Starting Up

  Today was officially the first field work day of 09. One thing is for sure; it is a welcomed change from the long frozen winter. We all were responsible for various tasks around the farm, from building a new pasture pen for our cows to prepping the raspberries for the fruiting season. Spring is a busy time on the farm,  the busiest of the entire year. During this season a lot of effort is put into preparing crops so they grow and fruit properly as well as readying pastures for animals. Our efforts this weekend produced a new pasture that extends off the old one; through the forest and into the back field. It has always been important to us to raise free range animals and by providing different pastures we can ensure they always get to roam in new grass. This also ensures that after a pasture is eaten down by the cows it has time to re-grow and become healthy again.

 While dad and Bri worked on the fence, I was out prepping the raspberries for the new season. Contrary to popular belief the size of the raspberry bush does not always tell how well the plant will produce during the new year. Often taller plants may put to much effort into cane production and damage the plants roots and base. In addition our raspberries were about ten feet tall which is far to high to allow us to harvest the fruit. So during early spring before the plants buds have broke we cut back the canes to a height of about five feet. This ensures that the canes will branch out and be able to better support the fruit load and that the fruit will be in an area where it can be easily picked. The canes also need to be thinned out, by cutting out most of the canes and leaving behind the healthier ones. 

  

   By doing this we can make the plant focus on one or two particular canes, making them much stronger and healthier, in addition to yielding higher amounts of berries. There are many advantages to 'selectively pruning' the canes. The rows become aerated which helps stop molds from growing and sporing, as well the plants become stronger and less susceptible to pathogens and pests. 

   Mom and Ali spent the day refurbishing 'creekside cottage' an old hut that will soon serve as a pasture house for the pigs. The hut had become quite rundown over the years and today received not only a new paint job but new shingles and a good cleaning. We also moved it to a place out in the field that will soon contain the pig pasture. All in all it was a busy weekend but it is only the beginning of what will surely be a busy season. However it is all in the name of good food and at the end of the day, the satisfaction you feel is like none other. Well everyone I am off to bed it has been a long day and I am tired! Until next week, 

Good Eating!