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Mini Pumpkin Patch

I visited the patch today for the first time since the cows visited it yesterday. Man, I am so disappointed. This was a patch where we planted our giants and minis. Before the cows frolicked in it, it was our best looking patch as we had babied it along during the tough conditions this summer. Some plants survived and are looking great. I guess I need to concentrate on them!

The first plant was a Dill’s Atlantic Giant that the cows topped off. These are supposed to be grass-fed cattle, not pumpkin-fed! The second picture is some of the “carnage”. Number three are some survivors, and the last picture is of a Jack-Be-Little that Flicka, the cow, picked. Sigh!

Grammy’s Pumpkin Patch 2012 in McPherson, KS

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

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

Johnstown Farm

Tag Archives: drought

Mini Pumpkin Patch

A Gift

Project “Save the Pumpkins”

Agriculture Education

Ag Impact

Beef

Grass Finished

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