Cold has descended upon the Garden Spot and the rest of northern Colorado. The countryside has turned golden amber as the life in the corn fields ebbs away. Jack Frost should soon make his late night visit--probably tonight, so we stripped the vegetable garden of the last of the tomatoes, peppers, egg plant, and cabbages and brought in the tender water garden plants to keep them for next year. Weather is so strange, isn't it? Earlier this week it was 81 degrees and I over dressed for work; today it was 45. BRRRR. And there is snow predicted for tomorrow evening. I am not so sure that I am ready for snow. Time to fire up the furnace.
Hubby and I had time together today (I don't have class on Thursdays), so we went to town to have lunch then we drove out to Russ' corn field where they were threshing corn. I thought you might like to take a trip to the corn field and watch a bit of the harvest.
As we pulled up, the combine had just finished a round, ready to unload.
I don't really how this machine works; I think it ingests the corn cobs then gives them a good rattle and a shake so that the corn kernels fall off the cob. The corn is then deposited in the trailer and hauled to the grain elevator where it is sold for cattle feed.
The combine runs about 4.5 miles an hour up and down the rows. In this field, one round fills the combine.
With seven heads shaving the corn stalks to the ground, the corn harvest goes quickly and efficiently.
With different cutting heads, this machine is capable of harvesting other crops, too: pinto and soy beans, wheat, and sunflower seeds, so the owner/operator hires his combine out to custom cut seasonal crops.
Russell was lucky this year to have enough water to get his corn to harvest. Other farmers across the country weren't so lucky.
the combine disappears into the cornfield, and we head down the veggie patch across the field road to see what is left. Russ and Doris closed the vegetable stand last week, and hubby hauled the last load of watermelons to the Longmont store. Meeker Produce had a good season and has plans to open the stand again next year, the good Lord willing and with plenty of moisture this winter in the high country.
I don't have any special plans for the week end. I do have grading to do, and laundry, and maybe some late fall gardening. I do hope that you have great plans for the week end, that you take lots of photos, and that we can read about your adventures Sunday evening. Cheers.
Hubby and I had time together today (I don't have class on Thursdays), so we went to town to have lunch then we drove out to Russ' corn field where they were threshing corn. I thought you might like to take a trip to the corn field and watch a bit of the harvest.
As we pulled up, the combine had just finished a round, ready to unload.
I don't really how this machine works; I think it ingests the corn cobs then gives them a good rattle and a shake so that the corn kernels fall off the cob. The corn is then deposited in the trailer and hauled to the grain elevator where it is sold for cattle feed.
The combine runs about 4.5 miles an hour up and down the rows. In this field, one round fills the combine.
With seven heads shaving the corn stalks to the ground, the corn harvest goes quickly and efficiently.
With different cutting heads, this machine is capable of harvesting other crops, too: pinto and soy beans, wheat, and sunflower seeds, so the owner/operator hires his combine out to custom cut seasonal crops.
Russell was lucky this year to have enough water to get his corn to harvest. Other farmers across the country weren't so lucky.
Ready for another round,
the combine disappears into the cornfield, and we head down the veggie patch across the field road to see what is left. Russ and Doris closed the vegetable stand last week, and hubby hauled the last load of watermelons to the Longmont store. Meeker Produce had a good season and has plans to open the stand again next year, the good Lord willing and with plenty of moisture this winter in the high country.
I don't have any special plans for the week end. I do have grading to do, and laundry, and maybe some late fall gardening. I do hope that you have great plans for the week end, that you take lots of photos, and that we can read about your adventures Sunday evening. Cheers.
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Neat Post Ann. Combines are just an amazing piece of machinery that I find fascinating the way they work with all different crops. We may take for granted how the food gets to our table so it's nice to have a reminder! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe weather has turned a lot cooler here as well but we have had enough sunny days to be able to get in the garden to plant bulbs for spring. Where would farmers be without all that huge machinery to get the crops in. Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteHi Ann!
ReplyDeleteIt IS cold now, isn't it? Sometimes when I am in the classroom all day, I don't even think about the weather. Last night we turned the heat on before bed, turned it off, and I slept like a baby!
Your corn day looked fun and interesting. I'm happy for the Meeker's!
I have a huge pile of grading to do, too. I hope you get out and about, enjoying the colors and the crisp air.
I'm hoping to do a bit of harvesting at the weekend however no need for a big machine! I'm sure you've more to harvest from your garden as well. I'm thinking it's a nice time of year to start cooking stews with autumn veg.
ReplyDeleteHi Ann,
ReplyDeleteI remember those days of my father out with the combine on our farm in WI. Of course that was many years ago, but seeing your post has brought back wonderful memories of those times. As children, we find joy in what others will find hard labor.
Our weather is still warm, but we should be getting a little cooler in the later days of the month. Nothing like you will be getting though. I look forward to seeing the photos of your first snowfall of the season.
Thanks for sharing!
The weather is certainly cooler here in the UK too, and harvest time is in full swing. Every time I leave the house I seem to be following some kind of farm machinery!
ReplyDeleteGreat images of the corn harvest - I love those big rigs :o)
Have a great weekend.
Rose H
It's been a real change in the weather for so many bloggers....
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, it's cooled down here also...frost, how can that be?
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Great post mom! Glad the Meekers had a good season. I love your blog mom. You share such wonderful things. Each time I read it I yearn for home. The smells of fall up there are nothing short of magical. I am loving te weather and am ready to put the garden to bed. Although I will miss it. But I have worked so hard in it thin year I am ready for a break. Hoping to get my new area cleared to start a new project next year. Plus, nugget season is coming so garden has to be put o bed soon so I can watch basketball.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love country living! Don't see many farmers doing this kind of work these days. I live close to two farms, a dairy and a beef (Black Angus). I cleaned out the garden today. I love fall for the colors and brisk weather, but it also means the end of gardening season. Makes me a little sad.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad the farmers there have a marketable crop to harvest. I don't think I'd do well knowing my economic survival was tied to the weather. Farm machinery is interesting to watch. A bit poetic while also functional. :o)
ReplyDeleteYour dates with hubby are very interesting!
ReplyDeleteI have never quite gotten how corn threshing works. They seem so stubborn clinging to their cobs...
We've had a few spring like days but it's back to wintery chill and rain AGAIN here. Really want some warmer real spring weather!
I love watching the farmers harvest their crops, after all, I like in central Ohio. Everywhere I turn, I see corn, soybeans and wheat, and have come to "follow" the crops through harvest since I've lived here. It has been very, very dry this year, but the harvest seems to go on anyway.
ReplyDelete