Bigfork, Mt. Call Farmer Dan For Appointment around July 15. 406-871-5499.

We are excited, the weather is fabulous as of June 19. Here is a poem for your inspiration. Read the poem, it will lift your anticipation towards a fine summer.

Knee – Deep in June,

James Whitcomb Riley

Tell you what I like the best --
'Long about knee-deep in June,
'Bout the time strawberries melts
On the vine, -- some afternoon
Like to jes' git out and rest,
And not work at nothin' else!

Orchard's where I'd ruther be --
Needn't fence it in fer me! --
Jes' the whole sky overhead,
And the whole airth underneath --
Sort o' so's a man kin breathe
Like he ort, and kind o' has
Elbow-room to keerlessly
Sprawl out len'thways on the grass
Where the shadders thick and soft
As the kivvers on the bed
Mother fixes in the loft
Allus, when they's company!
...
March ain't never nothin' new! --
April's altogether too
Brash fer me! and May -- I jes'
'Bominate its promises, --
Little hints o' sunshine and
Green around the timber-land --
A few blossoms, and a few
Chip-birds, and a sprout er two, --
Drap asleep, and it turns in
Fore daylight and snows ag'in! --
But when June comes - Clear my th'oat
With wild honey! -- Rench my hair
In the dew! And hold my coat!
Whoop out loud! And th'ow my hat! --
June wants me, and I'm to spare!
Spread them shadders anywhere,
I'll get down and waller there,
And obleeged to you at that!

The Crops

The Cherries are in June Drop and on their way to Straw. We are watering like mad and mowing. Dan has been clearing pathways and tending the grass that keeps the cherry trees moist.

Peaches, Pears, Plums, Grapes, Apples all look good. Each crop has particular needs. We are fertilizing with all kinds of compost, kelp, and other specific nutrients. We will know our approximate Harvest Date around, “middle of July”.

Our Water

In April we upgraded our good well. Our pressure tanks were twenty years old. They fizzled. The genius family, Zavala’s, excavated a deep area near our well in the South part of our property.

The greatest well man, Fletcher helped us pull out the old pipe and pump. We installed a glorious and new stainless steel pump. We dug out a massive amount of soil to make an underground area for a fancy and new concrete fault. It acts like an old pump house, but it is now all underground. It was a fascinating experience and exercise. Much of the new installation was accomplished in pouring rain.

We are satisfied because we know our great water is the basis for every success that we have.

Grinding the Branches After Pruning

Around The Orchard

These 2025 Spring photos are a glimpse at the preparations here for maintaining a great season for everyone. Dan has taken these photos. He is passionate about his video and photography. The Rock photo is a Dan project: grape terraces. Dan has been designing and building various orchards for great people who want to add orchards in our Northwest Montana Valley.