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?