Too Hot and Too Dry

Sunday September 2, 2012

Over the course of a few weeks in May and June we probably planted over 300 sunflower seedlings only to see them destroyed by the deer or eaten up by grasshoppers.  In spite of our deer repellent efforts and automatic watering system to hedge against drought.  It will be a lot easier to care for the land once we get moved.

We met with representatives of Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to plan some food plots for pollinators.  The food plots will have the added benefit of supporting the local quail population (I jumped a small covey a couple of times over the last 18 months).  We decided on two plots of about 3 acres each in the larger hay meadow.  NRCS has a No Till Seeder I can rent for the planting and my neighbor to the north is extremely willing to help me get the seed in the ground.  We'll plant the wildflower mix after the first of December.  We hope to achieve a constant bloom from May through September and into October with this effort.  NRCS will prepare the seed according to the plan I select.  The cost of the seed and the drill rental are very reasonable and my farmer friend seems very willing to plant it for free.  I intend to at least cover the cost of his fuel.  I can't wait to see the result of our efforts next summer.  We just need to pray for a more reasonable weather pattern.

Ramona and I also considered planting yellow and white sweet clover in the 3 acre brome hay field.  But I think the investment in the larger hay meadow this winter will be enough for one year.  We can budget something for the 3 acre field in 2013.

 

It has been too hot and too dry for the bees to make any surplus honey.  So, for the second year in a row now we'll have to provide more supplemental winter feeding than is normal.  Like I said we need to pray for more temperate weather next year.