Last of the Harvest

Growing Season 2011 was definitely one wild ride.   From heavy rains and cold temps in the spring to high temps, tornados, earthquakes and Hurricane Irene by season's end.  We learned what, when and where not to plant for future years and have re-evaluated our goals.  

Sheep will be departing and honey bees will be arriving.   We're also going to focus more on small fruits for canning and preserving.  As always, flavor and nutrition will be key factors in determining what crops to go, but we are also going to aim for those that preserve well.   We're still proponenents of eating fresh, seasonal and local; but the fact is we still have to eat in the winter and we'd rather not shift back to the produce grown for shipping conformity over food value.

This weekend we finished the last of our fingerling potatoes.  These are definitely a 'do again' item.   I loved the creamy golden texture and the size is perfect for grilling or slicing for potato salad.   The make pretty good mashed potatoes too, especially with roasted garlic!  MMmmm!

Hurricane Irene Quick Post

Just a quick post to let everyone know we survived the storm.   Not that bad out our way, we were at the outer bands of the storm.   Sheep continued to graze right through the wind and rain like it was an ordinary rainy day.

Hope everyone else fared well and if you don't have power yet...may you have it soon.

Fall Cleaning

It's that time of year again; time to take stock of our successes and clean house on the failures.

As I have posted previously, I have decided to cease shepherding.  The past eight years with sheep and goats have been an experience I wouldn't have missed for the world.  I've met some great people, learned a lot and enjoyed the peace and harmony working with animals engenders even as we suffered the heartache that also comes with raising livestock.  Unfortunately, 5 acres of cleared land just isn't enough for raising the number of sheep needed to be profitable while simultaneously growing sufficient crops.

So what will the new focus of Laingcroft be?  We will continue raising laying hens for those fabulously flavored eggs.  We are also considering an expansion of the small quail flock for both eggs and meat.  And last, but certainly not least, we are exploring the possibility of adding a hive or two for pollination and honey.

As for our produce, we will be scaling back a bit on the diversity in order to focus on better meeting the needs of our community.

How can you find our goodies?  We are excited about the Powhatan County Farmers Market and plan to sign up for 2012.  We will also be investigating the Center for Rural Culture's Local Roots Co-op.  Watch our website for more information!

Early Harvests

It's been so hot that several crops, particularly the pumpkins, are ready too early.   Still beautiful to see them!

Smaller than they should be, but still beautiful!

Green Machine Melon

Limelight Hydrangea in the garden.

Limelight bouquet

I'm melting....melting....(said with the best Wicked Witch of the West voice)

I don't know how folks in the midwest have stood for 28 days or more of this heat.   It's only been the second day over 90 degrees and already I can't take it.  Of course the air conditioner in the car decided to call  it quits and my commute is an hour and a half.   All the animals are suffering.  The sheep are panting in the shade and the livestock guardian dog is alternating between digging huge pits and soaking in this kiddie pool in an effort to stay cool.  Even the chickens and quails are panting.

The corn is gone.  Squash, pumpkins and melons are all wilting even though I am hand watering each morning.   Beans look like they're ready to call it quits too and the tomatoes have petered out.   Unfortunately we put them in a bad location this year.

Only four more days of this they say...

Some days things just keep getting worse...

This morning I found three of our quail dead in their cage.   It was obviously the work of that masked marauder....the raccoon.   I knew the dangers of living in a rural area with small critters when we moved to the farm over a decade ago, but this has NOT been a good weekend. 
I'm truly losing the heart for keeping livestock; we've suffered so many losses this year.

Initially I had planned to reduce our sheep flock to just the smaller Coopworth, but now I've decided to stop shepherding altogether.  Three sheep remain, two registered and proven ewes; one ram lamb.   Prices and pictures available on our sale page: http://www.freewebs.com/laingcroft/forsale.htm

Sad News....

Our Border Collie Lena, crossed the Rainbow Bridge yesterday.   Lymphoma.   She had a rough start in life, but it improved drastically when she was rescued and trained to herd.  That was her calling.   Even though she slowed down quite a bit over the past year, she still had her hollowed out spot under the trees near the pasture gate where she would lay to watch the flock for hours on end.   Unlike the LGD who never leaves his flock no matter what, we knew if she found us before she was called in, there was something wrong in the pasture.   Though we only had her for the last half of her life, I'd like to think we provided her with a happy retirement home where she spent her days doing what she loved best.

We'll miss you Lena...