January on the farm

Cleaned up asparagus bed.

The lumber to build up the raised bed around the existing asparagus bed.

The finished bed with added compost. The existing asparagus will grow up through the soil and then more will be added to top it off. We don't want the asparagus to get worn out before it gets to the top where the light is.

Old worn out raspberry canes have been cut out and tossed. Because raspberries are a biennial plant (canes live two years), after fruiting on their lateral canes they are done. Cut at the base and toss them.

Florencio mulched all the artichoke plants. Last year we lost all but 3 to the hard winter and then replanted from seed. The drip irrigation mainline is holding the straw from blowing away.

You might be able to see the uniform looking dirt clods. The resident gophers are hard a work. Grrrrr.

Tomatillos after they have broken down. Lace-like outer shells are frilly!

Tomatillo seeds have scattered. They tend to grow all over the garden and we tend to NOT pull them.

Blueberry bushes. The old, thick stems are slowly being pruned out, a few a year, which encourages new growth.  

These are thinned out and showing their new growth. Happy dance!!! 

The red stems are this variety are the new ones. Blueberries fruit on 1-3 year old wood.  These very tall bushes with the berries out toward the ends of the branches. We are trying to increase production on our wonderful plants, while keeping them short enough to pick.

Another variety of blueberries. You might be able to see the light brown wood down low to the ground, more tan part way up the plant, then newest growth is the pinkish-red. The pinkish-red is where the fruit will be borne.

The pruned off part of the blueberries added to the burn pile.

The large King apple tree by the greenhouses is extremely old.

Florencio has pruned off the right side of the top and is continuing on. Quite the job.

Florencio will be pruning the orchard also. All the shoots above the large branches will be pruned off. Sometimes called "water sprouts".

Purple sprouting broccoli that was planted last year. Soon to sprout the purple broccoli, we hope!

Mt. Hood overseeing the garden. A beautifully clear winter day.