Farm Photos | barkingcatfarm | Barking Cat Farm

Winter 2011-2012

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:08:46 -0600

Of Drought & Armadillos

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 17:02:02 -0500

We're now officially in a "Severe Drought". Can't prep land when it is this dry, so planting is halted until we have rain. Meanwhile, the undergrowth in the forest has all died out to nearly Winter levels. And the animals, including a really persistent armadillo, are desperate for water. The armadillo is coming right through the electric fence and ripping our drip tape to shreds, causing the plants we do have in to wilt and in some cases die. If we keep water dishes outside the fence full and sardines baited on the lower strand, it seems to keep it out.

Can you tell which beds are irrigated? Two, 300' long beds are all that can be planted. They are filled with sweet pepper & some cherry tomato plants.

Watering the wildlife

There are many water dishes, all the way around the fence. Otherwise the armadillo just chooses a new place to enter.

We've also roughed up the ground around each dish so we can spot tracks to confirm the culprit.

This area is supposed to be in deer fencing, tilled and irrigated right now. We literally had to use an auger to remove some of the old deer fence posts last month. It's that dry.

The roads are turning into sand. If we were foolish enough to try to till, that's what would happen to the soil in the fields too. If the implement would even break the ground.

Yummy. Sardines to bait the lower fence strands.

One way to look at the lowering irrigation tank is that now we can put depth marks on the intake pipe.

Broken Things

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 16:54:11 -0500

Last month, a $22 plastic part at the end of the intake line for the irrigation pump broke. Which meant the pump ran dry. This is not a good thing. We now have a new pump.

Jeff Francis and Laurie checking the foot valve.

It was an epic problem, which meant we could either despair or....

The culprit, which no one has any idea how on earth it would have broken except the plastic just failed.

New pump. Many thanks to Jeff for dropping everything and getting the new pump & the foot valve replaced. Our crops would have faced certain death without swift action.

Deer Fencing Version 5

Fri, 24 Dec 2010 16:12:35 -0600

This has been the year of the mammal at the farm. We've learned a lot about live trapping and electric fencing. Here's photos of the new fence going up on field 1B. We'll be resetting field 1A's fence upright next. The new fence will be a double fence, electrified.

Landscape fabric down to end the endless weedeating of the fence line. Laid out as square as possible. Pulling up beds to be ready for planting in January.

Putting in the t-posts at the corners & the gates...

...with a really big hammer.

Six beds formed. Not quite as wide as we'd like, need to modify the bed former to flatten the tops out to get to 3' wide. However, the great news is that we have beds formed.

Fall on the Farm

Fri, 24 Dec 2010 16:09:36 -0600

Right before Thanksgiving, the leaves were gorgeous and the crops were still green.

Fall is here.

Nemesis

Scouting out the newly plowed field for future dining.

End of the line for these crops.

Berries

October 2010

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:39:40 -0500

After battling weeds & deer all year long, we're finally seeing some decent looking growth. Of course, the first average freeze is in just 2 weeks.

Cherry Tomatoes & some full sizes starting to form (right). Squash on the left.

Middle section tilled, ready for deer fencing & cover crops.

Started digging sweet potatoes. They were coming out small, so we decided to wait a few more weeks.

This will be the next area deer fenced. We've done about all the ground prep we need to do prior to putting the fencing up.

Orchard reclaimed from the weeds.

Front NW field. Still battling some weeds in there. About to lightly retill and then broadcast cover crops.

Earthkind Double Knockout Roses and Texas Superstar New Gold Lantana plants along the frontage have done well in spite of our benign neglect.

Blueberry field reclaimed from the great weed invasion of 2009. Green in the aisles is the permanent cover crop germinating.

Cover crop germinating: 3 types of clover and elbon rye.

One of the less healthy blueberry plants. The entire field is doing much better.

A much happier plant.

2010 photos

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:12:33 -0500

We've been busy and have gotten behind in posting photos, so this is a compilation of the year so far in pictures.

Snapdragons looked good, but didn't make great cuts this year.

