I am writing this section of the "Farm Report" on a spectacular sunny winter day, in January. A day that is so windy I don't dare take the new "Weather Beater" horse blanket off of Blaze. My horse is now in his late 20's.  I have to say, this blanket has been a great purchase! That's coming from someone who buys everything second-hand! The horse needed a lighter coat. His heavy one works great for below zero temps. But this winter, with his age creeping up, Blaze needed a windbreaker with a filler, for those 20ish degree windy-days. This pretty blue one just fits in my washing machine.  Anyone who knows how sketchy my horse is, will agree, that indeed, this must be one heckuva blanket if this horse stands still long enough to allow his lowly subject, Linda, to put it on. Grain, side of apples, salt block, fresh water, hay, hugs, snuggy blankie. Life is good! 

And now, back to some real farm biz : Harry has added another "Pick Your Own" blueberry patch. Still in its infancy stage, it will stretch the blueberry-picking season out, once the first patch is picked. This one bears right into September and into early apple season. Sweet!

And, we bought a starter greenhouse, with hopefully more greenhouses to come. Fresh tomatoes, people!!
We realize that our Boscawen farm stand customers LOVE vegetables, and so, to get a jumpstart on growing them, another greenhouse is definitely in order.

We found out that our daughter, Krista, has an exceptional eye for the needs of a greenhouse. Not much gets past this gal! We are so proud of our recent college graduate!  (Med school next?) She has been working hard for us, ever since she graduated from Plymouth State College, May, 2009. She LOVES working for her parents! Most of the time! Krista can do just about anything. Right now, she is helping her father prune the orchard and has become really proficient with a chain saw. That's our girl!

Fast forward to Mid-March: ...Anyone with an orchard, or even just one backyard fruit tree, may be interested in knowing that we usually hold a yearly, Free Pruning Demonstration in March. This year, it was held on Thursday, March 18, 2010. 5pm -6:30 pm. Sponsored by UNH.  Coffee and snacks are always provided! Bill Lord is just a fabulous pruner, and entertainer! If you are interested in coming next year, watch our website for information. I cannot remember a warmer, pruning-demo day! At this point, almost all our snow was gone. One couple from Littleton were amazed to see this. They still have about a foot of snow left.  A big Thank You to Robert K. Weiner for the beautiful pictures he sent of the demo! Soon to be posted on HackleboroOrchards.com

And, another addition to our farmin' resume:
 Farmer's Markets!  Canterbury has the nicest market...full of quality baked goods, produce, music and crafts. Starts in June - ends in October. Wednesday evenings, 4-7, in the Canterbury Elkin's Library parking lot. "Canterbury Community Farmer's Market" ..... CCFMA.net  Check it out!

Two other markets we JUST got into this year: The first ever Concord Winter Farmer's Market! www.concordwinterfarmersmarket.com
This market is held at Coles Gardens, in their greenhouse, on 430 Loudon Road, Concord. Visit the greenhouse online at:  www.colegardens.com.
What a treat in the dead of winter! What a beautiful place! Don't miss the last winter market...Saturday, March 27th from 10-2. The Coles family are wonderful hosts and we really appreciate the opportunity for this winter market to happen.
A Thank You to Joan O'Connor for discovering the Seacoast Markets and bringing the idea to Concord, and talking the Cole family into putting up with all of us.
 Check out Joan and her friendly composting worms at Joan's www.FamousCompostingWorms.com.

We also got accepted into the Seacoast Winter Farmer's markets. We decided to keep the coolers running all winter, and it has been perfect for keeping our apples crisp and tasty, late in the year. We still have Honeycrisp, Red & Golden Delicious, Cortlands, and Northern Spy. Also, honey from our beekeeper's hives.
  Visit www.seacoasteatlocal.org for information about the dates and locations of the last of the winter markets for this year.

Keep your eyes peeled; rumor has it...Hackleboro Orchard's T SHIRTS!!!  I know. We can hardly believe it ourselves. 'Bout time, eh?? NOW I have a reason to drag out a t-shirt rack that someone gave me in lieu of payment for an art job I did years ago. Yay!

We will no longer be managing Hazelton Orchards, in Chester, NH. HOWEVER, the family that owns the orchard has family that wants to take care of it.  Heartfelt thanks to the Hazelton family for the support they gave us while running the farm over the years. We are very happy they want to keep the farm a viable orchard. It's a great place and we are pleased it may stay that way for many years to come!

Please take a moment during your busy day, and say a prayer for our military friends and family, serving in harm's way. We wouldn't have the freedom to farm without them keeping us all safe and sound.

     ~~~~~~~~We Love you Dustin!!  We can't wait to have you home again!!!!!!!!! XXXOOO Love, Mom, Dad, and Krista.~~~~~~

Hope you are all well! Thanks for your support!! It's people like you that keep places like this, up and running!!!

"See you at the farm!"  ~ The Weiser family ~ Hackleboro Orchards, Canterbury, NH