July on the Homestead: Busy Gardens, Happy Animals & Summer on the Farm
If there's one word to describe July on the homestead, it's busy.
The long summer days bring some of our biggest harvests of the year, but they also mean longer chore lists, earlier mornings, and plenty of late evenings preserving the great food the season provides. While many people think of summer as a time to slow down, life on the farm does just the opposite. July is when everything seems to happen at once but we wouldn't have it any other way.
The Garden Keeps Giving
Every walk through the garden brings something new to harvest. This month we've been picking plenty of cucumbers, Swiss chard, and sugar snap peas, while our peppers and tomatoes are just beginning to ripen. There's nothing quite like seeing those first tomatoes start to turn red after weeks of patiently waiting.
Of course, harvesting is only part of the job. While we're enjoying today's vegetables, we're also planning for tomorrow. Throughout July we've continued planting corn, Swiss chard, broccoli, cauliflower, watermelon, basil, oregano, summer squash, and butternut squash to keep fresh food coming well into the season.
One of the highlights this month was harvesting 32 pounds of cucumbers in a single day! It's one of those moments that reminds us just how productive a garden can be with a little sunshine, healthy soil, and a lot of hard work.
We also celebrated another favorite milestone: the first garlic braid of the season. After months of planting, tending, harvesting, and curing, braiding garlic is one of those traditions that marks the changing seasons on the farm. Theres still some curing in the basement for future braids
When the Harvest Doesn't Stop
A big harvest is always exciting, but it also means the work is far from over.
Fresh vegetables don't wait, so we've been spending countless hours freezing, canning, and dehydrating food to enjoy throughout the year. It's one of the most rewarding parts of homesteading, but also one of the busiest. Every basket of produce represents future meals, homemade gifts, and the satisfaction of making the most of what the land provides.
Even our goats have gotten in on the cucumber harvest. In fact, we've had so many cucumbers this year that they're starting to get bored of them! We never thought we'd see the day when a goat turned its nose up at another cucumber, but apparently even they like a little variety.
Caring for the Animals
This July has brought its share of challenges. Between the intense heat wave earlier this month and the smoke drifting south from the Canadian wildfires, keeping our animals comfortable became one of our biggest priorities.
We adjusted routines, made sure everyone had plenty of fresh water and shade, and kept a close eye on the flocks and herds during the hottest parts of the day. Farming means adapting to whatever Mother Nature brings, and the health and well-being of our animals will always come first. We have been hanging shade cloths and setting up misters. Oakie the horse spend the hottest days sitting in front of one of the misters
Learning Never Stops
Summer isn't just about growing food—it's also about sharing what we've learned with others.
We've continued our incubation programs, helping families and students experience the incredible process of watching chicks develop and hatch. We've also kept our chicken processing classes going, teaching practical skills while helping people better understand where their food comes from.
Watching people gain confidence and learn something new is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
Looking Toward Fair Season
While we're still in the middle of harvest season, we're already turning some of our attention to next month's Hunterdon County 4H and Agriculture Fair. Preparing animals, organizing projects, and getting everything ready takes plenty of planning, but it's something our family looks forward to every year.
The fair is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate agriculture, connect with our community, and showcase the hard work that goes into raising healthy animals and growing quality food.
Grateful for Another Summer on the Farm
July reminds us that farming is equal parts hard work and incredible reward. The gardens are overflowing, the pantry shelves are beginning to fill, and every day brings a new challenge and a new reason to be grateful.
Whether you've visited Haxton Homestead for a class, followed along on social media, or simply enjoy seeing what life on a working family farm looks like, thank you for being part of our journey. Your encouragement and support mean more than you know.
As we head into August, we're excited for even more tomatoes, peppers, late-summer harvests, and another memorable county fair season. We can't wait to share it all with you.