Here at the farm, the weather has been unseasonably warm with little to no wind - great conditions for working in my pastures and hayfields.
I am very fortunate to have several paddocks where my horses and donkeys can graze. I also designate three separate fields where I grow hay, so my herd has a steady and reliable supply. It is crucial that all these areas are well-maintained. This week, the fields were aerated and fed. Aeration is important, as it loosens compacted soil, increases oxygen into the soil, and allows for better water penetration. They were also fertilized and treated with agricultural lime. Agricultural lime is a soil additive made from pulverized limestone or chalk that works to correct the acidity of the soil, eradicate any noxious weeds, and raise the overall health of the land.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
Here is a wide view of one of my horse pastures. This day was perfect for aerating and treating – no wind, mild temperatures, and a beautiful blue sky.
This type of aerator has spikes that make narrow slits in the ground instead of forming core plugs, but works in the same way to relieve soil compaction and allow air circulation in grassy surfaces.
Weights are placed on top of the aerator attachment to ensure even aeration over the surface and to maximize penetration into the soil.
Chhiring works counter clockwise, so he can best see the work he’s done and the areas he needs to go next. He also overlaps his passes, so he is certain he covers the entire space.
The aerator is led around the paddocks and pastures slowly, until the entire area is completed.
Here, one can see the slits left behind by the aerating spikes.
Here is a closer look at one of the slits. Aeration holes for pastures are typically two to four inches deep.
I am a big believer of aerating the fields. Compacted soils have too many solid particles in a certain volume or space, which prevents proper circulation of air, water, and nutrients. Aerating also improves drainage.
It only takes a few minutes to aerate a paddock. Chhiring gets all the pastures and hayfields done within a day.
After fertilizing, Chhiring then applies agricultural lime to all the pastures and fields. Lime consists mainly of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. The smaller the particle size the more effective the stone is at reacting in the soil. Lime comes in powder form and in a pelletized form such as this.
Here is the spreader, which is hitched to the back of the tractor. It moves the pulverized limestone and throws it about 30 feet out as it is driven through the field.
Our spreader features an opening system with split levers that allow distribution control.
In the back of the unit is the control for how much of the pelleted lime is released – it is important to lock this in place, so the lime is distributed properly. These are slinger blades that help to direct the lime as it is thrown.
The spreader is filled to the top with the lime.
And then Chhiring starts circling the fields again.
Chhiring goes slowly to ensure good coverage. He looks back often to check that the lime is running through the feeder correctly.
In addition to correcting the soil’s acidity levels, lime also improves the soil’s water absorption. It is quite dusty.
The lime is distributed evenly across the areas, but not much is needed. Agricultural lime should be spread in a thin layer, typically not exceeding 1/8 of an inch thick. The effectiveness of the lime comes from its surface contact with the soil, not its depth, so even distribution is more important than thickness.
This is one of three big hayfields, which is also aerated and treated with lime. My giant sycamore, the symbol of my farm and now bare of leaves, is in the distance. One of the best ways to care for one’s horses is to care for the land so it can provide healthy pastures and hay all year round.
Many of you often ask about my pets. I am happy to report - they're all doing very well, including my youngest furred companions, my kittens Cinco and Mayo.
Born on March 15th of this year, these young felines are now eight months old and free to roam the stable complex and surrounding area during the day. In the afternoon, the sister pair returns to the feed room where they eat and sleep. And don't forget Blackie, my greenhouse cat. He is also doing excellently. He guards my gardens and loves greeting everyone who visits.
Enjoy these recent photos of the "Cats of Cantitoe Corners."
The kittens are getting bigger and smarter every day. This is Mayo, the tabby.
And this is Cinco, the Calico. While these sisters were born last March, they arrived at my farm on Cinco de Mayo, the 5th of May – hence their names.
Cinco is very friendly and curious. She is the first to run to visitors.
Mayo is a little bit more shy, but she has warmed up well and now also loves the company and attention from everyone.
Here’s Cinco saying hi to Juan and my handsome Friesian, Geert.
Calico cats have tricolor coats. The calico cat is commonly 25 to 75-percent white with large orange and black patches. And, calicos are almost exclusively female.
Tabby cats have a distinctive coat pattern and an “M”-shaped marking on the forehead. The pattern can include stripes, dots, lines, flecks, bands, or swirls on the cat’s body, and the cat may also have stripes by its eyes and across its cheeks, back, legs, and tail.
Cinco also loves to greet the donkeys in their enclosure, but don’t worry, she keeps her distance for safety. Cats are naturally athletic and have many characteristics that contribute to their agility, speed, and impressive jumping ability.
Cinco also loves playing with the feathers she finds.
She has a great sense of balance and can walk comfortably along the edge of the wheelbarrow.
