Summer Chores Around My Farm

August 15, 2020

After several days of hot, humid weather with temperatures in the high 80s and low 90s, we're finally getting a brief cool-down here at my Bedford, New York farm - the next couple of days are expected to be partly cloudy with temperatures in the 70s and low 80s, maybe we'll even a bit of rain.

The crew is finished with all the storm clean-up and now tending to some regular outdoor chores - sharpening tools, checking equipment, and back to summer weeding.

Enjoy these photos.

: The farm is back in shape after all the debris from storm Isaias is cleaned-up. This is the symbol of my farm – the great sycamore tree in the back hayfield. This majestic tree has withstood many storms over the years. The sycamore is one of the largest hardwood trees, usually growing 60 to 100 feet tall. They are also one of the oldest types of trees on the planet.

: Leaving the back hayfield, all the carriage roads are now cleared of debris.

: This week, Pasang limbed-up the weeping willow trees down by my run-in horse paddock. Limbing-up, or selectively pruning lower branches, allows enough light to filter down to the lawn and other plants and trees.

: These beautiful linden trees are growing so well. They create a pretty allee between the paddocks.

: Several tall trees were damaged in the Japanese maple woodland during the storm. Fortunately, my young Japanese maple trees were left unscathed. Here, the carriage road is also clear.

: And here are the weeping willows at the edge of my pinetum. The tree pits have been cleaned also.

: It is hard to believe a storm passed through the area just a little more than a week ago. The crew is back to its regular outdoor tasks. This view is from the carriage road in front of my Winter House looking north toward the stable in the distance.

: Here is Chhiring in the Equipment Barn sharpening the teeth on one of the STIHL chainsaws. It is so important to take good care of the equipment we use. The crew checks the tools often and makes sure they are in the best working condition.

: The chain needs to be sharpened if the shavings cut from the chainsaw become very fine and almost dust-like, or if the saw does not cut straight. If the teeth on the chainsaw chain become dull, the saw will not cut correctly or efficiently.

: Once the teeth are sharpened and the chain is placed back on the saw, Chhiring tightens the chain.

: And then checks to make sure it is secure. Now it is ready for the next job.

: It’s all in the details when it comes to many gardening projects. Here, Pete weeds out the crabgrass from the lawn near my Winter House.

: Crabgrass gets its name from the leaves, which form a tight, crab-like circle. It can become a problem quickly during the summer because it is able to grow vigorously in hot, dry conditions.

: We work very hard to keep my gardens looking well-manicured. I don’t use any chemicals in my gardens, so I do tend to get a lot of weeds during this time. And, if left alone, so many of them quickly overtake healthy flowers, plants, and vegetables, stealing their sunlight, water, and soil nutrients. The crabgrass was just removed from this area.

: This bed looks great – It takes time and patience to keep up with weeds in any garden.

: It’s also time to brush hog the hayfields. Brush hogging is the primary way to rid the area of weeds that choke out grass growth and to clear the land for agricultural use.

: This is our bush hog. A bush hog is a rotary type of rough cutting mower that attaches to a tractor via a three-point hitch.

: Here is what it looks like after the brush hog passes. Brush hogging helps to maintain an established hayfield.

: I am glad I have these large hayfields where I can grow good, quality hay for my horses, pony, and donkeys.

: The crew also checks the blades of the push mowers to ensure they are in good order. Here is Pete sharpening the blade of one of our push mowers after he finishes mowing the paddocks.

: After sharpening, the blade is carefully returned to the underside of the machine. These blades are checked after each use and sharpened often.

: Here’s Fernando carrying a bag full of grass clippings to the tractor. He is using one of my Martha Stewart Multi-Purpose Heavy-Duty Garden Tote Bags from my shop on Amazon. We use these bags all over the farm.

: The “soccer field” lawn is also looking very clean and freshly mowed. These are the weeping hornbeams, Carpinus betulus ‘pendula.’ The weeping hornbeam is deciduous and has a tight, dense growth pattern. At the edge of this space, I have six matched standard weeping hornbeams. These are very precious trees and I am so happy they continue to grow well.