Fall Chores at the Farm
To stay organized during seasonal transitions at my Bedford, New York farm, we follow a schedule of tasks from one year to the next.
So far, the weather has allowed us ample time to ready the property for the cold season ahead. My outdoor grounds crew has been especially busy blowing leaves, cleaning equipment, covering air-conditioner pits, and completing other outdoor tasks.
Enjoy these photos. Tomorrow, I will share our Thanksgiving pictures, so be sure to check in again.
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- As colder weather approaches and sunlight decreases, trees that drop their leaves seal the spots where the leaves are attached, which causes them to change color and fall to the ground. There are still many more leaves to fall, but leaf blowing is a big chore this time of year.
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- Here’s Fernando blowing leaves near my grove of pear trees behind my gym building. The leaves are taken to the compost area, where they will decompose and get used again as mulch next year. This process takes time, but it is a necessary step to maintaining a healthy and attractive lawn and garden. A thick or matted layer of fallen leaves casts excessive shade over the ground below and can prevent adequate sun, nutrients and water from reaching grass and other plantings.
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- The crew also cleaned and organized the giant Equipment Barn. All the many gardening tools are hung so that they are easy to find. Dirt is rinsed off outdoors before tools are put away.
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- Ladders of various sizes rest against one wall above the wheelbarrows and close to one set of large barn doors for easy access.
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- Here’s Chhiring washing our trusted Kubota mower. All the equipment is washed and checked for needed repairs, so it is ready to use.
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- Mowers, blowers, tractors, tillers and generators are all parked on one side of the Equipment Barn. We park them faced out, so they are easy to get to and to move when needed. The John Deere tractor on the right is great. It is often used for mowing the hay fields.
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- All the hoses are gathered, drained, recoiled and then stored away for the season.
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- Meanwhile, all of the air conditioner pits around the farm are covered with industrial strength plastic, and plywood to protect them from the winter elements. Here is Pete cutting the plastic to fit over the pit.
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- Next, large pieces of plywood are positioned on top of the plastic. I keep all my air conditioners in large pits, where they are well hidden behind each house.
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- Then, we cover the entire length of the pit and plywood with a layer of burlap.
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- Pete uses strips of wood to secure the burlap.
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- This air conditioner pit is now all set for the winter. Covering these pits also makes it easier to maintain. Any snow or debris that falls can be brushed to the side before accessing the units below.
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- Chhiring places stakes along all the carriage roads throughout the farm. These stakes are very important for guiding cars and other vehicles when there is snow on the ground.
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- We always mark where catch basins are located. This saves a lot of time and needless digging when clearing them of snow and debris. We use stakes that are tall enough to see in the deep snow and mark both sides with black tipped stakes so there isn’t any confusion when it comes time to access them.
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- My darling Sicilian donkeys Clive, Rufus and Billie love this time of year. They always come trotting whenever visitors are near – I think they are hoping for treats.
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- And of course, our annual bulb planting project continues. These daffodil bulbs in the bright yellow sac are from Colorblends Flower Bulbs. This family owned business sells directly to professionals and ambitious residential gardeners. https://www.colorblends.com/
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- Ryan preps the area with bulb fertilizer. This patch is across from the chicken yard. Every year, we add bulbs to nearly every garden bed and also select new areas for planting.
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- Ryan places some of the bulbs strategically around this space.
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- Daffodil bulbs are medium to large in size, so we use long T-handled bulb planters to make these holes. Daffodils should be planted at least six-inches deep.
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- Chhewang back fills the holes and rakes the area, so it is neat and tidy.
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- And here are my handsome blue peacocks strutting around the stable courtyard with their tail feathers fanned out.
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- This boy has a slightly fuller tail – it becomes more and more beautiful as the feathers grow in. Be sure to check my Instagram page @MarthaStewart48 for a closer look at these peacocks with their beautiful tails.
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- My peafowl are always so curious and friendly. They perch everywhere, watching all the activity around the farm. Be sure to check in to this blog again tomorrow for our Thanksgiving photos!
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