Tag Archives: weather

Today’s Weather

April 1, 2008   Winter Farming

Share the post "Today’s Weather"

No joke. 4″ of snow last night; fog and rain today.

Comments & More

Weather

February 27, 2008   Greenhouse, high tunnel, hoop house, Winter Farming

Share the post "Weather"

Snow, freezing rain, ice, snow, freezing rain, now lightly misting.  The ducks were happy to get out.  They were out of the barn and up on their favorite snow banks before I got back to the house.  We have 5″ of new snow and crusty ice.  Shoveling is hard work because of the very wet, very heavy snow.  I’ve cleaned off most of the seedling house.  When I realized it was getting close to 9 am I came in to be sure Taylor was about ready for school.  The hens were screaming at me to get out so they could lay their eggs in privacy.  And it was time for a cup of coffee anyway.

The greenhouse is an all day project.  The snow can’t slide off because it doesn’t collapse and pile up at the bottom.  I cleared a section earlier.  I’m getting another lesson in gh management today.  The snow has to be shoveled from the bottom up to get started this time.  I cleaned out the bottom of a 4′ section, went into the gh and pushed the snow down, went back out to shovel the snow that slid down, went back in and pushed off the rest.  I’m a little concerned about being alone all day and hundreds of pounds of snow coming down before I’m ready for it.  Steve will check on me at lunch.

I’m sure I’ll remember in a few days why I wanted this greenhouse and why I think I need four more.  Til then, this is possibly the stupidest idea I’ve ever had.  Last week I saw pictures of collapsed greenhouses.  That’s enough motivation to send me back to work.

Comments & More

Storm Coming

February 26, 2008   Homestead

Share the post "Storm Coming"

I’ll spend some time this afternoon getting the farm ready for the next storm. The shovels and roof rake that stood neatly in line in snow banks have fallen over as the snow melted. They need to be moved onto the back porch. The shovels up back at the greenhouse have to be stood back up so that I can find them. There are a few inches of snow built up in front of the seedling house door. I need to clear that so that I can get in tomorrow to tend the pullets (yup, back in there!). There’s ice around the barn door that needs a little rock salt. And the trash cans need to be tipped upside down and leaned against the shed so that they are easily accessible and not filled with snow. The control box for the plow hasn’t been replaced yet so Steve will borrow a truck and plow from Lyle tomorrow.

WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 PM EST WEDNESDAY
UNTIL 7:45PM EST
Urgent – Winter Weather Message National Weather Service Caribou ME 1140 AM EST Tue Feb 26 2008

Central Penobscot-Southern Piscataquis-Northern Washington- Including The Cities Of… Lincoln… Howland… Springfield… Dover-Foxcroft… Milo… Guilford… Danforth… Vanceboro… Topsfield

A Winter Storm Warning Remains In Effect From 6 PM This Evening To 4 PM EST Wednesday.

Occasional Light Snow Can Be Expected Across The Region This Afternoon. Any Snow Accumulations Through The Afternoon Hours Will Generally Be An Inch Or Less.

Steadier Snow Is Expected To Overspread The Region This Evening And Become Heavy At Times Between 9 PM And Midnight. Snowfall Rates Of 1 To 2 Inches Per Hour Are Possible Between Midnight And 8 AM Wednesday. The Snow Could Mix With Sleet And Freezing Rain At Times Late Tonight Through Early Wednesday Morning. Ice Accumulations Of Up To A Quarter Inch Are Possible. Snow Will Begin To Diminish Wednesday Afternoon.

Storm Total Snow Accumulations Of 7 To 12 Inches Are Expected Across The Warning Area Through Wednesday Afternoon.

Comments & More

Not much these days

February 18, 2008   Cold Weather Growing, Daily Farm Life

Share the post "Not much these days"

Not much going on these days. Today’s excitement was my ungraceful performance crossing ice to get to the barn, while carrying a two gallon bucket full of water, and while threatening the dogs. “If you mutts make me fall and if I don’t break something when I land you’re all going to the pound!” There’s an advantage to letting your toenails get too long (if you’re a dog). You can dig in, prance around and drive your human nuts without worrying about landing on your ass wet ice.

I need to clip wings on a turkey. She’s been on the hen house roof at least twice now. There are still only two pullets laying. Cathy’s going to take some of my 1 1/2 year old layers to add to her flock. I’ll sell the remainder of that flock minus Abby the Ancient Americauna. The wild/domestic/whatevertheyare mallards are still here. A pair left Friday afternoon but came back as it was getting dark (damn). I’m going to have to get serious about getting rid of ducks again. No ducklings this year.

Fog, rain and 50* is melting snow quickly.  The 10 day forecast looks pretty good.  It will be above freezing in the greenhouse during the day.

Comments & More

End of January Thaw

January 13, 2008   Maine Outdoors

Share the post "End of January Thaw"

It’s mild this morning, 21* and a slight breeze. Sebastian chased something from the barn into the far corner of the woods first thing this morning then wouldn’t come back. I put my boots on and went out with the flashlight. There were eyes at the edge of the field near the raspberry canes. I yelled to him. Nothing. I yelled again, and several more times. Maybe it wasn’t Seb but a coyote instead. I doddered across the icy driveway to look up and down the road. Nothing there either. He knows better than to go in the road but I know better than to eat chips and that doesn’t stop me. I went back to the edge of the shed. The eyes were still sitting at the edge of the field.

“Sebastian! I can see you!” The eyes moved. Either it was a coyote and it left or Sebastian was hanging his head. “I can see you. Get up here NOW!” The eyes came back and started to move slowly toward the house.

“Hurry up.” It was Sebastian. I’m sure he thought he was in trouble. In a light tone of voice I yelled, “Hurry up Goofball, I’m getting cold.” That did it. He broke into a run and came back. Was he in trouble? Kind of. Did I scold him? No. I don’t call my dogs to me and punish them. If they know they’re going to be scolded they wouldn’t come back. He did what he was supposed to do – chase away the pest and eventually came back. He got pets and praise. I need him to want to come back to me next time too.

The National Weather Service In Caribou Has Issued A Winter Storm Watch… Which Is In Effect From Monday Morning Through Tuesday Morning.

Snow Will Overspread The Area By Midday Monday And Continue Into Monday Night. The Snow Is Expected To Taper Off The Snow Showers By Tuesday Morning. Snowfall Amounts Of 6 To 10 Inches Are Possible By Tuesday Morning.

There Is Also The Potential For Near Whiteout Conditions As Northeast Winds Will Increase To 20 To 25 Mph Monday Afternoon Into Monday Evening.

Six inches would be good. Thaw left us with about 8″ of granular snow under a crust thick enough for a wayward 100 pound dog to run on .  I’m going to cut down the largest lilac bushes today and clean out around a young apple tree at the pond now that the temps will be below freezing during the day.  I need to re-cover the plants in the greenhouse with their Agribon blanket today too.  I love January thaw.  It’s a beautiful break from the cold, a chance to get out and move with only minimal clothing to stay warm, and a reminder of what’s to come.  I’m not ready for spring yet.  I still have a lot to do before then.

Comments & More