Saturday, July 7, 2012

Life On The Farm- Part 1


The crop coming up just over the rosemary hedge on the garden's border

Thanks for all of your requests for more about our life on the farm, we are flattered you would like to hear more about it so here goes! I have employed the help of my farmer to do this too, as although I completed part of a Uni degree in Agriculture my knowledge is appalling!

We, well not me, but Paul, his dad and brother finished seeding (sowing the crops) a few weeks ago. All nearly 7000 acres of it. Wheat, barley, lentils and canola is what we are growing this year.

Seeding means long hours and is a stressful process for the farmers needing to time things around the weather and the calendar constantly. The boys really miss their dad at this time of year.

You don't just pop the seed in and hope it grows. Lots of planning and preparation occurs long before any of this can start.

In fact most farmers have an agronomist (crop scientist/adviser) who they employ to advise on what, where and how to plant/ fertilise and spray all year long. 
This is what Paul worked as for 6 years before we moved back on to the farm full time.



So once the crop is in more rain is needed to germinate the crops.

And rain it did!
Looking from The White Shed across to the veggie garden

Looking over to the house from the shed.


So now the process of crop monitoring, spraying, fertilising continues.


The house is surrounded by paddocks of crops so whilst Paul keeps an eye on them, my domain is within the house yard's fence and so for me and many other farmers wives this means gardening!!! It is the prefect time to plant new plants, bare rooted trees and roses. And that is just what I am off to do today with the help of my two apprentices.


7 comments:

Dream House Trish said...

Farming is definately a hard working industry Letitia, love your post, your pics really tell the story...Good Luck with this years crops!!!
P.S The new look store is AWESOME!!

Sarah B said...

Did you worry athat all that rain would wash away your seeds?
Looks like a lot of hard work :)

One of my Hobby Blogs said...

oh wow - that rain would worry me a bit! You hear such terrible stories about the weather killing crops - but your garden has come up a treat!

Great story tho,
:)

Letitia Linke - The White Shed said...

Thanks for your concern ladies but we are very lucky to be in such a reliable area where rain & floods are extremely rare. The crop is sown deep enough that there is not much chance of damage. This rain is a good thing. We are so appreciative of any rain. xx

Brooke said...

Thank goodness seeding is finished and the rain came as needed. Now the boys have moved on to rock picking. No rest for the wicked!

Millie said...

Lovely post Letitia, yes you right, farming is not an easy life, you are stars for having the courage to forge a successful farming life for yourselves. The property is looking lovely, even in the depths of Winter.
Millie xx

kim @ whitebarnbasics said...

Hi! I just found your blog while poking around and I must say I love it! Love your beautiful pictures and, of course, I love your farming life(we are farmers as well, almonds) A few posts back you showed your house (?) amazing! That is exactly the style of house I have wanted for the longest time!I am looking forward to taking a peek at your other posts!