Wintertime at Harman's Farm

I'm often asked, "What do you do during the winter when the market is closed?"  While it is true that we live life at a slightly slower pace during the off season, things are still happening to make the upcoming growing season a success.

Tom has been busy doing maintenance work on the many tractors and other equipment.  I am so grateful that Tom is such a good mechanic.  

 I have been doing much of the bookwork and paperwork that gets neglected during the growing season.  Tax preparation, flower and vegetable variety selection, seed and supply orders, seeding and transplant schedules, marketing plans, school tour scheduling, all help to keep me busy during the winter days.  

Tom and I also attended two conferences; one the Southeast Strawberry Expo and the other, the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Growers Convention.  We always learn so much when attending conferences, not only from the sessions, but also when talking to vendors and other growers.  It also gives us time to talk and make plans for the upcoming season.

But the best part of winter for me is having the opportunity to devote more time to our boys, David and Daniel.  We had the best Christmas ever this year, focusing on the simple things and enjoying each other.  The boys have had many friends come to visit and shared their love of playing in the stream, and having some daring airsoft gun battles.  We've taken in a couple of movies and enjoyed cheering on Daniel's beloved Steelers to a Super Bowl Championship.  Tom and David enjoyed some "bonding time" while hunting for waterfowl.  We visited "Pop-Pop" and "BB" at Deep Creek Lake and had a grand time snow tubing.  I have been able to spend some days volunteering at Daniel's school and of course there's the time devoted to helping out with homework, when needed. 

 While wintertime may be a depressing season for some, I see it as a time to relax, recharge and enjoy my family.