Just because there's snow on the ground doesn't mean all-stop at Painted Hand Farm. Raising livestock is a year-round commitment. I've managed to have most of the babies born in the off-season from farmers markets and rent out the breeding goats during the summer months giving calves access to the pastures. It's a delicate balance when you're only working with 20 acres, but all in all, it's a good cycle of life.
Speaking of life...just look at that row of collards in the harshest spot on the farm. They've been snowed on, frozen with temperatures into the 20's and beaten down by a hurricane. Right beside them are a few rows of red beets poking up from all the leaves that have blow across the street from my neighbors'. Free mulch!
For the more tender greens, I like to add a floating row cover. It also helps keep the roosters, Houdini hens and Guinea fowl from picking through the garden. There's also a few rows of parsnips that will be awesome in the early spring.
Remember those collards? How awesome is it to walk out to the garden, snip a few greens, walk over to the hen house, snag a few fresh eggs and then make breakfast? Life is Good...indeed.
