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...

July 4th Weekend

We've added five Coturnix Quail.   Our goal is to bring both meat birds and fresh quail eggs to discriminating gourmet shoppers.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July weekend! 

Hot and Humid

Some of the plants are loving it.   The iris in the water garden trough finally bloomed.  What a beautiful flower!

We even have a couple of figs starting on our Brown Turkey.   Can't wait to get a ripe one.

The rosemary is quite as happy with this weather.   I think it likes things a little more dry.  However, it is sending up fragrant shoots and tonight we're eating pork roast with a dijon and apricot glaze with rosemary.   Side dish - rosemary and red potatos.   MMMMMmmmm!

Here are some other pictures taken around the gardens.  I love the solidago (golden rod) in the first picture.  Have to find more of this plant or divide it a few times for a nice bed.

And just one of the butterflies that visit our buttefly garden.

What's new on the farm...

First I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend; with a special thank you to all our military members - Airforce, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy.   No telling where or who we would be as a nation without them.

Now for the news!  We had a surprise lamb - a natural color Coopworth x BFL ewe lamb.  Her name is Dove and she's a keeper.   Picture will be posted as soon as I find my camera :)   Giselle, our last BFL ewe is still available for purchase.  Selene's natural color ram lamb, Laingcroft's Jasper, is also available as a spinner's flock lamb.  He is a Coopworth x BFL lamb with some nice fleece and a well muscled conformation - pictured below.

If you have been looking for us at the Goochland Farmers Market this year, we didn't sign up.   Apparently there was rift among the market organizers.  With all the claims and counter-claims, flurry of emails and discord, farmers made other plans and the market was cancelled for 2010.  With this event hampering our market efforts, we have decided to look for new opportunities in 2012.   If you miss our delicious eggs and specialty produce, please let us know.  We might be able to arrange a local delivery.   If you would like to see a CSA program, let us know that too.

The bunnies are busy doing what bunnies do.   The last litters before "summer break" are starting to arrive.   We still have two youngsters available from our March litters.  If you are interested in a white rabbit, follow the bunny link from our website.