July is usually a bit of a slower month on the farm and very weather dependent. The first cutting of hay is done although it was down by about 70% due to the drought. Second cutting usually will start around July 4 . However, this year, again because it has been so dry the grass has basically gone dormant and stopped growing. Recent rains will help but when or if we will get a second cutting is hard to say. Some of the sheep we have already had to put hay out for which usually isn’t done until December.
The hops were all strung, but they too have taken a hit due to lack of rain. Normally they should have grown to the top wire and be starting to produce ‘burrs’ from which the hop cones develop by this time. Instead, they reached about 3-5 ft and stopped growing. We did go ahead and turn the sheep out in the hop yard, realizing it meant sacrificing the hops. They will at least help to keep the weed pressure down and will have extra forage.
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 hopefully by the end of this month and tomatoes as well. 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. We currently have peaches and blueberries.