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Category Archives: Grammy's Pumpkin Patch

Frustration!

06 Aug

“Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn. The sheep are in the meadow. The cows are in the . . . PUMPKINS!!!!!”

Those big brutes decided to tromp through one of our pumpkin patches today! My dad, Papa, loaded up a steer early this afternoon, but when he returned with a bull early evening, he found some cattle contentedly chewing their cud (which apparently was comprised of plants from the patch). Papa said they pushed through a fence to the patch, apparently unable to resist the urge of an area filled to overflowing with green plants. Surprisingly, they seemed not to eat on the pumpkin plants themselves, but the weeds that were on the outside edge.  Too bad they didn’t walk neatly around the edge of the patch, but instead, they chose to tromp from one side to the other. Sheesh!

Papa always takes things like this in stride. He is a great farmer in that sense. Grammy is ready to sell off all of the cattle. I vote with Grammy. Angie reminds us all, “God is faithful.”  True, true. I haven’t seen the mess myself, but I’ll head out tomorrow to take some pictures to post.

Grammy’s Pumpkin Patch 2012, McPherson, KS
 
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Posted by on August 6, 2012 in Grammy's Pumpkin Patch

 

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A Gift

04 Aug

Today’s weather was a surprise gift for us on the farm.  In the midst of a drought partnered with scorching heat, God gifted us with an amazing day!  When we left our home in McPherson to head to the farm, it was already a very humid 85 degrees.  By the time we drove the 10 miles north to Johnstown, it was 74 degrees with a fabulous cool breeze!  During the mostly cloudy day, we had light rains on and off.  It was such a refreshing time.

We are beginning to truly gear up for the pumpkin patch season–trimming the tunnel, painting signs, etc. We also hauled off a tree that had fallen. There is still a good 9 feet of trunk standing.  We are excited to see what Mark Childs, our chainsaw woodcarver, will do with it! Charis and Ben took their job very seriously.  They are supposed to be taming the kittens, so that they will be friendly by October. The kids had a great time playing with the kittens on the hill.

We were so thankful for a reprieve from the heat!  It was a joy to work around the farm, and it was a reminder that autumn really is just around the corner!!

Grammy’s Pumpkin Patch at Johnstown Farm 2012
 
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Posted by on August 4, 2012 in Grammy's Pumpkin Patch

 

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Johnstown Giant

24 Jul

If you are on our mailing list, or if you live in the Johnstown area, you are aware of the 2nd annual Johnstown Giant Pumpkin contest.  Last year we hosted the event for the first time. We invited neighbors from the Johnstown area to try their hand at growing a giant pumpkin. On the evening of the contest, we weighed and measured all the entries. There were prizes for everyone (thanks to Kola Johnson). My favorite part came over supper when stories were shared of relatives and friends “back in the day” Johnstown.  Leland brought his guitar and closed out our night with some singing. What a great time to enjoy neighbors and reflect on my heritage and the work, tears, and yes, laughter that went into building up a homestead and small country community.

Well, as a sneak peek, here is our plant that is growing this year’s Johnstown Giant. I admit with this year’s season, our giant could have been planted earlier, but we are still holding out hope for a GREAT BIG entry!

This year’s Johnstown Giant hopeful!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grammy’s Pumpkin Patch 2012, McPherson, KS
 
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Posted by on July 24, 2012 in Grammy's Pumpkin Patch

 

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Around the Farm

23 Jul

I thought that I would share a few pictures.  We held the kitties for the first time yesterday.  The cousins loved cuddling the five furballs.

Saying “Hello” to the five new kittens.

We are still trying to get the new guinea hens to trust us.  The kids do a great job of being very calm around them, but the birds are so flighty.

Parker trying to befriend those flighty guineas with oatmeal.

Dominic is holding one of our 3 chickens that survived the “Massacre of 2012.”  We also have a new rooster. I’m keeping my eye on him!

Dominic with one of the chickens that survived the “Chicken Massacre of 2012”.

Here is Bossy Rossy II. Our new Heritage Rooster.

Grammy’s Pumpkin Patch 2012
 
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Posted by on July 23, 2012 in Grammy's Pumpkin Patch

 

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Project “Save the Pumpkins”

22 Jul

It is the same at Johnstown Farm as it is in all of Kansas – HOT and DRY.  Many weeks ago we began our “Save the Pumpkin” campaign.  Johnstown Farm has always been dryland farmed (no irrigation systems required). However, these past two summers have gone beyond what any poor seed/sprout/plant can be expected to survive. We began this summer using flood irrigation to get to the pumpkin field, but this past weekend, Kansas conditions beat us, and we installed a drip system irrigation on the field. Hard work, but worth it!  Someone joked at an agriculture meeting, “If you want to feel like a successful gardener, grow a pumpkin.”  I think they were correct “grow A pumpkin” – not acres of pumpkins. One can be babied, in fact a small crop of them can be babied, but acres of pumpkins….  Right when we think we’ve got a handle on the water, there are bugs, then heat, then weeds….

We are thankful for the irrigation system!

Grammy’s Pumpkin Patch 2012
 
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Posted by on July 22, 2012 in Grammy's Pumpkin Patch

 

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