It’s constant now…that checking of the crops… are they made? Is it time?
We can’t take the water off too soon or the little seeds will not be at premium fullness.
As for the pinto beans….
In the wee early pause, between shadow and sunlight. as the sky paled toward sunrise
While the dew filled the plants, making them pliable and soft Terry headed out to begin the harvest of the pinto beans.
Then, when the sun filled the air, and the western stars started to fade…I went out to take photos.
Terry will work until the dew starts to dry up…then he will stop and start again the next pre-dawn day.
I’t important to pull the plants up from the ground, while they are cold and damp, so the pods do NOT shatter and spill the beans all over the soil.
Then we wait. A week, maybe more. All the time continually checking. Making sure the timing is right…. soon. Very soon…we will be hauling pinto beans to market!
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
thank you for the lesson on how pinto beans are harvested. i had no idea … and it’s so different from soybeans, the only field bean grown around here. –suz in ohio, where the soybeans and maple trees are just beginning to turn color.
LikeLiked by 2 people
We will pull then let dry, then Terry will take in the combine, after the truck is full we haul to the Beanery…this goes on for a few days! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Where do you take the beans to sell?
LikeLiked by 1 person
We take them to the Beanery…I don’t know who they sell too. Would you like some?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! I bet they taste great in chili!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alright….later on in the month I will send you some!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much.
LikeLike
It’s a busy time, but I hope the harvest of both crops goes well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too! Today we have begun!!!
LikeLike
Oh Linda you have such a way with words I feel like well almost like I am there—feet in the soil smelling the good smells.
MB
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, MaryBeth! If I can help others see and feel our farming life…I am very thankful!
LikeLike
I delight in reading about your crops and critters!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s how I feel about your neck of the farming world!!!
LikeLike
What a science! You have become masters of the art.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, Terry has!
LikeLike
Interesting to hear about how pinto beans are harvested! We have soybeans here, and we wait until they’re dry (15%??) and then combine them. We’ve been doing the constant check on corn too, and are planning to chop corn silage this afternoon! Hopefully you have a great harvest!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good luck with your ensilage making! It’s always nice to get to harvest!
LikeLike
Yeah! Here’s to a successful harvest!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! No rain for two weeks please 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
We can use it here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay…If I just could!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It must take many years to learn all the farmer has to know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it does…for you can’t learn it in a classroom or a book, you must be on the land to learn.
LikeLike
Do you do anything with the bean trash? Back when I lived in NSW, the growers used to take that, bale it and feed it to the cows in winter for extra protein. I’d have thought it was a bit hard and would poke their mouths, but they seemed to like it well enough.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No. the cows come in February and love it! They eat it first, even before the dried on the stalk alfalfa. It’s not hard, very soft and pliable
LikeLike
Maybe it was only dried out and stalky because it had been baled…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or a different type of bean than ours!
LikeLike
Even more likely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So much care and attention is needed! I learn so much from your posts Linda. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like proofreading the final product! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah and hope for a bumper bean harvest!
LikeLiked by 1 person
YES!!!! And no rain until we get them in!
LikeLike
How exciting … all that hard work! Best of luck Linda ..
LikeLiked by 1 person