RAMSAY FARMS: Flowers!

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Flowers!

It has stopped raining long enough to get some photos of some flowers. NONE are in their peak, as that happened during the 16 days of rain. The flowering crabs bloomed during this time and I have no good shots of them to share with you! Bummer as I have about 14 varieties of flowering crab...one of only a tiny handful of ornamental flowering trees that grow up here.

Anyway:

This is a French Hybrid Lilac named "Sensation".

Red Oasier Dogwood (Native shrub, red branches)

Pin Cherry Tree (another native tree, but the birds get all the berries before I do!)

Heuchera "Marmalade" Not only has beautiful pinkish white flowers, but the color and texture just pops in the garden

Some of my 'veggie' garden now has sevearl kinds of Iris and Chives blooming. All the iris are gifts from others. Anyone want some?!! I have plenty!!

3 comments:

stephen rouse said...: Garrett! Your flowering shurbs are exquisite. Loved the photos. I'm partial to Sensation, the lilac. I bought one once and the dang rabbits killed it. Seeing this photo makes me want to get another! Love those white etched petals. Incredible.

stephen; June 17, 2008 at 11:08 PM
North Star Shetlands said...: Last time I checked, Iris aren't veggies ;-) The cattle tried to kill our sensation lilac this year. Pretty pictures though! :); June 18, 2008 at 9:29 PM
Gail V said...: Love your flower pictures, Garrett. My favorite plant out of them is the Heuchera Marmalade. I didn't know its name, but have seen a few around the Twin Cities this week-- a striking color foliage for contrast in the perennial bed.
Also, the dogwood blooms! Yay, I got a couple dozen as conservation plants from the Soil and Water Conservation people this year, but I hadn't known they'd flower!; June 20, 2008 at 11:51 PM

Who we are

Ramsay Farms is situated in the northeastern part of Ottertail County, near Perham, Minnesota. This family farm of 320 acres has been in the Ramsay family for five generations, dating back to 1892. Today our farm prides itself on our Simmental cattle, Shetland Sheep and BlueFaced Leicester sheep. We strive to breed animals that closest match the breed standards given to them, and mindful of production, health and longevity in our animals as well.

In spring of 2016, there was a purchase of 32 acres in Green County, Wisconsin to accommodate Garrett for his work in that region. The animals have for the most part been moved to that location. Both locations will work in tandem to continue educating and promoting these animals and this way of life.

From the Shetland Sheep Society

"Shetland sheep have for generations been noted for their very soft and well crimped fleece. The wool is the finest of all native breeds and shows an amazing variety of colours and patterns. There are 11 main whole colours and 30 recognised markings.

By selecting from coloured fleeces a range of naturally coloured yarn can be produced. This eliminates the need for dyeing and therefore retains the soft feel of the natural fibre and is favoured by those who prefer a totally natural approach.

Shetland wool fibres are of a simple construction witha central cortex covered by a thin scaly cuticle, and have an average diameter of about 23 microns. However there is a range from 10-20 microns for neck and shoulder wool to 25to 35 microns for britch wool. the average staple length is 3.5 inches. The amount of crimp varies, and is most important in providing the 'bounce' required for knitwear. There is a positive correlation between fineness and crimp, with wool of the finest quality being crimped at between 8 and 12 to the inch. Wool from shetland sheep is used to produce gossamer lace, the famous 'Fair Isle' knitwear, and fine tweeds. Pure bred Shetland sheep tend to shed their fleece in sprin. The growth of new fleece can cause a rise or weak point and where this is present the fleece can sometimes be plucked or 'rooed' by hand. The timing of this can be different in each sheep, however, it is worth taking the care to get it right as rooed fleece can be amongst the softest because the fibres have no harsh cut ends as occurs with a sheared fleece.

Shetland fleece can be handspun straight from the fleece or made into rolags and then woollen spun. It can also be sorsted spun by hand, used on a peg loom or handwoven. It also felts well using either dry or wet methods. When processed commercially the wool can be made into the finest lightweight worsted cloth or heavier weight, harder wearing fabrics and tweeds."

RAMSAY FARMS

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Flowers!

3 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

FEEDJIT Live Traffic Feed