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 began blooming this week, and during lazy afternoons, the goats are often spotted resting and ruminating in the shady pasture to get a break from the heat. (They keep this up until the cooler evening hours when things start to look a little livelier out there.) Our farm dog Miette just completed obedience training with the monks of New Skete, and several times each day we run through her new exercises together as we go about our daily routine.

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 Tulameen raspberries. 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 spent mowing, weeding and watering, or visiting the ‘South 30’ acreage to check on the blueberry fields, which are becoming bluer by the day. 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!