End of February on Our Tiny Farm

February has been a wintery month for us and one where I have been immensely grateful for large amount of high-quality hay that we put up for the season. I am also thankful for heated water tanks, frost-free faucets, and waterlines buried deep in the soil. Even with multiple days below 10 degrees, we had water flowing at all the outside faucets.

Our animals have all come through the high winds, single digit temperatures, and snowy days without issue. They all have thick, fluffy winter coats and good shelters to get out of the wind. With the windward side doors closed, the barn is a cozy place. When we check on the animals late at night, we often find the horse and both donkeys curled up in the barn together. Sweet. The donkeys don't care for snow very much, but after awhile they did wander out in it.

The snow is pretty This was a very early morning shot from earlier this week. We were expecting a dusting overnight and woke up to about five inches. We have been fortunate to have power and water throughout these storms and all family members manuvered their cars and trucks safely across the roads. We did have two trees fall on fences in the cattle pastures. Just discovered one today. But that is a minor inconvenience (says the person who does not have to repair the fencing!).

Inside we are all cozy and warm. The woodstove has been a blessing with the very cold temperatures. I still don't want to see the oil bill, but I know that without the woodstove it would be worse. Sitting in front of a roaring fire, we are planning for the spring planting season and trying to decide which crops to concentrate on for the 2015 growing season. The garlic looks like it came through the very cold temperatures just fine. Potatoes, a variety of winter squash, popcorn, and kohlrabi are on my list as commercial crops. Of course we will grow all the standard vegetables for the family including tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, snow peas, beans, summer squash, green onions, and broccoli.

So here is to the coming of spring. The early signs are there. The daffodils are poking through the snow and the dog is shedding like crazy! I hope my next farm post will have pictures of green grass, crocus blooms, and sunshine.

A Very Early Snowfall at Our Tiny Farm

This is a photo from our farm on November 1. Beautiful, but I don't remember ever getting this much snow this early before. We had about three inches on the ground.

Forecasts are for a very snowy, icey, and cold winter. Fortunately, it was a good hay season and we were able to purchase and put up a big supply of high quality horse hay at a good price. Our final delivery of firewood arrives on Friday and the roundbales of hay for the cattle will arrive this weekend. The garlic is planted and mulched. There are lots of potatoes and squash in the cellar. I think we are in good shape!

The only problem is that little Chester REALLY does not like to walk in the snow.

Is This Winter's Last "Hurrah"?

A couple of days ago we could smell spring in the air.  Daffodils and ramps were pushing their way toward the sunshine, the buds on the trees were swollen, and my husband swears he heard a spring peeper.  But, now a few days later the ground is once again covered with snow.  This has been one of the snowiest winters on record for where we live in the southern mountains of western North Carolina.  What is most unusual, however, is that we have not been snow-free since mid-December.  In other words, it's been cold and I have the oil and firewood bills to prove it!  Needless to say, we are all ready for spring. Well, the forecast is for much warmer temperatures later this week and by the weekend it is supposed to be almost 60 degrees.  Perfect weather for the Organic Growers School which will be held in Asheville, NC this year (http://organicgrowersschool.org/).  Since I'm a board member, track leader, and exhibitor, I will be "working" a great deal, but I've scheduled time to attend presentations on small-scale poultry production, grass fed beef, and pasture management.