January 2025
Happy New Year!
With the Christmas season behind us, things have slowed down on the farm. We had many successful craft fairs this year, and while it was pretty hectic, we were able to meet a lot of wonderful people who came out to support our small farm. We still have some warm neck cozies & ear warmers left. Head on over to our products page to order some today. With the chill of winter upon us, it’s a great way to stay warm!
The garlic is in the ground and sleeping soundly. We planted it in October, while it was still warm enough for the bulbs to get established before the cold triggered them to go dormant. We always purchase our garlic from Mad River Garlic Growers in Yellow Springs, Ohio. This hardneck variety of garlic produces large bulbs with a full-bodied, spicy flavor. We look forward to harvesting it in June.
In the bee yard, our certified beekeeper is taking advantage of the break in the rain we have been getting to do a varroa mite treatment. Keeping the mite count down is one of the most important things you can do to maintain a healthy hive. The winter treatment is an oxalic acid treatment. A natural organic compound, it is best used in late fall and early winter while there is little or no brood in the hive. It is safe for the bees, and is administered by inserting a wand into the hive and heating it up. The heat vaporizes the crystals into a gas that kills the mites. We rotate the treatments depending on the time of year and whether there is brood or honey in the hive. This also helps to keep the mites from becoming resistant to treatments.
Make sure to check back as more exciting things are coming to the Happy farm! You can check out all the items we have for sale by visiting our Products Page. And make sure to follow us on Facebook.
Remember—Life is short…live happy!