, Day Lilies and Common Buttercups round out the "tall" flowers around the yard. Lots of the clovers (white, red and hop) grow in the yard itself. Which reminds to to talk of the "yard" philosophy out here in the country. Highly manicured lawns are not to be found. Oh we like our yards to look nice and mowed, but you won't find the plush green carpet that is commonly found in suburbs. There is no time for that on a farm. Instead, the yard is something that is green and needs mowed. Anything is allowed to grow in the yard as long as it is green and doesn't have stickers. So things like Bull Thistle and Sow Thistle have to go, but everything is free to grow as it pleases. Makes for some beautiful wild flower watching if one takes the time to look for them.

Sunday was also a day for Mike and Ed to finish laying plastic out in the fields. The plastic laying machine is a very cool piece of equipment. It makes a raised bed of soil, lays the plastic and buries the edges. Plants grow better in raised beds because it keeps the roots off soaking wet ground during times of heavy rain. The plastic helps warm the soil, helps retain moisture when rainfall is low and most important, it keeps the weeds from growing around the plants without having to use chemical sprays.







The plastic is sturdy enough that most animals (including the dog) can walk on top without disturbing the surface although we certainly don't encourage that practice. However we have no control over some of the garden's visitors that occasionally do punch extra holes in the plastic. Now if we could only teach them to put a plant in each hole they make.



And the cantaloupe planted 5 days ago is starting to take off and grow. This is what we like to see: new growth and brand spanking new blossoms.





With the plastic done being laid, the guys started back to planting today (I had to work at the clinic). They planted watermelon, celery, celery root, broccoli and cauliflower. About 7000 plants total. More planting tomorrow.


Mike and I had a nice summer evening although Mick did tease us some. We don't have a reliable water source on our farm and of course planting with a transplanter uses a lot of water. Mick lets us fill our big 1500 gallon water tank out of his pond. Mick's farm is about 5 miles down the road from our farm. So this evening, Mike and I jumped in the pickup and drove the big water tank over to get it filled. While Mike started the pump to fill the tank, I drove into town and picked up pizza and sodas for dinner. I parked the truck in the barn driveway and Mike and I enjoyed the evening sitting on the tailgate, eating pizza and watching the barn swallows dart around in search of bugs. So what if I parked the truck in full view of the dumpster and the port-a-john. Mick of course thought it was hysterical that we were sitting in that spot in the driveway. He made some snide comment about it must be a slow night at our place if we had to come over to sit and have dinner in front of his dumpster. Whatever. We did get the water tank 3/4 full before dark. Mike will finish in the morning and then the boys will be over to plant.