For donkeys, there's nothing quite like rolling in a fresh patch of dirt. And, while rolling on the ground helps to scratch their backs, it's also a natural behavior for donkeys to cover themselves in dust, which provides great insulation and protection from extreme heat and cold.
Here at my farm, my five Sicilian donkeys, Rufus, Clive, Billie, Jude “JJ” Junior, and Truman “TJ” Junior, are no different - they "live to roll." But yesterday, with spring temperatures reaching 75 degrees Fahrenheit, it was the perfect day for a bath to get them all cleaned up. Each one was thoroughly washed, soaped, and rinsed.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
On this day, my donkeys got the full “spa treatment.” In the morning, my farrier, Linda Friedman, came by the stable to check the donkeys’ hooves and give them a good trim. After lunch, they all got baths. Donkeys are herd animals, so they don’t like being separated from other members of their pack. When it’s bath time, they all get cleaned together. First, the boys.
The donkeys are hosed down to get their coats thoroughly wet. Our hoses are hooked up to hot and cold water, so they are washed in lukewarm water. Clive doesn’t seem to mind getting wet.
The donkeys are then soaped up with an all-natural shampoo. First, their backs are all scrubbed…
And then their legs and bellies…
Here, Helen applies a whitening shampoo to Clive’s coat, so it comes out clean and bright. Helen also uses special washing gloves that loosen any dirt or debris. Helen scrubs in the shampoo until it lathers. Clive stays very still.
Donkey coats are very thick and hold lots of dust and dirt. These gloves have special scrubbing pads that help to clean and massage them.
Next, a good rinse – again with tepid water. Temperatures were in the 70s, so these outdoor baths were very refreshing.
It is important to get all the shampoo out of the coat, so it doesn’t irritate the skin. And don’t forget the tail – it can also get quite dirty.
All three male donkeys get along exceptionally well. They are also very friendly and love greeting anyone who visits – even during a bath.
Here is Rufus getting a good rinse.
Clive is almost done.
Now that it is spring, the donkeys and horses are all shedding their winter coats. Helen uses a shedding blade to help loosen the dead hairs and any debris that did not come out already. When using it, always follow the direction the hair grows. This tool has lacquered spring steel blades with sharp teeth on one side and rounded teeth on the other. When used properly, it also stimulates the coat and draws the oils in the skin to the surface.
And lastly, Helen uses a moist hand towel to gently clean Clive’s face. It is important not to get any soap, shampoo, or water in their eyes. I think they all appreciate a good face cleaning.
All done, my sweet donkeys – Rufus, Truman “TJ” Junior, and Clive are all very clean. As a treat, Dolma walks the trio over to some fresh grass to let them graze for a few minutes before returning to their stall.
Next are the girls. Billie and Jude “JJ” Junior are the only females in my stable. Here they are getting shampooed.
… and scrubbed. Look at all the hair that came off the girls’ coats with the scrubbing glove.
The baths are done as quickly as possible, so they don’t get chills. Fortunately, this day is very mild.
Helen rinses every leg thoroughly – so much dirt can accumulate in their coats.
And here is Helen using the shedding blade to remove those dead hairs. It is so much more comfortable for the donkeys to be groomed regularly.
Then it’s rinse time. The shampoo is very gentle and soothing to the skin. After they are completely lathered up, Helen and Dolma will wait a few minutes to allow the shampoo to soak into the coats. The donkeys are rinsed multiple times to be sure they are thoroughly clean and soap-free.
Helen cleans their faces with another damp cloth. As warmer weather sets in, the donkeys will be washed as much as once a week.
The donkeys are left to dry naturally on this warm spring day. Five donkeys are now washed and squeaky clean. They’re ready for the weekend.
That bath wasn’t so bad, was it Billie and “JJ”? Are you ready for a treat? Don’t tell them, but today all five donkeys are also scheduled for their warm weather haircuts. Stay tuned for more photos.
Here at my Bedford, New York farm, it's hard to miss the beautiful spring lilacs, Syringa vulgaris. My allee of lilac hedges is just exploding with gorgeous, colorful, and fragrant clusters.
I love lilacs and have enjoyed growing them for many years. In fact, the common lilac has been part of the American landscape for centuries. Lilacs planted in 1650 on Michigan’s Mackinac Island are some of the country's oldest known specimens. And, according to the National Gardening Bureau, 2022 is the "Year of the Lilac." If you don't already have these plants in your garden, I strongly encourage you to grow one, or two, or even three of these spring-flowering shrubs - they will give you years of striking blooms.
Enjoy these photos.
I planted this allee of lilac about 16-years ago and it has thrived ever since. It is located behind my chicken coops not far from my tennis court. Lilacs are low maintenance, easy to grow, and can reach from five to 20-feet tall or more depending on their variety.
Here is a view looking down the allee with the tennis court in the distance.
The lilac, Syringa vulgaris, is a species of flowering plant in the olive family Oleaceae. Syringa is a genus of up to 30-cultivated species with more than one-thousand varieties. And look at the beautiful lilac color.
Lilacs come in seven colors: pink, violet, blue, lilac, red, purple, and white. The purple lilacs have the strongest scent compared to other colors.
The bold lilac colors look pretty against the vibrant green foliage. Lilac leaves are simple, opposite, ovate, about two to four inches long, and usually shaped like elongated hearts.
Lilacs have pyramidal clusters of blossoms with both single and double varieties – all with the same glossy green leaves.
