Mercer County is under an excessive heat warning today, as high temperatures are expected to reach at least 87 degrees. It was 89 yesterday, and it's supposed to be 88 tomorrow. The worst part of a New Jersey heat wave is that it's usually also very humid.
One farmer remarked that it feels like August. Minus, of course, the fresh tomatoes and sweet corn.
When Farmer Jeremy brought the draft horses in from the pasture this morning, before 8:30 a.m., they were already covered in sweat. "They're so hot and sweaty I can't curry them," he said. Instead, he pulled out the hose and gave them a quick shower before cleaning their coats. He pointed out that this was slightly non-historic. In the old days they probably would have taken the horses down to the creek.
Once the salt and dirt was off the horses, they could be harnessed. The horses didn't have a big day of work planned -- it was too hot -- but they needed to pull the plow a few times for a visiting school program.
In addition to the early heat, Farmer Jeremy noticed something else that seemed early. "We've got big flies already," he said. "They're at least a month ahead of schedule."
On the plus side, Farmer Jeremy later added, "Everything is growing like crazy."
The field corn -- planted by Farmer Ian on May 19 -- is up. The potatoes are ready for cultivating. And the first loads of hay are already put away in the barn.
Farmer Rob added that both the cabbages in the kitchen garden and the cow in the barn are "ginormous." Daisy, our Jersey cow, is due to give birth to a calf on Friday.
One farmer remarked that it feels like August. Minus, of course, the fresh tomatoes and sweet corn.
When Farmer Jeremy brought the draft horses in from the pasture this morning, before 8:30 a.m., they were already covered in sweat. "They're so hot and sweaty I can't curry them," he said. Instead, he pulled out the hose and gave them a quick shower before cleaning their coats. He pointed out that this was slightly non-historic. In the old days they probably would have taken the horses down to the creek.
Once the salt and dirt was off the horses, they could be harnessed. The horses didn't have a big day of work planned -- it was too hot -- but they needed to pull the plow a few times for a visiting school program.
In addition to the early heat, Farmer Jeremy noticed something else that seemed early. "We've got big flies already," he said. "They're at least a month ahead of schedule."
On the plus side, Farmer Jeremy later added, "Everything is growing like crazy."
The field corn -- planted by Farmer Ian on May 19 -- is up. The potatoes are ready for cultivating. And the first loads of hay are already put away in the barn.
Farmer Rob added that both the cabbages in the kitchen garden and the cow in the barn are "ginormous." Daisy, our Jersey cow, is due to give birth to a calf on Friday.
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