Summer officially arrived last week, but in the mountains there are still some ups and downs. In my area the weather usually "settles" sometimes after 4th of July. We have some 85 degree days matched with 35 degree nights, and this week we have been having steady rain, and 60 degree days,much to the dismay of those with hay already on the ground. Our hay crop does not look to be great this year, due to the fluctuation of growing temperatures, but my hope is to get it cut and baled and in the barn before it gets rained on! As you can see in the photo, The grass has matured, but is not as tall an thick as I would like.
Some year I will get one more good fence, to keep the sheep grazing where I want them until after I cut the hay, but until then, my pastures do double duty. The sheep won't eat the long grass, but leave short grazed areas in my hay field. They are all fat and happy and healthy though, so I have nothing to complain about. June is always a month of growth. And sometimes it is hard to notice the changes because we are so anxious for things to grow and flower. You can see my neighbors hay bales in the background, drying out after the 3 days of rain.
The cabbages are growing fast, and greens and onions and peas, but the warm weather crops are just biding their time.