Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Preparing for Winter

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The blooming season for our lavender has come to an end for 2014 and you'd think life
at the farm would slow down just a bit.  I suppose it has to some degree and yet this time also begins
 the big count down, the count down to the first frost!  With the frost on its way
 comes what is affectionately known as "the list".

Gardening is a lot like a race . . . a race against time and weather.  In the spring we race
against the rains to prepare the soil, clean up the fields, sow grass seed, ready irrigation lines, replace lavender and more. . . all to prepare for the great awakening of the plants and the June
bloom to come!
But the fall of the year seems to carry more tasks and pressure to get the lavender
 nicely tucked in weeks before the first frost.

 That's where "the list" comes into play.  Our list helps us prioritize the things that "must get done" and plan our weekends so in the end we have measured productivity.  Our list this fall was loaded - cut wood, blow out irrigation lines, gather leaves, do the final weeding and harvesting of the lavender, assemble a green house and so much more.  The one item we were almost giddy to have completed was giving the lavender a hard pruning in time to
recover a bit before the first frost.  With the temperatures so cold this past week
and a dusting of snow already on the ground - we are especially thankful our
 lavender was ready! Oh and the plants!  They look so happy, compact, and cute after their
 awesome haircut.  Twenty-one rows, approximately 190 feet long pruned and ready for
 winter gives cause for celebration!   Here are a few pictures of our winter-ready beauties.

  What's on your list?  How do you make your tasks manageable and complete?
We are always open to encouragement and fresh ideas!

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