New Year is on its way

Looks like the New Year is upon us. Wasn't it wonderful to celebrate Christ Birthday. I am not sure if I am ready or not for the New Year. (coming anyway) Been cold and wet, some ice but not as cold as where some of you folks are located. When its cold sure is hard thinking about planting any thing. Its been so wet we haven't even got our onions planted yet. Just can't get into the fields. I haven't bought the onion plants yet either. I am sure happy about that, I hate to hold them very long after they are dug. I did have a few special Chile plants, planted in pots. I brought these inside where its warm, they are still making Chiles. I enjoy fresh peppers with my meal. And its super nice to see something growing.
It sure would be nice to hear what other growers are planting. I am always on the look out for new Chiles to grow. Dang, I don't even have a nice photo to post. Later, ChileFarmer

December 7th 1941

The attack on Pearl Harbor is most likely not remembered by most readers . I know I was very young when it happen. I remember being scared, listing to the old folks talk about the bombs and the ships that had been sunk, and all the men and women that had died. I am also scared today for our great country, America wakeup pay attention to whats happening to our country.
Do not forget who we are and what we stand for.
A lot of men and women have paid with there lives for the freedom we have, lets not lose it.

It can happen It did happen December 7th 1941. This is Gods country, a Christian nation. I don't care what Obama says.

Giving Thanks

It's that special time of year again. Time to give thanks for all our blessings over the past year. Yeah, I know we have had some rough times. Seems like America and the world are in quite an upheaval. But I am still grateful to be living in the greatest country in the world. Lets just hope they don't change it. I Really don't want to go there.

I do take time each day just to say "Thank You Lord For This Day and All My Blessings"
I find the photo posted below to be very fitting for "Thanksgiving" hope you do also. Bill

The name of this photo is Grace, it has quite a story that goes with it. You might want to read about it.

Citrus Fruit

Cool weather in Texas always brings Rio Grand Valley Citrus Fruit. Although we live in the Eastern part of the state. Valley citrus vendors begin to start showing up on the road sides. I love road side vendors. One never knows what you might find, Could be vegetables, fruit, sausage or Bar-B-Que, or some home made baked goods. And most of the time some really great deals.

With the economy the way it is I think we will see more and more roadside sales.

Anyway this is citrus season in Texas. Here is a photo of one of the vendors

Roadside vending is not something new here is a vendor from long ago. I love this photo.

I forgot to tell you that we have an orange tree, its small but sure has made the oranges this year. It is a Satsuma orange. They are easy peel and very sweet.

Thanks

How do you say thank you when written in a post, and convey your true feelings?

Thanks to all the veterans that have served to keep us safe and free.

And thanks to all that continue to serve for the same reason. I am very grateful. Bill

Fall is Here

Ounce again fall is here in East Texas. I always have mixed feelings this time of year. Good feeling is that, some relief from the Texas heat. And what crops we had are harvested. The bad feeling, or maybe I should say sad feelings. Trees are going dormant, no more green. But they too have had a hard year (being dry and all) Now it is a time of rest. The flowers will all die back waiting on spring. Lots of the birds have also left for winter.

And I hate cold weather. The fruit trees need some cold so they will produce next year. I guess there is some good comes from being cold. Up to a point anyway. We have some bad ice storms some years (not good). The pine trees suffer the most, they collect so much ice it brakes off the limbs. More rain coming tomorrow. I can tell you for sure though any day I can get up will be a blessed day.

After this boring post maybe I should post a nice fall photo.

Fall Has Arrived

Rain, Rain and more Rain

Where the heck was all this water when we needed it. You know back in the summer when it was so dry. Central Texas was about to dry up completely. Us here in the Eastern part of the state got dry but not like other parts of the state.

Anyway it has been raining for about two weeks now (Eastern Part) over 6" so far and more coming, maybe it will store some water for summer. Our farm pond is full, bet the fish like that. I was afraid that it might dry up. It didn't, I was super pleased because of the fish. My Grand Kids like fishing in the pond, so do I. OK, so for now don't do any more rain dances on our behalf. But I may be calling on Y'all later so keep in practice. ChileFarmer

The Farm Pond

Well another growing season bites the dust.

Yep, its over. I am happy and sad at the same time. Now that makes no since at all does it?
This has been the worst growing season we have ever had. Nothing worked out like it was supposed to. But as Farmers we always say well maybe next year. Maybe deer season will perk thinks up, at least the deer should be good and fat. They have been eating our crops all year. Now its payback time.My grandson says "Pawpaw" you aren't going to shoot Bambi are you, Nope, but his daddy and mama are up for grabs. Time for some back strap and deer sausage.
Later Y'all

Shell Beans

Some things just happen, And we just managed to catch a nice shower. Sure hope we can do it again soon.
Planted beans today. It will be pushing it for them to make before frost. They should mature about mid November. But nothing planted nothing to harvest. But with the raising cost of seed it does require some thought. 50 pounds of bean seed right now $165.00 ($1.65 pound) They are cheaper than that at the market. (Maybe that is where I need to buy my seed.) Thats up $20.00 per 50 pounds from spring price.
Anyway they are in the ground and the ground is damp. They should be up in a few days. I may even have some photos to post. And maybe the deer wont find them, Oh well, I like deer meat.

