February at the farm

We've had about 10 days of pruning so far this winter. January's weather wasn't very cooperative. Pruning is a job some of us like and some of us don't. It can be enjoyable being out in the cold air with the quiet of the field surrounding you. It's fun to talk and laugh while we work. Those who don't like cold, windy working conditions just don't have a fondness for pruning time.

After we cut out the canes we pile them high in the field and burn them. Seems like we've burned mountains of cane piles already and we're not quite half-way through the field!

January at the farm

The year's work began today with our first day of pruning. We begin pruning in January so that we have time to get through almost 1,000 bushes before spring. Every bush is pruned by hand. When we prune we cut out dead canes, any canes that are growing in the wrong direction, old canes, and some new canes.

We'll be here a couple of days a week when the weather is pleasant, which in January can be less often than we want.