Jubilee Farm

Mud, Mud, Mud

We have been inundated with rain for the past 8 days straight. There have been little breaks in the clouds here and there, but wow, it is very muddy around our place. With just building a house in the pasture we are surrounded by mud. The kids mud boots need mud boots!! It was comical to see my little boys the other day struggling in the muck and mire. They got stuck in the mud and when they went to pull their foot out, that was all that came, the boot stayed in the mud. So they ended up in their stocking feet trying to pull their mud boots out of the holes.   I have been on overload with the laundry lately as everything they wear tends to acquire mud.  Praying for some sunshine to dry us up a little bit soon.

I have spent a little time trimming my fruit trees, trying to catch them before the buds start. Unfortunately the trees have been neglected for years and I am not sure how well they will fair. When we bought the property we did see that they had some apples and pears on them, though pretty chewed up from the bugs. I have other trees too and I am excited to see what kind they are. Maybe cherry? I am not sure, I also think one is a peach. The plum tree didn't make it, the whole tree died and I didn't even touch it!! Must have gotten diseased? I am not really sure how to care for them but hope to get a couple books and be in touch with the extention office to find out what kind of pesticides to use, hoping for an organic form.

We are just about ready to list our house in town, hoping by next monday.  That will be a burden lifted to sell that. Right now the farm things all seem to be on hold waiting for getting the old house ready and sold. I know Dh is anxious to get a rototiller to get our garden started, to get our fences up and get some cows, to get our chicken coop built and get the chicks. We are ready to make the transition to only having one home!! 

I am hoping to plant some seeds indoors here before too long. I have been getting information from my friend at rosehillramblings, she has recently listed the things that you need to plant your seeds inside if you are new to all this as I am. She has some great pictures lately of all her plantings and some of her great home cooked meals!!  She has inspired me to try homemade bread and rolls. I will have to get my digital camera fixed so you can all see my handy work.

Fruit trees

{ 08:17, 2006-Mar-13 } { Posted by MyThreeDaughters }

Maybe you just need to check the trunk for borers. Maybe you don't even have bores in the US?

Does it get humid there? If not the peach should be happy without spray. Maybe you could hang something in the tree for coddling moth and not need to spray the apples.

Just giving vague ideas.

First year pruning of old trees

{ 08:32, 2006-Mar-13 } { Posted by MyThreeDaughters }

"When working with apple, pear and cherry you will want to reshape your tree over a period of several years with corrective pruning. During the first year reduce the height of the tree. If your tree is over twenty feet tall it is acceptable to shorten it by six to eight feet with the first pruning. Shorten the tree by cutting the main scaffold limbs back to a strong well positioned side shoot or riser. Thin out the upper third of the tree by removing dead branches, crossing limbs and hanging branches. This will allow better light and air movement into the tree in the coming year."

From: extension.oregonstate.edu/

Edited by MyThreeDaughters on 2006-Mar-13 at 08:42

Coddling moth traps

{ 08:46, 2006-Mar-13 } { Posted by MyThreeDaughters }

You can read all about coddling moth traps from http://www.bugspray.com

Oh the mud

{ 07:47, 2006-Mar-14 } { Posted by mominpa }

What is it about moving and then getting hit with MUD!! When we first moved the first 2 weeks we had nothing but MUD!!! AHHHHHHH the first thing we purchased were new shoes for the boys, they now have "good shoes" , "outside shoes" and BOOTS!!

We too have apple trees that probably need some intervention, but I don't know how to yet.... the owner said the fruit comes in good and we have LOTS of berry bushes!! YUMMMMY I can't wait, this week we've been digging out our flower gardens...lots of tulips and things comming up!! (couldn't see them under the YEARS of leaves and things!!

Dh is also very excited to begin gardening....I think the boys and I are going to start some seeds this week!!

I love hearing about your adventure...sounds very similar to ours, it's good to know I'm not alone!! ;)