Texas Is a very Big State

I chose the Title because what happens in one place may not be happening in another at all.

Y'all, it is super dry in my area, and not too far from us the rain has been in the 3"-4" range. We have been wanting to plant some fall beans but without a shower it isn't gonna happen.

The Habanero Chiles are doing OK, we have managed to keep them watered, the deer are loving that. They are eating them like candy. I told the guys, when we harvest a deer this fall, it wont have to be seasoned with all the Chiles they have been eating. Anyway praying for rain, our country and our troops.

Habanero Chiles.

The passing of a Great Friend

How do you say good by to someone that was your best friend? I really don't know, I am not sure I can or want to.

Bill Moran, He was that kind of guy, you know the kind that you share everything with. Over the years I don't think there was anything we did not talk about.

I really miss his morning emails. Bill always got up earlier than I did, so an email was always waiting for me first thing each morning. Then we would start our day, the weather, what we might have for dinner or supper. We were both freaks for a good chicken fried steak. But of coarse it had to have lots of cream gravy. We took photos of some of ours meals and sent them to each other. Then we would comment on what we like or didn't like about them.

Our daily travels where we went the things we saw that we thought were of interest. Maybe even taking more photos to share.

Plants, what was growing and what wasn't. Living in different areas of the state we grew things that were some times quite different this was fun. Bill sent me some plants and seeds from his planting and I did the same.

Bill, I miss you Man.

My Friend Bill and his elephant ear plant.

Sorry About that.

Sorry about not posting sooner. We have been so busy. I think every piece of equipment we have has broken down in the last 3 weeks. But you know what they say when it rains it pours.

Or something like that, any way you know what I mean.

Pea crop did not do as well as expected, even after the rain showers we have had. But one just sucks it up and keeps on plugging.

The yellow squash has saved us it has done real well. We will plant another crop in the next few days. Might also try another crop of peas. I think we have time for them to make before frost.

Who knows, the way the weather has been we may not even have frost this winter. (but I would not bet on it)

Here is a photo of one of the squash patches.

The Weather Is So Fickle

The rain has come and gone, but it sure was nice while it lasted. It did save some of the pea crop. Might happy about that. Now if we could just get another small shower. Yeah, I know Farmers are never happy. (Not True) I am one happy farmer, sometime just happier than at other times.
Now if I could just find a way to keep the deer from eating our Chile plants I would be really pleased. We have never had this trouble before, but this year It is really bad.

RAIN !!!!

Its raining on my part of Texas. How wonderful it is to see water falling from the sky.
And it is so much cooler this morning, Maybe the 100° temps. will be gone for a few days.
Our pea crop was just about done in for lack of rain, this shower may save some of them. Only time will tell. But I am happy this morning because of the rain.

Dry In My World

I am not going to complain, Yeah I am. Guys and Gals we need rain really bad. I know some places are wishing it would dry out. But not in my world.

You know the peas I have been bragging about, well they are just about dried up. Sad part is they were looking so good. The first ones planted, might get a picking, the last ones I don't think will make at all.

And the blueberries are drying on the plants even with water. We just can't pump enough water to keep them going.

Chiles, we have not harvested a single pepper, we do water them but its just not the same. Although with irrigation they are growing, now if we could just keep the deer from eating them all would be OK. Here are a few photos of what looks best, I would not want you to see the bad ones. It might make you not want to plant your crops.

First Planted Peas.

Habanero Chiles.

Busy, Busy, Busy

But boy, are we having fun (not) it is hard work. But anything worthwhile is work, but not so bad if you enjoy what you do.

Anyway I got a photo of the first peas planted they are looking great. Old bean fields all plowed and replanted with peas. Planted one day (super dry) and it rained that night. Now how BLESSED can one farmer get? And they are coming up after two days. I was so excited I just had to post.

Peas (southern)

Beans, Chiles, Blueberries and Rain

We have completed the bean harvest. And the good news is that they have all been sold. I don't have a total count on what was harvested but will have by this afternoon. Mowing down the bean fields has begun readying the fields for more pea seed. The peas that were planted are doing really good. They were getting pretty dry but (we got rain) what a blessing that was. Now to get the new seed planted before the new fields dry out.
The Chile plants are also looking good, I just hope we can keep the weeds down. Sometime there isn't enough time to go around. But you do the best you can.
"Blueberries are ready" Picking has started in full swing most of our regular pickers have showed up this year "another good thing" So all in all life is good. Now the selling starts.

Bean Harvest

The shell beans are ready to pick, we started picking this last Friday. Still have about half of them that are not ready yet.

We planted peas (southern) they are up and coming along. We will replant the bean fields with peas also.

The Blueberries are starting to get ripe so will be picking them starting today.

Beans.

