It’s usually fairly breezy here at Merck in all the seasons. The land around the farm especially seems to funnel the air’s movements. But, come this time of year, with the trees barren of leaves, the wind really starts whipping.
The gusty weather really dictates what we can do on the farm: what kind of structures can be built that will not blow over or blow away, what types of vegetables and fruits will grow (did you know our you-pick blueberries are supposed to be a highbush variety, but because of the wind, they are more stunted in their growth?), where and how we will house the animals when the winter winds really start howling.
Understanding your land and the factors that influence it is incredibly important to designing a well-planned and laid out working landscape. Watching the land as it changes through the seasons can help you make good, sustainable decisions.
Some decisions on the farm take time to make, and often our initial plans are changed to adapt what the land and climate are telling us.
However, on a day to day basis, we know to be as prepared as possible for the wind…even if it means dressing like Nanook of the North in November.
what a great picture!