May 21, 2021

Just a few picture updates from the farm.

We changed out the guards on the fruit trees.  The mulch below the black guards that we cut, seemed to be very warm when the sun was shining on it, and I was concerned that it might produce too much heat for the new trees.  We bought the new guards from Starks, and they seem to be a much better fit.  If you look beyond the fruit trees, you will notice the new support poles for the grape arbor.

So the grapes came in, and we got them all in the ground.

The remaining thing to do, is put up the support wiring, and tie them in.  That is our 10 Concord grape arbor.

Hope you all have a perfect weekend!

 May 13, 2021

Just an update on the orchard, and some garden photos.  

We first put mulch all around each tree.  I wanted to get some bark protectors, but everything I saw was on back order, so we had some old corrugated perforated pipe in the barn.  They use it to move water away from buildings, etc.  I thought since it was some tough plastic, that we could cut it, and fix our own bark protectors.

We cut them 9 inches long and used tin snips to split them.  Then we carefully placed them around the little trees.

They seem very content!

The above photo is a tub of broccoli and my sugar snap peas.  Everybody seems to be happy!

We planted these cabbages on the same day, and I think it is evident that they prefer the big boxes, to my little grow boxes.

Guess I might try to transplant them into a big box.

There you have it! Life at the Ridge Tails Farm!

 May 11, 2021

We have finally finished planting the fruit trees, but are still working on the grape trellises.  One of the items we had been shopping for, was a post hole digger.  We had shopped for the three point hitch type, which hook to the tractor, and the hand held units.  We opted for the hand held unit, because the usage of the tool would be so minimal, it did not warrant the price for the three point hitch type.

We went to Harbor Freight, and are very impressed with this little tool!  The price was right, also!

I was a little concerned, because I didn’t know how many rocks we might hit, and as it turned out, we didn’t have hardly any!

So, we have planted the following

2 Bartlett Pears

1 Elberta Peach

1 Hale Haven Peach

2 Honey Crisp Apples

1 Wolf River Apple

1 Winesap Apple

1 Gala Apple

Each hole had to have some hand digging, because the auger on the post hole digger was only 6 inches.

We are setting up irrigation and will mulch each tree, but that’s it so far.  We are working on the grape trellises today, and will update on that project later.

Hope y’all get a good week!

 May 6, 2021

We are very happy to welcome our first arrivals of spring!

Yes, they were eaten just after this post!

I have ordered the netting to cover the plants this year, because the birds beat us to them last year.

Spring flowers make me smile!

We are getting along well with the orchard, and will post photos soon! Have a perfect weekend y’all?