We have a new addition to the farm. Olive gave us a new heifer today. Lisa said we will name her Bobbie Jo. She is named for a friend of hers at work, Jo. We added Bobbie to it to add a southern flare. Who remembers “Petticoat Junction”?
Olive has come a long way. When she arrived I could hardly touch her. Today I was able to check and make sure she had milk. She didn’t kick or even flinch. In a week or so I will start milking her. This is the beginning of a new chapter on the homestead.
Like everything else this spring the slips got a late start but they are finely about ready to plant. Of the three sweet potatoes I started with I only lost one. The other three are sprouting well and should provide me with plenty of slips for the garden.
Once the sprouts reach about four inches in length they can be pinched off. I always try to get a small piece of the potato when I pinch them off. Then place them in a bowl of water and they will start to grow roots. This shouldn’t take more than a couple of days. Once they have some roots started they can be planted in the garden.
Speaking of the garden, I was finally able to get the plot tilled up. Let the planting begin! The weather and other things have kept me out of the garden until now. I usually have fresh corn for the 4th of July but it looks like it will be well into August this year. Many of the things that I usually plant from seed will have to be done with bought plants this year.
Yes, I see her. I will have to evict that little hen and her chicks from the garden plot before I plant. The little bantams are hard to keep out because they fly like quail.
The work horse died this weekend. Troy Built Horse that is. As I was finishing up in the garden it slung a rod through the side. I guess 35 years is asking enough from a tiller. I’ll replace the engine and a few seals and see if I can get another 35 out of it.
