Farm Journal- October
October arrives with some much needed precipitation. The twice-weekly drought related irrigation we have practiced these several months no longer necessary for now. The blueberry plants still require enough water to set their spring buds, a task they will accomplish in the next few weeks.
Work has come to a near stand still in the field but there is always something to be done in the barn. Bumblebees, however, are still busy rain or shine among the Asters and chipmunks and squirrels provision their nests. The Red-tailed Hawk circles daily as if to say that his recovery is complete and all is well. Goldenrod and mushrooms abound.
Our entomologist, Larry Dapsis, discovered a few (14!) Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs in a trap he placed in the field in late August. This is another very harmful Asian invasive. They eat everything. We're grateful they did not show up earlier in the year but no one is pleased to see them. There are now two traps to collect them for study.