What great weather this past week! We’ve been loving the sunshine. If you’ve driven down Washington/138, you may have seen us out in the fields and wondered what we were doing. Here’s a smattering of our activities for the past week:
Rock picking
We’re learning up close where all those gorgeous stone walls that are all over the farm come from. Our rockiest field is the long field adjoining Washington Street, so we’ve been out in force picking out all the rocks that are bigger than a potato or so. There are a LOT of rocks, so it’s a big job, but with all of us working it goes fast and can actually be pretty fun. It’s worth it, since it will help prevent us from breaking equipment once we get going, and will make the tilling, planting, weeding, and harvest all much easier later on. It’s a shame no one wants to eat rocks– we’re pulling in a bumper crop!
Tractor driving lessons! 
The tractor has been getting a workout as Kevin and Rory teach Alida and Kate how to drive it! We’ve been practicing with the rock picking- we put the rocks into the tractor bucket and then dump them in the woods. So far so good for the student drivers- we’re getting to be pros!
Garlic is growing
Avid Langwater Farm Blog readers may remember our garlic planting from the fall. Well, it hibernated all winter, and now it has popped up in cute little rows marching down the field. We raked off the straw that has been protecting it over the winter. It looks healthy and happy. Next we will weed it very carefully by hand, then put the hay back on to act as a mulch and keep new weeds from emerging.
We’re expecting some rain over the next few days– time to catch up on office stuff and wait until the next patch of gorgeous sunny weather!
Rocks make great pets! Or you can paint ‘em and market them as fancy paper weights.
So the rocks are just getting tossed in the woods? Do you have plans for your own rock wall? Or would you be willing to have someone take them off your hands?
Hi Rachel!! We’re thinking maybe a “pick your own locally grown” rock business…
Victoria– We are piling them in the woods right now. Most are too small for rock walls, but who knows, maybe some day! If you want rocks you are more than welcome to take them, we certainly have enough– send us an email and we can arrange that!