‘Sensation’, first known in 1938, is unique for its bicolor deep-purple petals edged in white on eight to 12-foot-tall shrubs.
This lilac variety is pure white. Lilacs were introduced into Europe at the end of the 16th century from Ottoman gardens and arrived in American colonies a century later. To this day, it remains a popular ornamental plant in gardens, parks, and homes because of its attractive, sweet-smelling blooms.
And, lilacs were grown in America’s first botanical gardens – both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew them.
Here, one can see how prolific my lilacs are – so many sweet-smelling flowers along both sides of the allee – the fragrance is intoxicating.
Lilacs grow best in full sun and moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. It must drain well as lilacs cannot tolerate “wet feet” or wet roots. Soil that is average to poor with a neutral to alkaline pH is preferred. Established plants will tolerate dry soil, but newly planted shrubs need to be kept moist for the first year until their roots are set.
Lilacs benefit from regular watering at planting, during bloom, and heavy growth periods.
Most lilacs thrive in hardiness zones 3 through 7, in cooler climates with chilling periods. Lilacs are typically clump forming, producing new shoots from the base of the trunk, which can be used for propagating.
Although lilac flowers are among the most delicate of the ornamentals, some newer hybrid varieties can survive winter temperatures of 60-degrees-below-zero Fahrenheit.
When selecting a location for planting, choose one that has good air circulation to reduce the likelihood of fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew.
And always choose a planting space that will allow for the plant’s mature height and spread. This tip applies to all perennials.
Lilacs appear from mid-spring to early summer just before many of the other summer flowers blossom. Young lilacs can take up to three-years to reach maturity and bear flowers – be patient.
By planting an assortment, bloom time will be staggered and can last for up to two-months. Lilacs should be pruned each year shortly after blooming has completed. At that time, remove spent flowers, damaged branches, and old stems, but never prune after July 4th because at that point, the tree has already begun to set next year’s flower buds.
And don’t forget to feed. Apply granular organic fertilizer early each spring at the base of the plant, and water it in well. Buds are set the previous year, so the fertilizer feeds this year’s leaves and next year’s blooms.
When cutting, cut the lilacs right at their peak, when color and scent are strongest, and place them in a vase as soon as possible.
Here’s a view looking toward the chicken coops. Lilacs have been well-loved by gardeners for so many years. They are tough, reliable, and ever so fragrant. I hope this inspires you to grow lilac, the “Queen of shrubs.” It will quickly become one of your favorites in the garden.
If you're in or near central Massachusetts this week and love to hunt for treasures, be sure to stop in at the Brimfield Antique Flea Markets - it's going on today through Sunday, May 15th!
I went to Brimfield yesterday. Brimfield is considered the oldest outdoor antiques event in the country and the largest in New England. It's held three times a year and is made up of about 20 different show fields filled with individual sellers of antique, vintage, and new items. I loved seeing the variety of goods for sale. It reminds me of the Great American Tag Sale! Don't forget, my special airs May 25th on ABC at 8pm ET! Be sure to watch it!!
Here are some photos from Brimfield, enjoy.
Here I am at the entrance to one of the dealer booths at Brimfield – it’s filled with garden ornaments, urns and plant stands. When attending a flea market or antiques sale, be sure to dress comfortably and in layers. This day started chilly – about 40-degrees Fahrenheit, but it was in the high 60s by afternoon. And don’t forget your sunscreen and hat.
Here are some of the tabletop urns and ornaments for sale.
In another booth, Fire-King. Fire-King is an Anchor Hocking brand of glassware. The Fire-King line includes bowls, casseroles, cups, plates, serving platters, creamers, vases, and more, in a variety of colors. I have always loved the Jade-ite color.
There were lots of vintage crates and boxes.
This is an old braille child’s plate – complete with alphabet letters and the matching braille symbols.
Do you know what these are? These are antique gate weights used to help keep gates closed without latching.
These are vintage salt and pepper shakers.
There were lots of beads and other jewelry.
This gentleman found a clown! Luckily he also had a hand truck to transport it.
And this shopper found an “extra pair of hands.”
This tent was filled with ship lights for sale – some small…
And some very large! One never knows what one can find at an antiques flea market.
This is an old display shelf, likely for a hardware store to hold various small pieces such as nails, screws, nuts, and bolts, or other objects.
Here are some concrete planters – all sold.
Here are some other concrete planters we saw – most of them were also already tagged “sold.” Another tip is to arrive early at tag sales, antiques fairs, and flea markets – things can go very quickly!
Flat Earth Designs, which is based in Atlanta, Georgia, had these charming concrete garden mushrooms.
At another tent, architectural pieces such as these giant corbels. A corbel is a structural piece of stone, wood or metal jutting from a wall to support weight, similar to a bracket.
There is a lot of glassware for sale at Brimfield, such as these hobnail glass bowls, goblets, and teacups.
There’s furniture for sale – some vintage and some new. It’s the thrill of the hunt at Brimfield – so much to see!
Here are some unique outdoor garden chairs – waiting to go to their next home.
And here’s a unique sofa… bright red and with no ends. Is it in the shape of lips?
Here’s a pair of pigeons. They remind me of my fancy pigeons at my Bedford, New York farm.
And here I am at Vincent Manzo’s tent – my friend and antiques dealer. Stop in and see him at Brimfield, just outside the Apple Barn. And don’t forget to watch the “Great American Tag Sale” May 25th on ABC at 8/7c! It’s going to be great!
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