“An end-of-April chill is upon us, and for the next few nights, the tender young things on the farm will have to withstand a dip into the 20s. I shiver for the asparagus, the chicks out on pasture, and the nine piglets that were born on Wednesday. This kind of weather is entirely expected (our frost-free date is not for another month) and we don’t foresee any dire consequences. The asparagus will die off but come right back; the chicks, fully feathered, should be fine if we can keep them dry; and the piglets are snug in their farrowing hut, bedded in hay, and warmed by their mother’s vast body. So we can get through this, but it does seem a little unfair, soft as we all are from this warm, mild spring.
Mark and I took a walk this morning, to check on the state of the farm. First, up the hill to the west. The horses are pastured in the sugarbush right now, to keep them off of valuable pasture during this wet spell. We can’t see them but we can hear them. With four new big boys in there, they are trying to figure out their new herd order, which they do with squeals and threats and the occasional bite or kick. I am putting my money on Abby to maintain her position as head mare…” [Continue reading.]
Essex Farm is hosting a Farmhack on Sunday morning, beginning at 8:30. It’s free and all are welcome, but come prepared to nerd out on appropriate tillage.
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- FarmHack Intervale/Essex (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
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