Some nice pictures of the Winter at Walnut Hill. The house always looks great in the snow! What they don’t show is that on a lovely day like this the temperature is often only a few degrees Fahrenheit, or around -10 to -15 Celsius!!
The barns always look magnificent with the red contrast with the clear white snow. This is really cold powder snow, so it glistens beautifully in the sunlight.
The snow has finally gone, although I did see a couple of small drifts that hadn’t melted fully yesterday. Last night there was a lot of lightening, hardly any rain until midnight. Then of course the heavens opened and we got 1″. And just to make sure everyone is on their toes, they are forecasting snow sometime on Monday!
Planting has started. This weekend:
The indoor plants continue. They now have a heated mat to keep their tootie toes warm as I have turned down the heating.
Over the last week I have been busy with the Spring planting.
First job replace the ancient electric thermostat. Any temperature you liked as long as it was below 70 or above 85!!
Lights have been installed to assist the growing plants.
Most of the ones planted last week have germinated. Brassicas, leeks and tomatoes. Peppers are a little slow. Few more planted today.
This year the strawberries have produced 33lbs. There have been 3lbs of new potatoes, lettuce, radish and peas.
The rest of the yard looks good as well. New tractor and mower doing a great job. Leaves more time for weeding….
The potatoes and corn are looking good. Flowering came at the same time as the rains. Ideal! Not to hot either just the right weather for them.
Tomatoes are starting to get going.
This is what I like about live in Waldwick. The roads are well maintained and life is always starting!
Trees in blossom at Walnut hill and view towards the feedlot.
Is that snow on the ground?
Strawberries are coming!!
Flowers started this year with a nice display of crocuses. Hopefully they are going to naturalize over the years and create a nice visual carpet of color.
Next to flower are the daffodils. The classic yellow ones are at the top of the field and the more interesting ones near the barn.
Last to flower the tulips. They make a great display going up to the house.
Even the trees are looking great at this time of the year. 
Joe came up to help this weekend. Parsnips, fingerling potatoes and sweet corn planted or in progress. Also, direct sown kale, broccoli, turnip, beet, lettuce and carrot.
Grass growing fast. Tractor/mower combination working at full speed.
Planting potatoes in progress. Varieties include Red Pontiac, Purple, Chieftain and Elbe. Fingerlings are due this week.
I have decided to start an orchard. So far we have apple, pear, apricot and blueberry. I am also looking to add grapes and walnuts.
So much easier to plant with the backhoe. Remember all those instructions that say, create a hole 3′ in diameter and when you get to 18″ you think, that’s enough. Not so with the backhoe – the best way to cheat!!
