Weekend Farm Visit

With no rain in the forecast,

I headed out on Saturday to visit my friend Jannah's farm.

We first featured Popple Springs last year in this post.

The new duck barn and pond was a busy scene.

Jannah's husband built the structure

and they both worked on creating the swimming hole.

 They have added these runner ducks to their brood.

The picture here doesn't capture it,

but when the light hits these critters just right,

it's magic.

Their feathers go from black to a deep violet or even teal.

The change is unbelievable!

 All of the shade and fruit trees have recently undergone pruning.

With as many trees as they have to take care of,

it's important to stay on top of these tasks.

 

The brilliant blue sky makes the bare branches even more striking.

ornamental cherry

Some trees are budding with the anticipation of spring.

 The perimeter of the parking area

will soon be overflowing with gorgeous bulbs

blooming and putting on their show.

 Numerous daffodils decorate the front gardens.

 Jannah is enamored with the purity of the color of these daffs.

As an artist, she can truly appreciate the intensity of color more than others.

 Edibles and ornamentals share space in many of her plantings.

Just look at the deep, rich hue of this mustard.

It was thrilling to take note of her leg up on the growing season.

She has broccoli, carrots, kale, peas, spinach, and more already soaking up the sun.

These tender seedlings are being protected from curious chickens.

 After felling a diseased oak tree,

the wood was strategically amassed for use at a later date.

This reminds me of a giant jigsaw puzzle.

 Up on the deck,

these cheery pansies greeted us with loads of color.

 There were quite a few that I've never seen before,

like this striped variety.

The contrast of colors was amazing.

 These ruffled pansies were another first-time treat.

Jannah is planning on doing some paintings of these gorgeous specimens.

Max

It's always stimulating to visit the gardens of others.

You never know what might trigger inspiration.

So grateful to have gardeners as friends.

We understand each other's language.

Garden on!

"In spring, by the end of the day,

you should smell like dirt."

~Margaret Atwood

Garden Artistry

Last week,
I paid a visit to a fellow classmate's farm

(we are both enrolled in the Master Gardener program).
I was excited, knowing that anything farm-related
is time well spent.
What I didn't expect 
was the incredible beauty and serenity found.

Welcome to Popple Springs.

These two homesteaders are the caretakers of this 26-acre property in nearby Vale.

They have lived on this family parcel for 2 years 

and have been working toward self-reliance for some time.

Jannah has a background in design, which is highly evident
in her planting beds.
Having been raised here, she has a natural affinity for the land
and all of its inhabitants.
These gardens are truly a labor of love.

Every well-tended bed is a testament 

to steadfast dedication and an undeniable respect for the land.

The diversity of plants is astounding,
and much of the property is low maintenance,
relying on rain water and proper placement to foster the gardens' health and vitality.

Around every corner is another stunning display,

encouraging you to spend some quiet time drinking in the scenery.

Hand-made artwork is showcased throughout the grounds,

such as this simple but elegant wine bottle bird feeder.

This area enticed me to explore further.

The lilac-colored chairs evoke a spiritual vibe,

which was appropriate in this case.

You see, this is Jannah's pet memorial garden,

where she can spend time with those who have gone on.

What a beautiful and touching tribute.

We continued our tour by discovering the food production area.

One of the main reasons John and Jannah moved back here,

was to support a healthy lifestyle,

including growing as much of their own food as possible.

Here, straw bales are used in growing raspberries.

Blackberry plants have been nurtured nearby.

The grapevine has successfully produced fruit

that is used for drinking and jam-making.

We sampled the grape juice, (no sugar added),

 and it was so refreshing.
Jannah is hoping to give wine making a try.

Further back on the property is a large expanse of growing fields.

The peas here are doing well,

and Jannah told me about a new variety she is trying called Tom Thumb,

which only gets up to 8 inches tall and takes less than 2 months until harvest.

Nearby, kales and greens share space.

I love the curves in this bed

which add interest to the design.

Here's a chicken tractor called "The Eglu", (made with recycled plastic), 
that will be moved around as needed. 
This coop comes as a kit and has wheels,
which makes it easy for two people to move.
The model Jannah owns will house 2-3 hens.

Chickens can scratch up the dirt, add their special blend of fertilizer,

and help themselves to any bugs they may find in the garden.

Several cold frames ensure that veggies can be sown year-round.

The raised beds were bursting with goodies.

Jannah also has a large greenhouse in which to start seedlings.

This is my kind of office!

Daily vigilance means that care is taken to meet the needs of each and every crop.

Gourds awaiting processing

The back of the property will host a large pond,

a project still over a year away.

It's plain that planning is key to this farm's success,

and Jannah rises early forming her to-do list.

Completing larger tasks one at a time will make the undertaking less daunting.

Chickens and ducks share a large run on the farm

and work to earn their keep.

These critters provide food, pest control, fertilizer

and hours of entertainment with their antics.

The sound of the hens clucking is somehow soothing.

Headin' in to roost for a spell.

Remember the gourds you saw earlier?

This Purple Martin Condo was fashioned by John

using an old tv antenna and the painted gourds they grew themselves.

Who wouldn't feel right at home here?
I adore the way things are repurposed on this farm.

Unfortunately, we don't have enough open space to host these birds.

It would still be a lot of fun to create the houses 

and maybe donate them to a public or community garden.

What a treat spending time with such a creative spirit and ardent lover of nature.

I'm so appreciative of those who are willing to share their sacred spaces.

It's difficult not to feel motivated to improve your own homestead
when you see what a lot of hard work and vision can create.

I certainly obtained many ideas from visiting with Jannah
and I know it will foster inspiration for quite some time.