Onion Harvest

The onion harvest is here and over. Got them all cured and put into the barn. Now comes the boxing and selling. I am hoping we can get a good price for them. These are sweet onions, they don't keep real well but sell for more than regular storage onions. Anyway here is a photo of the harvested crop. Bean will be the next crop to harvest. Oh, and we did get all the Chile plants planted, more photos later.

How we do it.

Just thought it might be interesting to show how we plant Chiles. We use a mechanical transplanter. It is much faster than planting by hand. I also think it does a much better job.

The photo shows that we are planting, installing drip tape and applying fertilizer all at the same time. We are applying about 1/2 pint of water soluble fertilizer per plant. Using 9-45-15 at the 510 PPM rate. Way too high for potted plants but works just fine in the field.

Planting Chiles

Can you believe it? We are really planting Chiles. I am so happy, I am sure the Chile plants are too. The weather Dude is still saying more rain. But you can be assured that we will be back at it again in the morning.Of course if its not raining.

The wind blew like crazy today and was pretty warm, but all in all a wonderful day.

This photo is proof that it really is happing. More later.

Rain, no rain, Rain

We are having the crazy-est weather. Just about the time the fields dry some, More Rain. This has been going on for weeks. We have however been pulling and selling onions (Fresh). They are about ready for the tops to fall over. This will be the sign to pull and let cure. This also the time you really don't want rain.
BEANS, they are doing good, some bug trouble but nothing unusual. They are planted on some sandy land so have been able to work the after the rains. They are blooming, now if they will just set some beans we Will be in great shape.
CHILE PLANTING, will start in the morning if no rain falls tonight. Not bad only about 3 weeks behind. I will be so pleased to get those little buggers planted. I was begining to think we might have to harvest them in the flats. I hope to take some photos of us planting.

Rain Again Today

More rain, we will be late getting our Chiles planted, matter of fact we are already late.
Got most of the plants hauled to the field. Sure did want to start Monday but I am sure its not gonna happen.
We did how ever sell some fresh onions. Another sale or two and we will be in the clear on them.

What's been Going On?

Well Folks, after the frost scare, we have had rain and more rain. So needless to say it is really wet. But I am happy(Y'all know I am always happy) Why not, it makes everybody wonder what you been up to.

Anyway, The onions are doing great, and so are the Beans. Chile plants are being hauled to the field as we speak. Planting them will come next. Going to plow the onions again this morning.

Pictures are much better than words so here are the photos. Please feel free to comment.

Mighty long Rows

When walking with a hoe.

Sure wish you had some They are really good.Young Bean plants

Jack Frost

It surly looks like we dodged the bullet on the frost or freeze. Low temp was 35° there was a little frost here and there.

The good news the beans look OK so far. Corn got bit some but it may recover.

We covered the wife's garden and all the plants here at the house, I told them it was to early to plant flowers. But Hey, what do I know about flowers (nothing) only that I like them. This is a photo of the cover job. I think we used all the sheets, towels and blankets we had. Dang, I hope we don't have to do that again.

Weather

The weather dude, says we will have some cold temps. I am so not ready for this. Our beans are braking ground, I truly hope we don't get a frost. They are saying mid to low 30° mark and clear. Sure doesn't sound good.

Beans

We have our beans planted, they are just breaking the ground good. Coming up kinda yellow, but we have had rain, cloudy days and cool nights. So with some warm days and sunshine I am sure they will perk up. Soon as they are photo ready I will post some photos. I would not want to show you anything that did not look good. Later!!

Onion Update

Just an update on the onions, doing very well after a rocky start. Weather wise was not

very good. We are starting to pull a few bunches. We will save most of them for dry onions. I can only tell you these fresh onions with the tops are super good grilled. Sure wish ya'll had some.

Chile Plants

The plants are growing really good, course they are still in the greenhouse. Maybe in about 2 weeks we will be going to the field with them. Our weather has been so screwed up. You know, cold then hot back and forth. You don't know weather to wear shorts or an overcoat.

Happens each year, I just forget from one year to the next. I can't believe I just admitted that.

Anyway lets all hope we don't get a late freeze after we start planting. That is why I don't plant until after April 15th. So here is a photo of what our plants look like now.

Are they ready?

Baby Chiles

Got some baby's growing, wont be long before planting time. well maybe April 15th that is our target date each year. We plant a little later than most in our area, but can't take a chance on late frost, as you might know Chiles don't like cold. But heck I don't either. Our weather has been just right for me mid 70° range. The weather dude says Statuary night will be cold again in the upper 20's (not good)

Onion update, they are looking good don't have any ready to pull yet but maybe soon.

It will be time to plant some beans soon too, they take the cold better that other crops, like peas they like it hot. ANYWAY here are some photos of the baby Chiles.

These are the Habanero Chiles.

This photo is of the other varietys.

Onion Photos

I have been waiting for some really clear days, I wanted some good photos. Weather Dude says rain tomorrow and we have not had any real sunny days. So I took a shot today, not real good but a photo never the less.

At least you can tell we really did plant onions. They are growing, got fertilizer today, may get to put it out in a few days. They are not hurting right now, we disc in our summer and cover crop.So they still have plenty to eat. I hope soon we will have plenty of onions.