Friday, July 12, 2013

Summer Farm Update

I guess it's time for another farm update.  Dry weather has hit us again for the third year in a row.  We've only had a scant four-tenths of an inch of rain since June 1st.  Flower beds and pastures are beginning to suffer and we are under a burn ban.  Winds have been fairly strong and last week a whirlwind caught up some hay on our neighbor's land, tossing it into the power lines, and setting the field on fire.  Fortunately we're not too far from the rural fire station and the fire was put out quickly.  It's just as well that we didn't have a garden this year, for all the work would have been in vain.
 
You're probably saying, "Why don't you water your flowers?"  The answer: we have to conserve the water for the chickens to drink and to cool them.  One never knows when the city water might shut down and if the wells were dry we'd be in big trouble.

Our spring hay crop yielded enough bales to see us through the winter, provided we don't have to feed a lot of it before cold weather.  Of course we're hoping it will rain and the grass will grow for another cutting.  It's always good to have extra; we learned that from last year when we ran short.  Notice in this picture, the old tractor with a tank behind it; the tank is filled with water just in case of fire.  We also have insurance on the hay. 

 
The flower beds and yard are a pitiful sight.  Everything is just trying to survive the dry heat.  Also, when these beds were put in, the trees were small; now they're big and sap the moisture from the flowers.  Plans for moving the beds are coming to mind.
 
 
Day lilies have tried to bloom, but the plants from seeds I planted shriveled up.  Now do you understand why I love seeing the pictures of your pretty flowers?
 
 
The true tiger lilies are much smaller and weaker than they should be.
 
 
But there is always one flower that will like the heat: the orange, double day lily.
 
 
The chickens are three weeks old now, and as long as we have water for the cool cells and electricity to power the fans to pull cool air over them, they don't know what it's like outside.
 
With hay work at a standstill, I've been working in the sewing room, piecing doll quilts; I'll show you in a few days what I've been up to.  Hope this post isn't too depressing; it's just the life of a farmer.
 
Charlotte
 
 
 
 
 
 

13 comments:

  1. I had wondered the tiger lilies I don't have near the blossoms this year as normal - the drought from last year I guess - I have noticed others that were affected too.
    Glad the fire was out quickly!

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  2. I'm sorry to hear you are having such a drought. I wish I could send you some of the rain we've had this summer. I hope you get relief soon with some rain.

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  3. It's really discouraging, isn't it. We did put in a garden, but I was just telling RAF today that nothing really seems to be doing that well except for the peas. There are a number of tomatoes, but they're all small, and not ripening. I'm glad you got in some good spring hay, and I hope, hope, hope that the rains come again for a nice fall cutting. AND most importantly of all, I hope we stay safe from fire. It always makes me worry for it to be so dry. :(

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  4. Wow! That is tough going through a drought like that and scary too. We have had rain but now for the next few days it will be dry. I hope you get some soon and that you get extra hay in. Will look forward to seeing your quilts. I had a couple friends over to sew on quilts this week. Stay safe! Nancy

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  5. Yes, Elderberry bushes grow along side the roads here so you may have one! Nancy

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  6. My heart goes out to you dealing with dry conditions. Is there any way you could use gray water to water your flowers?

    Hope you will see some relief in the form of liquid sunshine soon.

    FlowerLady

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  7. Wish I could send you some of the record breaking rain we have been receiving. Everything is green and lush; and some spots standing water. It is hard to keep the basement dry; the water level is so high. Sorry you are experiencing the dry weather. Wish there was a way to balance things out. Take care and best wishes for some rainfall.

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  8. Thanks for visiting my post today. I can't remember visiting yours before, but here I am. Did I understand you are "formerly" an Arkie, or are you still. We've been here long enough I guess to say we are from here, but I do hail from Tenn and my husband from Miss. Anyway I love your pictures of the farm. I am a farm girl at heart, can still go home to the farm I was raised on. It runs deep in my soul - can't get away from it.

    I'll come again,
    Blessings,
    Grammyof16

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  9. Charlotte, so sorry for the lack of rain. Rain on my garden and cottage for weeks. Ground saturated but most plants are beautiful. This was an unusual Spring and now "I think" hot weather sets in.
    Thank you always for commenting on my sharing. Hope you get some rain...

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  10. Charlotte, I wished I could send you some rain, too! Hope you receive some soon.

    Best wishes to you.

    Hugs, Carolyn

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  11. and here we are having rain, rain and more rain. Daddy John cut my hay and I'm hoping it stays clear until we can get it kicked and baled.

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  12. I was just saying that the garden's not doing much this year. It looked so pretty early on, but there's just not much coming out of it. I don't think I'll be freezing much this year. :(

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  13. I'm so sorry you have such a dry year, Charlotte.... even though we've had more rain than we could handle I've not complained because I'll take the wet over the dry any day.
    Hope you've got some rains since you posted this. ((HUGS))

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