Friday, September 26, 2008

Bale..


Yes, the hay baling process was a success. As you can see, wonderful Farmer is checking out the twine on the bale. We were able to get 38 round bales, which will feed the goats for the majority of the winter. We also supplement their nutriental needs with pellets and peanut hay. Some say that it is not necessary to feed grass hay when pasture is sufficient, however it is offered to them. My wonderful Farmer says that I spoil the goats....
And that is OK by me!!!!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Hay time....


Yes, we are still here. Along with selling of daylilies, we are preparing to cut/bale grass hay for the goats for winter.
Our goat herd is about 40 head, with 23 of those being breed does that will start kidding in the middle of October. Their graze area is about 6 acres. We have about 15 acres we keep as open pasture. And if weather permits we have two cuttings a year. Had one in May of this year and are working on the second.
Here is Sherman raking hay into rows. The hay has been cut, dried for several days, then teddered. If time permits, we will begin baling this evening.
So guess I better take my wonderful farmer a glass of iced tea.
Should be back tomorrow.
Bye

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Hannah...

Hannah is headed out! She made landfall in the wee hours of the morning. And we here at Oakville Farm have been receiving a nice rain shower since last night. The winds certainly picked up about noon today. Guess that is her moving north.
The grasses, daylilies, even weeds are looking so thankful.
The goats on the other hand are under shelter. They do not like to get wet. But they certainly will reap the rewards of the the rains and forthcoming sunshine......
Enjoy the day.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Raincloud......


Hello...
Went on a trip to southern Florida. Landed shortly after TS Fay hit. All was well then.
However, the entire trip was full of off/on showers. But, if you have ever been to Florida in August, you know that is fairly common. Had a wonderful time.
We were able to take a dinner cruise one evening. As you can tell by the photo, a rain cloud was on the horizon. A smooth cruise, delicious dinner.
Then returned home to rain showers from Fay. Nice treat. The reblooming daylilies, ie Martha Fawcett, Siloam June Bug and Wally, are showing some color. We have been lining out several varieties this weekend.
Now is a good time to purchase daylilies. Soil should be workable and daylilies planted.
Enjoy the day.....

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Lining out...

Our non reblooming daylilies have finished blooming. Now we begin the task of lining out. We locate daylilies that are three years old or older. It is time for them to be separated. The daylily "clumps" (plants) are dug up, separated into 2-3 fans and replanted in a new row. By next spring, those fans should be clumps of 8 or more plants. We will fertilize with 10-10-10 this fall and then Mother Nature showers them with water....Away they "grow"!
Happy Gardening

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

"Somewhere over the.....

...rainbow".

Yes, there it was. Right out the back window. And after a few minutes, a second rainbow appeared. Such a calming sight.

Friday, August 1, 2008

"Make it a double, Joe"....


Nope...not exactly what I mean.
I want to tell you about is a daylily called, Dublin Elaine. A nice reblooming pink double. The term "double" means that the bloom has more than the usual six segments. The bloom size is called "large", since the diameter is larger than 4.5". Dublin Elaine stands approximately 3 feet tall. Makes a nice growing daylily for the back of a display in a garden.