Kim running the 8N

Laurie working with our friend Gary Chaffin from Deen Implement

Gary checking the spray action.

Frogs in a row

John Thompson delivering our 'new' Powermaster 851 Tractor

She's a beauty, made around 1959, originally a diesel engine, replaced later with a gas engine.

Laurie takes the first drive.

Kim getting some practice hours in.

Both old Fords parked now in a non-flooding area.

LSU Purple Figs

For some reason, praying mantis like to hang out on the fruit tree cages.

In September, we took a field trip to buy locally grown barley straw to use for algae control next year in the pond.

First significant crop off the farm this year - mixed sweet peppers.

Cherry tomatoes, trellised with the help of CSA'er Rick.

Left to right: cherry tomatoes, sweet potatoes, sweet peppers.

Finally had time and figured out how to tip the barrels over that we bought last year. The farm was too wet to move a tractor near where they were for most of that year. We're finally working off the very long list of postponed jobs from 2009.

Spring

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:20:46 -0500

Trees are leafed out, flowers blooming and we're finally planting.

Snapdragons planted

Blue Heron

Crimson clover

Knockout Rose

Blueberries forming

Bed Forming, Finally

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:15:02 -0500

After months of not being able to do any planting preparation, we were finally able to bed form for the Spring crops. However, getting to the bed former was a challenge. We couldn't get the tractor very close. So we ended up turning the bed former over end over end until we could get it close enough to the tractor to pull it out the rest of the way.

You can see the drag marks from where we were pulling out with the tractor. Did we mention that the bed former is made out of solid steel?

Forming beds

Deer Fencing Version 2

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:07:16 -0500

We've taken down the old deer fencing and put up a new type this Spring. It consists of fence posts set at angle to create a 3D effect for the deer and electric wiring. So far, so good.

We dug a trench using the tractor's front end loader to bury an under gate and hookup wire. So the fence will be hot even if the gate is open.

Look! A sight seen only 3 times before in the last 6 months, the tractor is on the farm!

But that doesn't mean everything is dried out. Still soggy where we got in to fill the trench.

Finished, looking North. Not a big area, but a reasonable start.

Looking South.

Laurie testing the fence. Note the cedar tree we used for the post, while they are invasive, they are useful for things like this.

Trays & trays & trays of plants

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 10:45:29 -0500

We brought in plug trays for the first time this year as well as starting our own plugs. Because the Winter & early Spring was unusually cold, we got to spend some quality time moving the trays of peppers & tomatoes in & out of the germination shed each day to protect them from chill injury.

Stacked as high as we could

Trays on all the open floor space

and table space

Some of them spread out outside when it was warm enough

Snow at the Nursery

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:09:07 -0600

Laurie knocking snow off of the low tunnels

A couple of inches thick at least

Cleared off for now, round two of clearing to be done later...

Cold hardy crops are just fine under tunnels

Carrot tops peeping out from under the snow

Unloading & Moving Stuff Finally

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:22:25 -0600

One of the great things about farming for us is that there is always something new to learn. We'd never unloaded 55 G barrels from anything before. With some good advice and a properly tied strap from Sabino Cortez, we were able to unload everything without incident, which is always a good thing. A few days later, it was finally dry enough to move the cultivator and the sprayer back on to the farm.

Lining up over the first barrel

As with any job, you spend a good deal of time looking for the right tools. We forgot we were using the chain with hooks already installed elsewhere. So Laurie got to do a quick add to a different chain.

One down, one to go.

Down and even placed on a pallet.

Unloading the tea maker was the easy part.

View from the tractor seat, yes the hard hat was worn at the proper time.

Kim about to try out our new pallet 'carry all' for the first time.

It worked!

Miss Eva moving leaves that the neighbors have gathered for us instead of burning them. We compost them and till them into the soil to add organic matter.

