As promised, the tree in summer

Here is the tree all leafed out or is it leaved out. Can you see the cow? We got to the pond just as they were all coming over the hill. I have other pictures with cows coming later.

I've fallen and I can't get up!

Okay I know that is old, but it still fits. They started to fall over, now I'm just waiting for the right time to harvest. I know my extension agent told me to wait a few days. Of course I can't find my notes so I don't know exactly how many days. I'll let you know when I know.

Onions, Onions everywhere

They certainly have shapped up. Look at them now.

I'm waiting for the greens to fall over and then we'll harvest them. But where will I keep them?

Copperheads anyone?

Okay, we may not be carrying water up the hill anymore.

Last Monday we went down to get water.... I had been warning the kids that there might be snakes because it is getting so warm. Sure enough, we saw the biggest copperhead we have ever seen. Thankfully it was going away from us. It was in the water, which I thought was weird for a copperhead. But he made a believer out of us. Also, we scooped up a bull frog and took him to the garden. Of course we didn't know we had him at the time. What if he had been a copperhead?

We're having fun now!

Finally, the onions are in the ground. They should have been in the ground on Valentine's day, but we couldn't get them in until Monday, February 25. They seem kind of scraggly (is that a word?) but they'll shape up. Right?

The next picture is our source of water. Such clear pretty water......LOL. Aren't we going to have fun!

And then carrying the water up the hill to the garden.

At last, the onions get a nice cool drink.

It is going to be a lot of work, but we don't mind getting dirty. Mostly, we're just happy being on my Grandpa's farm. It is our favorite place to be!

Later in the day my cousin dropped by and we went to watch him fish. He did catch a nice bass that weighted in around 3 pounds. Lucky for us, he slipped him back into the pond so we could try our luck catching him again.

Soil Test Results

I decided not to pay $10 to get my soil tested by the extension office. I did buy a test at Walmart. According to the test my pH is very high. Like around 8.0. My Nitrogen is so low it barely registered on the chart. Phosphorous is also high and as for Potash...I'm just not sure. It's either medium or very low. So what to do now? I guess I'll email my extension agent and see what he says.

My Location

Well here it is. I have all the bases covered. I have full sun, good drainage (i think), no trees or shrubs to steel the nutrients from my veggies. And water is available close by. However we will have to haul it up the hill from the pond. Unfortunately, it is completely run over with broom weeds. We have lots of work to do. The good news is that it is totally fenced to keep out the cows. It is about 60 ft X 80 ft. Next step, soil sample.

I though you might like to see the view from our farm. This is looking to the south. Those are the table top mountains on the left that you can barely see. My camera isn't the best at landscape pictures.

This is a looking toward the East.

Take a look at the tree next to the pond. I think is it just beautiful. Can't wait to see it all leafed out.

Location! Location! Location!

Ah, how true. The site selection is crutial. The site must have full or near full sun light, deep rich soil and drain well. The site should be near a water source and not overrun with trees or bushes that might compete for nutrients.

Area's with light shade can be used, however, not many vegetables will grow under full shade. Also, if deep rich soil and drainage is a problem maybe raised bed are the way to go.