Week 4: Slow and Steady

The raspberries seem like they have slowed down their rate of growth. Perhaps it is much like watching water come to a boil....it takes longer if you watch it. We are still looking at the end of August for Raspberries which means that berry season will be about 6 weeks long and longer it the weather remain good through October.

Week 3: Raspberries

A photo of the raspberry field shows how late we are this year. These berry bushes have another foot or two to grow before they will begin to set blossoms. We are hoping to have berries in about a month. Keep checking this blog to see when berries will be ready. The store will be open when the berries are ready. We will have plenty of lavender products and raspberry jam.

Week 1: Dirt and Dreaming

One nice thing about memories is that they are there when you need them. While pulling weeds you can dream about listening to Beethoven at the Kennedy Center. While watering, pruning or deadheading flowers, one can dream of lying in the sand at Virginia Beach. While tromping around the farm hauling this and that to here and there, one can dream about cute little grandchildren's smiles and hugs. More and more I find myself dreaming....and hoping the farm will take care of itself.

Week 3: The 3 W's

Six months out the year my life is focused on the three W's: weeding, watering and wildlife. That is pretty much all that happens between now and October/November. Once in a while there is a break in the monotony when I spray a little Round Up or fertilizer. Eventually harvest time comes and it is all worth while. Raspberries will be ready for harvest in August. We may have Gala apples this year if the deer and the bugs don't decide they want them first.

Week 1: Farm Miracles

Desperation was pretty much my mood on May 23 as I headed for Utah and left the farm behind with mountains of weeds and a mile long list of farm tasks to be done. It wasn't life threatening, but I knew that this was a monumental task and I couldn't do it by myself. Long story short: Upon returning from Utah two of my former farm workers appeared looking for work. One I haven't seen for probably 5 years and one for 2 years. The miracle is that they both came when I felt hopeless and overwhelmed. The second miracle is of what they have accomplished in one week. 700 lavender plants pruned, 7 rows of berry trellis removed, weeds have disappeared, a long overdue task of removing T bars from 45 rows of now non-existent berries has been finished (that's 450+ Tbars) and the field mowed. There are some things I can do myself, but heavy work is not one of them. Tomorrow my farm helpers should have all the fields mowed, and one area rototilled. I plan to have them begin pulling down apple trees. I will whittle the orchard down from 600 trees to 300, keeping 5 rows of Galas, 5 rows of Braeburns and 5 rows of Red Delicious. The store and the barn also need to be painted this year. This weekend I will plant corn and beans and tomatoes. P.S. Really Strong Winds again the past few days. This IS the year of the wind!

May - Blown Away

Consistent with true Tehachapi style May has been unpredictable. What should have been a good month for weeding and watering has been a month of wind and more wind. But last weekend progress was made: The well turned on and faucets checked for leaks and breaks. Drip lines are being flushed and checked for breaks. Beginning the never ending rounds of watering. All that has to come to a halt for a few days while I take the long weekend to drive to Utah for Lily's first birthday.

Week 3 & 4 - Status Quo

The wind is relentless this year. I have no control over the weather, so I just wait. The apple trees are in blossom and look beautiful.