2013 Corn Height, 4th of July

July 5, 2013

2013 Corn Height

Shepherd decided not to show and butcher hogs at the fair this year.  We decided sweet corn would be his project.  Here he is checking for ears, (not there yet).  The corn is just starting to tassel which you can see on the left.  Also check out the cloud face above his head.

We are trying a supersweet variety this year from Harris seeds.  There are three main types of sweet corn: su or normal, se or sugary enhanced, and sh2 or supersweet, along with many different hybrids among the types.  Supersweet needs to be isolated from other types of corn or the sugar turns to starch.  This happened to my family when I was a kid and we couldn’t eat the corn.

Leave a Comment » | Curious children, Curious crops, Curious farmer | Permalink
Posted by Curiousfarmer

Farm Fitness: Tree Climbing

November 15, 2011

Shepherd has been diagnosed with Asperger’s since the age of two.  What this means is that he would rather be home alone than out with people.  I sympathize, because that’s where I would rather be.

He also has tactile issues, and is not very coordinated.  I remember one of his first visits to the farm with his brother and a couple of friends.  The other kids played in the mud of the creek, and Shepherd cried on the bank because he didn’t want the mud in the car.

The farm has been great for Shepherd.  We haven’t put a lot of pressure on him to change, but we wait for something he really wants to do, then help him make progress.  Now he can wash a pig, stick his hand inside a pumpkin, and climb a tree.

 

2 Comments | Curious children, Curious fitness | Permalink
Posted by Curiousfarmer

Seeing is a Muscle, Newly Moulted Dragonfly

July 10, 2011

Shepherd and I found this newly moulted Dragonfly while picking BlackCap Raspberries.

It was nearly invisible and we probably wouldn’t have seen it, if it wasn’t sitting on a ripe raspberry.

You never know what you’ll find if you go outside, but if you don’t go, you won’t find it.

1 Comment | Curious children, Curious nature, Curious wild food | Permalink
Posted by Curiousfarmer

2011 Corn Height, 4th of July

July 4, 2011

This is a traditional 4th of July picture in my family.  Shepherd snapped the photo this year.  Links to the last two years are here and here.

Leave a Comment » | Curious children, Curious crops, Curious farmer | Permalink
Posted by Curiousfarmer