There are many things that I enjoy about farming and living on the farm, but one thing that is really fun are the times when we get to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Or in the case of the supper I had the other night it is the pork and vegetables of our labor! As you can see from the picture above we are starting to harvest some of our sweet corn and while we have it at meals there is also plenty to freeze for the winter. Along with the sweet corn my wife has also been canning green beans and we should have a good supply of each until next years garden is producing.
One thing that we have noticed though is that the sweet corn in the ground where the pigs lived is doing amazing. But, the tomatoes and other things in the area where they weren't isn't doing as well. It is obvious why this is happening, but I'm always amazed at how much some good nutrients can add to the garden. We will put the pigs in there for a little while in the fall again and hopefully begin building some good soil.
In the mean time we can eat plenty of corn and beans (and a few tomatoes) and of course enjoy some great pork along with the meal. Now, if only I could plant some grains on a small scale then we could have home grown bread as well...
Ethan, Here I am in Georgia. I enjoy your Blog and am on the feed but today I clicked on the blog so that I could leave a comment.
ReplyDeleteI just visited all of my Siblings in the Holy Land (a.k.a.) Iowa. They all reside in Clayton County which is in Northeast Iowa along the Mississippi River.
I do a Blog featuring Iowa Tractor Boys.
Ethan,
ReplyDeleteWhere is the picture?
"...if only I could plant some grains on a small scale..."
ReplyDeletePlanting some wheat is as easy as broadcasting some seed onto some sort of prepared seedbed, then covering the seed by tilling shallowly. I usually plant a cover-crop of wheat every fall in the garden using that method and usually get a good stand of wheat. Of course, if you have access to a grain drill it is even easier.
Harvesting the grain by hand will be the difficult part, but it isn't impossible.
Ethan-
ReplyDeleteRead Gene Logdson's recently rereleased book, "Small Scale Grain Raising"...
what no pictures? You can buy very good grain from Montana Wheat, but here is the catch you need a 5000lb order for good prices. We are part of a local co op that buys from them once or twice a year and it makes bread baking not only nutritious but cheap. I have to go back and read more of how you got started I am really interested in this. Is your farm for income too or just for your family?
ReplyDelete