Pushing Spring

Spring is slow in coming to the North woods.  This is the scene that we were able to enjoy yesterday with all the new snowfall.  Though to be honest, I cannot name a single individual who is enjoying it! 

 This time of year brings the arrival of new babies to the farm.  On 3/28 Belinda gave birth to Biscuit, a heifer.

 Gwendolyn presented us with twelve baby pigs on 3/26.  Ten of them are still with us and growing well despite the rotten weather.

 Black Beauty, the cow that is at least 14 years old, gave birth to Usher, on 3/27.  He is our first black calf. I love this picture with all his milk mess. 

We are still waiting for a few more calves, and the sheep have not started lambing yet.  It looks like at least 19 of the 23 ewes are bred, and they are looking close.  I know I shouldn't rush the arrival of lambing, especially given our miserable weather, but I have a feeling that once they start to lamb it is going to be crazy.  Plus, it would be nice if getting up at 2 am on a nightly basis to check cows and sheep would reveal something for our troubles. 

 

Looking out the window at the high snowbanks, it is hard to believe at this time last year Lake Vermilion was ice free.  We had trumpeter swans and a variety of other water fowl enjoying the flooded river in front of the house.  I was reminded of this today when a pair of trumpeters came flying along the river while I was outside.  They will have to go quite a distance to find any open water. 

 

Friday brought another sign of Spring, the arrival of our new high tunnel.  A high tunnel is basically an unheated greenhouse where you grow your plants in the ground.  It will be a sure benefit to our vegetable operation by extending our growing season and eliminating the fear of odd frost dates.  When you are trying to grow a large amount of produce in a location that has an average of 100 frost free days, you need to do more.  This 30x95 foot structure will help things.  Now for the snow to melt, the ground to thaw, and installation to happen. 

This is a heavy pile of steel and plastic.  I think a "high tunnel raising" is a good idea for a get-together/party. What do you think?

 

Time to go milk the goat, and check the sheep, and the cows...