Or rather, winter farm? It’s been so warm that even the bees think it is time to come out and look for flowers. They are finding the odd mustard flower and a few wildflowers, but it is slim pickings.
When I was little, growing up in New Mexico, an artichoke was a huge treat. My family of five would get one artichoke, and carefully divvy up the leaves and the heart. The first time I ate artichokes at the farm, I was floored when a huge steaming platter of them was brought to the table and everyone ate at least 3! It is still a huge treat, and I can’t wait for these little babies to be ready.
When the leaves fall off the pomegranates, we see what the birds have been busy doing all summer and fall. This clever bird found some wool from the sheep to keep the nest cozy.
Irrigating the walnuts. This cover crop in the walnut orchard should be flourishing this time of year, and at least up to my ankles. As you can see it is struggling. The lack of rain not only affects the crops, but also our wells, the feed we have available for our animals and the fertility of the soil, amongst other things. More to come on how the lack of rain will affect our farming practices this year.
— Jenna
