| March is the noticeable beginnings of Spring. Flowers have begun to bloom, lambs are growing fat on milk and creep feed as they approach weaning, and chickens are laying eggs all over the place (like my straw stack in the barn)! Enjoy! Amy | Table of Contents: Livestock News Garden Report Woodland Adventures Woodshop Thank You! |
Livestock News
Caught this cutie on camera in early March. A very colorful, 100% pure, St Croix ram lamb.
Weaning – in theory it should go smoothly, in actuality there’s a couple jerks who don’t cooperate and when you add mud, it can get painful quick!
Well now that weaning and weighing has occurred, I can give you the breakdown of numbers. For St Croix, they must have a growth rate of 0.40 and a weaning weight of over 35lbs at 60 days (and preferably be twins, but single ewe lambs I’ll take too). For Katahdin, they must have a growth rate of 0.55 and a weaning weight of over 45lbs at 60 days (and preferably be twins, but single ewe lambs I’ll take too). These will be considered first for breeding stock, those that don’t make the numbers are in the market lamb category. Weights will be done at 90 and 120 days to make final determinations for breeding stock. We won’t have any ram lambs available this year as I decided to just send them all to market (except one who was paid for prior to this decision). Next season, ram lambs will just be banded at birth to save us the trouble when they’re older.
We have 2 pending Registered Katahdin ewe lambs, 2 pending Recorded Katahdin ewe lambs, and 4 pending Registered St Croix ewe lambs who will be evaluated the end of May. Some of them may be replacement ewes for us, or be available for sale starting May 21st. All other lambs are considered Market lambs and a large chunk have been spoken for. There might be some market ewe lambs left over, so if that’s something you’re after, let me know!
Please check out our 2025 Hair Sheep Price List!
Categories include: Market lambs, Commercial Unpapered Breeding Stock, Recorded/Registered Katahdin, & Registered St Croix.
The chickens are in overdrive laying eggs! We are counter storing them and trying to sell them as fast as we can. As of March 30th we have 9 dozen sitting on the counter! If you live locally and want some eggs, let me know!
Garden Report
March is when things start to bloom!!
The girl-child and I planted peas and sweet peas the weekend after the First Quarter Moon. Sweet Peas planted in pots next to the house. Sugar Pod Peas planted in the bed that still has some beets in it from last year.
Garlic is a-growin’!
I’m seeing some yellowing in the greenery of the hardneck bed (last month I thought it might have been frost damage from weather in the teens) so fertilized with higher Nitrogen after the Last Quarter Moon. The softneck and Elephant Garlic seem to be okay. Removed some of the straw before I fertilized too. Photos taken March 16th, 2025 and March 21st, 2025.
Don’t forget!
I’ve compiled a list of planting dates for 2025 based on the moon phases:
2025 Planting Guide – Zones 7/8
April is great for things like Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kale, Early Cabbage, Lettuce, Endive, Celery, Swiss Chard, Sunflowers, Marigolds, Phlox, Hardy Alyssum, Leeks, Carrots, Beets, Herbs (Chives, Parsely, Sage, Oregano, Rosemary), Rhubarb, Gladiolus, and Late month: Brussels Sprouts, Spinach.
Woodland Adventures
March 1st was a beautiful day so Shane and I went for a quick walk to gather the trail-cam chips. Here is a look at the swamp we wade through to get to the creek. Nothing is blooming this early, but it won’t be long!
Some wildflowers on the farm (mid to late March):
On the trail-cams we had a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk chill out on the creek log for 4.5 minutes of camera time. Pretty cool! Also had some Stellar Jays up close and personal. Speaking of personal, the Squirrel showed us his back side too hahaha. Lots of views of the Bobcat this month.
Woodshop
Shane built a beautiful mallet in his woodshop, filming the whole process. It’s a great video, even if you aren’t a CNC person. Even though I watched this video MANY times, it still made me laugh in spots!
Thank You!
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These cute Katahdin babies say they’ll see you all again May 1st
for the April Homestead Happenings!
Hollow Hills Ranch 