Picking Up the Compost Tea Maker

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:09:35 -0600

We've conducted our own empirical tests to prove to ourselves how much plants benefit from well brewed compost tea. However, planning ahead for 24 hours with Texas weather is a challenge, so we were glad to meet Sabino Cortez at the 2009 TOFGA conference. He has a really unique (and patented) tea maker design that can turn out 60 G in 30 minutes. We took a day trip down to Dublin, Texas to pick it up. It was a good trip and a great time to do it while the ground was still too saturated to get anything done on the farm.

Plus two 55 G barrels, one of Fish Fertilizer, one of liquid Molasses

And of course, we had to stop at the Dr. Pepper store, where they still use cane sugar!

The tea maker - a beauty

Loading up

Trail Ride

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:17:00 -0600

Since it has been so muddy, we were able to join the NorthEast Texas Antique Tractor & Engine Club for their annual trail ride last Saturday morning. We rode in a 'hay wagon' behind an antique John Deere. It was a blast!

Rain, mud, deer

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:29:20 -0500

In case you haven't noticed, we've had record rainfalls the last two months. This has led to crop failures on many farms including ours. Here's what it looks like out there.

You know it's bad when grass grows on your mower...

Standing water everywhere.

Really, everywhere.

Bobcat tracks, we think.

Flooded fields.

Flooded garage area.

Cut through has been under water for most of the last 2 months.

Deer tracks...uh oh, this isn't looking good...

There used to be a lot of pepper & tomato plants here but the deer fencing tore down overnight in a storm and now we've only got hoof prints through the plastic mulch.

Unloading the New Sprayer Finally!

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:51:46 -0500

It's been too wet to unload our new sprayer from the back of the pickup. So it's been parked in the garage for nearly a month. Finally got it unloaded today.

Backing up to the ditch (which was finally dry enough for this)

Getting ready to unload it onto the garden cart (betcha never used your cart like this!)

On the cart and on the move...

Unloaded! Next, figuring out how to adjust the 3 point to pick it up.

Wildlife

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:26:52 -0500

A type of tomato hornworm. Pretty except for what it did to the tomato plant.

New Sprayer

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:22:27 -0500

We bought an agricultural grade sprayer. It's a beauty.

Boom side

3-pt hitch side

Really Hot Pepper Spray

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:18:38 -0500

We can't fence the whole farm cost effectively, so we're trying some alternate approaches including spray deterrents.

Kim getting ready to spray and hoping to not breath the spray or get it on her.

Hot pepper spray for deer and raccoon deterrent

Algae

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:55:02 -0500

Algae in the pond means algae in the irrigation lines. Not a good combination.

Algae clogging emitter opening.

Laurie putting out cracked corn and copper to control algae in the pond in our $50 find of a boat.

Can you see the bees in the artichoke flower? Photo taken at Akin Farm.

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:47:11 -0500

Blueberry Planting

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:34:50 -0500

Establishment of our rabbiteye blueberry patch.

Looking across new orchard towards blueberry field

From the NW corner, note the mulch piles that have been shoved towards the fence line in the back.

Looking South from the NW corner.

Looking across new orchard towards blueberry field, after rough till.

From the NW corner, note the mulch piles that have been shoved towards the fence line in the back, after tilling.

Looking South from the NW corner, after tilling.

What a box of 150 bare-root blueberry plants looks like.

The plants.

Planting out.

CSA'ers David & Raena planting blueberry bushes

CSA'er Raena read to mow!

In the ground, needs mulch.

Nice tall & wide beds.

Cover Crops in Bloom

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:30:07 -0500

Crimson clover & hairy vetch planted last fall in full bloom. The honeybees are feasting on them.

Crimson clover & hairy vetch

Another angle

The vetch is the purple flowers.

Our 'New' Tractor

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:10:00 -0500

Unloading by John Thompson

You should hear it running! Rebuilt engine, good brakes.

Kim driving it for the first time.

Laurie getting a closer look

Deer Fencing

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 18:21:40 -0600

Looking South towards the pond, see the netting on the right.

At the far North end of the fenced area

Corner post, painted so maybe we won't hit it.

Crop Photos

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:19:31 -0600

Favas!

