More Infrastructure Work

In the past month I had a couple of dump truck loads of road base gravel brought up and spread on the road. This should make it easier to traverse during the winter months. The only way to know for sure how the road is handling the water is to get out there with a shovel while it is raining and watch where the water naturally wants to go. Once the ditches are set, the running water will take care of the rest, as long as there are no slides. The other project that got accomplished was in preparation for the new tractor barn. There was a small road put in last summer for water tanks that I wrote about earlier in the blog. The water wanted to rush down the hill and spill onto the the proposed building site. By installing an eight inch culvert across the road and doing some ditching with the tractor, the problem should be solved. But, as mentioned above, we'll see what happens when it rains! Generally speaking, the Kubota has come in handy, and as time goes on, I am becoming more familiar with the safe operation.

Oh Yeah; Harvest Time Again!

It's now been a month at least since the last entry to my blog. You know, you can either write about the apple farm or you can go work on the farm.......right? Like any other passion in life, it has to be squeezed into the limited discretionary time we have available. So, recently, I have been more inclined to be at the farm doing the projects on my list rather than sitting on my behind writing at the computer. Fair enough? But, what brings me here today is that a couple of weeks ago I picked the first batch of Gravenstein Apples and using the Excalibur Dehydrator that my daughters gave me for my birthday, I have been drying these apples with some rather amazing results. I tried them both peeled and non peeled, after the core was removed. First, I might say, these are wonderfully organically grown apples with no worms. There is an occasional bird peck, which can be easily removed. But, got to say, I like them peeled a bit better. The non peeled tastes a bit like fruit jerky, which could have some appeal in the right circumstances. But just for munching, the soft taste of the apple meat, dried @ 105 degrees for 10 to 12 hours, just is so delicious, that it is hard to believe it is actually good for you. Nothing has been added; no preservative, honey, lemon juice or cinnemon. It is a bit labor intensive to prepare the apples, but, I found the task relaxing and fulfilling. I'll keep you posted about how the other varieties fair in this process.

Summer in August

Well, the summer is wearing on as I write. Friday, August 6th, Sylus and I may be up at the orchard to focus on activating the electric fence. It has not been working for the past two years because of all of the changes in the orchard. Once that little task is complete, all the upgrades to the system will be finished........thank God! My hope is that the backup water tank will carry us over during the really dry time and that all the trees will have the ample water supply that they need. Pictured here is the bride across the creek that separates our cabin from the west section of the parcel where Matt and Charlie have their dwelling. Keep ya posted!

Orchard House

We visited the home where Louisa May Alcott wrote "Little Women". It was purchased by her father Bronsen Alcott and was about ten acres with an orchard of apples. Though the four main family sisters who were characters in this book never actually all lived in the home, the story is based upon this particular home. The apples did serve as one source of income until the successful publishing of the book, which generated an abundance of income for the extended family. As we toured the home it was easy to put myself in the place of this family, all of whom were quite creative. In the parlor, there were frequent visits from Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Thoreau who both lived in nearby Concord. Waldon Pond is about a mile from Orchard House. While visiting I also had the assurance that my apples were being daily watered on the west coast, and that upon my return, I would see the development of the crop to the next stages of growth. It is amazing to be able to have such a variety of experiences.

July Heat!

So now the rays of the Sun have just about fried everything that is not connected to a water source. It is an amazing feeling to walk out on the hillsides and see all the various trees flourishing amidst this heat. I carefully check the emitters to ensure that every system is faithfully discharging water on the daily schedule. Next week Olga and I will be on the East Coast for a few days, and it is amazing to think that while we are gone, religiously, the water will flow in such a manner that all the plants will be happy in their quest for life and balance. And, so it goes!

The Kubota is here.....At last!

With a BX25 Kubota as part of the farm equipment @ Bell Springs, the new season begins. The work that I have been doing by hand over the past 35 years has been a pleasure, however, the time has come to ratchet things up a bit. My new friend, Mr BX 25, will help me to accomplish things and avoid tendinitis in my arms, which incidentally, didn't used to happen to me! I am ready to become an apple producer, and in order to make this goal come true, I need some serious help. So, here we are. And, I'll add, I love driving this thing. I can move a quarter of a yard of compost right up to the orchard gate, and make quick work of an activity that might have taken a couple of hours, pushing the wheel barrel up hill. Ultimately, my hope is to be able to have more apples available for harvest and eating. Yummy!

Spring is around the Corner!

Spring will officially arrive in just a couple of weeks, and things are beginning to shift in dramatic ways. The grass is green and the buds on the tress are swelling and getting impatient to burst. I see honey bees out looking for wildflower blooms. The water in the seasonal creeks is flowing and things seem to be "abuzz" and as vibrant as ever. I have done quite a bit of pruning, getting the trees in shape for the new apple bearing season. We've got a little fence planned for around some raised beds that will exclusively be a "kitchen garden" for those living in the cabin. We are heading into the new growing season with lots of enthusiasm and hopes for a productive and abundant harvest. Hopefully we will be using the new fruit dehydrator for the drying of organic apples. Blessings!