July is usually a bit of a slower month on the farm and very weather dependent. The first cutting of hay is done. Second cutting will start around July 4. The hops are all strung, growing to the top wire, and starting to produce ‘burrs’ from which the hop cones develop. We will be turning the sheep back out in the hop yard and they will do their job of trimming the bottoms of the bines. This helps with weed pressure and air flow to help reduce disease.
The lambs have all had their booster vaccinations and will be shorn this month. Summer means watching them VERY closely for signs of parasite infestations. Neighboring farms have crops coming up and barley and straw being harvested.
Vegetables have been sequestering the sun’s energy and more and more are coming ready for harvest. We have started to dig new potatoes. Previously we have always planted the Kennebec variety but ran into issues with scab last year. While the potato is still edible it produces a dark, rough, corky spot on the potato skins. In order to control the scab, we switched to Eva – a variety that is bred to be scab resistant. Did you know potatoes originated in the Andes?
Sweet Corn should be coming in this month and tomatoes starting up the end of the month. Planting different varieties as well as staggering the corn plantings allows us to extend the season for the fresh crop.
Look for the farm fresh produce in our mercantile.