Hi, July! The Latest News and Notes from Farm & Larder and Bella Luna Farms

It’s July and high summer is in full swing at the farm!

The bold and beautiful tiger lilies that grow near the house have just begun to bloom, and during lazy afternoons, the goats are often spotted resting and ruminating in the shady pasture to get a break from the sun on warmer days. (They keep this up until the cooler evening hours when things start to look a little livelier out there.)

Summer morning chores continue in the gardens, where we marvel at the growth of the beans, peas, and cucumbers that climb their trellises by inches each day. We are eagerly anticipating the first crop of fresh, juicy raspberries just now starting to ripen. Some of these tart-sweet berries will be destined for a summer fruit crisp or for snacking, but a good portion are always set aside to use in our favorite fresh raspberry jam. (Learn more about our signature recipe here!)

Afternoons are often spent working away from the farm in clients’ gardens for our landscape design and gardening firm, Parterre; or prepping for upcoming weddings and events to be held here at the farm this summer. The honey bees are also loving the pleasant afternoons and buzz busily amongst the many varieties of blossoms, working hard collecting pollen and nectar; the blackberry flowers are a special favorite for them, being one of the honeybee’s main food sources here in the Pacific Northwest.

We hope you are enjoying this sunny season as much as we are!