Wondering what’s happening on Essex Farm? Check out this update from Kristin Kimball:
“First frost last night! The forecast inspired the annual rush yesterday to harvest the tender plants — basil, eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, plus many tons of butternut, delicata and acorn squash, because squash holds better if it has not been chilled.
The jack-o-lantern pumpkins are still in the field, and they look like large orange beacons glowing through the dying foliage. Members, you are welcome to choose and take yours today. They have been clipped from their vines and are ready to go. This variety, Big Doris, is wonderful for carving, and pretty good for eating.
The first dairy heifer of the year was born yesterday. It’s good to have new life on the farm, as we begin the long slope into the dark. Aubrey found her yesterday morning, which gives her the naming rights. She is Flo’s first daughter, so it has to be an F name. Aubrey told me this morning that she is going to be called Fry. That must be as in French, because it is definitely not as in Small. This year’s dairy calves were sired by a shorthorn/jersey cross bull, and he has definitely added some size to his offspring. Fry is a big, beautiful, vigorous gal. Members are welcome to visit her in the West Barn, but please don’t go inside her stall.
And there is new life this week in the pig pen too. It is a sweet litter of 10, which is a very respectable number for a first time mama sow. They’ve joined a litter of 5 that was born a couple weeks ago.
First frost always gives me the urge to sum up the growing season, so here goes…” Continue reading this Essex Farm Note.
Related articles
- Full and By Farm: Fall Moving In Slowly (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Essex Farm: Color (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
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