Currently, Chestnut Hill Farm is raising 5 Angus steers and 2 heifers for processing in September. (almost all sold already) Our daughter is raising her steer for the Hartford Fair in August. Abby is down to 2 rabbits, 2 cats and one dog. I am not keeping chickens now, but instead am purchasing eggs from a young 8 yr. old farmer at church. Abby will raise meat chickens for our family in August and September. I love having our own beef and chicken in our freezer. We also have some pork, raised by the nephew of our friends. Abby said she'd like to show a hog next year, so we'll probably have our own pork next year.
Garden is going well. I really started my seeds too late this year, but everything is growing. Yellow, white and red onions, 11 tomato plants (4 varieties), 9 pepper plants (3 varieties), potatoes, zucchini, pumpkin, watermelon, carrots, romaine and bibb lettuce, bush beans and peas.
I need to plant a second harvest of lettuces. My spinach was destroyed by bugs. I hope it goes better this time. I will plant more carrots as well. I don't know why I didn't plant more than I did. I still need to get cucumber seeds and cantaloupe seeds in the ground. I'm tardy getting lots of things in the ground.
The apple trees and pear trees are doing their jobs. We aren't spraying, so they won't be pretty, but hopefully taste great. We had cherries this year! We were at the hospital a lot when they were ready, so we only got enough for one cherry pie. But, it was yummy! We look to have 3 varieties of grapes as well.
I love this farm. I am so thankful God has allowed us this blessing. My new favorite thing. Hanging my laundry out to dry on my new clothes line. Thanks to my dh. (dear husband) It's quiet when I go out to hang clothes. The gentle breeze, the fresh smell in the clothes. I only run the dryer once for 3-4 loads. I feel I'm stepping back in time.
