Preparing for the Snow
It may be a little late in the season, but we're finally seeing some snow here at my Bedford, New York farm. We're expecting snow and rain showers throughout most of today.
Yesterday, my outdoor grounds crew, gardeners, and stable staff worked hard to prepare the farm for the storm - making sure the greenhouses were well-secured and that all the heaters were in good working order, checking that the road and catch basin stakes were in place, and readying any equipment that would be needed for the cleanup process once the storm ended. It's very important to be prepared for any storm system - big or small. One never knows what could happen. Additional tips include: knowing where all the flashlights are kept and making sure they are equipped with fresh batteries, stocking the first aid kit, and checking that all vehicles are filled with gas - a full tank will keep the fuel line from freezing.
Here are some photos.
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- Early in the morning, it didn’t look like snow was on its way – the skies were blue and temperatures were in the high 30s Fahrenheit, but we were all listening to the weather reports, so we could all be properly prepared. We were expecting five to eight inches of snow in this region.
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- One of the first tasks is to make sure all the animals are safe and sound in their enclosures. Phurba makes sure the chicken yard is clean, raked, and all the coops are equipped with heaters. The chickens will be checked again in the afternoon to ensure they are comfortable after they are put inside.
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- These chickens don’t seem too phased by the pending snow. They are all enjoying their cracked corn and the calm before the storm.
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- I do provide shelter for the geese, but they prefer to stay outside, so we lay down extra hay for their bedding. They will all huddle together in one large group to keep warm if needed.
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- High traffic areas of the goose pen are also covered with extra hay in case of freezing. The hay will prevent the birds from slipping and getting stuck to any ice.
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- Fernando checks every stake along the carriage roads and secures any that have gotten dislodged from the soil.
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- These stakes are very important here at the farm – they mark where the roads meet the grassy lawns and garden beds.
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- Stakes that are tipped with black paint indicate where the catch basins are in case they need to be cleared during or after a storm.
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- By afternoon, the clouds started rolling in and the blue skies began to disappear. In the distance, one can see the long Boxwood Allée covered in protective burlap. If snow accumulates on top, the burlap will protect the plants from any splaying due to heavy wet snow.
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- Here is the path between the paddocks with the old corn crib on the right and part of another covered boxwood shrub in the foreground. A little snow cover is actually good for the gardens – it’s just coming a little late this year.
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- All the hoop houses and greenhouses are checked to make sure they are all closed tightly and that there are no open areas around the perimeter where cold air could enter.
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- Here’s Juan cleaning one of our trusted Polaris vehicles, so it is clean and ready for all the chores after the storm.
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- The crew drives around the entire farm to make sure nothing is amiss. This is the back hayfield with the great sycamore tree, the symbol of my farm, in the distance. There were no winds – it was very calm.
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- Pete has been working on filling the sides of the carriage roads where rain and snow may collect and pond. This area along a pin oak allée near what I call my “Contemporary House” is looking so much better.
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- Here is Fernando blowing leaves and debris in the middle field – we are always doing work in the woodland to keep the farm looking its best.
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- Chhiring and Pasang continue chipping the wood branches – it’s a race to get as much done as possible before the ground is covered with snow.
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- Hylke and Geert are out in their pasture during the day to exercise and get fresh air and then they’re brought indoors before the snow starts falling. I like my horses in their safe and secure stable during any inclement weather. Rinze, Bond, and my Fell Pony Banchunch are in the paddock across the road.
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- Extra hay is brought into the stable for all the equine residents.
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- And look at the peafowl – they don’t mind the weather at all. For them it is the beginning of breeding season. From late February until early August, the peacocks display their stunning and iridescent tail feathers, strut back and forth shaking their feathers and hindquarters to produce a rattling sound, and make loud calls to the females nearby. It’s always very interesting to watch these mating rituals up close – the “tail show” can be quite amazing.
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- By early evening, the skies were all gray. Here is a view of the cloud cover above my stable. Once all the horses are put inside, the giant barn doors are closed tight to keep the wind and snow out. The farm will look completely different after the snow. Check back tomorrow for more photos.
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