A cat’s strongest senses include smell, hearing, and night vision. They can transition from sleep to wakefulness very quickly without grogginess. Mayo is very observant.
And where one goes, the other is never far away. These two are Scottish Fold mixes. Their purebred mom had them shortly after she was rescued herself. The breed is known for having a sweet and loving nature.
Cats have a wider field of vision than humans, but need to be closer to see things in the same detail. Felines have much better night vision than humans too.
Mayo loves to rest on the cool stone floor of the stable. Kittens six months and older, and adult cats, sleep about 16 to 18 hours a day on average. And, kittens have a similar routine to adult cats, napping throughout the day. They are usually most active at dawn and dusk.
But it’s not long before she’s up and ready to explore again.
Here’s Cinco under my carriage. Many cats love to lounge in a warm sunlit space.
These two are very close and watch out for each other as good sisters do. There’s still so much for them to learn.
Up at my main greenhouse, one can often find Blackie. Every day he makes his rounds, saying hi to everyone he sees. Blackie loves people and is always ready for a good rub.
And he loves keeping watch inside the greenhouse. When my head gardener, Ryan McCallister, is potting up plants, Blackie is right there next to him.
Blackie stays near my main greenhouse and loves the shade gardens near my pergola and Tenant House.
And at night he’s back indoors guarding the space from any and all small furred intruders. Thanks, Blackie. Sharing a home with cats… it’s a good thing.
A good time to plant hydrangeas is in the fall, so they can grow healthy root systems before their first blooms.
My gardeners planted many hydrangeas this year - in my perennial hydrangea garden, around my goose enclosure, along both sides of my Cotinus and London plane tree allée, and outside my tennis court. A portion of them are from First Editions Shrubs & Trees, a brand of premium evergreens and perennials from the fifth-generation, family and brand owner Bailey Nurseries in St. Paul, Minnesota. Among their newest hydrangea varieties is Flowerfull, which stands out with bold white blooms and sturdy upright stems. I decided to plant these behind my main greenhouse near my berry bushes, where they would be seen and admired every summer.
Enjoy these photos.
Early last month, I received a large delivery of beautiful hydrangeas from First Editions Shrubs & Trees. At the time, all of them were blooming profusely.
Hydrangea, commonly named the hortensia, is a genus of more than 70 species of flowering plants native to Asia and the Americas. Hydrangea flowers bloom from early spring to late autumn.
Included in this selection is Berry White, Panicle Hydrangea, Hydrangea paniculata ‘Renba.’ It has strong, upright stems and large cone-shaped flower panicles. The flower color starts white in July then progresses to dark pink, beginning at the bottom and developing up to the top of the panicle.
Strawberry Sundae is also a panicle hydrangea. This one is perfect in small hedges or as part of mass plantings. The flowers emerge creamy white in midsummer and change to pink as night temperatures cool down.
The Vanilla Strawberry™ Panicle Hydrangea features enormous flower heads that are held upright – first white, then pink, then red in later fall.
And new from First Editions is the FlowerFull Smooth Hydrangea.
Born in a tight cluster, the blossoms of FlowerFull are initially green and open to a creamy white.
Its leaves are more rounded, slightly heart shaped with a matte surface.
I wanted them planted in a nice location, where they could flourish under part shade. I decided to plant some under and around this fastigiate oak tree, one of several I planted years ago.
The leaves of a fastigiate oak tree, also known as the upright English oak or columnar English oak, are oblong or obovate in shape, with three to seven blunt lobes per side.
As with all new plants, the potted hydrangeas are first placed where they will be planted to ensure good spacing and arrangement. Hydrangeas should be at least four feet apart when planted in groups.
Cesar starts digging the holes. Because these holes do not have to be too deep, he uses a post hole digger.
Placing the plants in their designated locations also helps to keep track of the holes dug.
Fertilizer is sprinkled generously inside the hole and on the surrounding soil. We used Scotts Evergreen, Flowering Tree & Shrub fertilizer fortified to help with transplant survival, increased water and nutrient absorption, and to encourage vigorous root growth and lush foliage.
Using a Hori Hori knife, Cesar scarifies the root ball to stimulate growth. The Hori Hori knife is one of our favorite tools for the garden. It’s great for digging holes for transplants and bulbs, dividing plants, pruning, weeding, and so much more.
Hydrangeas have a fibrous root system, which means their roots are thin and branch out. These roots allow the plants to absorb water and nutrients from the top layers of soil.
Cesar plants the hydrangea similar to the way it was planted in the pot. Planting them too deep can bury the stems, which can promote root rot.
The hole is backfilled with the existing soil as well as new composted soil made right here at my farm.
I am looking forward to seeing these gorgeous white hydrangeas bloom next summer.
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