We had a successful lambing season this year, thankfully, as last year didn't go well. We are back on track plus five healthy lambs! Gardenia Gardenia had her twins right on time in the evening, but she started getting a... Continue Reading →
We are neck-deep in fleece again! Shearing is in full swing. Beautiful fleeces are dropping daily. Here are a few for your viewing pleasure. Feta Sheep Tzatziki Delphis
We've lived here in Northeast Kansas for more than five years now. I've come to the conclusion that most of the gardening success that I've had stems from starting seeds inside under grow lights. I do not currently have a... Continue Reading →
It's that time of the year again! When you're inundated with eggs and asparagus and you can't eat them fast enough... Every year around this time we are frequently checking on our historical asparagus patch (long ago a previous owner... Continue Reading →
So, I layered on new compost and planted a garden in early December to overwinter under the low tunnel. When I went to check on the garden after the #PolarVortex in February, I was pretty sure everything was probably dead... Continue Reading →
Oh my, I never thought we'd shear that last sheep, but we've finally finished! This is the most sheep we've ever sheared in a season. We've got a pretty good system down now: we team shear, trim hooves, vaccinate, and... Continue Reading →
April 20: Our last frost date was about two days before this... Don't worry, it all melted by 2pm that afternoon!
Even though we are in the throes of winter now, the days are already getting longer. Yes, it's cold. The stock ponds are frozen over. It can be very dreary and monochromatic this time of the year. No, we haven't had any good ice storms or blizzards, yet. However, I've already seen the light at the end of the tunnel!
We've been getting lots of rain, which is a good thing because I'm a grass farmer; sheep gotta eat. Makes for long days when you're a chicken though. The front deck is the new hangout and I don't have the heart to chase them off like I normally do.
What's that? Coronavirus possibly causing food shortages, you say? Well, we have a plan for that...
Just wanted to share some beautiful spring flowers to brighten your day. I soooooo hope we get a few peaches this year! Crossing fingers!
Well, Orange is getting over his aversion to sheep and the sheep have become intensely curious about Orange. He is a lot more comfortable in his barn now. Recently Orange has been playing more and more with the ewes and... Continue Reading →
Well, you've been asking for an update, so here it is! The low tunnel AKA "COVID-19 victory" garden has been planted. I think that's what I will call my gardens from now on - my COVID-19 (coronavirus) victory gardens. Oh, the suspense (to see if the tunnel yields any produce)!
Well, Spring has finally arrived. I'm glad it's a wee bit early! The crocus are up and the first lambs have arrived!
I deduced that I started with the lights too high up and lowered them within the first or second week. Unfortunately, some of the seedlings ended up a bit leggy. I think they will work out in the end. Anyways, these pics are from February 11.
I'm trying out my new pipebender from Johnny's Selected Seeds today. It was fairly easy for me to bend the first hoop. The hoops are made out of 1/2" electrical conduit.
My husband sheared a couple of hoggets by himself, but he ended up doing adaptive shearing with me where he would tip and shear belly wool and get legs started, and then stand them up, and I would finish shearing the rest of the sheep from a sitting position while he held them. It was definitely a team sport.
They say this is one of the worst winters they've ever seen around here. Good, because if this is normal, I'm leaving ASAP! It seems like spring will never come.
I'm so excited - the shearing is all done! Yay! And now I have a mountain of fleece in my storeroom....
Some shepherds hire a shearing team, and others do it themselves. Well, I'm definitely a DIY kind of girl. This year I have 14 sheep to shear!
