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

It’s July and everything is in full summer bloom here at the farm, bursting to life in vibrant color, and keeping us busy watering, weeding and harvesting.

The bold and beautiful tiger lilies that grow near the house have just begun to bloom, and during the warm afternoons, the goats and sheep spend their days resting and ruminating in the shade. (They keep this up until the evening hours when things start to look a little livelier out there after the fresh hay for dinner arrives in the barn.)

Summer 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. Apples, plums and pears are developing on the trees and the Montmorency pie cherries will hopefully be ready to harvest in the coming weeks! We also are eagerly anticipating the first crop of fresh, juicy Tulameen raspberries that are just now starting to ripen. Some of these sweet-tart 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.

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 enjoy a safe and happy 4th of July holiday tomorrow, and that you enjoy all that midsummer has to offer this month.