I can't believe I am writing this and telling you all that our fall decor sales event is canceled for 2024. I was so very much looking forward to it as we do every year. When we were assessing the crop last weekend and figuring out how much harvest help we would need we realized the deer had been sneaking in at night the last couple weeks and destroying our crop! The 3D deer fence wasn't working how we thought (and how it had worked pretty well the last 2 years). They had stomped, eaten, trampled the vines which prevented any more pumpkins from ripening. Sigh. It's made me so sad and pretty mad. I need to speak with Oregon Deptartment of Fish and Wildlife and see if there is anything that can be done to prevent this for next year. The problem is the deer are so tame and bold that they aren't scared of our dogs or me yelling and screaming at them like a crazy person. I actually had a doe charge me the other day as I was yelling at it to get out of the patch and she chased the dog all the way back to the house and I thought I was going to have to run too the way she was running right up to me! At about 30 feet away from me she finally turned and trotted off. This year has certainly had it's share of challenges and my sentiment lately is just ready to move forward on planning for next year, having hope things will go better, and so much excitement over getting to utilize our new greenhouse! I get to learn how to grow in a greenhouse so I have a lot to research, plant ordering to do, and we need to fine-tune our heating set up in there. We got a used woodstove to install in there and we need to finish getting the propane furnace functional also.
The cut flowers are in their abundant prime right now. Dahlias especially are churning out the blooms big time. I've been busy making lots of bouquets this week in an attempt to earn some cash to put towards seeds for next year for all the crops. Hopefully, the first fall frost holds out a few more weeks so I can get lots more bouquets made and stockpile some cash for the start up of 2025 season.
I hope you find ways to make the fall season feel special, and that you allow time for rest and relaxation too. We are so thankful for all our wonderful customers and followers of our farm.