Preparing for Fall at the Farm

Most of our family and friends are already aware that Robbie and I have been in the process of purchasing a 5-acre rural property that we hope to be moved into by the last part of July (or at least by the first week of August). We've gone through various versions of what to call it--'the Country House', 'the Quinlan House', by its postal address, 'Glen Macomber'--etc. and have settled on 'Farm.' Nice and tidy. Really, it's more of a "farmette" (actual term I've been seeing increasingly) but who's counting?

 

The farm will will give us a lot of new opportunities--the house more than doubles our current living space (ahhhh), it's made for entertaining (pool!), it has a workshop nearly as big as our current home, fantastic sandy loam soil, and of course the land to grow on. Most importantly, though, the shape and form of the acreage struck something in both of us--and in all of our driving and searching, we kept coming back to this specific place. It's a modest parcel of land, no doubt--but the harmony of the meadows and trees here is so special you can feel like you're in the middle of nowhere out there. To us, that's priceless.

 

There's loads of sunshine and prairie grasses and wildflowers, that deep sandy loam soil that has me so excited, a creek that runs through the property and will create a perfect pond garden just behind the house, and the perfect spaces for greenhouses, the chicken yard, composting, and a modest orchard.

 

While we'll be spending the fall and winter working on various projects to lay a strong foundation, we can't help but get a few  "Now we have the space to grow this" crops. Since early July is a great time to seed for a fall harvest, we've done just that. Yes, I'm aware that pumpkins, squash, and watermelon are best when direct-seeded into the garden (I had to confirm three times for Irma, my grounds crew forewoman, that I was aware of this basic gardening fact). However, since closing isn't until the 15th, I had to get a jump on things. So, among others, seeds are greenhouse-sown for:

'Cinderella' Pumpkin, or Rouge vif d'Etamps, a fantastic French heirloom variety first available in the U.S. in the 1880s. Known decoratively for it's fat, flat shape, rich ruddy red/orange color, and deep ribs; culinarily for being a richly-flavored variety excellent for baking and roasting. Behold:

 

'Connecticut Field' Pumpkin, a classic old staple that's the favorite for Halloween Jack-0-Lanterns, yielding heavy, 10-20 lb fruit:

 

'Jack-be-Little' Pumpkins, the favorite little teeny ones for decorating, votives, etc.

 

'Tigger' Melons, an old Armenian heirloom variety that produces 1-2 lb fruits with bright, jagged stripes on the husk and fragrant, white, cantaloupe-like flesh inside:

 

And several others. We won't have time to really build up a veg garden before these go in the ground; more than likely "till a quick row" will be the approach. They're just the beginning, though--more of a "we just can't wait" project. And then again, I have a thing for pumpkins.

Last but not least, as it's worth mentioning here: among our first marks to make will be the honoring of Betsy's Garden, the private courtyard garden off of the master bathroom. It's a cool space with lots of potential, but it's in need of some garden TLC. To mark the beginning of its transformation, it's been renamed for Betsy, the little one we lost in May. Here she is engaged in her favorite activity, back in 2010:

 

 

With some of her ashes, we'll plant a deciduous Magnolia, such as this one...

 

...and that will be the greatest start we could hope for.

Comments

[Helen Wachsman]

That is so beautiful. I tear up as I read this. I love the beautiful life and the beautiful farmette you both are creating for yourselves. You are both so special and wonderful. You both have your heads on right and are pursuing your dreams,one step at a time, and that is so lovely to watch. I hope to see you guys before you leave the big city. I hope I can be of some help. I hope to see your new wonderland that you both create. I love you both very much.

[Charlotte]

Wonderful Helen said it perfectly...and as Mom, you can't imagine what a blessing it is to be here to witness these great (and sad) times you are sharing to form a beautiful life.

Helen, I can't wait to sit and share a glass of wine with you and toast our boys'new home!! (They will be inside cooking us a marvelous dinner!)