Out Around the Barn

Here we are almost a year on our blog.  We have posted over 70 blogs and would appreciate comments from our readers.  We would like to know your opinions and ideas about our blog.  If there is an article that caught your eye, let me know your thoughts on the subject.  We look forward to hearing from you.

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We are a farm family and enjoy our animals and farm life.  So talking about the farm and all that it requires is a passion of ours.  From equine supplements to chicken coupes, we will discuss just about anything.  Comments welcome.

Isn’t this beautiful?  Winter is just around the corner, are you ready?  I’m not ready for the cold and snow but I do believe I am ready for a break.  As much as I love and enjoy my gardening, I am ready to settle down to a little rest. 

I was  dissappointed with my garden harvest this year, we had way too much rain in the Spring, and three plantings later my garden began to grow.  I had tomatoes early and was really looking forward to a good crop, well that was a flop.  After August, with the weather being so cool, the plants lacked the heat they needed to produce.  My bush and pole beans done well for a fews weeks and then they quit producing.  The squash and zucchini did not do well at all and my peppers only produced half of what they did last year.  Since September we have had below normal temps and my 2nd (Fall) planting was doing well until it decided to fr0st last week.  Now we are done.

I was getting frustrated at worrying all the time if my plants would produce and what I could do to save them.  Now all I have is about seven tomato plants that I saved and put in my greenhouse for the winter.  I am hoping that I can, at least, have a few tomatoes throughout the winter months.  Cleaning the leftover debris of vines and old plants  out of the garden now take precedence in getting everything ready for Spring.

Now that we are at the end of gardening season, the garden tool caddy, tool organizer, tools, lawn mower, wagon, tomato stakes and bean and cucumber supp0rts will all be put away.  I keep out only the few tools that I need for my flowering plants and tomatoes.  All of these plants are in pots so my small hand tools are all that is needed and a  bucket for watering.   

Each year I learn something new to try in my garden.  Last year I started my own herb garden and it has worked out really well.  Being diabetic I have learned a whole new way to cook with herbs and growing my own is inexpensive and healthy.  This year, I mastered growing potatoes in tiers of tires.  That was great!  They did well.

I kept a journal this year of all that I planted, what location, the dates they were planted, what fertilizer, if any, was used,  and how they produced.  Also, I kept track of any problems, such as changes in the leaves color and growth period.  This will help me next year in planning my new garden. 

Looking forward to a new planting season after a much needed rest.

Autumn is a busy time for farmers. While the arduous task of planting is but a distant memory, harvesting the fruits of one’s label can be equally taxing. I like to spend as much time outdoors as possible before the harsh winter winds and blowing snow relegate me to a few months of indoor living. In addition to the harvest, fall is also the optimal time to do last-minute household repairs and home-improvement projects.

Whether I’m out working in the garden, cleaning the rain gutters or just fixing up a dilapidated board in the front porch, I like to keep my tools close at hand. It saves me countless trips to the garage, which in turn gives me more time to get crucial chores accomplished. A portable tool organizer is easily one of the most valuable garden accessories, as it can be attached to a handcart and pushed along like a portable work bench.