Looking North along road beds, Elbon rye coming nicely in between beds

Future home of fruit trees, in annual rye grass now

Beets

Garlic

Summer cucumber harvest. Mix of hybrids and heirlooms.

Mulching the Front Fence Line

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:15:51 -0600

As an all natural farm, we don't use conventional herbicides. We've been looking for a solution to the fence line maintenance for awhile. This is our latest try.

Why we need to mulch.

Laying the fabric

New Tools

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:05:46 -0600

Double Hillers

7 Sweep Cultivator

Irrigation In

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:51:37 -0600

Garlic is up!

Jeff Francis, Texas Lawn & Landscape, who put in the irrigation infrastructure.

View towards the pond. Bags of leaves on the right.

Removable, above ground pipe loop to connect drip tape to irrigation main

Oak tree off just inside SW entrance.

Bat House

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:43:02 -0600

Bats have long been a part of our insect control plan, as they are extremely efficient at finding and eating harmful insects such as mosquitos and moths. We finally bought a mounting system and our first house from Maberry Bat Homes in Daingerfield. We can add up to 3 more houses on this same pole.

Pivot base is set in concrete

Tractor is lined up, ready to pull up the pole

Laurie & Miss Eva work on attaching the bat house to the pole

Starting to lift it

Up in the air

View from the bottom

Laying Drip Tape

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 19:56:36 -0500

'Custom built' drip tape dolly

Pulling the tape out

Everyone gets a turn pulling tape

Bed Forming

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:00:42 -0500

Laurie gets to drive because the theory is she can drive in a straight line better than Kim.

Pulling up the first bed

View looking toward the pond on the 'road beds'

Leaving wide aisles for cover crops

NW Field Cover Crops

Installing Drip Irrigation

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:39:50 -0500

One of our major projects in 2008 was installing drip irrigation onto the main farm.

Main line trench coming from pump house

Main line trench running from pump house to front (North)

Main line trench being installed along South end of NW front field

The pump

Cover Crops Spring 2008

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:45:39 -0500

Cover crops that were planted in Fall 2007 are now showing good growth in March 2008.

Pond bank

Close-up of the cover crops - annual rye with some hairy vetch showing

Front NW field. White areas are where we swung too wide with the seeder and missed areas.

Moon Dance Farm new chicks

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:57:48 -0500

Jacque Kirk bought some new chicks - including a heritage chicken breed and guineas. One of Jacque's hens was already broody - ready to sit & hatch eggs. Jacque turned her into a adopted mother for the chicks.

Jacque holding the tiny chick

Starting to feather out

Along for a ride

Cover Crops Emerge Winter 2008

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 13:09:15 -0600

Cover cropping is an important part of our sustainability plan. Here's a few photos of the emergence of our first major seeding of cover crops. The cover crops protect the soil from erosion, help suppress weeds, add nitrogen to the soil and add organic material to the soil when we mow it down. We're working on designing a crop rotation plan that will heavily incorporate cover cropping so that we can limit and potentially eliminate the need to add fertilizers in the future.

Can you tell where we changed the seeding rate? View is looking S along W right of way.

Pond bank

Down the center 'road beds' looking towards the pond

Front NW field - smatterings of green emerging

Coming up through the crusted ground

Annual rye coming up along right-away.

Purple Hull Peas and High Waders

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 16:29:37 -0500

Rain has been plentiful and the drainage on the main farm is bad. We set out to pick Purple Hull Peas from our first planting. We had to cut our way in with a weeder and were both wearing mud boots.

Flooded rows

But there are peas out here

Too wet to drive on anywhere, much less mow

First crop

Lettuce

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 16:34:56 -0500

Who says you can't grow lettuce in the summer in Texas?

Why We Need to Re-grade the farm

Sat, 20 Jan 2007 16:45:11 -0600

We've talked to a lot of folks about what to do about the flooding and standing water we get on the main farm. We're going to end up needing to re-grade a significant portion of the open areas to solve this problem permanently. Meanwhile, we're going to try to get a few crops planted.