We finally got some rain.  Yesterday we had a bad storm come through our state but we here on Baker Mountain just got the rain- no hail and very little wind.  Our farm in tucked under the top of the mountain and most of the bad storms just blow right over us or go around us.  We got 1/2 inch of rain and are promised more tomorrow.  We can use it.  We have never gotten too much rain, when we get a lot like last year the ground just drinks it up or lets it run off.  We have the best of all worlds, the soil drains very well and when it gets cool the heat rises from the valley below and keeps us just enough warmer that we miss the frost.  In the summer we get a cool mountain breeze and stay about 10 degrees cooler than Nashville and at least 5 degrees cooler than Spencer.  With no paved roads up here on the top we even stay cooler in the summer than just down the street on the plateau.

Today I weeded the potatoes and hoed between the rows.  We have 7 30 foot rows so it is quite a job to do anything for them.  Norman spread some bagged cow manure on the rhubarb and side dressed the new plants with it, then he planted another 17 foot row of spinach and another of beans.  We should have enough beans to can this year without having to buy any.  All we can get at the stand is half runners, everyone here seem to think they are the best.  They seem to be a cross between bush beans and pole beans.  We like the bush beans best  They are a little smaller and sweeter but last year the deer thought they were too and ate a whole second and third planting so all we got was enough to eat fresh and had to buy two bushel to can.  This year we should have enough for both right out of our own garden.

Norman thinned the spinach that is growing in the kitchen garden.  I hope with it thinned the plants will be able to grow large.  We eat a lot of that and do like to freeze a lot.  I use spinach or other greens under any roast to cook.  It keeps the roast moist and the roast makes the greens taste so good!!  Remember if you know of any one who would like to retire to a nice quiet farm and raise their own food tell them to check out my blog – just go to “A little Piece of Heaven” Where they can get all the details about the place and lots of pictures.  We are about ready to move on- we have been here 7 years now and 5 years is usually all it takes for me to get itchy feet for a new adventure and with us both over 80 we don’t have many more adventures to do.  Have a great day.