Teresa & Mike CHS - Our journal

[Mike CHS]

We picked up the chute today but it wasn't the one we originally arranged for. When Teresa was talking to the farm manager she asked her "why in the world would you sell something that has so much more capability than the one you are keeping?" EvIidently she thought about it and decided Teresa had some good points. She called last night and said they decided not to sell the one in the ad but she made us an excellent price on the one they had been using. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles but is more in line with what we were originally going to get and it is in excellent shape. The farm where we went was impressive also. It has been family run for 6 generations and is impressive to say the least. The manager gave us a tour of their facilities that is something to dream about.

We picked it up today and got a look at and handled Ringo, the Katahdin ram that we decided for sure to buy. We need to find another stock trailer and will plan on going back in the next 3 weeks or so to pick him up. After seeing Jerry the black and white ram we decided that we were glad that sale didn't work out. He is one of those sheep that wants constant petting if you get within 20' of him and will butt you if he doesn't get it. That would have made for some expensive mutton chops.

We (actually Teresa did) even managed to get two of the raised beds planted with onion plants, broccoli and cabbage. We have a flat started down in the shop with tomatoes, peppers and leafy greens that should be ready to plant once the last frost is done.

 

[CntryBoy777]

Sure glad it all worked out for you on the ram, and the machine. I bet that was an enjoyable place to tour, probably got a few ideas, too. Oh, Joyce lost all the tomatoes she had in the ground, but the cabbage and onions are looking pretty good. The sweet peas need thinning, but she doesn't listen to me...lol....

 

[NH homesteader]

All in all, a good trip!

 

[Mike CHS]

We don't plant tomatoes here until after May 1st. Even then we don't plant eveything. I have 50 plants started for us and quite a few more to transplant so we may try to move some at the Farmers Market next month.

 

[CntryBoy777]

Our last frost date here is April 10th, and depending on warmth of the soil, we have planted around the 25th. But Joyce doesn't want to wait to temp the ground...that ADHD thing...so she just puts them down when she can't stand it any longer. Waiting isn't in her vocabulary....

 

[Mike CHS]

I can rerlate to that. When I lived in Pensacola I used to do everything I could do to plant in February but the plants that I put into the ground in March grew just as fast as the early plants.

 

[CntryBoy777]

Just was thinking about your ram, Ringo. I wonder if it is after Johnny Ringo, "The Rebel", old TV show western in the 60s....or Starr? My brother and I used to watch The Rebel each week....

 

[Latestarter]

Just looked at the national weather radar and man... It looks like you have some bad stuff about to hit you. Looks to be moving south and will probably bet Fred later as well. Hope it passes with no damage!

 

[Mike CHS]

The 70 temps all of last week had several of our fruit trees blooming. It may be a waste of time but we put bags over a few to see if we can't help them weather the cold coming in. We have a bunch of asparagus just starting to pop up so they will get burnt. Grass is still growing so it isn't all bad. We had trimmed them way back when they were dormant so at least we could cover them if needed. Most of the rest are still dormant and didn't get suckered in by last weeks warmth.

 

[CntryBoy777]

Sure do hope they pull thru for ya, we would've done the same. Is that your cabbage in the raised bed, or strawberries? Which ever it is it is looking really good.