Photo by Charlie Tutela
Every year around this time, the turkeys start to explore. I mean REALLY explore their surroundings, work the space, test the limits. This is not a good time of year to park your truck anywhere near the barn (Exhibit A, above) or leave equipment unprotected (Exhibit B, below). In case you were wondering, the insurance companies frown upon claims involving turkeys and their droppings.
Photo by Charlie Tutela
Not to be harsh to the birds or anything… but we are taking Thanksgiving turkey orders for these pastured, heritage, delicious birds. The best way to go about it is to call the Brick Farm Market and ask for the Meat Department. (609) 466-6500. Pickup will be the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
Over in by the veggies, the Lindsay and Justin are readying the ‘caterpillar tunnels’ for extended season growing. The tunnels will be covered and eventually look like huge white caterpillars in the garden.
All I know is that we cannot have enough carrots. Between the juice bar and the produce we sell at the market, we could have an exclusive carrot farm. The later in the season, the sweeter!
Ok, I noticed something unusual this weekend out by a piece of property we will be grazing in Ringoes. The Wooly Bears are all over the place – and they have a huge orange expanse in the middle. Sometimes no black at all.
What does this mean? Long winter? Short winter? Harsh winter? Mild winter? My one son claims the pond will freeze by Thanksgiving for a family pond hockey game. “It’s guaranteed” he told me. Not sure where he was getting his hands on this guaranteed meteorological data, I asked him for a source. Response: “The Farmer’s Almanac”. Really…
Also on this jaunt I came across some hickory nuts. They are a lot of hard work to break open, but the ‘meat’ of the nut is very tasty. Thinking about collecting a few buckets for the pigs.
We also came across this nut below and couldn’t figure out what it was. I was thinking Chestnut, but the casing wasn’t smooth enough and not the right shape.
Here is its tree. Any ideas?
If anyone knows what it is (and if it’s edible), please tell us!