I think it's safe to say the rains have finally come. The fields and area around the Small-Hold have been greening up nicely but I think we are still about a month or more behind where we have been the last couple of years. I know for a fact the fruit trees were already done blooming by the end of March in 2012 and they are still in buds so far this year. Haven't seen even one fruit tree blossom yet.
Regardless the yards and fields are mostly just flooded now. We got one hell of a gully washer last night and this morning. I had to go over to the old farm and help my dad clear out a culvert and ditch that had gotten choked with leaves and was washing out. Something I have done about 50 rimes before. As I have mentioned we don't even own the old farmstead anymore but my dad still insists we take care of the place for the guy who bought it who lives out in Colorado or somewhere. Seems only fair since I cut most of my wood there still I guess.
Looks like I got that fence line finished just in time yesterday.
Now the race is on to see how fast the grass grows versus how fast the water drains away that allows me to cut it.
Just a blah rainy day without much to write about. At least I know Winter is pretty much past for sure now just have to get through the rainy period.
Keep Prepping Everyone!!!
First dry day here in a while & I got my truck stuck in some wet clay. So much for 4 wheel drive.
ReplyDeleteBees are all out flying though.
DeleteMV - The bees have been hived up here for a few days now. I saw a few here and there but mostly it's been either raining too hard or too cool for them to be out.
DeletePP,
ReplyDeleteWe were expecting severe storms today and tomorrow. Hopefully, we will just get rain and no tornadoes.
I hope you don't get to much more rain and have a chance to dry out a bit.
Sandy - No chance of that. It hasn't stopped here in almost two days now and another big gully washer just went through. It'll be this way for a while now I suspect and the waves of storms will slowly weaken.
DeleteWe had almost 6 inches last week. The back of our property has not totally dried out since last July. That has never happened in the 26 years we've lived here.
ReplyDeleteMB - Surprisingly we were actually an inch r so behind for the year until this week. I know we have had more than six inches since Tuesday afternoon though because my rain gauge is now over flowed. I am actually kinda glad I didn't get my garden spot tilled now or it would have washed away.
DeleteSunny and warm today I am supposed to cut more firewood, that seems to trigger rain lately. Peaches are blooming but few bees. All that rain should bring on your grass.
ReplyDeleteSf - Look like I will be cutting along the gravel road this weekend. No way I am getting down into the fields and woods in this wet.
DeleteIf that picture is any indication you should install a snorkel on your truck.
ReplyDeleteStephen - I think that pic is actually from last year or the year before but it is worse out there now. This time of year is always hard to keep up with the grass mowing because of the standing water.
DeleteAt lest your rain barrels should be full.
ReplyDeleteRob - I haven't even put them back out yet. I replaced the split one but they are in the barn. After the early freeze I have been worried about a late one so decided to not put them back out until maybe mid April.
DeleteJust as a side note. Do you keep a farm diary? It has been a tradition in my family for generations. We have kept records of the weather, stock health, feed and produce prices etc etc.
ReplyDeleteIt has become quite a guide. For example we knew that it would be a vey wet winter this year as we seem to have a 27 year cycle here.
Anon - I do keep a journal for my bees and used to keep one for the garden but let it lapse. So much of what I am doing is reclaiming, clearing brush and fixing stuff more than producing I haven't started one for the farm side of things. Once I get complete control of the pasturage and hay field it will be a good idea though.
DeleteWe still have snow on the ground, but that's not unusual. Rain would be nice, though. Sorry you've got too much.
ReplyDeleteRP - We haven't gotten too much yet. I am used to this and was mentally prepared for it. I won't start complaining until it is really keeping me from getting stuff done like mowing the grass. If it stays wet until May and I can't get the garden in I might complain a bit too :)
DeleteMy grandmother drove a team of oxen into Ark. in the late 1800's and farmed all her life. She told me its not Spring until after Easter. Look how late Easter is this year. Here in Tex. we are in the 80's but still no good rain. Enjoy hearing about your life in Mo.
ReplyDelete