GlenMary
FARM JOURNAL
A return to the land and living with the seasons
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November 3, 2024
Spent the better part of the first Saturday in November piling leaves on the main garden bed. Almost all of the leaves had fallen, by this point. Tarping and dragging proved to be the most efficient way of moving them around. The entire garden has been well covered except the area that is still producing. There is also a nice pile of sheep manure ('black gold') beside the path and the compost bin was disembled to be moved, and the contents have yielded a nice dark soil.
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October 17 2024
The first hard frost occurred on October 17. In the days following all the pumpkins, squash and herbs were harvested. About half the garden has been tilled, the rest will rest until the spring. leaves, cardboard and any other organic material will be piled on the beds.
October 12 2024
Thanksgiving weekend and it's time to get the garlic planted. There was approx. 150 bulbs held back from the 2024 harvest, and an additional 2 dozen music bubs were purchased from a small farm in Cobden. Not sure that will be enough...might try and find more. Target crop of 300 garlic in 2025.
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October 5 2024
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Harvested mint from the 'promised land'; washed and hung to dry in the summer kitchen. Also harvested lemon balm and will experiment with different teas including with white pine needles and lavender. Spoiler alert for G's birthday present!!
October 1 2024
The Dhalias are finishing the season strong, with abundant blooms into early October. A light frost the second week of October left the old beauties a little worse for wear but perfect buds still being picked into mid October. Colours this year were soft and tragic, with the exception of a bold and dark maroon variety that struggled to stand out against its dark green leaves.
September 2024
Calendula flowers have done very well from a packet of seeds obtained for free from seedy Saturday in Shawville, QC. Harvested flowers regularly throughout the later half of the summer, and soaked in olive oil. Made several batches of soap in September using infused olive oil with Rosemary, Calendula along with lavender and Mind essential oils. Really lovely.
September 2024
The Tomatoes...those beautiful, beloved and very annoying fruits! The last of them were harvested in late September. Not many romas this year, so no preserving, but the most delicious toasted tomato sandwiches were enjoyed throughout August and September.
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August 2024
Cucumber crop was very disappointing. Only preserved about 2 dozen jars of pickles. Also, not having access to the kitchen for most of August (due to house guests) was a constraint on the preserving. Getting the cucumber plants in earlier and mounding and mulching properly need to be done next year. Also multiple seedings of dill, to ensure dill is ready when cucs are!
August2024
Eggplants were another poor performer in 2024. A few different varieties were planted-- and that may be part of the reason- but otherwise, not sure what went wrong. Puttitng fresh sheep manure may have been a culprit.
August 2024
The flower bouquets were, indisputably, one of the highlights of summer 2024. Each guest had fresh flowers in each bedroom and in the kitchen and bathroom. It was clear how much they enjoyed them, as many guests mentioned it in their reviews or in personal notes.
July 2024
Overall, the yields in 2024 were poor. The start of the season, in particular was weak, with heavy rain in the early part of the summer, stripping the earth of nutrients. The garden ended on a stronger noted, but in general, July harvest was very slow. Even zucchini, which is notorious for 'coming out one's ears' was sparse. I guess absence makes the heart grow fonder and I will appreciate them more next year.
September 2023
Week
The chickens (born April 19th) began laying
Slowing but still steady harvest of zucchini
Week 3
The chickens (born April 19th) began laying
Slowing but still steady harvest of zucchini
WEEK 2
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WEEK 1
THE CHICKENS (BORN APRIL 19) BEGAN LAYING EGGS THIS WEEK.
THERE ARE 6 ROOSTERS IN THE NEW FLOCK, OF 11. 3 HAVE BEEN BEEN CULLED.